Chapter 1278 Freedom From Hatred
Stanley murmured, “I know.”
Back then, the Quinn family unilaterally severed their relationship with them.
Consequently, their family failed to garner any help from their relatives. Those relatives refused to see them for fear of being dragged into the matter.
In fact, some of their relatives even intended to capture them and potentially claim a reward from the organization.
If their parents hadn’t chased those relatives away, their family would have been offered to the organization and executed.
The only reason they were able to survive the organization’s hunt for so long was due to the Rivers family’s help.
“Since you know about it, you should be aware that Mr. Rivers and his wife might have made a mistake, but it’s one that’s entirely understandable. You can’t expect perfection or miracles from two ordinary human beings, to the extent of running circles around such a large organization. That’s just not possible. Furthermore, has it occurred to you that Mr. Rivers and his wife were equally devastated over your parent’s death? How do you think they felt when they realized they were responsible for the death of their friend?”
Stanley pursed his lips and didn’t say a word.
Natalie took a deep breath. “Let me tell you, they were filled with remorse and would never forgive themselves for the rest of their lives. I’m sure it has been more than a decade since you last saw what they looked like. All their hair has whitened while their faces are full of wrinkles. Despite just being fifty-two, they look seventy and a lot older than their peers. Do you know what caused that? It’s guilt. All these years, Mr. Rivers and his wife were filled with unimaginable guilt.”
In the beginning, she was only curious as to why Jonathan looked significantly older than men his age. Despite her asking about it, Jonathan refused to tell her.
Later on, it was Joyce who revealed to her the bad blood between Stanley and the Rivers family.
Only then did she feel what a shame it was.
The moment Stanley heard Natalie mention that Jonathan and his wife aged a lot, his eyes narrowed by reflex, for it was something that he wasn’t aware of.
After all, he had not seen them for more than ten years and never had the desire to.
Therefore, he didn’t know what had become of them.
“Stanley, I’m telling you all of this not just to let you know that what they did was understandable. More importantly, I hope that you will not live your life mired in hatred. The person whom you should direct your vengeance toward is the perpetrator and not Mr. Rivers and his family, do you understand? In fact, if your parents were alive, I believe they would never blame Mr. Rivers. After all, it’s obvious to everyone that Mr. Rivers isn’t responsible. It’s just that you are too stubborn and extreme to accept it. Stanley, I hope that you will give this matter serious deliberation.”
With that, Natalie ended the call.
At that moment, Shane came out of the bathroom, wearing a bathrobe and carrying a towel. Drying his hair, he strode up to her and sneered, “You really are good at providing counsel.”
Natalie gave him a look. “Why? Are you jealous?”
Shane responded with a snort.
Subsequently, Natalie waved at him. “Come over here.”
“What for?” Even though he didn’t know what she was up to, he still stopped in front of her.
Natalie grabbed him by the collar and pulled him down toward her.
Having brought Shane closer by his neck, she looked up and planted a kiss on his lips. “How about now? Are you still jealous?”
As a smile descended on his face, Shane’s mood visibly improved. “Not anymore.”
Not knowing whether to laugh or to cry, Natalie let go of his collar before she gradually lamented, “My goal is to help Stanley free himself from the hatred that is consuming him. Sooner or later, it will destroy both him and the Rivers family. Moreover, Joyce is my friend. The last thing I want is for them to see each other as enemies for the rest of their lives despite being the best of friends once.”
