Carla felt the unusual silence as soon as she stepped into the East Yard.
Nicholas was there; though old, he still looked respectful and dignified. He was sitting with his back straight and his hands on his crutches. He had a calm expression on his face. Edmund was sitting on the chair beside Nicholas looking very serious.
Marcus was sitting on the other side of Nicholas.
Marcus looked desperate. He clenched his fist and cried out, "Father, Grandpa! It's all my fault! I know it! If I persuaded Terence not to go then this accident wouldn't have happened.
I am responsible for this project and the accident. I didn't know that my subordinates were smuggling the funds. It's all my fault! I will accept my punishment willingly! I'm his brother! I should've protected him! It's all my fault!"
Marcus banged his fist on the ground, angrily. His eyes were also full of sadness. Suddenly, he fell on his knees in front of Nicholas.
"Grandpa, it's all my fault! I failed you! I knew Terence was a little stubborn but I didn't expect that he would get into an accident inside my territory. It's all my fault. I'm willing to take the responsibility."
It seemed as if Marcus was really blaming himself for not protecting his younger brother. He pretended that he was taking all the blame to himself and said sadly, "Grandpa, if you refuse to forgive me, just hit me! I deserve as much. I will not say anything even if you decide to hit me until I die!"
Nicholas closed his eyes slowly because he was unwilling to look at Marcus who was kneeling on the ground in front of him. He had been deeply disappointed with this grandson.
Edmund felt bad because his son was kneeling on the ground so he said, "Marcus, stand up."
"It was not your fault. I also know Terence's temper. No one could change his mind once he decided on doing something."
When he heard Edmund's words, Marcus stood up. He looked at Nicholas who was still unwilling to look at him and said, "Grandpa, do you still think it was my fault?"
"Grandpa, I would not do anything to harm Terence! I made a fool of myself last time and committed such a terrible crime. I couldn't possibly make the same mistake again!"
"Terence and Rhys are my bothers. Father already taught me a lesson and I would never dare forget it. After the incident last time, I decided to help Terence to make our home prosperous instead! I would never do anything that stupid again!"
Edmund waved his words away and said, "It's alright, Marcus. No one is blaming you. You don't have to blame yourself any longer!"
Meanwhile, Carla couldn't help but laugh at their conversation outside the door.
Carla finally understood why Terence allowed her to come here.
As the elder, Nicholas sometimes had a really hard time saying something harsh to his grandson.
However, Carla was different.
She was Terence's girlfriend and as his woman, she had some advantages. Even if she said some excessive words, others would only think that she was distraught over Terence's "death".
Moreover, Carla met with Nicholas and Edmund before.
The two elders were aware of her presence.
"Grandpa Nicholas, Uncle Edmund!"
Carla called the two elders and walked towards them.
Edmund frowned unconsciously when he saw Carla and asked, "Why are you here?"
"I called her here," Nicholas suddenly said while opening his eyes. Then he looked at Carla and said, "She is Terence's girlfriend. Terence brought her to visit me before. If Terence didn't get into that accident, they might have gotten married by now."
"Now that Terence is gone, I think it's only appropriate that she come here."
Marcus was stunned when he saw Carla barge into the room. He thought that he must have had met this woman before but he couldn't figure out where he had seen her face.
When Carla got back, she dyed her hair and changed her appearance back to what it was before.
Marcus had seen so many women before so it was only natural that he would forget Carla's face.
"Yes, Uncle Edmund. I was here in JA City while waiting for Terence to come back but I heard that he got into an accident. I can't believe it so I begged Grandpa Nicholas to let me come here to hear what happened,"
Carla said while tears were falling from her eyes. She stepped towards them slowly.
"Carla, please sit down." Nicholas pointed to the seat beside him.
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