Chapter 194
Theodore took a drag from his cigarette, his smile growing wider and more smug.
After finishing her routine, Penelope looked out at the stunned crowd, then turned and threw herself into Theodore’s arms.
“Honey, I’m here to back you up p>
Theodore tilted his head back, careful not to let the cigarette ash fall on her.
“Are you here to back me up or to crash the party p>
“I’m just a delicate, fragile woman,” she cooed. “How could I possibly crash a party p>
“Delicate and fragile?” Simon scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief.
Penelope shot a sly grin at Simon before turning back to Theodore to complain. “He was bullying me. He said I have no talent or virtue and that I’m not worthy of marrying you p>
“What? I never said that! Don’t you dare put words in my mouth p>
“Well, that’s what you meant p>
“I did not p>
“Honey, you have to get revenge for me,” Penelope whined, burying her face in his chest.
Theodore smiled and patted the back of her head. “Alright. I’ll take care of him p>
Satisfied, Penelope decided it was time to leave. It was his bachelor party, after all, and her presence was inappropriate.
“I’m heading home now p>
“I’ll walk you out p>
She only let him walk her to the elevator. As they waited, she wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on her tiptoes, and gave him a quick kiss.
“Simon said you’d be taking a beautiful woman home tonight and that I should make myself scarce p>
Theodore placed his hands on her waist. “You don’t trust me p>
“I do, but p>
“But what p>
“What if you can’t control yourself p>
“Hmph p>
“So I thought I’d help you cool down a bit first p>
She kissed him again, and this time, Theodore simply lifted her into his arms and carried her to an empty stairwell.
A long while later, Penelope emerged from the club, her legs still feeling like jelly.
She sat in her car for a moment to compose herself. As she was about to drive off she glanced across the street and saw Zebulon’s car pull into a parking spot. fo
He got out, walked around to the passenger side, and helped a woman in a slinky black dress out of the car. The way they looked at each other sent sparks flying.
Penelope frowned. The woman looked familiar, but she couldn’t place her.
As the woman walked ahead, she feigned a stumble and complained that her ankle hurt. Zebulon immediately dropped to one knee, bent over, and began to massage her ankle the woman looked
thoroughly pleased.
After a few moments, she allowed him to stand, and they walked into the club arm
in arm.
A fresh wave of nausea washed over Penelope. To think she had once been with
a man like that.
The woman led Zebulon straight into the private room and waved at Simon.
Simon reluctantly walked over. He glanced at Zebulon, then back at the woman. “This is a private party for guys. What are you doing here p>
“I’m not here to party. I just brought a friend. I was hoping you could introduce him to Theodore p>
Simon’s expression soured. “That’s just Mr. Sullivan. We all know him p>
“Even better. Do me a favor and take him under your wing p>
That night, Penelope slept soundly.
The next morning, as she was out for her run, she saw Zebulon stumbling out of
his car, reeking of alcohol.
She had no intention of engaging with him, but he blocked her path.
“That KINY Group project… it’s not that big of a deal. The profit margin is
negligible. We don’t want it anymore p>
Penelope raised an eyebrow. One night out, and suddenly he was full of bravado?
“Let me be honest with you. I’ve landed a much bigger project. You’ve heard of Zenith Group, right? I was at the Zenith Group president’s bachelor party last night. We had a great chat, and he’s already agreed to give Stare Group a piece of the new commercial street development project p>
“Just one project with Zenith Group will be enough to make Stone Group a fortune p>
“And what’s more,” he puffed out his chest, “he even invited me to his wedding p>