Chapter 173
He wanted a divorce.
The words hit Penelope like a physical blow, leaving her stunned and speechless. All because she made him hide behind a curtain? Was he serious?
“I’ll explain everything to my grandfather, so you don’t have to worry about that. And if you want any compensation, you can state your terms now,” he said, his tone all business.
Penelope actually gave it some thought, but her mind was a jumbled mess. Only one trivial thing came to mind.
“Does this mean I don’t have to drink that bitter medicine anymore p>
“For the sake of your own health p>
“Right, I still have to drink it. Even if I don’t have children with you, I might want them with someone else p>
Theodore’s face darkened. “Do as you please p>
“So p>
Were they just going to go to the courthouse and get divorced? Just like that? It felt so sudden, so unfair.
Just then, a commotion erupted outside the office.
“I need to see Theodore! He can’t do this to me! I won’t accept it p>
A woman was shouting, and the sound was getting closer.
“Ms. Wood, please leave immediately. Mr. Stapleton will not see you p>
“I’m not leaving until I see him! I love him, and I need to talk to him p>
The voice was right outside the door.
Penelope suddenly felt like she was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and that she was about to get caught in the crossfire. Running for it would mean a head-on collision, so she looked for a place to hide. The office was spacious and open, with few options.
Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on the perfect hiding spot. Just as she ducked out of sight, the office door burst open.
“Theodore, you can’t do this to me p>
A woman in a business suit, her hair coming undone and her eyes red-rimmed, stormed up to his desk.
Linda rushed in after her, trying to pull her away, but the woman clung to the desk with a desperate grip.
Theodore’s expression remained impassive as he looked up. “You said you love me p>
The woman nodded eagerly. “I do, Theodore! I love you so much p>
“What’s your name p>
It was a simple question, but it made the woman freeze. A moment later, she burst into tears.
“You… you don’t even know who I am p>
“I only know that you’re an actress with Simon p>
“We had dinner, we had drinks, we walked on the beach, we saw a movie p>
“That’s your version of events p>
“Then how do you explain it p>
“I don’t have to p>
“But I love you! I told you how I felt p>
“Did you? A lot of people claim to love me. You’re just one of them p>
“Theodore! How can you be so cruel p>
He leaned back in his chair. He started to cross his legs but stopped, remembering someone was crouched beneath his desk watching the drama unfold with wide, fascinated eyes.
“My version of events,” he continued, “is that a woman I barely know drugged my drink in an attempt to get into my bed. What’s worse is that I am a married man. You attacked my character and my
principles p>
“I know you’re married! I don’t need a title p>
“And who are you to offer p>
“I don’t sleep with just anyone. At the very least, it has to be someone I don’t
dislike p>
“You dislike me,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
“For someone so insignificant, I feel nothing at all p>
“I p>
“I simply reported what you did to your agency. How they choose to handle it is
none of my concern p>
“But I really do love you p>
“That’s your business. But you had no right to force it on me and cause this trouble p>
His words were delivered without
heat, but each one was a precise devastating blow. The woman finally broke, collapsing to the floorin a storm of sobs content