Chapter 16 - 16: Why Does She Look So Familiar?

Kevin Green stood in the hall, accompanied by a neighborhood friend, Marcus Pierce. Marcus Pierce was over ninety years old. He was in good spirits and good health, and except for a limp, there was nothing wrong with his body.

Marcus Pierce and Kevin lived in the same community. Marcus was the oldest man there and was well respected. The old man had a warm heart. Kevin Green was just a child and had no adults around to guide him. He pitied the boy and stood at his side to help him take charge.

After announcing the start, the host briefly introduced the important figures among the guests. Then three minutes of silence followed.

This kind of solemn and sad atmosphere made Sophia a little uncomfortable. Everyone was sad for her, and she didn't know how to react. After all, she was still there!

Then Principal Lewis of Glinton University went to the stage to deliver the eulogy as Sophia Green's foremost colleague. After finishing his short eulogy, he shook his head sadly. He bowed slightly to Marcus Pierce and invited him to come to the stage.

Marcus Pierce couldn't walk well, and Kevin helped him up.

"I've watched Sophia Green grow up. She was… clever and thoughtful. I'm really sad that she was gone so suddenly." Marcus Pierce never went to school and couldn't even read. He didn't know what to say but his true feelings, "The child was born, unfortunately. But she was very strong and optimistic. I couldn't keep up with her. I don't really believe she's gone. When I saw Kevin, her brother, yesterday, I asked him when his sister would get off work and play Go with me. I taught her to play Go. I could beat her until the fifth grade and then never again!"

He only spoke a few things about Sophia Green, and simple as they were, they were all heartfelt and sincere. All the guests felt sad for her. Many were secretly wiping away their tears.

Then came the service.

Afterward, Marcus Pierce and Kevin Green thanked the guests. Everyone said something comforting. Kevin's eyes were red. He didn't say anything, just nodded. Marcus Pierce thanked the guests one by one.

Soon, it was Sophia's turn.

She stepped forward and bowed to the picture on the chapel.

It was strange to attend her own funeral and bow to her own portrait while she was still alive.

As she passed Kevin, she did not say anything but patted him on his shoulder as consolation. Then she nodded to Marcus Pierce and retreated with her head down.

Marcus Pierce suddenly stopped her, "Have I seen you before, Miss?"

Sophia Green stunned and shook her head, "No, I've never seen you before."

"Hmm." Marcus Pierce said to himself, "Why does she look so familiar?"

Sophia felt nervous suddenly and quickly left. She was quite familiar with Marcus Pierce in her previous life, and he had helped her a lot, but she never thought it would be possible for Marcus Pierce to recognize her as she currently was.

Her present appearance and age were so different that she thought she would never be recognized by others.

She walked out of the hall to wait for the funeral to end. She wondered if there was anything she could do to help.

Suddenly, she saw a familiar figure coming slowly through the crowd.

It was from Albert Pearson.

He was still in a black suit, smooth and unruffled. He walked through the hall slowly but did not bow and mourn like the others. Instead, he raised his head and stared at the portrait of Sophia Green for a long time without blinking.

No one hurried him. Everyone waited in silence.

Albert Pearson stayed for a long time, eventually closing his eyes slowly. Then he opened his eyes and strode away.

Some young people were quietly discussing the relationship between Albert Pearson and Sophia Green. Looking at his behavior, they wondered if his relationship with Sophia had not been a little unusual. However, no one dares to speculate any further about it. After all, this was Sophia Green's funeral. It would be inappropriate to talk about the dead like that at their own service.

As for the guests from Glinton University, they would not talk about it. They were all people of status and not given to gossip. No one would have said anything even if they knew the identity of Albert Pearson.

There were lots of guests. The memorial service did not end until noon. Eventually, Kevin Green and Marcus Pierce had thanked everyone, and the crowd drifted away.

Sophia Green was still standing in the hallway and did not leave with the rest. She had something else to say to Kevin Green, so she just waited there. She had nowhere else to be, after all.

When the guests were almost gone, Sophia stepped forward and asked Kevin, "Is there anything I can do for you?"

He shook his head. "No, thanks. My sister's colleague had arranged everything. There's a man around to help bury her in a short while. You don't need to worry."

Sophia nodded with relief, "Okay, then I'll go."

She didn't want to see her body being buried. It would be too weird.

Just then, a middle-aged woman walked in from outside. Sophia frowned when she realized who it was: it was her stepmother, Linda Barber.

Kevin looked up, and his face grew even sadder as he saw Linda, but he said nothing.

The funeral was long over before she decided to turn up. He knew she wasn't here for that.

And sure enough, she marched over to Kevin and said, "I heard your sister left some money to you, didn't she?"

Kevin Green bit his lip, "None of your business. My sister has nothing to do with you! "

He had no respect for Linda Barber. Even if she were his stepmother, he wouldn't be polite.

"Hmmm," Linda said, "We'll see about that.. I've asked a lawyer. Legally, I have a share of her legacy!"