435 A Funeral of Shadows 

Chapter 435 A Funeral of Shadows 

The corners of his lips lifted slightly. 

Eric couldn’t hide it, no matter how hard he tried. 

“Really?” he said, still acting tough. “Reputation is that important?” 

Alice put on an awkward little performance to show how much she cared about reputation. 

“Of course it is. Mr. Eric, can you give me another chance?” 

Eric lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. 

It looked like he was seriously considering it. 

Alice tightened her lips and said nothing. 

Good thing we never finalized that divorce. 

This man is really hard to deal with. 

Looks like I’ll have to be gentler with him from now on. 

After a long pause, Eric finally looked up. He spoke like he was making a huge compromise. 

‘You can continue being my doctor.” 

Alice teased, “Mr. Eric, you actually have a good sense of humor.” 

Eric widened his eyes. “Huh?” 

The meal was an emotional roller coaster for Alice. By the end, she had completely forgotten about Maria. 

Until the next day, Gary called. Maria’s funeral was being held. 

He hoped Alice would come and pay her respects. 

Alice didn’t really care. 

When Maria was alive, they barely had any connection. Now she was gone. Why bother going through the motions? 

But Eric changed into black clothes. He also prepared a black dress for her. 

“Family duty matters,” he said quietly. 

Maria wasn’t a good mother, but she was her biological mother. It Alice didn’t show up, people would talk. 

He didn’t want Alice’s reputation damaged. 

“Xavier will be there today.” 

Alice had been bored. She almost threw the dress away. But when she heard that, she rushed back to her room to change. 

173 

10:08 am 

Chapter 435 A Funeral of Shadows 

Are you kidding me? I had been waiting forever to meet the Sarratts. 

The Spencers were filled with silence and grief. 

Linda was there. 

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Rowan stood beside her. 

Even stranger, Gracie was there too. 

She had never had any connection with the Spencers. 

But she explained she admired Maria’s academic achievements and came to pay her respects. 

Because of her special status, Nathan personally welcomed her. 

They had only talked for a few minutes when Eric and Alice arrived. 

Gracie stared at Alice. 

Her heart started beating faster. 

Before, she wasn’t sure if Alice was the Patron. But recently, her investigation showed Alice’s working style was extremely similar to the Patron’s. And when the Patron disappeared, she had said she had personal matters to handle. 

Then there was Risa. 

Risa was the Patron’s best friend. Gracie knew that very well. 

She didn’t believe Risa would randomly become close to Alice. 

Putting all that together, Alice had to be the Patron. 

But based on the Patron’s personality, Maria had done so many terrible things. She normally wouldn’t come to a tuneral like this. 

Then Gracie remembered, the Sarratts were coming today. She understood right away. 

Years ago, the Patron had been targeting the Sarratts. 

But they were too powerful and too mysterious. No one could find any proof against them. 

Today was a rare chance. 

The Patron would never miss it. 

Now she was even more sure Alice was the Patron. 

Rowan was also watching Alice closely. 

His hands were tightly clenched. He felt more excited than ever before. 

So this was what the Patron really looked like. 

2/3 

10:08 am 

Chapter 435 A Funeral of Shadows 

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After Alice paid her respects, she stepped aside. 

As the biological daughter, she showed almost no sadness. Meanwhile, Linda collapsed on the ground, crying uncontrollably. 

Alice didn’t care about Linda’s performance. Because the moment she entered, she felt someone watching her. 

When she quietly figured out who it was, she felt helpless. 

It was those two. 

Back when they were overseas, they would start fighting the second they disagreed. They gave her constant headaches. 

She had no choice but to separate them during missions. 

Eventually, she made them run their own companies. They were actually taking over companies she had built earlier. 

Their companies weren’t enemies. But over the years, the two of them kept secretly competing. They wouldn’t stop until one destroyed the other. 

And today? They were strangely peaceful. Both are just watching her. 

Wait. 

Her heart thudded. 

Did they figure out who I am? 

If that was true, then they weren’t here for Maria. Just like her–they were waiting for Xavier. 

Alice licked her lips and remained silent. 

Eric noticed her mood shift. He gave Daniel a small signal. 

Daniel immediately went to investigate Gracie and Rowan. 

Actually, they had investigated Rowan before, because of Linda… 

But clearly, Eric didn’t trust the old report. 

Not long after Daniel left, a commotion broke out at the entrance. 

Reporters who had been waiting outside rushed forward. 

The Sarratts. Mysterious. Powerful. Untouchable. 

So many people wanted to uncover their secrets. 

And today, Xavier had arrived. Every eye turned toward the door.