2024-12-01 23:21:13Elina and Nicholas laughed with her parents as they settled into a chair together, a bowl of popcorn between them, as they sat to watch the funeral program of the late William Hazel on television. Nicholas had eventually secured a spot for the Jackson’s just as he had promised, and the initiative would kick start once the late William Hazel was laid to rest.
The funeral procession was nothing like Elina had ever seen in her life before. It was like the whole world had come together to pay their last respect to William Hazel, a testament to the fact that he was indeed, a powerful and influential man who was well known all over the world.
The Presidents and Prime Ministers of over 15 countries were all present. Even members of the royal family from Britain along with other royal families across the globe were also present.
“Golly goodness!” Elina sat up.
“Damn…” Nicholas muttered.
The death and burial of William Hazel was for sure going to be the talk of the world for months if not years.
While they were still watching the procession, the casket arrived in a jet. It was white and gold in color. The initials and the handles of the casket were all made of twenty-four-karat gold and the sides of the casket were studded with real diamonds. With the arrival of the casket, the ceremony began.
“Good Lord! What kind of madness is this? Burying gold and diamonds in the ground with a man?” Jacob exclaimed.
“It's not for real, father. The casket is just to fulfill all righteousness. It was published that William Hazel is going to be cremated. I'm sure the casket is just going to be auctioned off to the richest bidder.” Nicholas shrugged.
He ought to have attended the funeral too given the status of his family as one of the top families in Venice City, but he had chosen to watch it live from TV, seeing it as the perfect opportunity to finalize his wedding plans with Elina.
Elina preened. She'd definitely made a good decision choosing Nicholas, she thought to herself.
The moment they really were waiting for was when the heir to the empire would be announced. A press release had been given by the family's executive manager, stating that the heir would not be Philip Hazel, William Hazel’s only surviving son, as everyone had thought, but a much younger and virile family member. And it had been rumored that it wasn't any of the twins either.
“Please excuse me, I'll be right back.” Nicholas excused himself.
“I wonder who the new heir is going to be!” Elina said out loud, taking a sip from her iced coffee.
“If only you could get a man like that for yourself,” Patricia muttered.
“I have Nicholas now mom, and besides, he just helped us get a spot in the Hazel’s Forbes Initiative, what else do you want?”
“If you'd listened to me and not gotten married to that man you would probably have met one that is in this occasion right now.” Patricia huffed.
Elina glared at her mother, unable to understand what exactly her problem was and why she only thought of money above everything else.
~~~~~~
The elaborateness of the burial and the arrival of such distinguished guests throughout the event made Jonathan realize who his grandfather had really been.
He was taking the place of a great man whom the entire world was now at a standstill for. This meant that at the age of thirty, the world was now passed over to him to command. His life for the last thirty years had been nothing but pain and misery. Up until now, that is. He was now a king and the entire world was his palace!
It was all too surreal…
Jonathan stood in a glass structure with the rest of the family, hidden from the rest of the world as the last tribute was made to his grandfather by soldiers shooting into the air ten times.
After that, the coffin was carried into a heavily guarded vehicle. The actual burial itself was to be a very private affair.
Bernard had said that William would be cremated and the coffin kept hidden. This was all just for show.
This meant that it was now time for the new heir to be announced.
“Come with me, Young Master.” Bernard Lampley whispered to him.
~~~~~~
Elina and her mother had been on alert and waiting for this moment. They all sat up as the bombshell was about to drop.
“The Hazel family have some matters they'd want to announce.” Bernard boomed on the podium.
“The heir to the empire will inherit the following – beginning with the companies here in the Venice City: The Bowen stock and services, Mighty Goals firm, Mond-Luxury, Caleb Fountain.”
“Did you just hear that? Our company was mentioned! I think we have been shortlisted to be beneficiaries of the Hazel Forbes Initiative. Wake me up, I think I might be dreaming!” Elina exclaimed.
Her mother jumped in excitement,
“I’m so happy that our company is linked with the Hazels! A name commanding power!”
Then she turned sharply to Elina,
“Not that wretched and very useless ex-husband of yours you carried around. If I were a member,”
Sandy rolled her eyes, “There’s no need for that mother. Jonathan is no longer part of our lives, so let’s forget about him,”
“I was just saying,” Patricia shrugged, as she turned to face the television.
“And now, I believe it is time to announce the owner of all these prestigious holdings I've enumerated.” Bernard Lampley continued.
They all sat up.
“We know you have all been waiting for this moment but we regret to inform you that for privacy and security reasons, the heir to the Hazel Empire will not be announced or presented to the general public today.”
Elina and her family groaned.
Patricia face palmed.
“Leave it to these rich pricks to do something like this.” She mumbled.
“However,” Bernard sparked hope, “The heir will first be meeting with the CEOs of his companies which have been shortlisted to be beneficiaries of the Hazel Forbes Initiative.”
All of their eyes widened.
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