Chapter 373
Following the address Donald gave her, Penelope arrived at a garden estate nestled at the foot of a hill. A small stone plaque hung on the low wooden gate, engraved with the words: Dust Dancing in Light.
She pushed the gate open and was greeted by cascades of vibrant daisies—white, yellow, pink, red—dotting the green foliage and stretching up the slope as far as the eye could see. It took her a moment to find a path upward, carved through a thicket of camellias.
As she ascended the stone steps, she brushed against the tightly clustered blossoms, sending a shower of crimson petals to the ground. Some landed on her shoes and cuffs, only to be swept up by the wind and dance before her eyes. The higher she climbed, the clearer the garden became. It was a terraced floral paradise covering the entire hillside.
Past the camellias, she found a field of begonias, then jasmine, gardenias, and cosmos. In the distance, a spectacular bloom of lisianthus painted the landscape. It was an overwhelming, breathtaking sight.
Then she saw him. Donald, the dazzling movie star, was dressed as a gardener, watering a patch of chrysanthemums. Every flower in the garden was radiant, a clear testament to the immense care and love poured into it.
He saw her, gave a small wave, and turned off the hose. “Thank you for making the trip out here p>
Penelope looked at his friendly smile and felt a wave of disgust. “It’s an hour and a half drive from the city. Yes, it was quite a hassle p>
Donald looked slightly awkward. “I was hoping the sight of these flowers would make the trip worthwhile for you, Ms. Laurier p>
“If you dragged me all the way out here just to show off your garden, Mr. Bishop, I would say you have a serious lack of consideration p>
“Alright, you’ve got me. There is something I need your help with,” Donald said with a resigned sigh.
“My help?” Penelope arched an eyebrow.
“This way, Ms. Laurier. Please p>
Donald led the way up the path, and after a moment’s hesitation, Penelope followed. At the top of the hill stood a small, charming blue house with a large picture window. Outside, Donald gestured for her to sit at a stone table and poured her a cup of hot tea.
Penelope ignored the tea and glanced at her watch.
“Are you in a hurry, Ms. Laurier p>
She looked up at him, frowning. “My brother and I have plans to visit our father p>
“I see,” Donald sai
said with a gentle
smile. “On your wedding day, Mr. Anderson told me a great deal about your childhood I’m not sure wh
chose to share those stories with me, but I could feel how much he loves you p>
“Of course. What father doesn’t love his daughter p>
“Indeed. And I love my daughter, Yvonne, very deeply p>
“And then there are those who are heartless,” she muttered.
“Pardon p>
Penelope shook her head. She had never intended to voice her anger or resentment toward Donald or the Bishops but they kept appearing. before her, flaunting their deep family bonds. It was sickening. “I’m
sorry, but I don’t have time to
chit-chat, Mr. Bishop. If there’s
nothing else p>
“I would like to borrow the painting you have the one by Edith—to display at an
exhibition,” he said quickly.
For a moment, Penelope wanted to
laugh “You’re organizing a solo
exhibition för Edith? Did you
permission p>
“If only I could contact her p>
“Hah p>
SWO
her
“But perhaps she might show up at the exhibition, don’t you think p>