Jordan was able to get away without a hitch thanks to the other car that stopped the police at the hospital.
A black vehicle zoomed through the brightly lit Solana Highway.
Landon was staring out the window. His eyes were empty and dark. Under the flickering lights, his face was alluring as usual but inexplicably desolate.
It was as if he was a completely different person.
Jordan observed him closely, searching for any trace of his presidential demeanor, but found none whatsoever. Landon was completely broken.
"I didn't issue any orders. You shouldn't have done more than what I've instructed you to."
After a long silence, Landon spoke up softly, "There are numerous opportunities to kill Preston. Yet, you chose the one time when it was the riskiest."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Landon."
Jordan lowered his head. He clenched his fists tightly. "It's just that... I really wanted him to die. He's considered lucky to even be able to live another day!
"I'm sorry. I know that I've made things very difficult for you. I'm willing to bear all the punishment. If the police approach you, tell them that I was the one who did it. I have taken my revenge, so I no longer have any regrets. I'm willing to plead guilty and-"
Landon closed his eyes and lifted his hand, interrupting Jordan. "I didn't ask you to take action because
I was afraid that you'd become involved."
Jordan's heart raced, caught off guard by Landon's words. "Mr. Landon."
"You are the only one I have left by my side." Landon was anguished. He choked, "You were Angelina's best friend when she was still alive. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to you."
"Thank you." Jordan couldn't hold himself back anymore. Tears of regret started flowing down his face.
"He's dead?"
"Yes. I watched him catch his last breath. Don't worry, Mr. Landon. I wouldn't have made it easy for him. He died a painful death."
Landon lifted the corners of his lips briefly.
A complex ball of emotions rolled within him. He felt a lump in his throat and didn't utter another word for quite a while.
"I got a call from the police station today. They said that Mr. Cornelius' autopsy had been completed. You can go ahead and make arrangements for his funeral," Jordan explained mournfully.
"Okay."
Just then, Landon's phone vibrated. It was Penelope calling.
Landon lowered his eyes and stared at his phone for a while. Despite hanging up on her multiple times, he eventually answered her call.
"Landon! What's going on with you? Do you still have a heart?" Penelope was yelling on the other end of the line. She loudly berated him, "You kept protecting Lauren Beckett! Now, this is the outcome! Our family is broken. It's completely ruined!
"Your grandfather died, and you've wounded your sister so severely. She's coughing up blood every day! Are you happy now? Are you satisfied now?"
Landon listened calmly to Penelope's unrestrained lecture. He wasn't feeling disturbed. He even laughed out loud.
"All of these happened because of that idiot! Everything happened because of her. She is the root of all evil. She is a soul eater who came to harm our family!"
Penelope screamed like a mad woman. Her attitude was not at all classy, and it was unbecoming for a woman her stature.
"Listen to me! Even though your grandfather is no longer with us, I will never accept her! She can forget about marrying you! She shouldn't even entertain the thought! Never!"
"Are you done?" Landon asked coldly.
Penelope was stunned by his lack of emotion. All she could do was catch her breath.
"It seems like the recent events in our family have had a significant impact on you. Your mental wellbeing doesn't appear to be in good shape."
Then, Landon calmly instructed Jordan, "Jordan, contact the hospital overseas that's most reputable for treating mental conditions within the next couple of days. Send Penelope over and make sure she receives good treatment."