Chapter 685
Benedict stopped, his hand on the doorknob.
He’d known Tim wouldn’t be able to make a decision his wife would stick to.
Tim turned to Priscilla, his brow furrowed. “What do you think you’re doing p>
Tammie was dead. A life for a life. If they took the money now, how would that be any different from profiting from his death? That kind of blood money would haunt him forever.
“Stay out of this,” Priscilla snapped.
“Mrs. Lowell,” Benedict said, turning back. He seemed to know what she was about to say. “I can have a new check delivered tomorrow morning p>
“You misunderstand, Mr. Quinn,” Priscilla said, her voice steady. “I stopped you because I wanted to talk about this apartment. My mother-in-law was renting it. The landlord is an elderly man, and this is the only property he owns, his retirement nest egg. After what happened here, this place has become a cursed property that no one will touch p>
A property like that couldn’t be sold. Once they moved out, it couldn’t even be rented. The landlord had become an innocent victim in all of this.
“Since Mr. Gonzales’s last wish was to compensate us with a third of his estate, please, use that money to first compensate the landlord. As for the rest… you can donate it to a charity for the underprivileged p>
Priscilla loved money, but not this kind of money. Not money tainted by tragedy, especially not a sum this large. She and her husband were ordinary people. If they accepted it, her conscience would never be clear.
Benedict was taken aback. He never expected her to say something like that. A wave of shame washed over him for his cynical assumptions.
Tim was equally stunned. He had thought his wife had stopped Benedict to take the money and was bracing himself for a bitter argument. This complete reversal left him speechless. After years of marriage, he knew how much she valued financial security. He never imagined she possessed such profound integrity.
After a moment, Tim found his voice. He looked at Benedict. “Mr. Quinn, my wife speaks for both of us. Thank you for your trouble p>
Benedict looked from one to the other. “Are you both absolutely sure?” The amount on that check was life-changing, a sum most people could never hope to
earn.
Tim and Priscilla exchanged a look. No words were needed; in that silent glance, they understood each other completely.
A few seconds later, Tim turned back to Benedict and nodded firmly. “Yes,” he said, his voice clear. “We’re sure p>
Benedict bowed his head slightly.
“Very well, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell. I will carry out your wishes regarding the inheritance.” He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Mr. and Mrs. Lowell, this has my personal number on it. If you ever find yourselves in any kind of trouble, no matter how great, please don’t hesitate to call me p>
He had once believed that human nature was fundamentally selfish, that people would abandon all decency for personal gain. He’d thought that those from humble backgrounds, given a chance to climb the social ladder, would seize it without a second thought. But Tim and Priscilla had shown him something different. Their actions had taught him a lesson This couple, in their smal rented apartment, represented the true heart of society. The card was a recognition of their character and a promise.
“Thank you.” Tim accepted the card with both hands.
After Benedict left, Tim turned to Priscilla. “Do you regret it p>
“Regret what?” she asked, confused.
“I saw the check,” he said. “It had at least eight figures. I’ve never seen that much money in my life. If you had just insisted, it would all be ours p>
Priscilla gasped, covering her mouth in mock shock. “You idiot! Why didn’t you tell
me how much it was? Go on, quick! Go chase after Mr. Quinn and bring him back p>
Tim stared at her, dumbfounded.
She laughed and playfully punched his shoulder. “I’m kidding,” she said, her expression turning serious. “Iè may love money, Tim, but I only love the money I earn myself, Ill-gotten gains always come back to haunt you, one way or another p>
No matter how many zeros were on that check, the moment she heard Tammie was dead, she knew they could never accept it.
She let out a soft sigh. “And honestly, I never thought he would lose his life over this. He was so young.” It was impossible not to feel a pang of sorrow. He hadn’t even reached thirty, still in the prime of his life.
Tim’s expression was complicated. “I didn’t either.” Though he had hated Tammie, he had never wished for such a devastating outcome for them both.
Priscilla turned to her husband and smiled. “Let’s let the past be the past, Tim. Tammie paid the ultimate price, though he wasn’t entirely innocent. I believe Mom can finally rest in peace p>