Chapter 682

Just as Penelope came out with the dinner plates, Theodore called her.

“Where are you?”

Penelope pursed her lips. She guessed Theodore already knew she was with Mrs. Stapleton looking for Norton, so she told him everything without holding back.

“Do you think this is some kind of game? You know perfectly well that Norton is…” “So I should just tell your mother the truth about Norton? Or should I just leave her to fend for herself?” Penelope retorted, her anger rising.

On the other end of the line, she could only hear Theodore’s heavy breathing.

Whenever Norton was mentioned, neither of them could remain calm. Even after six years, the wound carved into their hearts was still bleeding.

“I’m coming to you.”

“Don’t come.”

“Penelope, this is my family’s business. What right do you have to interfere?”

“Does it make you happy to hurt me with your words?”

“If a situation arises that I can’t handle, I will call you. Until then, stay home and take care of the children.”

She didn’t want Theodore to come. It was as if time had been pushing him away from the pain of Norton’s death, but if he came here, the past six years would be for nothing. The healing wound, the fading emotions, the unforgivable regret—it would all come rushing back to square one.

A starting point of agony, torment, and despair.

To keep an eye on Mrs. Stapleton, Penelope shared a room with her that night. When Penelope lay down, Mrs. Stapleton was still standing by the window, watching.

The rain outside was getting heavier, nearly obscuring the street below.

“He won’t be out on the streets in this rain,” Penelope advised. “You should get

some sleep. You’ll need your energy to look for him tomorrow.”

Mrs. Stapleton stared out a little longer before lying down on the bed with a sigh of disappointment.

“It’s so cold tonight. I wonder if he…”

“It’s been over six years. One more night won’t make a difference.”

“You’re a mother too. How can you be so heartless?”

Penelope turned her back to her. “Yes, I am heartless.”

Not only was she heartless, but she found the current situation utterly bizarre.

The next morning, Penelope woke to find Mrs. Stapleton already standing guard at the window again. She

sighed softly. Just as she sat umet

she got a call from the convenience store owner. He said his friend had caffed him; the man was at the entrance of a restaurant, begging for food.

“Is there news about Norton?”

Before Penelope could even hang up, Mrs. Stapleton rushed over to ask.

Penelope nodded. “Let’s go downstairs. The owner will take us to him.”

Hearing this, Mrs. Stapleton immediately ran for the door. Penelope quickly grabbed her. “You’re not even wearing a coat.”

“Oh, right. And I haven’t washed my

face. I need to make myself

presentable to see him, or he won’t

recognize me.” Mrs. Stapleton said

excitedly as she hurried to the

bathroom.

Qu

Soon, the convenience store owner led them to the restaurant. They spotted the young man in tattered clothes at once. He was under large oak tree outside the restaurant a dirty bowl in front of him kneeling and eating.

‘

Two children ran past, laughing. Seeing him, they each shouted “Rex!” and called him a crippled dog.

Witnessing this, Mrs. Stapleton was both furious and heartbroken. She rushed over. “Norton? Norton, is that you?”

She bent down, trying to see the man’s face.

But the man was clearly starving, devouring his food without paying any attention to the person beside him.

The convenience store owner saw this, walked over, and kicked the bowl aside. Only then did the man look up, baring his teeth and glaring at the owner in anger.

And as he lifted his head, Mrs. Stapleton finally saw his face. After being washed by yesterday’s heavy rain, it was much cleaner than usual, his features clear.