Chapter 185
The moment Penelope and her father stepped out of the car in front of the Grand Hotel, Mr. Johnson and Theodore came forward to greet them.
Mr. Johnson grasped Mr. Anderson’s hand and clapped it warmly. “My dear friend, we’ve been waiting for you p>
Mr. Anderson was still reserved, but Mr. Johnson’s enthusiasm was infectious. He acted not like a stranger but like a friend he’d known for decades, pulling him inside.
“Now that you’re here, you mustn’t leave. We can keep each other company p>
After a few steps, Mr. Johnson seemed to remember something. “Oh, right, this is my son. Your son-in-law. Theodore, what are you waiting for? Come and say hello p>
Theodore, not nearly as extroverted as his father, hesitated for a moment.
Just as Penelope was about to step in and ease the tension, he cleared his throat and said, “Dad. I’m Theodore. It’s an honor to meet you p>
He stepped forward and took Mr. Anderson’s hand with both of his.
Mr. Anderson was taken aback but quickly reciprocated the gesture.
“Good, a good boy p>
“Penelope’s the real prize here,” Mr. Johnson boomed. “I absolutely adore her. She’s obedient, sensible, capable, and humble. And the way she treats her elders is just wonderful-respectful, proper, confident, and graceful. It all comes down to your excellent upbringing. We’re the lucky ones to have such a fantastic daughter- in-law p>
After the way the Sullivans had belittled his daughter, Mr. Anderson had been furious. His Penelope was nothing like they described. Now, hearing Mr. Johnson praise her to the heavens, he was overjoyed but also a little sheepish. His daughter wasn’t perfect; she did have a bit of a temper.
In the private dining room, Mr. Johnson insisted Mr. Anderson take the seat at the head of the table, sitting beside him. He didn’t need Penelope to liven things up; he chattered on endlessly. When the topic turned to fishing, Mr. Anderson found common ground and eagerly joined in.
The two men began recounting their greatest fishing triumphs, their voices growing more animated, completely forgetting about Penelope and Theodore.
“When I called you, it sounded like you were in a meeting,” Penelope whispered, leaning close to Theodore.
She hadn’t planned on telling her father about the wedding, since it was meant to end in divorce. Why make him happy only to worry him later? But the Sullivans had forced her hand. To put her father at ease, she had to treat this as a real marriage, which meant the families had to meet.
“I was. I cut it short p>
“Was it important p>
“Not as important as meeting your father p>
Penelope smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. Theodore gently nudged
her away.
“Behave p>
She grinned mischievously. “Are you calling me improper p>
Theodore raised an eyebrow. “I know you’re just craving me again p>
Penelope’s eyes widened. “You are so conceited p>
“I have reason to be p>
“Well, so do I p>
“Do you p>
Unable to resist, Penelope leaned over and playfully bit his shoulder. But she leaned too far, and her chair slid out from under her. Just as she was about to hit the floor, Theodore Wrapped one arm around herwarst and used the other to steady the chair, settling her back into place.
“Patience,” he murmured. “I’ll give you what you want when we get home p>
“Give me what?” Penelope blinked, then realization dawned. “Stop teasing me p>
After a moment of playful banter,
they sensed a shift in the
atmosphere. They turned to see the two older men had stopped talking about fishing and were watching them with amused expressions:
“Those
togethWoseem so happy worries finally melting away
together,” Mr. Anderson said, his
Gontent
“My son finally seems human,” Mr. Johnson added, looking relieved.
Later, when Mr. Anderson needed the restroom, Theodore offered to show him the
way.