Chapter 15
Back in Eric and Penelope’s home, Eric lay on the bed in the master bedroom that was enveloped in darkness. Empty wine bottles could be seen surrounding the bed.
It had been one month since he found Penelope’s corpse. Throughout this period, Eric never had a bite to eat. He just locked himself up in the master bedroom and survived off red wine.
He refused to accept the fact that Penelope was already dead. That was why he could only use alcohol to numb his senses so that he could still delude himself into thinking that he had actually married Penelope. In his muddled state, he thought they were already husband and
wife.
A bright light suddenly pierced through the darkness. The loud ringtone almost ruptured Eric’s ears, which had already gotten used to the silence a long time ago.
Eric and Penelope’s incident had caused great chaos on the internet. Thanks to that, Fulmer Industries‘ stock prices were greatly affected. Naturally, the company’s shareholders were very displeased.
But Eric no longer had the motivation nor the energy to turn the tides in his favor. Penelope was no longer alive, after all. What was the point for him to continue running his company?
Hence, Eric decided to turn off his work phone and block everyone on his private phone’s contact list so that no one could ever disturb him. He spent every waking hour immersed in
the false world he had weaved for himself.
The one calling him right now was either a telemarketer or a scammer. Still, Eric picked up the call for some reason. It was an overseas number, so it was most likely a scammer calling him.
Perhaps Eric had stayed silent for far too long, for he felt the urge to say something. That was why he answered the call. “Hello?”
A cold and professional voice drifted from the other end of the line. “Are you Mr. Eric Fulmer?
11
“What do you want?”
“I’m a manager from Ultratech Corporation, which is based in Northern Eucardia. I called you because I have a business proposal for you. I’d like to borrow Fulmer Industries‘ resources to promote a new type of AI technology.”
Eric rubbed the spot between his brows. “I’m not interested in anything business–related.”
But the caller chuckled softly in return. He continued, “This AI technology can help revive one’s dead family and friends and reconstruct them in data format. In other words, even if
Chapter 15
your family and friends have passed away, you may still speak with the data versions of them as though they’re the real deal.”
Did that mean… Eric could revive Penelope with that technology?
Eric, who had been about to end the call, froze momentarily. A few seconds later, he said, Name me a date and place. We’ll talk in person.”
The next afternoon, Eric finally stepped out into the sunlight after so long. He walked into a cafe near Fulmer Industries. This was his first time leaving the house after more than a month.
Steve, who was the man on the call with Eric yesterday, had been waiting for him in the cafe for quite some time. The Al model as well as the documents had already been prepared in advance. It seemed that he was really determined to work with Eric this time.
Since Eric was still skeptical about the Al technology, Steve passed a black square box that
looked like a music box to Eric.
“I’ve heard a thing or two about your tragedy, Mr. Fulmer, I have a feeling that you wish to revive Ms. Penelope Sanders, don’t you?” Upon meeting Eric’s wary look, Steve smiled confidently in return. “You can try speaking with this box. Her name is also Penelope.”
Eric hesitated for a few seconds. But his immense longing for Penelope made him speak up in the end. “Penelope?”
“What is it?”
When the familiar feminine voice sounded out of nowhere, Eric’s eyes reddened instantly. It took him all of his willpower to hold his tears back.
That was Penelope’s voice. Even the tone and cadence were exactly the same as Eric
remembered.
Steve smiled. “This is an AI bionic box that we created by referencing Ms. Sanders‘ existing data. You can take it home with you and use it for a period of time.
“You can chat with Penelope about anything. The more topics you broach with her, the more realistic she’ll become. Eventually, this version of Penelope will resemble more and more like the Penelope in your memories. Of course, she’ll also take the initiative to chat with you.”
Eric was already in a trance by then. He had completely forgotten that this was a discussion meant for Steve’s business proposal. Instead, he kept thanking Steve repeatedly.
All he wanted to do right now was take the AI bionic box home so that he could start chatting with “Penelope“. It turned out that apologizing to Penelope had somewhat become a desire of
his.
Chapter 15
3/3
Steve did his best to suppress the mocking glint in his eyes. He turned to look at the cafe’s door instead. At first, he was stunned by what he saw, but he soon reclined in his chair, ready to savor the upcoming drama.
To think that Ingrid was carrying out her next move this quickly… Steve was inwardly glad that he had hired a private investigator to provide Ingrid with the information in advance.
Ingrid’s bony frame stood at the cafe’s entrance as she looked around for a certain someone.
Half a month ago, she hired a private investigator to look for Eric. Yet that investigator only got back to her this morning with concrete information that Eric would show up at this particular cafe this afternoon. She couldn’t let this chance slip through her fingers.
Ingrid had been forced to sell all of the luxurious gifts Eric had given to her just to clear the debts racked up by her father. Unfortunately for her, Eric had frozen the supplementary credit card he had given to her in the past. Not only that, but he also took away the cars and properties that had once been gifted to her.
When Ingrid’s gaze swept across the tables near the windows, she instantly spotted a familiar figure.
