A Second Chance at Forever ( Eleanor Shultz )
A Second Chance at Forever Chapter 1410

Chapter 1410

Bernard’s deep–set eyes, edged with a hint of frost, bore into the space before him as his voice, low and resonant, broke the silence. “I didn’t have to dig, Mr. Penrod. You would’ve come looking for me anyway, wouldn’t you? Did you guess I’d make it back alive?”

Mr. Penrod passed his walking stick to Aidyn before settling into the sofa with an air of entitlement. “Given your skill set, surviving wasn’t a gamble.”

Bernard pivoted, his tall frame turning to face the self–assured Mr. Penrod, now lounging comfortably. “So, what brings you here then?”

Mr. Penrod leaned back, legs crossed in an almost lazy pose. “Since you’re aware of the Darkness, there’s no harm in telling you.”

Bernard before him, bathed in the dimming light of dusk, regarded Mr. Penrod with an unflinching gaze. “If I hadn’t known about its existence, would you have kept it from me forever?”

Mr. Penrod didn’t answer directly, opting for a lighter tone. “I didn’t tell you because Darkness is no good Samaritan.”

The golden hues of twilight caressed Bernard, yet the warmth seemed to elude him.

His voice, steady and frosty, cut through the air. “So, it’s not deliberate secrecy but outright deception. Do you think I’m easy to manipulate, Mr. Penrod?”

Denial came swiftly. “I’ve invested more time, thought, and effort in you than in my own kin, Evan and Gianna Penrod. There’s been no deceit. Why would I manipulate you?”

A cold laugh escaped Bernard. “Is that right?”

Mr. Penrod remained silent as Bernard advanced, towering over him with a scrutinizing gaze. “The Siren Organization has been around for ages, yet you wiped its existence from the record, claiming it was founded for me. Isn’t that deception?”

In the face of his accuser, Mr. Penrod fell momentarily silent. “I did withhold that from you intentionally, but I didn’t think it concerned you.”

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Bernard was prepared for the confession, yet disappointment crept in. “Is it truly irrelevant to me, or have you not used me enough to disclose the truth?”

Mr. Penrod, faced with suspicion, chose silence. “Bernard, Darkness was an enterprise started by my father’s generation. It’s ancient history and not something to leverage against you.”

Bernard responded with icy detachment. “Mr. Penrod, you knew full well that Darkness took Pauline’s life, leading Yates to create Area Opaca to hunt down the Siren Organization. Isn’t withholding the truth from me a form of use?”

At this juncture, Mr. Penrod had little room for excuses. “Indeed, you’re the man I raised. Given tidbits of information, you piece together the whole picture. You’re ready to graduate.”

Bernard’s voice remained crisp and cool. “I appreciate the training, Mr. Penrod, but I’m not quite there yet. After all, I only see part of the picture. I rely on you to clarify the details.”

Mr. Penrod chuckled. “Even in verbal sparring, you don’t give an inch. Not bad at all.”

After the praise, Mr. Penrod’s gaze shifted from Bernard’s face to the opposite sofa.

down, let’s talk.”

Bemard, once shrouded in calm depth, remained standing for a few seconds before advancing to sit opposite Mr. Penrod.

As he seated himself, a beam of sunlight divided thern–one in shadow, the other in light.

Bernard in the light seemed gilded, his aura shining brightly, casting Mr. Penrod into deeper gloom.

Mr Penrod, eyeing Bernard across the way, began tracing the rim of his black hat “Before she crossed paths with Yates, Pauline had a first love–Timothy Howard, the youngest son of the rising Howard family of North Funland.

My father used to say there was an adage among their generation, The young lord is fair as jade, referring to Timothy Unfortunately, even the most promising can’t stand against the all encompassing power of the Sharp family. When Timothy faced Yates, he was but a bug underfoot Yates father taught him to take what he wanted by force. So, Yates, naturally inclined to seize, stole Pauline from Timothy

Tomy, not one to give up harassed Pauline and even pulled a gun on Yates Having never been shot before, Yates, wounded decided

Win a single slash, the young lend met ha end in a fly ditch Among those hiding und witnessing the event was my aunt Samarth

nt to great lengths to morty Vale First, sa planted evidence next to the body in implicate Pauline lo Timothy’s death that

regory Howard, who already disliked Pauline, believed she’d abandoned bis soit for the

dnds would blocker social climbing, had him killed his kay was conquerishable

established families there looked down on him.

Despite their contempt, Gregory had a knack for rallying the street gangs. Once he learned his son had been killed by Pauline, he founded Darkness to kill the Hardys.”