Ryan walked away, leaving Bella whining softly behind him, her agitation lingering in his mind. He entered the church, where his father Arnold’s casket rested at the front. The funeral director had cordoned off the immediate area, citing the infectious nature of Arnold\u2019s illness.Taking a seat beside his grieving mother, Ryan tried to focus on the service. Arnold was to be cremated rather than buried due to the circumstances of his passing. Yet, as the mass concluded and the mourners began singing the final hymn, Bella\u2019s sharp bark echoed through the church, cutting through the somber atmosphere.\n

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Before anyone could react, Bella leaped onto the casket, sending the carefully arranged flowers tumbling to the floor. She barked relentlessly, her alertness drawing all eyes to the unexpected commotion.\n

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Bella\u2019s behavior was unmistakable\u2014she was in full alert mode. Ryan\u2019s heart sank as a creeping sense of dread began to rise within him.\n

“Open the casket!” he demanded, his voice carrying a mix of authority and desperation.\n
The crowd collectively gasped, their whispers filling the air. But Ryan didn\u2019t wait for permission or protest. He strode to the casket, his hands trembling as he lifted the lid, revealing the impossible truth\u2014it was empty.\n\n
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“Wh-Where’s my brother?” Ryan\u2019s uncle stammered, his shock mirrored by the crowd. All eyes turned to the funeral director, whose face had turned as pale as the lilies scattered on the floor.Meanwhile, Ryan\u2019s mother let out a small gasp before her body gave way to the overwhelming emotions. Her knees buckled, and her eyes rolled back as she fainted. Ryan moved quickly, catching her just before she hit the marble floor. Without a second thought, he carried her out and rushed her to the hospital.\n
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Later, back at his mother\u2019s house, Ryan placed a call to the police, determined to uncover the truth behind the macabre scene.\n
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“At this point, all we know is that the coroner confirmed the cause of death and released the remains to the funeral home,” Detective Bradshaw said, her voice calm but firm. “Was your father involved in any activities I should be aware of?”Ryan frowned, his thoughts swirling with confusion and disbelief. He hadn\u2019t been involved in his father\u2019s business for years, focusing instead on his dog training and rehabilitation center. Still, he couldn\u2019t imagine Arnold doing anything to tarnish his name or the family\u2019s reputation.\n
Detective Bradshaw left with a promise to follow up as soon as new information emerged. But patience wasn\u2019t one of Ryan\u2019s strengths. With his mother under observation at the hospital and Bella safe at home, he decided to take matters into his own hands and headed straight to the morgue for answers.\n\n
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“The coroner resigned? What about the new coroner?” The nurse at the reception desk informed Ryan with a nervous glance. Her response left him baffled and more determined than ever. When he requested to see his father\u2019s file, she shook her head, citing strict hospital policies.Ryan\u2019s frustration boiled over. He discreetly slid $1,000 across the counter, and after a long, tense moment, the nurse looked the other way. Seizing the chance, he slipped into the coroner\u2019s office, his heart pounding as he rifled through the neatly arranged files. But his search came up empty\u2014Arnold\u2019s file was missing.\n
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As Ryan\u2019s despair deepened, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was his father\u2019s lawyer, Mr. Stevens, with urgent news: Ryan had been named the new CEO of Arnold\u2019s company and was needed at the office immediately.\n
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Arriving at his father\u2019s office, Ryan went straight to the desk and opened Arnold\u2019s Gmail account on the office computer. But his hopes of finding any leads were dashed\u2014the inbox was completely empty, wiped clean of any messages.”Ryan! Good to see you,” Mr. Stevens greeted Ryan as he entered the room, closing the door behind him.\n
“Who’s been using this computer?” Ryan asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. Someone had clearly been tampering with things, but who?\n
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“Nobody,” Mr. Stevens answered, his expression unreadable.Ryan\u2019s gaze wandered to a shelf in the corner of the room. Two figurines that had always been part of his father\u2019s collection were missing.\n
“Wait, where are the dancers?” he asked, pointing to the empty spots. “Oh, he took them home. Poor Arnold\u2026he could never get the third figurine in the set. Can you believe the man who owns it won’t accept anything less than half a million?” Mr. Stevens replied with a heavy sigh, adding to the growing list of strange and unsettling developments.\n\n
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Ryan was certain those figurines weren\u2019t at his parents\u2019 house. He had thoroughly combed through every room since arriving for the funeral and had seen no sign of them. The missing items only added to the growing list of mysteries surrounding his father\u2019s supposed death.”But anyway, we have more important matters to discuss\u2026” Mr. Stevens informed Ryan, explaining the financial troubles Arnold had been dealing with before his disappearance. Investors were losing patience, and several had already threatened to pull their support due to Arnold\u2019s unexplained absences from important meetings.\n
“…and it all started when his new secretary began working here. With all due respect to Arnold and his family, I believe he was having a romantic relationship with her,” Mr. Stevens revealed, lowering his voice. The implications were deeply troubling, but Ryan wasn\u2019t ready to jump to conclusions without proof.\n\n
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Anger surged through Ryan as he imagined his mother\u2019s heartache piling up alongside the mounting debts. He nearly stormed off to confront Miss Pearson directly, but Mr. Stevens managed to stop him, warning that such actions could tarnish Arnold\u2019s reputation further.Instead, Ryan channeled his frustration into action. He spent the day addressing the company\u2019s financial crisis, sending thoughtful gift baskets to the most critical investors in an attempt to salvage their trust. Once the immediate fires were under control, he turned his attention back to the mystery. Miss Pearson remained his best lead.\n
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Later, he followed her to a modest suburban home. She parked in the garage, and Ryan waited outside in his car, watching and planning. When her car left the garage a while later, he seized the opportunity, slipping inside just as the door began to close. There, he discovered a door leading into her home.\n
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Ryan searched Miss Pearson\u2019s home methodically, his flashlight cutting through the darkness as he avoided turning on any lights. When he entered the bedroom, a framed photo on the nightstand caught his attention. It showed Miss Pearson and Arnold locked in an embrace, confirming Ryan\u2019s worst suspicions.Determined to find something more substantial, he scoured the house. Just as he was about to leave empty-handed, he noticed a slightly ajar drawer in the coffee table. Inside, he found a Manila envelope containing Arnold\u2019s life insurance policy\u2014a staggering $7 million, with Miss Pearson listed as the sole beneficiary. Clutching the evidence, Ryan drove straight to the police station.\n
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“This is quite compelling\u2026” Detective Bradshaw commented as she examined the document. “Let me see what else I can find out about this Pearson woman.”Ryan waited near the front desk while the detective coordinated with her team. Minutes later, she returned with news that Miss Pearson was booked on a flight to Morocco, set to depart in less than 30 minutes.\n
“Since the US has no extradition treaty with the Moroccan government, it’s vital we bring her in for questioning before she boards the plane!”\n\n\n
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Despite being told he couldn\u2019t join the officers, Ryan refused to stay behind. He followed them to the airport, determined to see this through. The tension in the air was palpable as they approached the boarding gate.”Police!” Detective Bradshaw shouted as her team moved in. “Let us through!”\n
Ryan blended in with the group, slipping past security as the officers spread out to search the passengers. The atmosphere grew increasingly charged as the minutes ticked by.\n
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“You there! The dark-haired woman in the white shirt! Step out of the line and raise your hands in the air,” Detective Bradshaw ordered, her voice cutting through the chaos. Ryan\u2019s relief was short-lived as the dark-haired woman in question turned out not to be Miss Pearson. The team continued searching, but after hours of combing through the airport, it was clear\u2014Miss Pearson had slipped away.Defeated but not ready to give up, Ryan knew in his gut that Arnold was still alive. He also knew that the figurines weren\u2019t at his mother\u2019s house. Wherever his father was, those figurines would likely be with him. Determined to uncover the truth, Ryan tracked down the collector who owned the third figurine in the set.\n\n\n
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“So\u2026how much will you take for it?” Ryan asked, pointing at the prized figurine.”$750,000,” Mr. Frederick, the collector, replied, his tone dismissive.\n
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“Then don’t buy it. The price is non-negotiable, young man!”Ryan wasn\u2019t deterred. He told Mr. Frederick he needed time to arrange the money and immediately called Mr. Stevens. Without hesitation, he requested to sell $750,000 worth of his shares in the company.\n
“But then you won’t have a controlling stake in the company, Ryan!” Mr. Stevens responded, clearly concerned.\n\n\n
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“I’m aware, Mr. Stevens, but this is urgent,” Ryan explained, his tone urgent. “I need the cash immediately, but if I’m right, I should be able to buy back those shares within the week.””Ryan,” Mr. Stevens finally replied after a long pause. “as a major stakeholder and legal advisor for the company, I get the feeling it would behoove me not to ask questions about why you need such a large amount of money at such short notice.”\n
“As a longtime family friend, however,” Mr. Stevens added, “I must know if this is related to the suspicion I shared with you about Miss Pearson.”\n\n
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“In a manner of speaking, yes,” Ryan answered firmly, leaving no room for doubt.Mr. Stevens sighed heavily before agreeing. “She’s also disappeared, you know…didn’t turn up for work today, and her phone number no longer exists. I’ll get you the money…best you not ask me the details…and wire it to you ASAP.”\n
With the funds transferred to his account, Ryan returned to Mr. Frederick to finalize the purchase of the figurine. The collector grumbled about its value but ultimately handed it over. Ryan left with the figurine and a renewed determination to uncover the truth.\n
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“You asked for $750 000, sir, and that’s what I’m giving you, effective immediately. Are you not a man of your word, Mr. Frederick?”Mr. Frederick begrudgingly agreed to sell the figurine after some convincing. With the transaction complete, Ryan wasted no time. He made a few calls from his car, organizing the next steps in his plan. Before heading back to his mother\u2019s house, he stopped by a store to pick up some supplies he might need later.\n
“Where on earth have you been, Ryan?” his mother asked as he entered the house. “I return from the hospital to find the house empty, and poor Bella bored out of her mind. Your dog misses you; I really can’t keep her busy enough, and I’ve barely seen you since the funeral…”\n\n
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“I’m sorry, Mom,” Ryan murmured softly. “Please just trust that what I’ve been doing is very important. It will also be over very soon.”He positioned himself behind a pillar at the auction house, scanning the crowd with a sharp eye. The figurine he had just purchased was next in line for bidding. Ryan held his breath as it was carried to the podium, its allure unmistakable even from a distance.\n
As the auction began, the number of bidders quickly narrowed to two individuals. One was a stout man with a distinctive nose, and the other was a tall gentleman with striking white hair, dressed impeccably in a navy suit. Despite their presence, Ryan\u2019s father was nowhere to be seen.\n
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Ryan had taken extra precautions, ensuring his involvement in the auction remained completely anonymous. He had even paid for advertisements to spread the word about the figurine, hoping it would draw his father out of hiding.As the bidding war intensified, doubt crept into Ryan\u2019s mind. What if this gamble didn\u2019t pay off? What if his father didn\u2019t show, and the figurine ended up costing him more than just money?\n
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“$1 million!”The sound of his father\u2019s voice sent a shiver down Ryan\u2019s spine. He turned to see Arnold standing at the back of the room, his wide-brimmed hat shading his face. Slowly, Arnold removed the hat, revealing his identity to the stunned crowd.\n
“$1 million going once…going twice…sold to the man in the beige coat!” The auctioneer\u2019s gavel came down with a decisive thud, ending the sale.\n
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Arnold wasted no time. He replaced the hat on his head and headed for the exit. But Ryan was quicker. He circled around the room, intercepting his father just before he could leave. Before Arnold could react, Detective Bradshaw stepped in, her handcuffs ready.”Ryan?” Arnold spat, his eyes narrowing in frustration. “You tricked me! This was a trap!”\n
“Don’t act like I’ve committed some terrible betrayal, Dad! You’re the one who had an affair and faked your own death so you could run off with your mistress! How could you?”\n\n
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Arnold\u2019s shoulders sagged under the weight of his confession. He admitted that he had grown weary of his old life and had planned to start fresh with Miss Pearson by his side.”So you took out a huge amount in life insurance for your new life, bribed the coroner to falsify your death certificate and cause of death, and had all of us gather around an empty casket to mourn you!” Ryan said through clenched teeth, his voice thick with anger and betrayal.\n
“‘A man should do what is right, not follow his own selfish interests.’ You taught me that, Dad. I’m sorry you couldn’t follow your own principles, but I hope you realize that your failure to do so led to your downfall.”\n
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Detective Bradshaw assured Ryan that Miss Pearson wouldn\u2019t stay hidden for long. With Arnold now in custody, the investigation had gained new momentum. Ryan watched as his father was escorted to a waiting police car, his emotions a mix of relief, sadness, and resolve.This story is inspired by the real-life experiences of our readers and was crafted by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is purely coincidental. All images are used for illustrative purposes only. If you have a story to share, it could inspire others and even change lives.\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ryan becomes deeply suspicious when his dog races into the church and starts barking at his father’s coffin. Seeing Bella in her alert position, Ryan decides to open the casket, uncovering a shocking truth\u2014his father’s body is missing. Ryan stepped out of his car and stood outside the church, battling an overwhelming mix of emotions. […]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5983,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5982"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5982\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5985,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5982\/revisions\/5985"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/momentsunfolded.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}