Chapter 406 Suicide
The security guard sighed. "It’s rare to have such friends! I just don’t know which demon of a man got her pregnant. There are too many scumbags in society nowadays!"
Arthur, the scumbag, could only nod along in agreement as the security guard looked at him.
The security guard was relieved that the young man before him seemed to know the difference between right and wrong and said, "Alright, hurry up and go in."
Arthur looked at the neatly arranged tombstones inside. His legs felt as heavy as lead, preventing him from advancing. Fear, dread, and an unwillingness to accept the situation overwhelmed him. It was as if he could hypnotize himself into believing that Flora might still be alive if he did not see her grave with his own eyes.
"Forget it. I made her angry before this. She probably doesn’t want to see me,” Arthur said as he took out a stack of money, “Can you please help me buy a bouquet of flowers for me and place it in front of the tombstone? There’s also a pastry shop nearby, and she loved their pastries. If you have time, can you also bring some to her? Would that be alright?"
The old man counted the stack of money in his hand before saying, “This is quite a lot, enough to buy a month's worth of the things you mentioned."
After saying that, the old man returned half of the money to Arthur, saying, “If you’re free, you should also visit Flora’s father. His wife also passed away not long after he lost his daughter. He…"
The old man paused for a moment before he continued, “His wife and child died, leaving him alone. He’s really pitiful. Not only that, but he has to live the rest of his life under the shadow of his daughter’s wrongful death.”
“Wrongful death?” Arthur’s eyes widened in shock. “Wasn’t it ruled a suicide?”
"They couldn’t find any evidence of homicide, so they ruled it as suicide. However, I heard that she had gone to her boss to borrow money that day to help a friend. The friend is one of the two who visit her grave. How could someone like that suddenly commit suicide?”
Arthur's mind was buzzing. Various fragments from the past flashed in his mind, overwhelming him. However, a few questions persisted.
‘It wasn’t suicide? Who’s the culprit?’
…
Arthur found himself near Paykston High School in a dazed state without knowing how he got there.
When he was with Flora, he had met her parents a few times, but only as Flora's superior. Both elders were gentle and loving individuals.
Philippe was a high school physics teacher at Paykston High School and lived in the teacher's residence provided by the school.
"Flora! Flora, come here! Natalie and Jane, come too!"
As soon as he entered the courtyard, Arthur heard an old man’s voice. He froze, and before his mind could catch up, he had already hidden behind an old tricycle. After a while, he peered out cautiously in search of Flora, both expectant and puzzled.
However, all Arthur saw was an old man in his fifties or sixties with gray hair. However, soon after, he saw a young woman hurry over, saying, “I’m coming, Dad!”
Arthur's eyes widened slightly. It was not Flora; it was Natalie.
Natalie had intentionally worn light-colored clothing today, and she seemed extremely gentle. If one were to overlook the difference in height, at a glance, she bore a striking resemblance to Flora.
The old man dusted off his hand and said with a warm smile, “Oh, why do I feel like you’ve grown taller?”
Natalie smiled and replied, "That’s because your cooking is so delicious. If I eat well, I’ll naturally grow well!”
Looking around, the old man asked, “Why isn’t Natalie here?”
At this time, Jane replied, “Natalie is busy so she can’t make it today. She’ll visit another day.”
The old man nodded with a smile, making them promise to bring Natalie next time.
Arthur felt as though he had been struck by lightning on a clear day. He staggered and leaned against the wall for support. His entire body hurt as if he had been stabbed.
He still remembered the first time he met Philippe, he had been physically fit, filled with vigor. He was mentally sharp as well. There were even discussions at work about keeping him after he passed his retirement age.
However, now, Philippe could not even recognize his own daughter anymore.
The conversation continued.
“Flora, be honest with me. Is the young man you came with last time your boyfriend?" Philippe asked.
Natalie replied gently, "No."
Philippe exclaimed, "I don’t believe you! You’re lying to me! I can tell that you like that young man!"
‘Like?’
Arthur trembled.
‘Did Flora like me? Did she really like me? She had never said so, and she denied it when I asked.’
Philippe spoke earnestly, "Flora, listen to me, that young man isn’t right for you. Trust me, you’ll only end up hurt.”
Arthur could not bear to listen any longer and quietly walked away. Perhaps his presence would only serve as torture for the old man.
…
Oliver leaned against the Land Rover, smoking, his gaze fixed on the alley until he spotted Arthur. He raised an eyebrow.
Arthur did not know how to start a conversation at this moment.
Oliver waved dismissively and said, “I’m waiting for someone. You can leave first. Wipe those tears away. It’s embarrassing.”
Upon hearing this, Arthur’s awkwardness and apologies vanished without a trace. He regained his composure, but his eyes were still slightly red as he said, “What tears? I’m leaving!”
Not long after, Arthur spotted a rugged off-road vehicle.
There were only a few individuals in the country who owned such a car, and the first person that came to Arthur's mind was Anthony.
The matter between Anthony and Jane was no secret; most people in the circle had heard a thing or two about it.
The car's windows featured one-way glass, preventing Arthur from seeing inside. After a brief look back through the windshield, he noticed a crimson dot in the back seat, indicating someone was smoking.
‘He must be waiting for Jane…’
Arthur laughed wryly.
The relationship between Anthony and Jane was complex, and his own life was just as complex.
…
Upon returning to Rosewood Estate, Natalie received a text message from Arthur.
Arthur: [I’m sorry.]
Natalie was unsure if his apology was for his previous rudeness toward her or his past treatment of Flora.
Natalie did not pay much attention to Arthur. She had only heard that he had begun to work earnestly at the Windsor Group. It seemed like he no longer planned to ruin the Windsor Group within a year like he previously declared.
"Natalie, Wine has returned to the country," Emily informed her.
Emily had been monitoring Wine for Natalie, as she had proved to be quite helpful to her. At last, the news came that Wine had returned to the country.
"But you won’t be able to meet her. She’s here for a competition, The Designer.”
The Designer was an international fashion design contest, and this year's event was being held in Paykston. To ensure that the designers would be able to focus on their work and maintain fairness throughout the competition, they were isolated from the outside world.
In other words, Natalie would not be able to meet or contact Wine for the time being.
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