Chapter 1 - The Funeral That Should Never Have HappenedThe grand funeral hall in Palm Beach stood in perfect silence beneath a towering crystal chandelier.
A polished white casket rested at the center of the room, surrounded by white flowers and mourners dressed in black.
Everyone had gathered to say goodbye to Claire Bennett, the wealthy philanthropist whose death had shocked the country.
Only one person refused to believe she was gone.
Eight-year-old Noah Bennett ran toward the casket carrying a heavy hammer.
Before anyone could stop him, he slammed it into the lid.
The sound echoed across the marble floor.
"You have to open it!"
Gasps spread through the crowd.
Daniel Bennett pushed through the mourners, his face twisted with anger.
"Stop! Put that down!"
Noah looked directly at him, tears pouring down his face.
"She's still inside!"
Then he raised the hammer again.
The second blow cracked the polished lid.
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For the first time...
Daniel looked frightened instead of furious.
