“Try squatting on a narrow platform ten meters off the ground for ten minutes, and we’ll see if you panic. My back was covered in cold sweat. If you don’t believe me, you can touch it,” Penelope challenged.
“Really? Can I touch it?”
Asher playfully reached out, but Penelope quickly turned away, tapping his hand and saying, “I didn’t actually want you to touch it. Remove your hand.”
“Who just saved you, do you remember?” Asher withdrew his hand.
Penelope gave him a teasing look. “I suppose I owe you one now. Looks like I’ll have to cook you dinner.”
“Actually, I wouldn’t say I saved your life. I just did you a favor,” Asher replied, offering her his hand to help her up.
“Is that so?” Penelope raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, yes, you don’t have to cook.”
“Hmm…”
The two walked to the door and unlocked it just as Warren and Kathrine were ready to push it open.
Warren looked at Penelope and then at her hand, which rested on Asher’s.
“Penelope, long time no see. When did you arrive?” Kathrine greeted her with a smile.
“Oh, just a moment ago…” Penelope’s face looked tense.
Asher chimed in, “Well, we’ll be on our way then. You two can catch up… Ouch!”
Asher glanced at Penelope, who was pinching him hard.
“We’re leaving now. See you…” Penelope glared at Asher.
Asher reached out to offer her support, but she immediately shook off his hand and distanced herself from him.
Asher smiled awkwardly and withdrew his hand.
Penelope signaled to Warren with her eyes as if to say: See, this is how you should handle the opposite sex!
Warren swiftly said, “We have some things to discuss. You can go.”
Penelope looked at Kathrine’s face, which, though beautiful, seemed quite downcast.
“I’ll have the driver take you back,” Warren offered.
“I’ll take her back,” Asher volunteered.
Warren gave him a brief glance.
Asher scratched his head and added, “I’ll call the driver.”
“Okay,” Warren agreed.
He opened the door, took one last look at Penelope, and walked inside with Kathrine.
Penelope couldn’t quite read the expression on Warren’s face and asked Asher, “Is he angry?”
“Nonsense,” Asher replied as he pulled out his phone to make the call.
Penelope snorted and glanced at the door, which hadn’t closed completely. She muttered to herself, “He’s angry. I’m angry, too.”
He was in a room with another woman, avoiding the crowd, and that angered her.
“Let’s go back to the hotel,” Penelope insisted.
“You’re not going to eavesdrop, are you?” Asher started to tease her.
Penelope gave him a glance. “No wonder your uncle didn’t want you to bring me.”
“Hey, whose side am I on?!” Asher protested.
“Let’s go!” She snorted and walked away.
As for Warren, she figured there was time to “deal with” him later.
****
At 5:30 a. m., Penelope woke up and changed her clothes. She went downstairs and had breakfast. Then she heard the sound of a car outside. The driver had come to pick her up.
According to the weather report, it was a sunny day. The temperature wasn’t too high, making it a suitable day for going out.
Penelope got into the car and noticed that the driver’s eyes were red. She offered him the milk that Mrs. Brown had prepared for her in a flask.
“Thank you,” the driver said as he took a sip. Then he realized it was Penelope’s cup. “Why did you give it to me?”
“I’m full,” Penelope replied with a smile, glancing sideways.
The driver rubbed his eyes and said, “We’ll follow the end of the procession. Don’t worry, no one will notice you.”
In the house, aside from the butler, he was the second person who knew the truth.
“Well, I won’t go wandering off,” Penelope assured him.
****
On the way, Penelope felt sleepy and gradually closed her eyes.
The driver raised the temperature of the air conditioner and turned off the music in the car.
After about an hour, the sky cleared, and the sun outside the window shone on her face.
When she woke up, the car had already driven up the mountain road. The funeral procession, stretching for several kilometers, was all in black, looking somber in the dazzling sunshine.
After twenty minutes, the front of the procession stopped, reaching the cemetery that old Mr. Duncan had chosen before his death.
Penelope got out of the car and followed the crowd. She took out a black mask and put it on to cover half of her face, ensuring that no one would notice her.
The procession gradually moved forward. Penelope held a bouquet of fresh lilies in her hands and silently followed along.
The cemetery was grand and imposing. As she climbed the stairs, she counted silently in her mind. There were over fifty-eight steps halfway.
Someone ahead was reciting words and paying their respects to the deceased. Those standing farther away couldn’t hear what he was saying, so they bent over to say their farewells, following along.
Penelope gazed ahead at the crowd, all dressed in black, creating a solemn atmosphere.
The sun continued to rise higher in the sky. The vague figure in the front seemed to be Warren. He stood apart from the crowd in front of the gravestone, holding an urn in his hand.
His tall and sturdy figure stood erect, resembling a strong pine tree.
The era belonging to old Mr. Duncan had come to an end, and from now on, Warren would bear the responsibility of the entire family.
Penelope raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun. For the first time, she felt that the sun was cold.
As the burial ceremony ended, dozens of bodyguards maintained order and guided the crowd down the mountain.
Penelope’s phone rang, and she answered it.
“Hello.”
“Wait for me in the car,” Warren instructed from the high steps.
Penelope glanced at him and nodded gently. “Okay.”
To avoid disrupting normal traffic, the driver parked the car under a tree and left a clear path.
The neat procession left, leaving behind the tranquil cemetery. What had been bustling moments ago was now eerily quiet.
Penelope rolled down the car window, feeling the cool May breeze against her face. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for Warren. Suddenly, she spotted Kathrine in a black dress and white shoes, assisting old Mrs. Duncan into a car, appearing like a member of the Duncan family.