Chapter 1140:

George’s voice was laced with emotion. “How did you know about the ‘Violin Concerto in E Minor’? Did your dad tell you?”

Elyse’s expression shifted, becoming more solemn. “I found his diary,” she said softly. “He wrote about you, Mr. Hill. He mentioned that the next time he saw you, he’d play that piece. It was a promise you two shared.”

A deep sadness settled over George’s features. “He really held onto that promise.”

In the midst of this, Anthony, oblivious to the gravity of the moment, took a big bite of his sandwich and blurted out, “Why didn’t he keep that promise himself? Why pass the baton to you? What’s he up to these days?”

Elyse fell silent, her gaze distant and clouded. It was the question she feared most.

The silence was heavy, and George’s heart sank, the truth he had been avoiding finally coming into focus. Even Anthony, normally slow on the uptake, sensed the shift as both Elyse and George remained quiet.

After an awkward pause, Anthony, hesitant but trying, asked, “Does… does your dad know you’re here with us?”

Elyse shook her head, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. “He probably has no idea.”

Always the optimist, Anthony replied brightly, “Then tell him! My dad’s been waiting for him to come around. He was like a brother to him.”

Elyse’s smile faltered, and her voice, tinged with sorrow, cut through the air like a soft sigh. “He can’t come anymore.”

Anthony opened his mouth to ask why, but George, his voice gentle and heavy with understanding, beat him to it. The weight of her grief was unmistakable.

George leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting upward toward the sky. Silent tears began to roll down his weathered cheeks, each drop a quiet acknowledgment of the loss that had been too long in coming to light.

After a long, heavy silence, George finally managed to speak, his voice barely audible. “How did he die?”

Anthony, now fully understanding the gravity of the conversation, echoed quietly, “Yeah, what happened?”

Elyse took a deep breath, her voice steady but laced with pain. “He got into a car accident, and while he was critically injured, someone—someone took advantage of that and killed him.”

Anthony’s fist slammed down on the table, rattling the plates as he burst out in frustration. “That’s sick! What kind of monster does that? Who did it? I swear, I’ll get justice for him!”

Elyse’s gaze turned steely, her voice resolute. “That person is already in prison. I made sure justice was done.”