Chapter 188 Funeral and


    <b>Chapter </b>188: <b>Funeral </b>and <b>Returning </b>Shadows


    Chapter 188: Funeral and Returning Shadows


    <b>(</b>Third person’s POV)


    In mid–May, Gerald Rivers returned from his European visit to bid farewell to his son and daughter–inw. <b>The </b>funeral for William Rivers and Eleanor Rivers was scheduled for May 17th.


    On the funeral day, the sky was overcast with leaden gray clouds hanging low. The atmosphere felt somber and oppressive, as if the heavens themselves mourned the loss.


    The private cemetery was located fifteen kilometers north of Rivers Pack Mansion. Generations of Rivers


    pack ancestors rested here in eternal peace.


    Rows of neat tombstones stood silently like guardians of time. They witnessed countless endings and beginnings of pack life throughout the centuries.


    Now two new monuments joined them. The stones were engraved with names, birth dates, and death dates


    of the deceased.


    Mourners dressed in ck with solemn expressions slowly entered this tranquil ce. Their footsteps were


    muffled against the soft earth<b>, </b>creating an almost reverent silence.


    The two graves were arranged vertically, representing different generations. Bouquets and wreaths


    surrounded them in a sea of white and pale colors.


    The ceremony began with a pack elder’s low and solemn voice leading prayers and remembrance. His words carried the weight of tradition and loss.


    Pack members bowed their heads in silent tribute. Time became slow and heavy, each moment stretching


    like an eternity.


    Finally came the farewell moment. Mourners ced white moonflowers one by one on the fresh graves.


    Despite past unpleasantness with the Rivers pack, Richard Winters and Natalie Winters attended the funeral. They offered their condolences to the three remaining Rivers family members with genuine respect.


    After the funeral ended, a young woman in a ck dress with white flowers approached. Her movements were graceful despite the somber asion.


    She greeted Gerald Rivers and Eleanor Rivers with appropriate reverence. Then she turned to Connor Rivers


    with subtle changes in her eyes.


    Her gaze showed more tenderness as she called his name. “Connor.”


    Connor responded coldly and politely. “Thank you for specifically returning <b>to </b><b>the </b>country to attend my father


    and grandmother’s funeral, Miranda.”


    Miranda looked at him with barely perceptible heartache. “My condolences <b>for </b>your loss.”


    Connor’s brief “hmm” and averted gaze signaled the end of their conversation. His ice–blue eyes remained


    <b>distant </b>and unreadable.


    Seeing this, Miranda lowered her eyes with trembling eyshes. She said nothing more and <b>quietly </b><b>left </b><b>the </b>


    <b>III </b>


    O


    Chapter 188 Funeral and.


    cemetery grounds.


    As funeral attendees gradually departed, Connor didn’t see the figure he hoped for. Disappointment shed


    in his ice–blue eyes like a shadow.


    The embrace in the rain that night seemed like a dream. Beautiful yet unreal through their developing mate


    bond.


    Many days had passed, yet he could still feel Olivia’s warmth in his arms. The memory was bothfort and


    torment.


    Due to her unhealed wounds and doctor’s orders against excessive movement, Olivia wanted to attend but was forbidden by Richard Winters. She remained confined to the hospital against her wishes.


    During this time, she sent messages to Reba Frost. Her concern for Connor was evident in every carefully


    worded text.


    Lily hadn’t attended the funeral either. She was severely frightened by William Rivers‘ suicide and had been


    having nightmares.


    She stayed home for psychological treatment. Olivia called every few days to check on Lily’s condition.


    Ethan Quinn always answered that her psychological state remained poor. The trauma had affected her more deeply than anyone anticipated.


    After the funeral, Reba called back. She lowered her voice as she walked to her car while updating Olivia


    on the situation.


    “Connor’s emotions seem normal,” Reba said quietly. “Don’t worry too much about him.”


    Knowing the call was about Connor, Reba’s reassurance made Olivia feel relieved through their strengthening bond. The connection between them pulsed with distantfort.


    As Reba continued chatting, she suddenly stopped mid–sentence. A familiar face appeared in her line of


    sight.


    Miranda approached and greeted her with a polite smile. “Reba, what a coincidence seeing you here.” After hanging up with Olivia, Reba responded coolly to Miranda’s dinner invitation. “Hello, Miranda.”


    Initially wanting to refuse, Reba changed her mind. She remembered Miranda’s past feelings for Connor and suspected she wanted information about him.


    Reba also wanted to gauge whether Miranda still harbored feelings for Connor. This could be an opportunity to gather intelligence.


    That evening at 7:30 PM, they sat in a private room at an upscale members–only restaurant. The establishment was under Silverridge Holdings, ensuring privacy and discretion.


    Miranda and Reba sat face to face across the elegant table. The atmosphere was polite but tense


    beneath the surface.


    After exchanging pleasantries about the funeral and mutual acquaintances, Miranda finally broached the real. topic. Her voice carried carefully controlled emotion.


    “Reba, I heard about Connor and Olivia’s broken mate bond,” Miranda said softly. “Is it true they’vepletely severed their connection?”


    O


    < Chapter 188 Funeral and


    Despite being abroad, she had kept tabs on Connor through various pack connections. She was deeply saddened when she learned of his arranged mating with the Winters packst year.


    The Silverridge and Rivers packs had been allied since Gerald Rivers‘ generation. Pack elders once jokingly arranged a childhood mating between her and Connor.


    Connor was Miranda’s first love during her adolescent years. Despite numerous suitors due to her outstanding appearance and pack background, she could never see anyone else.


    His brilliance as an Alpha heir had captivated herpletely. No other man couldpare to his strength


    and intelligence.


    Before studying abroad, she confessed her feelings at neen. She hoped he might ask her to stay, but Connor rejected herpletely.


    “I already have someone I care for,” he had said simply. That someone was Olivia.


    Though jealous, Miranda acknowledged Olivia’s beauty and exceptional achievements. Olivia excelled in academics and variouspetitions with natural grace.


    Proudly, Miranda didn’t persist after rejection. But she dered she wouldn’t give up, silently vowing to improve herself enough to catch his attention.


    Now, asking about the severed mate bond four monthster, she nervously feared hearing an answer she didn’t want to hear. Her hands trembled slightly as she waited for Reba’s response.