Chapter 199
Ben’s injuries were not severe.
After some medical attention, by evening, Ben was able to stand and walk around normally.
Three days later, he was allowed to leave the hospital.
All he needed was regular cleaning and dressing of the wound at home.
Having completed the discharge process, Ben glanced at Susan with a touch of nervousness. “Shall we… go.
home?”
Susan tightened her grip on his hand, smiling as she said, “Yes.”
At the Landor’s house.
“Susan, exclaimed Old Mr. Landor with a delightful surprise upon seeing her. His eyes couldn’t help but moisten. “It’s good you’re back, good you’re back. I was wrong about you before. I owe you an apology.”
Penelope was seated next to Old Mr. Landor and after he finished speaking, she said with a tired voice, “Susan, I
should also say sorry to you.”
Susan quickly glanced at Penelope.
Then, she was slightly taken aback.
Ben had told her all about Penelope’s situation.
He mentioned that Penelope had changed a lot recently.
But Susan never imagined that the once refined Penelope could appear… so worn down.
Compared to before her hospital stay, she seemed to have aged a decade.
And that wasn’t all.
Her once sharp eyes now had a numb look to them.
Penelope had transformed from an ambitious socialite to a soulless shell of a person.
“Penelope, you…” Susan said, surprised.
Penelope gave a wry smile and shook her head, “This is my karma.”
Bitterness was evident in her eyes.
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Indeed, what else could it be but karma?
All
these years, she had been so desperately against Ben, but for whom? It was all for Leo.
But what about Leo?
While Theresa lay unconscious, she couldn’t fully awaken, yet she faintly heard some sounds around her.
What did she hear?
“That old wretch, if only she had died sooner, we wouldn’t be stuck in this mess.”
“Isabella, don’t be scared. I know you did it all for me, and I won’t hold it against you.”
“Hey, hey, are you going to wake up or not? If you’re not waking up, might as well head to hell early. What’s with dragging this out?”
Leo was pressed by Old Mr. Landor to stay by her bedside, but every word he uttered was a curse.
Even her enemies might not have been able to speak such curses.
Yet her own son, for whom she had sacrificed everything, said them so smoothly.
In that moment, Penelope truly wished she could just die.
But ironically, fate decided she would live.
Penelope tried to convince herself that Leo must have been deceived by Isabella, that if he knew the truth, he would surely see Isabella for who she really was.
So, when she woke up, she told Leo everything Isabella had done, in detail.
Unexpectedly, after just a few tears from Isabella, Leo forgave her without any hesitation.
He even advised Penelope to be more forgiving and not to stoop to quarreling with someone younger like Isabella.
He said that if Penelope hadn’t targeted Isabella at every turn, Isabella wouldn’t have resorted to such actions.
In the end, he implied it was all Penelope’s fault.
Penelope could hardly describe her feelings at that moment.
It felt as if she had a box where she stored her most treasured possessions for decades, only to open it one day and find not treasures, but something as foul as can be.
Penelope was utterly disillusioned with Leo.
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Because old Mr. Landor had said that If Penelope could wake up and forgive Isabella, he would let Isabella off the
hook.
Naturally, Penelope was unwilling.
But Leo alternated between cursing, pleading, and even kneeling, refusing to rise until she
In the end, Penelope’s heart turned cold.
gave in.
She declared that she could forgive Isabella, but henceforth, they would sever their mother–son relationship.
Leo agreed… without a moment’s hesitation.
Not a single moment.
Had there been even a sliver of hesitation, Penelope might not have given up so thoroughly.
Penelope mentioned these things nonchalantly and then looked at Susan with a twinge of guilt, “Susan, I’m sorry. Someone like Isabella shouldn’t be let off the hook. But there was Leo, kneeling before me, refusing to rise for her sake. My heart was just too weary to bear seeing them again, so I agreed to forgive Isabella on the condition that we end our relationship.
“Susan, you were a victim too. I shouldn’t have decided this alone. If you…”
Susan just smiled and shook her head, “Penelope, the hurt I’ve suffered, how can it compare to yours? It’s your call to make about Isabella. Just remember, she’s a cunning one, and leaving her be, Leo might not end up in good
straits.”
A flicker of chill passed through Penelope’s eyes, “I know all that. I’ve advised and scolded, but Leo wouldn’t listen. What more can I do? Susan, from now on, I’m going to live as if I’ve never had a son. My only goal is to live well and see what end they come to.”
Penelope said bitterly, then somewhat sheepishly added, “I have nowhere else to go, so I’ve got to shamelessly ask to stay with Dad. I know I’ve made many mistakes. If you’re unhappy, Susan, I can move out right away.”
Susan glanced at Penelope.
Her expression was earnest, truly meaning her words and not playing a strategic retreat.
After all that had happened, Penelope had indeed changed.
Susan thought to herself and then said, ‘Penelope, please stay with peace of mind. Ben and I are busy with work, and we’re grateful you can keep Grandpa company.”
Susan’s voice was gentle, and Penelope’s eyes reddened. She bowed her head, dabbed at her tears, and nodded,
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“Yes, I promise to take good care of Dad.”
Old Mr. Landor’s eyes also moistened, and he said softly, “Susan, this time, you really have been wronged. I just don’t know how to express my remorse.”
Susan quickly shook her head, “Grandpa, the person who’s wrong has always been Isabella. If she doesn’t feel guilty, and we do, it would be putting the cart before the horse.”
Susan’s demeanor was composed and without resentment.
Old Mr. Landor’s eyes grew wetter, and
Patted her hand, “You’re a good kid. I will never doubt you again.”
The mood was somber, so Susan joked with a smile, “Grandpa, aren’t you afraid I’ll turn bad one day?”
Old Mr. Landor patted her hand, “If you could be a bit more wicked, I might worry less. Susan, sometimes you’re just too kind. But thankfully, Ben is with you. He’s always been the bad guy, and I believe he’ll protect you well.”
Ben raised an eyebrow, “Grandpa, is that what you say about your own grandson?”
“That’s a compliment,” chuckled Old Mr. Landor.
And just like that, the atmosphere lightened.
