Chapter 269
“Cormac?” Rowena felt a rush of mixed emotions at the mention of his name, but excitement bubbled to the surface.
“Not just any common name; I am indeed the friend of the friend you mentioned,” Rowena explained, her voice tinged with excitement.
“Really?” Stellan asked, still surprised even after hearing Rowena’s confirmation.
“Yes, I am Cormac’s ex-girlfriend,” Rowena revealed, her words hanging in the air.
Stellan blinked in shock. “So it’s true. You’re now in a relationship with Richard? I wanted to ask, but I didn’t dare to…”
Rowena pressed her lips together slightly, her gaze drifting to Alaric. “Mr. Knight, you said you’re still friends with Cormac, right?”
“Of course,” Alaric replied, nodding as though the connection between him and Cormac had always been clear.
Rowena’s mind spun as she absorbed this. It was good to know that Cormac and Alaric hadn’t fallen out. But then, a nagging thought struck her. If they’re still friends, why didn’t Alaric help Cormac? Why is he living in such poverty now?
“I see him living so poorly now, and when I met you both, neither of you mentioned each other. I thought maybe you had a falling out,” Rowena said, her tone probing, though her curiosity masked a deeper concern.
Alaric’s eyebrows furrowed, his expression turning serious. “What do you mean? You’ve seen him?” he asked, his surprise palpable. “Cormac is still in Arizona? Where is he?”
Rowena hesitated, unsure whether to give more details, but decided to be honest. “The first time I met him was on the day of the free admission at the amusement park. He was with a girl, about fourteen or fifteen years old.”
“A girl about fourteen or fifteen?” Stellan looked at Alaric, both of them exchanging bewildered glances. It was clear they were both curious about the girl Rowena had mentioned.
“Where is he living now?” Stellan asked quickly, her concern growing.
“I really don’t know,” Rowena said thoughtfully. After a brief pause, she added, “But Richard seems to know where he works. His residence shouldn’t be hard to find. How about I call and ask…”
Alaric interrupted her, his mind racing. “No need,” he said, suddenly struck with a realization. “I think I already know where he is.”
He looked at Stellan, a look of determination in his eyes. “You two enjoy your meal. I’m going to find him.” With that, Alaric rose from the table and strode out, his mind reeling. It had taken him far too long to put the pieces together. Cormac would definitely have investigated the car accident involving Orion. And Aurora—she had to be a relative of Matthew, the other victim. Alaric cursed himself for not connecting the dots sooner.
Meanwhile, Cormac had been unloading goods into his modest apartment until the evening, as it was a late shipment. He was paid on the spot for his work. As he entered his small home, a smile tugged at his lips as he saw the food he’d bought for Aurora, his younger sister.
“Aurora, I got your favorite,” he said as he entered, holding up the bags of food. “Tonight, you can…”
But before he could finish, his words froze in his throat. Standing in the doorway was Alaric, looking as composed and serious as ever.
Aurora, sensing the tension, quickly spoke up. “Uncle, he’s here to see you. He’s been waiting for a long time.”
Cormac was taken aback. Of course, Alaric had found him. It was both a surprise and, in some ways, not.
“Aurora, go eat in your room,” Cormac said, his voice steady though tinged with a hint of resignation. He handed her the food, and she obediently retreated to her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Once they were alone, Cormac gestured to his humble living room. “It’s a small place. I’m afraid there’s no place for you to sit,” he said, attempting to mask the awkwardness of the situation.
Alaric stepped inside and looked around, his heart aching at the sight of Cormac’s living conditions. The once-wealthy and vibrant friend he had known was now reduced to this small, dimly lit space.
“Cormac, I know you have resentment toward me,” Alaric said, his voice low, though it carried an undertone of genuine concern. “Feel free to vent it out. Don’t bottle it up.”
“I don’t resent you,” Cormac replied immediately, his voice tight. “What could I resent you for? My mother’s illness was a natural disaster, my sister’s car accident was also a natural disaster, and Griffon got what he deserved. None of this is your fault. I have nothing to resent.”
Alaric fell silent for a moment, taking in Cormac’s words. He knew there was so much more beneath the surface, that Cormac had pain he wasn’t willing to show. But now wasn’t the time to push him. He simply nodded.
“Mr. Knight,” Cormac started, trying to shift the conversation. “This place is quite modest, not the best fit for you. We’re about to eat, so I’ll ask you to leave.”
Alaric didn’t move. The pain in Cormac’s words, the way he pushed Alaric away, cut deeper than anything Alaric had expected. “Cormac, since I’ve come to find you, I won’t leave easily. I know the Nash family incident hit you hard, and I’m truly sorry for what happened.”
He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, “As for what you said before, that I never treated our friendship equally, I’m even more sorry. But I swear, I never saw you as anything less than a friend. We grew up together. You’re my only friend.”
“Alaric,” Cormac interrupted, his voice sharp, “isn’t it pointless to say this now?”
“I’m sorry,” Alaric repeated. His voice was steady but full of regret. “But every word I say is sincere. I know you don’t want to see me right now, but I have to say what’s on my mind.”
Alaric’s voice softened, becoming more earnest. “Cormac, honestly, I thought you’d leave Arizona. Maybe you stayed because of that girl, or maybe for other reasons. You chose to stay in this familiar city, but you didn’t want to run into us. So you went to a remote dock to do hard labor. Don’t deny it. I know that’s what you were thinking. But you’re still young, educated, and capable. Are you really willing to live like this for the rest of your life?”
“What I do with my life is none of your business,” Cormac shot back, his frustration building. “I said we’re about to eat. Please leave.”
Alaric wasn’t deterred. “I’ll leave after I finish,” he said, stepping closer, his voice quieter now. “You know my health situation. I was planning to stop working after the amusement park project to get treatment. But now I have to acquire a jewelry company. If I succeed, the Vale family will hold a grudge and won’t let it go. If I fail, it will harm the company’s development. I can’t afford to stop working right now, but my health can’t wait.”
He let his words settle, knowing he had to be honest. “I don’t have many people I can trust, Cormac. I really need your help. Try to start over, stand up again. Can you?”
Cormac’s response was a bitter laugh. He shook his head in disbelief. “Charity?” he scoffed. “I’m a doctor, and you want me to help you with your company? How can I help you?”
Alaric’s expression tightened, but he didn’t back down. “I’m not offering you charity, Cormac. You know me better than that.”
Cormac’s gaze was hard now, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. “Alaric, you really don’t need to feel guilty toward me. I said I don’t blame you. I just realized we can’t be friends anymore. I never thought of taking revenge on you, nor do I envy you.”
He let out a long breath, his voice full of quiet pain. “I just want to stay far away from you. Can you let me go? Yes, I’m living in this damp and shabby place now. The only place I can sleep is this broken sofa. You think my life is terrible, and because of your guilt, you feel even more uneasy.”
He glared at Alaric, the frustration finally pouring out. “You think you can help me? Give me a mansion and a luxury car? You think that if my material life improves, you’ll feel better about yourself? Are you really doing this for me, or just to make yourself feel better?”
Alaric stood there, struck by Cormac’s words. He knew his friend was right in some ways—but still, he couldn’t give up on him. Not yet.