The Saint Augustine Chapel stood in complete silence as mourners dressed in black filled the polished wooden pews. White lilies surrounded a beautifully crafted oak casket positioned beneath an enormous crystal chandelier. Hundreds had gathered to honor billionaire industrialist Richard Harrison.
According to the official report...
Richard had died suddenly from a rare infectious disease.
The funeral had been arranged unusually fast.
The casket remained tightly sealed.
No viewing.
No final farewell.
Most people accepted the explanation without question.
Then the chapel doors burst open.
Andrew Harrison ran inside wearing a black suit, his tie hanging loose after rushing from the airport.
"Father!"
Ignoring shocked guests, Andrew stumbled toward the casket and collapsed beside it.
His hands gripped the polished wood as tears streamed down his face.
"I made it..."
His voice broke.
"I'm here."
Across the chapel, his stepmother Maria watched silently.
Elegant in a black designer dress with a pearl necklace resting around her neck, she showed almost no emotion.
Andrew looked up at her through tears.
"Maria..."
He struggled to breathe.
"I want to see my father."
The room fell silent.
Every guest waited for her answer.
Maria slowly walked toward the grieving son.
Her expression remained cold.
"No."
Her voice was calm.
"No one is allowed."
She looked toward the mourners.
"The doctors warned us."
"It was an extremely dangerous disease."
No one questioned her.
Except someone else.
Someone much closer than anyone realized.