Perhaps it was destiny and mortals could never influence it.
“Andrew and Amanda must be near to schooling age. Find her and spend your days with them.” The
younger generation should not suffer for the sins of the elders.
Ever since Jayden knew that Dolores had left, he was constantly worried that Matthew would do
something that he would regret for the rest of his life. He had already experienced how it felt to regret
for life and did not want his son to suffer the same way.
“I’m not sure if she was angry with me. She had died for so long and never even visited me in my
dreams.” He started to choke as he spoke and could not suppress his emotions.
Matthew did not respond and just stood by and listened.
The occasional breeze blew and the rustling of the leaves could be heard from afar.
Time ticked on and soon the sun set behind the hills which cast a long shadow over the valley. The day
turned into night.
The father and son stayed in the room for the entire afternoon and no one entered the room to interrupt
them. It was time for dinner when Matthew emerged from the room.
Mr. Forbis prepared dinner and the dishes were spread on the round table in the courtyard. Amanda
ran over as soon as she saw Matthew and greeted, “Daddy!” Matthew gently stroked her head.
“Let’s eat.” Amanda pulled him towards the dining table.
Buzz…
At this moment, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He made Amanda sit down for dinner before
answering the call. The caller was Boyce who said, “Jeffery’s judgment is out.” The accident was
serious and caused three deaths and one injury. The authorities made a detailed investigation and
found out that it was related to a kidnapping incident that caused the accident. Jeffery surrendered to
the police and pleaded guilty to the crime. He also showed sincere remorse for his crime and so the
courts were lenient to him.
“He would be sentenced to two years,” Boyce said.
During the sentencing, the judge said, “Jeffery, you violated the law as a civil servant and caused
severe damage to the reputation of civil servants in the eyes of the public. Therefore, you must be
severely punished. The suspect had surrendered to the police, pleaded guilty, repented, and made a
sincere public apology. You were sentenced to two years with suspension and banned from public
office for life.”
Matthew was not affected and did not feel any need for vengeance. He simply replied, “Okay.”
“The others had been similarly sentenced except that … Declan had not received the same sentence.”
Jeffery was looking for Declan but Jeffery was the mastermind. Declan did not look for the hooligan to
hijack the car. It was his man who did it.
Initially, he wanted to frame Declan and took a picture of that man and the hooligan. He even tried to
instigate the man to say that it was Declan who instructed him to do it. However, after that man was
captured, he maintained his story that he was the only one who looked for the hooligan and had
nothing to do with Declan. Furthermore, Old Mr. Bailey managed to find some connections to ensure
that he was not charged. Someone who could operate a nightclub in that area must have very strong
connections.
“After this incident, he must realize that we used him and lied to him. Would he seek revenge?” Boyce
asked since Declan was not an honorable man and would bear a grudge against them.
“Keep an eye on him. We’ll discuss this when I return.”
“Okay.”
After he ended the call, Matthew turned to look at the kids. Both kids were having dinner under the
moonlight. He agreed with what Jayden said. Even if he had revenged against Victoria, he had never
thought about abandoning Dolores and the family.
Matthew walked over to the table and Mr. Forbis said, “Come, it’s late, join us for dinner.”
Matthew looked at Mr. Forbis, sat down, and said, “Thanks.”
“Oh, don’t stand on ceremony. I’m an outsider. You don’t have to be so formal.” Mr. Forbis said as he
handed Matthew the chopsticks.
“Let me know whatever you need.” Matthew said as he took over the chopsticks and continued, “He
would need your care when he is here.” Jayden had told Matthew that he wanted to stay there but he
was not medically ill. He just needed some time to heal himself mentally.
Mr. Forbis quickly replied, “But of course. I never treated him as an outsider. Regardless of his feelings
for my sister, they had been married for twenty over years. So, I’ve always treated him as part of the
family.” He said with a heavy heart.
Mr. Forbis served Matthew some wine and said, “Come to think of it, I need to thank you.” He also filled
his glass with wine. Although they were in a remote area of White City, he still kept current with the
external affairs.
“As you can see, this mansion was an heirloom from the ancestors and they made their fortune from
weaving. The Gambiered Canton Gauze was invented by my grandfather and then passed on the
technique to my father. At that time, it was extremely sought after and everyone during my father’s era
had high living standards. In the clothing industry, Gambiered Canton Gauze was highly regarded and
extremely important.” Mr. Forbis became excited and continued, “It was thought that it would decline
and disappear from the market but now unexpectedly it had regained its former glory.”
Due to the success of Dolores’ exhibition, Gambier Canton Gauze had been marketed as a highly
personalized material and immediately caught the attention of the industry.
He was familiar with this development as he closely monitored the industry.
“I’m thinking that you must have a hand in this. Without your support, who could be so concerned with
the Forbis family’s business?”
Mr. Forbis wiped his face, raised his glass, and said, “Thanks.”
Matthew pursed his lips and understood his message but he had nothing to do with all that. At the
exhibition, he thought that Dolores had done these to atone for what she did to Victoria but now he
finally understood the significance of her getting the Gambiered Canton Gauze back into the market.
She did not do it solely because of Victoria’s death but also to inherit the skill. Perhaps all these were
fated. Now she had inherited the technique of making the Gambier Canton Gauze so that she could
continue the Forbis family legacy.
Now, he really wanted to thank Dolores. He wanted to thank her for all that she had done for him and
the Forbis family.
Matthew drank the wine and Mr. Forbis continued to relate the past.
Armand did not drink any alcohol as he had to drive them back to C city early the next morning.
At C city.
Dolores left the shop and stood by the road to wait for a taxi. She had left the car for Theresa to use.
In a stationary black-colored car not far from her, a man within said as he sized her up, “Are you sure
that’s her?”
“Rest assured, Mr. Bailey, I’ve investigated thoroughly. Matthew came to this city because of her.” John
said.
“But how come she seems unfazed?” He intentionally sent those photographs to Dolores to see her
reaction but she was extremely calm as if she was not involved. Normally, a woman would kick up a
huge storm if she realized that her man had an affair.
“I’m certain. Matthew even canceled his wedding to Ms. Herbert because of this woman. His estranged
relationship with his father appeared to be due to this woman as well.”
“Oh? Really?” Declan seemed to be intrigued.
Armand did not drink any alcohol as he had to drive them back to C city early the next morning.
At C city.
Dolores left the shop and stood by the road to wait for a taxi. She had left the car for Theresa to use.
In a stationary black-colored car not far from her, a man within said as he sized her up, “Are you sure
that’s her?”
“Rest assured, Mr. Bailey, I’ve investigated thoroughly. Matthew came to this city because of her.” John
said.
“But how come she seems unfazed?” He intentionally sent those photographs to Dolores to see her
reaction but she was extremely calm as if she was not involved. Normally, a woman would kick up a
huge storm if she realized that her man had an affair.
“I’m certain. Matthew even canceled his wedding to Ms. Herbert because of this woman. His estranged
relationship with his father appeared to be due to this woman as well.”
“Oh? Really?” Declan seemed to be intrigued.
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