Chapter 242
The words were as nasty as they could be. Zebulon looked up in disbelief, a single tear tracing a path down his cheek.
“And thank you,” she continued, her voice dripping with venom. “Thank you for doing all those disgusting things and showing me who you really are: not just useless, but heartless too! I don’t love you anymore. Do you know what you are to me now? A pathetic little worm, stinking to high heaven and arrogant enough to think everyone enjoys the smell p>
“You’ve never really looked in a mirror, have you? Here, let me help you p>
There was a full-length mirror in the entryway. Penelope grabbed him by the hair, dragged him in front of it, and forced him to look at his reflection.
“Take a good look at this maggot in the mirror. He was born a maggot, and after all these years, he’s still a maggot. Is he good for anything? Besides eating, sleeping, and bragging, what else can he do? What else does he know? And he has the gall to cry? What are you crying about? That I don’t want a maggot like you anymore? The thought of you makes me sick p>
“Stop it! Stop talking!” Zebulon couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m not a maggot! I’m not a worm! I’m not, I’m not!” he roared.
Penelope stared at him, a mocking smile playing on her lips.
“You’re not Penelope! You’re not her! She would never treat me like this!” Zebulon screamed until his voice was raw, his composure completely shattered.
Having vented her fury, Penelope grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out of the apartment.
Just as she threw him out the door, Rebecca and Mrs. Sullivan rushed over. They both froze, stunned by the scene.
“My son! What happened? Did you hurt him?” Mrs. Sullivan cried, her eyes wide with alarm as she took in her son’s tear-streaked, bruised face.
Rebecca, however, wasn’t looking at his face. Her gaze was fixed on the marks on his neck. Her mind raced, and she immediately jumped to a conclusion.
“Penelope, how could you be so shameless? Seducing a married man!” Rebecca accused, pointing a finger at her. “Have you no shame? No morals? You knew he was married, and you still seduced him p>
“You home-wrecker! You’re going to be struck by lightning p>
Penelope had felt better after tearing into Zebulon, but now Rebecca was starting in on her, spouting accusations with such self-righteousness, as if she’d completely forgotten her own past actions.
“Rebecca, a piece of friendly advice,” Penelope said through gritted teeth. “Don’t push me p>
“You did it, and now you’re afraid of being called out p>
“What exactly did I do p>
“No wonder my husband didn’t come home last night! He was here with you!” Rebecca gestured at the
marks on Zebulon’s neck. “Other
people’s husbands are just
at
much better, aren’t they? You were
just dying for a piece of him, weren’t you p>
Penelope massaged her temples. Rebecca was actually accusing her of wanting Zebulon.
“You”
“I knew you weren’t over my son!” Mrs. Sullivan chimed in, having drawn the same conclusion from the marks. She immediately put on heres. “But even if you eling
to him
the Sullivan family will not have you
back!” e
“I”
“Unless, of course, you’re willing to be his mistress and give up any claim to a title p>
Penelope blinked. Were these people even speaking English?
But before Penelope could object, Rebecca did.
“Mom, how could you say that to me p>
“Don’t be naive,” Mrs. Sullivan snapped. “A man as rich and handsome as Zebulon is never going to have just one woman. It’s better to have Penelope on the side than some other random woman. At least she’s useful p>
“Absolutely not p>
“Can you make Zebulon fall for you? Can you make money for the company p>
“Then you don’t get a say in the matter!” Mrs. Sullivan shut Rebecca down before turning back to Penelope. “Penelope, if you’re willing, we can still be a family p>