Chapter 467
Penelope looked at Carson, waiting for him to continue.
“It was at a reception for an investment conference. You were there representing Stone Group, and we ended up in the same elevator. But the elevator malfunctioned on the twentieth floor and stopped suddenly. You remained completely calm, pressed all the floor buttons, and when a young man panicked and started kicking the door, you restrained him until help arrived.”
Penelope remembered the incident, but she hadn’t noticed Carson at the time. He had always kept a low profile, often dressing in casual clothes, looking less like a business mogul and more like a carefree retiree.
“Back then, I had only seen your photograph, but I recognized you immediately. I thought to myself, this girl is dazzling; whoever is lucky enough to marry her will be truly blessed. So I had someone do a deep dive on you. When I learned how the Sullivans had deceived you, I was furious, and I deliberately set a trap for you to discover the truth.”
“Then why did you think I was right for Theodore?”
“A gut feeling. I felt that Theodore would definitely fall in love with you, and you with him.”
Penelope smiled. “And then?”
“And then, I admit, I had a selfish motive. I hoped you could be the key to free our family from this prison we’ve built.”
Penelope kept smiling. Though he said it last, she knew that was the primary reason. The elevator incident and their subsequent interactions had simply convinced him she had the resilience not to be broken by their family’s tragedy.
But even so, she was grateful to Mr. Johnson for helping her see the Sullivans’ true colors, saving her from being duped like a fool for years, perhaps even a lifetime.
“I’m sorry. Those are my final words to you at the end of my life,” Carson said, his voice filled with remorse.
Penelope nodded. “I accept your apology.”
“Penelope, you don’t have to be kind to everyone.”
“But you’re different from the others.”
Aside from Mr. David Anderson, he was the person from whom she had felt the most paternal affection.
Theodore came out and sat down beside Penelope.
“Theo, I’m sorry you had to endure so much at such a young age.” Carson looked at
his son, his eyes filled with reluctance, regret, and most of all, guilt.
Theodore reached out and took Mr. Johnson’s hand. “I should be the one saying sorry to you.”
“Then let’s just agree to forgive each other.”
“Okay.”
A relieved smile spread across Carson’s face. “Take care of your mother. These past twenty years have been too hard on her. But more importantly, take care of yourself. If one day it becomes too much to bear, then just love yourself. Son, let yourself out of that cage That’s your father’s final wish for you.”
Theodore squeezed Carson’s hand tighter. “Okay, I will. I’ll get out.”
The two of them stayed with Carson late into the night.
He grew tired and needed to rest.
They helped him to his bed, promising to wake him in the morning to see the sunrise.
“You must.”
Carson closed his eyes, content. “Tomorrow’s sunrise will be beautiful.”
But he never got to see it.
The next morning, Penelope woke up at the scheduled time and found that Theodore was already awake. She quickly got ready and went to Carson’s room where she saw Theodore sitting by the bed.
She looked at Mr. Johnson, who still had his eyes closed, his expression peaceful, and her heart clenched.
Mr. Johnson was gone.
Theodore had sensed it in the early hours of the morning and had stayed by his father’s bedside, accompanying him through the final moments of his life.
Penelope covered her mouth, but sob escaped. She walked up behind Theodore and placed a hand on his shoulder. He reached up with his other hand and gently patted hers.