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 from attending the party, using

played along, “Yes, Dad. Wouldn't it be an utter humiliation in front of our friends and relatives to let them attend your

them off the hook, what would others think of us if we expel them from our family?

invited to her grandpa’s seventieth birthday banquet, which would be held at the Grand

were still regarded as part of the Smith family since Sean had given them the green light to attend the

a thorny issue when they had tried to think of

something lavish, but we shouldn't give him something too cheap either, or it could reflect badly on us.” Penny suggested, “We should think of a present that is moderately

to think of one, but it

call, “Why don't you just leave it to me? I assure

eyed him skeptically, “Do you really think that you can find a present that

what to do.” Nathan offered her a confident

“I need a present for Sean Smith, who will celebrate his birthday tomorrow. The present doesn't have to be most lavish, but it must be the best for

Colin Dunne answered with

The following day.

banquet. Just as they were about to leave

it is.” Nathan smiled, unearthing a

was an inconspicuous,

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

her family brooded with fear. They dreaded to think of Sean's response upon seeing such a preposterous

could this tiny little pill be our birthday present? Are you out of your mind, Nathan?” Penny was

Nathan explained benignly, “This pill was cultivated more than sixty years ago, its name is Phoenixia. It was made with the rarest and most precious medicinal herbs and ingredients that have a miraculous effect on

carefully chosen by Colin Dunne, as required by

Colin Dunne knew that Sean was

was his health since he was aging and plagued with the

three highs were potential killers that could lead to illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Colin Dunne splurged an enormous amount of money to get ahold of the miracle pill which could work wonders at treating such chronic diseases. That was how it had ended

taken by surprise when they heard about the miraculous effect of

not to mention they were running out of time

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

“Absolutely.” Nathan asserted.

benefit of doubt and

was pray hard that what Nathan had said was true, that this was indeed a

showed up punctually at the entrance of Grand Hyatt Hotel - the venue of Sean's