A waiter dressed in a black suit and a tall hat approached them. "Welcome to Rockefeller Manor. May I ask what brings you here?"
"Hello," Saul replied, managing a professional smile. He gestured to Sean beside him. "We're here to attend the funeral. This is Mr. Philemon D. Rockefeller's son."
He handed the waiter an invitation card. The black card, embossed with sterling silver, exuded a solemn, understated luxury.
The waiter examined the card, then bent down to look at Sean. "The Rockefeller family welcomes you both. Please Park your car here." He pointed toward a wooded area.
Curious, Sean followed the waiter's gesture and was surprised to find that the forest was actually a parking lot, with colorful trees and flowers separating each space.
"Wow, it's beautiful!" Saul exclaimed; awe evident on his face. "This design must be to preserve the beauty of the manor from the road. This is what luxury and elegance look like!"
"Is this really it?" Sean replied, glancing around without much enthusiasm.
"Look at the cars! Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lincoln... But where are the sports cars?" Saul wondered aloud.
"Come on, it's a funeral. Who would drive a flashy red Ferrari here?" Sean replied, shaking his head in disbelief. "Just Park the car already; quit acting like a country bumpkin."
"San, po?" Saul asked, confused.
"Shut up and park," Sean said, exasperated.
They parked beside a striking yellow Suzuki. After exiting the lot, they followed the waiter towards the funeral venue.
"Look at this place, Sean! We've been walking for ages. Everything you see belongs to the Rockefeller family," Saul exclaimed excitedly. "Do you know how vast this estate is?"
"Four thousand acres! Sixteen million square meters!" Saul continued, waving his arms with enthusiasm. "I checked last night—there are 75 buildings, 70 private roads, sculpture gardens, an underground art gallery, a playground, a 9-hole golf course, and even a farm! It's like its own kingdom."
Saul kept talking about the estate's vastness and its art collections, which included antiques and artworks from around the globe. "I heard Nelson D. Rockefeller had a fondness for Chinese antiques. His villa even has dragon-patterned curtains!"
As Saul rambled on, Sean's expression darkened. The mention of Chinese antiques struck a nerve.
"And you're an heir of the Rockefeller family! I still can't believe it!" Saul continued, oblivious to Sean's mood.
"Look at that sculpture of Oceanus," Saul pointed out. "There are hundreds of sculptures here, either centuries-old antiques or contemporary masterpieces, each worth million!"
"Is that all?" Sean scoffed. "This place doesn't even compare to the grandeur of the Old Summer Palace or the history of the Forbidden City."
Saul looked at him, taken aback. "What's wrong with you? Aren't you excited about becoming an heir?"
"Sure, I'm thrilled," Sean replied, taking a deep breath. "But do you know who the owners of those three gardens are now?"
"Yes, the Rockefeller Manor is one of the top ten estates in the world, but it doesn't impress me," Sean added, his tone somber. "The funeral is about to start. My father is dead, remember?"
"Look at you! You're all smiles, like a blooming chrysanthemum!" Saul teased.
"Even with a fortune on the line, you should show some grief," Sean said, rolling his eyes.
"Right, grief," Saul said, swinging his fist in mock seriousness. He spun around excitedly, but Sean warned, "If you burst out laughing at the funeral, they'll throw you out."
Saul nodded, but he was unable to contain his emotions. In a moment of desperation, he pinched himself hard, resulting in a yelp. Tears sprang to his eyes.
Sean couldn't help but smirk. "What are you, a werewolf?"
With a pained expression, Saul promised, "I'll cry when I see your father's coffin."
Sean patted Saul on the shoulder, unsure of what to say.
As they approached the Rockefeller family cemetery, the waiter consulted the invitation. "Which one is Mr. Sean Rockefeller?"
"That's me," Sean replied, gesturing to Saul. "This is my lawyer, Saul Goodman."
"Please follow me, Mr. Sean," the waiter said, gesturing for them to proceed.
As they walked, Sean noted that Saul was being led in a different direction. The Rockefeller family had strict protocols, akin to those of European royal families, distinguishing guests by status.
Sean wasn't particularly bothered by this. He followed the waiter to a less prominent area reserved for immediate family. At the forefront were Philemon's wife and their four
next
children, along with prominent members of the extended Rockefeller family. Saul, meanwhile, was assigned to an area far removed from Sean's spot.
Sean felt a strange sense of comfort in his position; he had never seen his father's body and felt it would be awkward to be closer to the front.
The pastor, dressed in black, began reciting the life history of Philemon D. Rockefeller. "Philemon D. Rockefeller, born in 1931..." His voice echoed softly, accompanied by the mournful strains of a sonata.
As Sean listened, images flashed in his mind—a white coffin being carried by four solemn men in black suits, the sound of a powerful background score echoing in his thoughts. The gravity of the moment settled heavily over him, overshadowed by the remarkable surroundings.
In this grand estate filled with history, art, and legacy, Sean felt a mix of emotions. The weight of his father's passing pressed down on him, but so did the overwhelming spectacle of the Rockefeller legacy. He couldn't shake the feeling that, in some way, he was expected to embody that legacy, even amidst his grief.
Saul, back in the corner, tried to maintain a serious expression, but he couldn't help glancing around, taking in the opulence and grandeur, wondering about the vast wealth and influence that surrounded them.
As the ceremony progressed, Sean's thoughts drifted. He reflected on the complexities of family legacy, the expectations that came with it, and the profound sadness that accompanied loss. Though he was about to inherit a fortune, all he could think about was the reality of saying goodbye to his father.
The pastor's voice continued, weaving through memories and tributes, while Sean fought to reconcile his feelings of grief with the overwhelming significance of the moment. In the heart of Rockefeller Manor, amidst the echoes of history, he felt both lost and found, caught between the past and the uncertain future ahead.
As the service drew to a close, Sean caught Saul's eye. Saul offered a reassuring nod, a silent promise of support amidst the emotional turmoil. Despite the solemnity of the occasion, Sean knew he wouldn't have to face this alone. Together, they would navigate the complexities of the Rockefeller legacy, one step at a time.