Chapter 13
After the party, everyone left in high spirits.
Only Wilma remained. With her shoulder-length bob, leather jacket, and love for motorcycles, she projected a cool, tough-girl image, but she had a soft spot for Penelope and loved to act like a clingy younger sister.
Right now, she was holding onto Penelope’s arm, refusing to let go. “Boss, take me with you. What’s the point of living if I can’t see you every day p>
Penelope sighed and tapped her on the forehead. “Oh come on, how old are you p>
“Younger than you p>
“Yes, you are. Which means if you ever run into trouble, you call me p>
The tough girl’s eyes reddened, but she tilted her head back, refusing to let the tears fall. “Boss, that friend of yours is bad news. Be careful around her,” she whispered.
Penelope nodded. “I know p>
“I’m serious. Don’t brush this off p>
“I’m not a fool p>
“Of course you’re not. You’re brilliant. But even the smartest person can be blindsided by a traitor p>
The kid saw things clearly. The curse of being too close to a situation.
After sending Wilma off, Rebecca emerged from the restaurant. She had insisted on paying the bill, snatching it from Penelope’s hands, but what was one dinner bill compared to the million dollars Penelope had just given away? A cheap attempt to buy loyalty.
“Penelope, are you taking a taxi?” Rebecca asked, walking over.
Penelope ignored the question, her eyes narrowing. “You didn’t drink tonight. You toasted with water p>
Rebecca paused. “I… I just didn’t feel like drinking p>
“No, that’s not it. You’re hiding something from me p>
“What could I possibly be p>
“You’re not pregnant, are you p>
Rebecca flinched. She hadn’t expected Penelope to guess so quickly.
Seeing her reaction, Penelope’s voice became firm. “You are pregnant p>
“And you were going to keep it from me p>
“No! I wanted to tell you, I just… I haven’t found the right time,” Rebecca stammered.
Penelope let out a sharp scoff. “Well, we’re alone now. You need to tell me who the father is p>
“The father’s identity isn’t important p>
“Of course it’s important p>
Rebecca was clearly unprepared for this line of questioning and scrambled for a plausible lie. “It’s… it’s Keith’s p>
Penelope’s eyes narrowed. Keith was Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend. She was really willing to say anything. “You two broke up three years ago p>
“We ran into each other a while back. One thing led to another, and we ended up at a hotel p>
“How could you p>
Penelope’s expression hardened. She raised her hand and slapped Rebecca across the face. The sound echoed in the quiet street.
Rebecca clutched her cheek, staring at Penelope in shock. “Why did you hit me p>
“Because just saw Keith on my business trip, and he’s married!” Penelope feigned outrage, pointing a finger at Rebecca. “I can’t believe you would become a homewrecker
“I Rebecca was stunned.
“Have you no shame? How could you destroy someone’s family p>
“I didn’t know p>
“I am so disappointed in you p>
Having delivered the slap and the tirade, Penelope felt a surge of satisfaction.
She turned on her heel and walked away.
As she settled into a taxi, she
watched Rebecca in the rearview mirror, still holding her face, looking uttedy devastated. Then, Rebecca pulled out her phone to make a call.
Penelope smirked and told the driver to circle around to the back of the hotel. She
got out, walked into the lobby, and saw Rebecca still standing out front, waiting.
A few minutes later, a black Bentley pulled up. Zebulon Sullivan got out, and before he could even round the front of the car, Rebecca ran to him, sobbing, and threw herself into his arms.