CHAPTER 86: FOREVER GRATEFUL

As expected and foreseen, everyone present at the supposedly final wake were all surprised at what I announced when night time arrived. Almost all the attendees had their different perspectives about my sudden decision to postpone my father’s burial, which was expected to take place the following day. The throngs of people started discussing and confabulating about the changes amongst themselves, but those who were indiscreet and were somewhat rash about their opinion were my father’s relatives, who outburst their concerns with conviction and evidently weren’t in favor of declaration.


“Why do you have to disrespect my cousin’s resting body just because of false speculations, Penelope? Don’t you think he had suffered too much his entire life, yet you wished him to still suffer in his death?” One of my uncles adamantly conveyed.


“That’s right! You should have spoken to us elders first before deciding such an unjustifiable decision! We are still members of the Hunt’s family and this wasn’t simply your call to decide such a drastic conclusion!” The eldest of all the Hunt’s clan exclaimed, which gained him the approval of all the other family members who were present tonight.


“I understood each and everyone’s protests and concerns, God knows I do. I respect all of your sentiments, my dear family members, but as the sole immediate family of the deceased, I have the final say in terms of decision making. And this is what I wish to do to give myself the peace of mind and the settlement inside my heart, which I knew that my father also wished for me to acquire. I simply announced my irrevocable decision out of respect to everyone present here this evening, so all would be aware that there wouldn’t be a burial that will take place tomorrow morning. Let’s not make a fuss about the changes, because with or without anyone’s support, the autopsy procedure will progress the following day.”


There was an uproar of protests amongst the crowd coming from those who disapproved of my abrupt decision, but I disregarded them with deaf ears and walked away from them as I headed back inside to grab myself something to drink.


“That’s a bold move, young lady. You are indeed Alexander’s daughter” A warm and obviously pleased voice spoke behind my back, which made me turn around to face him. It was none other than Mr. Patrick Wallace, who according to Lewis was the one who suggested the autopsy of my father.


“Mr. Wallace, Sir, thank you for gracing my father’s wake. And thank you for not only opening mine and my boyfriend’s eyes regarding what we should do, but showing that there was a different angle in reality that I myself neglect to see.”


“I just hoped that Alexander did cease naturally, I knew you did as well. Let’s just pray that there wouldn’t be an anomaly, because I would be deeply devastated if the autopsy result would come out differently. But I want you to know that just in case the outcome doesn’t match the first, I am here to be of help to you in any way possible. You can count on me, my dear” He genuinely uttered before softly holding my hand and gradually patting it.


“Thank you so much, Mr. Wallace. This means a lot to me and I believe my father would be pleased to hear those words coming from one of his close friends if he was still here with us.”



“Alexander was like a brother to me, Penelope. A brother from a different mother. And I also consider you as my daughter, so if there’s anything you need, anything at all, feel free to approach me.”


My heart warmed at his sincerity, which made me swiftly embrace him as I express my personal gratitude and on behalf of my father’s. He spoke comforting words to me as we hugged, consoling me through this toughest stage of my life and shortly after, he bid his farewell and reminded me to keep in touch.


At this disheartening stage of my life, my most dispirited moment of all, every encouragement and motivational words would be highly appreciated. I am expecting not to receive them from everyone, but even with just a few, who express their sincerest and heartfelt consolation, those were enough to somehow uplift my spirit and make me pass through this upheaving time. I am fully aware that many oppose the decision I made, but nonetheless, there are still some who embrace it with open hearts and minds just like Mr. Wallace and the rest of the household members.


The next day, Lewis busily took care of the proceedings with regards to my father’s autopsy, while I, on the other hand, was currently speaking to a higher rank police officer over the line, requesting highly skilled investigators, who would perform a series of investigations and check at the entire mansion for any suspicious occurrences.


By mid-afternoon, I headed straight to my father’s study room together with Lewis, who was advised to be present by Attorney Sparks as she was about to read dad’s last will and testaments. Mr. McConnery joined us as well and all four of us gathered around as we attentively listened while the one seated on my father’s chair commenced speaking.


It took several hours before the meeting concluded. Everyone present, including Michelle, were given a fair share as legally stated on my father’s will. As expected, the empire and so was its underlinks and other of my father’s properties, were all left to me as his sole legal heiress. Everything was written in detail, all of his bank accounts, his vault's security code at home and those he had abroad, and the security password to his gold reserves in his Swiss account, which were all under my name and left solely at my discretion. All the house servants and the drivers were equally given ample sums of money as bonuses for their loyalty and dedication through the years of excellent services rendered to my father while he was alive.


But everything that Attorney Sparks announced simply passed through my ears as my mind was traveling back through time, back to the day I first discovered my true identity. I reminisce about my first arrival at this mansion, what I felt during my first encounter with my biological father, who was gazing at me with deep love and longing in his eyes. I will never forget that day when I first set foot in this majestic place, where my whole life changed just because of a man, who didn’t just give me a sense of belongingness, but loved me with his all. I am forever grateful to this man and would always cherish him inside my heart for the rest of my life.