Nathan and Penny dropped by the hospital first thing the next morning to visit Horatio.
Horatio lay in bed, his brows furrowed in anguish although he was fast asleep. It was a restless slumber as he subconsciously beat himself up for accepting the lowball offer for Wyland Huck's abstract painting.
Both Hansel and Camilla were present.
“My father had a hard time falling asleep last night; he only drifted off in the wee hours. Let's talk elsewhere so we don't wake him up,” Hansel murmured.
Nathan nodded in agreement. “Alright.”
The group exited the room and stood in the corridor.
“Nathan, have you found the painting?” Hansel cut to the chase.
Smiling, Nathan answered, “There has been news about it. I should be able to receive it later today. Don't worry, Mr. Windsor. I promise I'll return the painting to your father by today to ease his tortured mind.”
Hansel nodded and heaved a sigh. “My father made a fool of himself this time. Sorry for troubling you, Nathan. Not only did my father sell the precious gift from you at the price of a trinket, but this incident also sent you running all over the place to recover the painting.”
“Don't worry about it, Mr. Windsor,” Nathan said solemnly. “If it weren't for your support years ago, I would not have reached where I am today. This small favor is not worth mentioning in comparison to the help you've given me.”
“Hansel, Nathan is right. We're practically family; there's no need to be so tense,” Camilla chimed in with a gentle smile.
Hansel was greatly comforted, and the emotion showed on his face.
He was once the president of a country — a presence that garnered veneration and attention wherever he went. However, the halo of glory that surrounded him quickly dissipated after he stepped down from the position.
While the ministers and members of the cabinet still treated him with civility, he knew that their respect for him was no more than skin-deep.
None of them would be willing to lend a helping hand when he most needed it.
Their superficial relationship could not withstand the challenge of time and mediocrity.
While he had come to accept the bitter truth as the years passed by, Hansel still felt a twinge of disappointment when the people who used to butter him up refused to come to his aid.
However, his favorite pupil, who was now the Chief Military Governor, still treated him as before — with the reverence for a mentor and the gratitude for a parent.
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