Chapter 874

On the evening of the twenty-sixth, Rebecca began to hallucinate. Strangely, her condition seemed to improve. She sat up, pointing and shouting, “Get out! Go away! You’re all useless, worthless trash! Amelia, how dare you touch me? You’re so disrespectful!”

She clutched her throat, struggling for breath, her face turning purple. The physician's warning prevented anyone from believing she was seeing ghosts. Barrett rushed to her, prying her hands away. “Mom, there’s no one here! Amelia isn’t here!”

“She’s come for revenge! She hates me!” Rebecca grabbed his sleeve, her terror replacing her fierce expression. “Tell her I didn’t want her dead! I only wanted to enforce some rules! To teach her a lesson! Ah… Stay away, Amelia! How dare you!”

She swung her arms wildly, slapping Barrett repeatedly. He remained still, enduring the blows.

An hour later, she quieted. Her breaths were shallow, more air escaping than entering. At times, she seemed aware, opening her eyes to look at the gathered family. Yet she didn't see Benjamin or her grandchildren. She whispered, “Benjamin…”

Barrett sat by her bedside. “Mom, would you like some water?”

“Benjamin…”

“He stepped out for a moment. He’ll be back soon,” Barrett reassured her.

Bryan, nearby, wiped away tears. His voice was filled with anger. “Benjamin is heartless. Mom has been so good to him, and he can’t even come to see her off.”

Rebecca’s eyes widened. See her off? Was she dying?

She was dying. Her eldest son was absent, and her daughter hadn't even checked on her. Not a single member of the second branch of the family had visited.

Was she truly so hated? She refused to accept it. All her hard work had been for the family, to restore them to their former glory. Hadn't she done it all for them?

She felt something choking her, making breathing increasingly difficult. She was cold, shivering uncontrollably. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. She should have had the best physicians and the most expensive medicine. Her husband hadn’t achieved much, but he had listened to her. And her daughters-in-law… No, they had all left.

“I regret it…” Thick tears streamed from her eyes, but no other words came. What she regretted, no one knew.

At 10:45 that night, Rebecca died. Her eyes remained open. Barrett wept for a long time before arranging her funeral.

Chapter 624

With only a few days until the New Year, the funeral preparations were rushed. A table was set up for visitors to pay their respects.

The court was on break, and the Supreme Court closed for the holiday, allowing Carissa a respite. However, for the Capital Guard, Garrison Unit, Royal Guard, and Crown Guard, the New Year was their busiest time. Their duties allowed no slackening. Carissa checked in occasionally but didn't remain at headquarters or the Central Command Office constantly.

The following day, news of Rebecca’s death reached Hell Monarch Estate. Little was said; news of her declining health had already spread.

Jacob remarked, “Well, this means Barrett will enter his mourning period. Is the Crown Guard about to lose its commander?”

Salvador intended to separate the Crown Guard from the Mystic Army, making a commander essential. Previously, a commander was less crucial. Now, it was vital. Rebecca’s death at this time meant Barrett’s mourning would sideline him. There was no sign Salvador would reinstate him. Simply put, the Crown Guard didn’t need Barrett as its commander.