Chapter 622

"Hehe..." she chuckled. The abrupt laughter startled everyone in the somber mourning hall. It suggested Lily lacked respect for the deceased and the elders.

Jonathan, the eldest, frowned. "Lily! Don't be so rude before your grandfather's casket! How dare you laugh? How do you honor the grandfather who raised you?!"

"Granduncle Jonathan, how can I not laugh at this ridiculous soap opera? If Grandpa's in heaven, he'd find this hilarious. Don't you think? He's just passed, and some are already stirring up trouble."

Henry glared. "Who's stirring up trouble?"

"I'm sure the troublemaker knows best!" Lily boldly met his gaze, slowly approaching. "Uncle Henry, despite my respect for your age, I advise honesty. Everyone knows Grandpa expelled you from the Lodge family years ago, and it's been conveniently ignored. Your presence at Grandpa's funeral is acceptable, but if you use this to cause trouble, I suggest you leave the Lodge family."

She pointed at the door. Henry recoiled, then steadied himself. "What a joke! I'm a Lodge! You're an outsider, a Christian. What right do you have to tell me to leave? When your grandfather was alive, he saw you as a helpless orphan. He raised you, but don't forget—you'll never be a Lodge!"

"Uncle Henry, are we still discussing surnames? In reality, surnames don't define relationships. Human behavior is unpredictable!" Lily smiled at Justin. "You claimed I poisoned the candle. Where's the evidence?"

Turning to Henry, she continued, "In a law-abiding society, proof is required. If you suspect the candle, show me the lab report. Show me the evidence. Even in murder or arson, there's a motive. Why would I harm myself?"

Henry seemed trapped, yet ready. With two claps, someone presented him with a document, distributing copies to the elders.

He brandished the document. "Did you think I'd accuse you without evidence? I'm your elder; I know how to be convincing. Look at this!"

Slam!

The document landed. Lily examined the lab results; Henry had even submitted the candle. He was prepared. Despite the technical jargon, she quickly grasped the findings: a lethal toxin was present, fatal even with long-term, low-level inhalation.

"Elders, my father was unwell. Though abroad, I worried and sought treatment. I was too late," Henry addressed the crowd, his face pained. "If he died of an incurable illness, I have nothing to say. I'd only hate myself for missing his final moments. But if he was murdered, I'll never forgive the culprit, whoever it is!"