CHAPTER 7 – The Funeral Where the Billionaire Opened His Eyes
Exactly one year after Ethan Brooks disappeared...
Titan Global had become stronger than ever.
Employee satisfaction reached record highs.
Profits doubled.
The bronze statue of the old janitor at the headquarters entrance had become a symbol of humility across America.
Every new employee touched the statue's mop handle for good luck before their first day.
Emily Harper had refused the title of CEO.
Instead, she created something Ethan had always dreamed of—a company where executives spent one day every month working alongside frontline employees.
People called it "The Brooks Standard."
Everything seemed perfect.
Until one rainy October morning.
Emily received a plain white envelope.
No return address.
No stamp.
Inside was a single black card.
"Please attend Ethan Brooks' funeral."
She frowned.
Funeral?
There had never been an official announcement that Ethan had died.
The card listed only a date, a time, and an old countryside church in Montana.
Nothing else.
The church was small.
Silent.
Almost forgotten.
Only twelve people attended.
Emily.
Ryan Carter.
A few elderly friends.
Several former factory workers.
And six people no one recognized.
At the front of the church rested a simple wooden casket.
No flowers.
No luxury.
No cameras.
Exactly as Ethan would have wanted.
The priest began speaking.
"Ethan Brooks taught us that the richest man is the one remembered for kindness."
Many people quietly wiped away tears.
Ryan stepped forward.
"I once judged a man because of his clothes."
"My greatest success in life wasn't becoming an executive..."
"It was earning his forgiveness."
The room remained silent.
Then...
A woman in an elegant black dress suddenly stood.
"I object."
Every head turned.
She removed her sunglasses.
"My name is Victoria Brooks."
"I'm Ethan's daughter."
Gasps echoed through the church.
Emily stared in disbelief.
Ethan had always claimed he had no family interested in his fortune.
Victoria smiled coldly.
"My father lied."
"And I'm here to claim everything."
Without another word, she walked to the casket.
She placed her hand on the polished wood.
"I know you're in there, Father."
Then she whispered something only the coffin could hear.
Suddenly...
A faint knocking sound came from inside.
One knock.
Then another.
The priest froze.
The mourners stepped backward.
Ryan's face turned pale.
Emily's heartbeat nearly stopped.
Another knock.
Louder this time.
Someone screamed.
The church doors slammed shut by themselves as a powerful gust of wind swept through the room.
The casket...
Moved.
Slowly.
Then the lid shifted.
Just a fraction.
Every person in the church stood frozen, unable to breathe.
Was Ethan Brooks...
Alive?
Or had someone orchestrated one final impossible test?
No one dared move closer.
May you like
Until the voice from inside the coffin whispered only three words—
"Trust no one."
