Chapter 799: Chapter 799 Where Does the Hatred Come From_1
Purple Summers walked through the twisted iron gate, and the bodyguards seemed as if they couldn’t see her, not sparing her an extra glance. They remained upright, their gazes sharp and fixed ahead.
She couldn’t help but suspect these were soldiers in plain clothes, for they carried a stern aura, free of any gangster-like swagger.
Further within, she noticed a bodyguard stationed every dozen meters or so; the family’s defense was impenetrable. Even the bustling servants were affected by this tense atmosphere, speaking in hushed tones and daring not to raise their voices.
Two bodyguards also stood at the entrance of the small western-style building.
Purple Summers entered and saw two visitors at home—one was Caitlin Carter, whom she had met before, and the other a white-haired elderly man.
Because the living room was filled with packed cardboard boxes, Atra Blanc received her guests in the dining room, where two cups of floral tea sat on the table, filling the room with the fragrance of flowers and plants.
Upon seeing her return, Alexander Summers waved her over, and Purple Summers obediently walked over and stood beside him.
“You’re back,” Atra Blanc said with a smile that was somewhat stiff, as if she was struggling to maintain a polite facade for the guests, “Purple, this is Old Master Simonson, he’s your grandfather…”
Purple Summers was slightly startled and opened her mouth but couldn’t bring herself to say the word “grandfather.” She greeted instead, “Good day, elder master.”
Then turning to Caitlin Carter, “Good day, Aunt Caitlin.”
Caitlin Carter’s eyes were tinged red as she nodded with a smile.
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat awkward, an awkwardness that was anticipated by all, and silently, by unspoken agreement, no one addressed it.
Old Master Simonson’s face bore a warm smile—having lived to his age, he had surely weathered many storms and could remain unflustered in any situation.
“What is your name, and how old are you this year?” the elder master asked with a smile.
“Purple Summers, almost eighteen,” she answered truthfully.
The elder master further inquired, “Which ‘zi’ is it?”
Purple Summers replied, “The ‘zi’ from ‘formidable aura from the East.’
Old Master Simonson nodded with a smile and said, “A formidable aura from the East is an auspicious name indeed. There’s a mention in ‘The Book of Forest of Changes’: ‘Within the purple palace of the North Star, one stands in honorable attire, embodying harmony and virtue, and is forever blessed by heavenly fortune.’ Historically, the color purple has been associated with imperial dignity, held in high esteem by ancient royalty.”
Purple Summers felt a bit embarrassed by his praise.
She thought that Elder Master Summers hadn’t considered so much when naming her. It was clear from other family members’ names; the males all had two-character names, while the girls had single-character names.
“Back in the day, your mother and father were considered a handsome couple, well-matched in every regard. Later, no one knows why they separated. Matters of the young generation, this old fellow doesn’t understand. When your mother left, we didn’t even realize she was carrying a child…” Old Master Simonson sighed softly and continued, “I’m not saying this to shirk responsibility, it’s just that it’s a shame. If your father had been a little more composed back then, and we had been more careful, perhaps we wouldn’t be facing the situation we have today.”
Purple Summers remained silent, listening intently.
Old Master Simonson said, “The Simonson family has always conducted itself with integrity. It is only in this matter, to your mother, to you, that we owe a debt. If there is resentment in your heart, we would completely understand…”
“There’s nothing to resent,” said Purple Summers softly, “I never met my father or my mother. I don’t have any feelings for them, so how could I hold any grudge?”
Without love, where could hate stem from?
Old Master Simonson sighed deeply.
Some people are tortured by guilt over the past, agonizing over it for a year, two years… ten years, until it becomes a chronic heartache. Eventually, they find out that the other person never took the issue to heart, nor took them to heart, and their sense of culpability tumbles into an abyss, never reaching the bottom, becoming a lifelong regret.
“Your father is ill, and now the only person who can save him is you,” Old Master Simonson looked at Purple Summers, “Purple, are you willing to come back with us to Kingsley?”