The one and the Only (Nathan Cross) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 A Discarded Treasure

The unexpected appearance of Derek Harvey left Penny and her family reeling from the sudden, inexplicable turn of events.

Curiosity got the better of Benson when they were back at the dining table, continuing their breakfast. “Your words came true when you’d said Mr. Harvey would show up today to apologize in person.” He cast an inquisitive glance at Nathan, “Do you have something to do with this?”

“How could this be possible? I’m sure that it’s merely a coincidence.” Leah snorted, “He hardly had stepped out of the house the entire night. There’s no way that he could be involved,” she insisted.

“Besides, what makes you think that a homeless bum like him could get Mr. Harvey to show up with his apology?”

“I’m sure that this is due to his conscience that has been haunting him with horrible nightmares, reminding him of what karma would befall on him if he’d continued with his vices.”

“That’s why he showed up at such wee hours of the morning.” She shrugged, “He was merely following his conscience, that’s all.”

Leah was a devout believer who had never skipped a prayer throughout her life. Hence she would attribute all unexplained events to karma, fate, and retribution.

Benson was skeptical of Leah’s explanation; he found it wrought with superstition.

Yet he could not agree more with Leah when she proclaimed that Nathan was incapable of performing such a heroic feat when all he had done was loitering around doing nothing. How could he get Derek Harvey to show up and apologize, let alone if he could not even get himself a proper job?

He speculated that it had all boiled down to Derek Harvey’s own conscience, which had prompted him to feel remorseful.

A different vibe struck Penny about the whole matter. She reckoned that it was likely masterminded by Nathan and executed by Thomas Dunn.

It takes a monster to kill a monster. There would be no suitable candidate for the job, other than Thomas Dunn, who was a hundred times more ruthless and diabolical than Derek Harvey.

While she was glad to escape unscathed from the turmoil, she knew that it was all due to the influence of Thomas Dunn, whom of which Nathan had already helped Nathan on two occasions.

She firmly believed it would be impossible for Thomas Dunn to help them again for the third time. Their luck would run out soon, and it was vital for Nathan to rein in his rashness.

...

Meanwhile, at the Royale Villa Residences, the Smith Family’s Mansion.

Sean Smith, the patriarch of the Smith family, together with Samuel Smith and Paul Smith, his eldest and his third son, was having a conversation in the study.

“I found it simply outrageous,” Paul complained. “How could Mr. Harvey let Penny off the hook and, calling us up to inform us that he would continue to partner with us?”

“Mr. Harvey is a shrewd businessman. I bet that he would not want to meddle with Penny’s lunatic boyfriend A mad and penniless guy like him has nothing to lose. Mr. Harvey knew better than to waste his time with that hooligan, subjecting himself to unnecessary risk.” Samuel explained, “It’s better for him to drop it altogether and let the matter pan out.”

Sean expressed a scornful grimace the moment he heard Samuel talk about Penny and Nathan. “It sickens me to the core whenever I hear her name. What have I done to deserve such a shameless granddaughter like her? She has utterly ruined our family’s name!”

Samuel came up with a baneful suggestion, “Dad, since we’re having your seventieth birthday banquet tomorrow, why don’t we banish Benson and his family from attending the party, using this opportunity to disown them from the Smith family?”

Paul played along, “Yes, Dad. Wouldn’t it be an utter humiliation in front of our friends and relatives to let them attend your anniversary party?”

“Let them come.” Sean waved his hands in disagreement, “Now that Mr. Harvey had the leniency to let them off the hook, what would others think of us if we expel them from our family? It would look bad on us and make us look petty and callous if they compare us to an outsider like Mr. Harvey.”

In the afternoon, Penny and her family were delighted to know that they had been invited to her grandpa’s seventieth birthday banquet, which would be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel.

That meant that they were still regarded as part of the Smith family since Sean had given them the green light to attend the banquet.

Nonetheless, it was a thorny issue when they had tried to think of a suitable birthday present for Sean.

“I know that we can’t afford something lavish, but we shouldn’t give him something too cheap either, or it could reflect badly on us.” Penny suggested, “We should think of a present that is moderately priced, yet useful and meaningful to him in a certain way.”

They racked their brains to think of one, but it was easier said than done.

It was Nathan who finally made the bold call, “Why don’t you just leave it to me? I assure you that we’ll give Sean an extraordinary present which would mean the world to him.”

“Nathan, are you sure about this?” Penny eyed him skeptically, “Do you really think that you can find a present that would please grandpa on his seventieth birthday?”

“Trust me, I know what to do.” Nathan offered her a confident smile.

Soon after, he walked out to the balcony, giving Colin Dunne a call, “I need a present for Sean Smith, who will celebrate his birthday tomorrow. The present doesn’t have to be most lavish, but it must be the best for him.”

“Understood, Sir!” Colin Dunne answered with absolute subservience.

...

The following day.

It was a big day for Penny and her family, as they prepared themselves for Sean’s birthday banquet.

Just as they were about to leave the house, Penny asked Nathan whether he had the present ready. It had almost slipped her mind.