Chapter 301
Penelope caught the wine glass, a cold smile on her face. In the next second, she smashed it on the floor.
“You said this Mrs. Stapleton is so powerful, didn’t you? Well, in my capacity as Mrs. Stapleton, I’m officially announcing that the Zenith Group will never, ever partner with the Stone Group p>
Ward didn’t flinch. He simply raised his own glass in a mock toast to her, then downed it in one go. “Penelope, let me offer you a piece of advice, as an elder. Always leave people a way out. If you block their path, you’ll find your own path blocked as well p>
“You’re no elder of mine p>
“I’m only trying to help you, child p>
“You’re disgusting p>
Ward sighed dramatically, but then a confident smile spread across his face. “Oh, we will work together. I’m sure of it p>
“Give it up p>
Just then, Zebulon emerged from the dining room, staggering slightly. His face was still bruised from her beating. But the fearful, pleading man was gone, replaced by someone with a vicious, triumphant sneer.
“Looks like your cousin paid you a visit p>
Penelope’s fists clenched. “You sent him p>
“That’s right. And I have you to thank for telling me all about your charming adoptive family p>
“Zebulon p>
“What did he tell you? Did he tell everyone how you slept with your adoptive father? Or how you and your mother conspired to murder him p>
Penelope lunged at him, shoving him hard against the wall. She pinned him there with her foot pressed against his stomach.
“I can sue you for slander p>
“You can try. But by the time you do, your reputation will already be in tatters p>
“Then we’ll all go down together p>
“So be it p>
Penelope gritted her teeth. She was trapped, Surrounded by circling sharks To escape, she would have to get blood on her hands, and she would inevitably be stained by the filth.
SWI
Before, she wouldn’t have cared. But now, she had something to lose. Her status as Mrs. Stapleton wasn’t about the family’s wealth or power; it was about Theodore.
He was the future head of the Zenith Group. If his wife’s name was dragged through the mud, it would tarnish him as well.
Even if she didn’t care about her own reputation, she had to protect his.
Zebulon saw the hesitation in her eyes and his grin widened.
“I remember you told me another
story. About how your adoptive father locked you in a dark room. And then a man reeking of alcohol came in one of his
mbling buddies. Your ‘father’ had lost a bet, so he offered you up as payment p>
“Shut up!” Penelope’s eyes blazed with fury.
“You fought him off that time, broke a glass and cut his face to escape. But,” Zebulon paused, his smile turning cruel, “what if I told everyone you didn’t fight back? What i said
you lay there, begging for 11 p>
Something inside Penelope snapped. She lunged forward and wrapped her hands around his throat.
“Zebulon, you dare lie p>
“You’re the one who told me,” he rasped, his voice choked. “You said you needed a man, that you couldn’t live without one. That you were born a slut! You p>
His words were cut off as her grip tightened. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. He saw the murderous rage in her eyes and knew, in that moment, that she was going to kill him.
Penelope had lost all control.
Only one thought echoed in her mind: Make him shut up.
But she didn’t get the chance to kill him. Mrs. Sullivan grabbed a chair and brought it down hard across her back.
The impact sent her stumbling forward, the sharp, searing pain snapping her back to reality. Mrs. Sullivan shoved her aside and rushed to her son’s side.