Salute To The General

Chapter 7 A Discarded Treasure

The unexpected appearance of Derek Harvey left Penny and her family reeling from the sudden, inexplicable turn of events.

Curiosity got the better of Benson when they were back at the dining table, continuing their breakfast. “Your words came true when you'd said Mr. Harvey would show up today to apologize in person.” He cast an inquisitive glance at Nathan, “Do you have something to do with this?”

"How could this be possible? I'm sure that it's merely a coincidence.” Leah snorted, “He hardly had stepped out of the house the entire night. There's no way that he could be involved,” she insisted. “Besides, what makes you think that a homeless bum like him could get Mr. Harvey to show up with his apology?”

“I'm sure that this is due to his conscience that has been haunting him with horrible nightmares, reminding him of what karma would befall on him if he'd continued with his vices.”

“That's why he showed up at such wee hours of the morning.” She shrugged, “He was merely following his conscience, that's all.”

Leah was a devout believer who had never skipped a prayer throughout her life. Hence she would attribute all unexplained events to karma, fate, and retribution.

Benson was skeptical of Leah's explanation; he found it wrought with superstition.

Yet he could not agree more with Leah when she proclaimed that Nathan was incapable of performing such a heroic feat when all he had done was loitering around doing nothing. How could he get Derek Harvey to show up and apologize, let alone if he could not even get himself a proper job?

He speculated that it had all boiled down to Derek Harvey's own conscience, which had prompted him to feel remorseful.

A different vibe struck Penny about the whole matter. She reckoned that it was likely masterminded by Nathan and executed by Thomas Dunn.

It takes a monster to kill a monster. There would be no suitable candidate for the job, other than Thomas Dunn, who was a hundred times more ruthless and diabolical than Derek Harvey.

While she was glad to escape unscathed from the turmoil, she knew that it was all due to the influence of Thomas Dunn, whom of which Nathan had already helped Nathan on two occasions. She firmly believed it would be impossible for Thomas Dunn to help them again for the third time. Their luck would run out soon, and it was vital for Nathan to rein in his rashness.

Meanwhile, at the Royale Villa Residences, the Smith Family's Mansion.

Sean Smith, the patriarch of the Smith family, together with Samuel Smith and Paul Smith, his eldest and his third son, was having a conversation in the study.

“I found it simply outrageous,” Paul complained. “How could Mr. Harvey let Penny off the hook and, calling us up to inform us that he would continue to partner with us?”

“Mr. Harvey is a shrewd businessman. I bet that he would not want to meddle with Penny's lunatic boyfriend A mad and penniless guy like him has nothing to lose. Mr. Harvey knew better than to waste his time with that hooligan, subjecting himself to unnecessary risk.” Samuel explained, “It's better for him to drop it altogether and let the matter pan out.”

Sean expressed a scornful grimace the moment he heard Samuel talk about Penny and Nathan. “It sickens me to the core whenever I hear her name. What have I done to deserve such a shameless granddaughter like her? She has utterly ruined our family’s name!”

don’t we banish Benson and his family

in front of our friends and relatives to let them

Sean waved his hands in disagreement, “Now that Mr. Harvey had the leniency to let them off the hook, what would others think of us if we expel them from our family? It would look bad on us and make us look petty and callous

delighted to know that they had been invited to

they were still regarded as part of the Smith family since Sean

issue when they had tried to think of a suitable birthday present for

too cheap either, or it could reflect badly on us.” Penny suggested, “We should think of a present that is moderately priced, yet useful and meaningful

to think of one,

finally made the bold call, “Why don't you just leave it to me?

sure about this?” Penny eyed him skeptically, “Do you really think that you can find a present that

know what to do.” Nathan

out to the balcony, giving Colin Dunne a call, “I need a present for Sean Smith, who will celebrate his birthday tomorrow.

Dunne

The following day.

birthday banquet. Just as they were about to leave the house, Penny

is.” Nathan smiled,

an inconspicuous,

box was a pill, all sealed up in plastic. It was almost the size of a

and her family brooded with fear. They dreaded to think of Sean's response upon

our birthday present? Are you out of your mind, Nathan?” Penny

that have a miraculous effect on illnesses caused by what we commonly

gift carefully

Dunne knew that Sean was flushed with cash; he was never short

his health since he was aging and plagued with the

get ahold of the miracle pill which could work wonders at treating

when they heard about the miraculous effect of this

they could hardly afford any lavish gift because of their shoestring budget, not to

completely sure of this, Nathan? This pill could really work wonders?” Penny

“Absolutely.” Nathan asserted.

benefit of doubt and made the pill their

true, that this was indeed

up punctually at the entrance