Chapter 704: Channing, You'Re Back
Chapter 704: Channing, You're Back
The Presidential Palace was brightly lit, heavily guarded. At night, the security measures were even stricter than during the day, with a guard post every five steps and a sentry every ten steps. Faint light flickered through the intricate carved windows of the double-layered wooden loft.
In the courtyard stood a loquat tree, its winter leaves yellow and withered, leaving only a few sparse leaves on its bare branches.
The slanting tree shadows cast upon the coffin-shaped window, swaying gently with the chilly northern wind.
From inside the room came a deep and hoarse cough, sounding as if someone was unwell.
This was followed by a conversation.
"Sir, you've been working for twelve hours today. You should take a break."
"It's fine. I still have some documents to review. These are reports from local governments. It wouldn't be good if there's an emergency."
"But... your health. The doctor said you need to take good care of yourself."
"I'm really fine. Alright, Joe, go rest. You've been off work; go grab a meal."
This remark left Joe feeling both amused and bemused. The President had actually picked up on the latest internet slang. It was clear that he was making a genuine effort to bridge the gap between himself and the general public, striving to be a people-friendly and dedicated President.
"Alright, then I'll go now. The housekeeper is going out to play chess today, and my grandson is waiting for me to pick him up from school."
Hearing this, Abel couldn't help but feel envious. He set aside the documents in his hand, glanced at Joe, and jokingly remarked, "You can bring your grandson to visit me here another day. I'm a lonely old man and would love to spend time with children."Content is © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
Joe couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions upon hearing this. He had been working for Abel for almost twenty years. Abel always worked diligently and tirelessly, never complaining, even when he was ill. Abel was truly a good president for the people.
Such a good person, yet... unfortunate things had happened in his family.
Both he and his wife were nearly sixty years old, and they had no children of their own. Although Miss Emily was considered the President's heiress in name, everyone knew that Abel didn't like her much. When he stepped down, the next President wouldn't be from the Davidson family, and certainly not Miss Emily.
As soon as Joe left, the entire room descended into darkness.
Abel, who had been reviewing documents, suddenly felt his vision blur, forcing him to stop writing and rub his tired eyes.
"What's going on?"
"Someone, go check it out quickly."
In this dim environment, visual perception was hindered, but one's auditory sense gained an advantage.
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of a creaking door reached his ears.
Abel's gaze was drawn to the figure that had just entered through the door. His pupils involuntarily contracted, staring fixedly at the newcomer.
His Adam's apple bobbed.
Silently, he uttered a single word. Upon closer listening, it seemed like he was saying, "Chan... Channing."
The person who entered was surrounded by a cold aura, moving soundlessly like a ghost.
As he reached Abel's desk, he came to a halt, and in a momentary glimmer of silver, Abel instinctively closed his eyes.
The next moment, a short knife was held against his neck.
In this dark and eerily quiet room, the air seemed to freeze and turn cold, as if it had plunged into winter.
His life now hung in the balance, dependent on the decision of this individual.
Most people would have felt panic in such a situation, but Abel was, after all, a president of a country who had encountered many storms in his life. This small scene was not enough to evoke fear within him.
"Ahem... I thought you were dead," he stuttered.
It had been over twenty years since they last saw each other, and Abel was shocked at the person standing before him, finding it hard to believe that he was alive and standing in front of him.
As he spoke, his eyes became slightly red.
Their reunion after twenty years filled Abel with an overwhelming sense of longing, and his voice trembled.
"Of course, you thought I was dead. In fact, you probably wished for my death!"
Underneath the black robe, the man's voice sounded unusually icy, and his sarcastic words caught President Abel off guard.
"Channing, is there some misunderstanding between us?"
Just then, a candle was lit, flooding the room with light.
Abel finally saw the person clearly.
He was dressed in a long black robe that covered him from head to toe, and a wide-brimmed hat concealed half of his face.
That face gradually came into view, fair and translucent, with well-defined features and deep, captivating eyes, appearing almost godlike.
"Channing, it really is you who has returned!"
This face belonged to none other
than the most renowned man in et
Onistead in his youth, a face that
had captivated countless young
ladies in Onistead.
With the dagger pressed against Abel's neck, leaving a faint red mark, Channing was close to cutting through Abel's blood vessel.
"Don't try to get close to me. I want to know why Selah died."
Before he left, he had entrusted Selah's care to Abel.
But how had he taken care of her? She ended up falling into trouble with illegal substances, and he was unaware.
Abel didn't even inform him about her pregnancy.
She left Onistead and married such a man, dying in childbirth...
What had he done throughout all of this?
Abel had solemnly promised to solve the issues of his concern, while he would go to Dead Forest to give his all for Abel's cause.
But in the end, Abel had broken his promise and caused Selah's death.
At the mention of Selah, Abel guiltily lowered his head, and his eyes quickly became red and misty.
"I'm sorry, Channing. It is indeed my fault. I failed to take care of Selah."
Just as he had started his job, he fell seriously ill, losing consciousness for almost half a month.
During that time, his wife abused her authority and chased the pregnant Selah out of the villa.
When he woke up in the hospital and rushed to the villa, he found it empty. Selah had long since left. She didn't even tell him where she had gone.
For over twenty years, he had been searching for her. If not for Cheyenne, whom he had recently encountered in Onistead...
He didn't even know that the intelligent and bright Selah had passed away at such a young age.
It was his fault.
He was sorry to Selah and even Cheyenne...
If not for his negligence, she wouldn't have lost both of her parents' love at such a young age, growing up in hardship all by herself.
"Channing, if you want to kill me, go ahead. I have no complaints."
Channing Smiled grimly, his hand
trembling, wanting nothing more's
than to plunge the dagger into heart, to make him pay for his blood debt.
But on second thought, it was Channing himself who deserved to die!