Chapter 340
“Do you want to hear it p>
“I’d love to p>
“I was just talking about my former daughter-in-law,” Mrs. Sullivan began, her voice dripping with malice. “She’s an ungrateful snake. Our family treated her so well, but she’s the reason my son is in prison p>
“Your son is in prison?” Penelope asked, feigning shock.
“You… you didn’t know p>
“What did he do p>
“I told you, he was framed by my former daughter-in-law p>
“My, my, she must be quite the woman. Did she force your son to commit murder? Arson? Is he an idiot, or just a fool p>
“You p>
“And why is she your ‘former’ daughter-in-law? Were they ever legally married p>
“You know perfectly well p>
“No, I don’t. Who exactly are you talking about p>
“I’m talking about p>
“That’s enough!” Mrs. Stapleton’s voice cut through the air like a whip. “This is a respectable gathering. Stop spewing your filth and offending our ears p>
“But Mrs. Stapleton, everything I said is true! She p>
Mrs. Sullivan tried to protest, but Mrs. Bishop, sensing Mrs. Stapleton’s rising anger, quickly intervened. “Don’t you have any sense? Nobody wants to hear your baseless gossip. Go on now, before you become a complete eyesore p>
Mrs. Sullivan had only been invited because of her connection to Mrs. Bishop. Humiliated but unable to argue, she rose from the table. “I I’m just going to get a cup of tea,” she mumbled, trying to save face.
Penelope smiled serenely and poured a fresh cup of water for Mrs. Stapleton, who shot her a glare but accepted the cup.
“Mother,” Penelope said
conversationally, “I ran into Ms.
Bishop at the styling studio this afternoon. I had no idea our families were such old friends she
mentioned that she and Theodore were childhood sweethearts and that you’ve always been incredibly fond of her. So fond, in fact, that you wished she were your
daughter-in-law p>
Such things were one thing to say in private, but another entirely when spoken aloud, especially now that Theodore was married.
Yvonne started to speak, but Mrs. Bishop silenced her with a look. “Let’s not start rumors, Mrs. Stapleton. I’m sure Yvonne never said such a thing p>
“There were only two of us there,” Penelope said with a pointed look at Yvonne. “She knows what she said, and I know what she said. But you weren’t there, were you, Mrs. Bishop p>
“My daughter knows better than that p>
“Of course. A lady of her standing would never covet another woman’s husband p>
“Mrs. Stapleton, I am a patient woman, but I will not tolerate you insulting my daughter p>
“Which part of my statement was an insult p>
“Don’t treat us like fools! We all know what you’re implying p>
“Excellent. I’m glad we’re all on the same page p>
Mrs. Bishop bit back her anger. This Penelope was too sharp-tongued; even she was losing ground.
Mrs. Stapleton sipped her water,
remaining silent. In this context, her silence was a form of defense for Penelope, and Penelope couldn’t help but wonder what theodore had said to her to elicit such a response.
“On another note,” Mrs. Higgins chimed in, sensing the rising tension, “I recently had some coffee beans flown in from Colombia. I had them freshly ground and brewed for everyone to try tonight p>
At her signal, servers began circling with cups of coffee. “If you like it, I’ll have some prepared as party favors for you all to take home p>
The other guests gratefully seized the opportunity to change the subject and the conversation shifted to coffee. Yvonne, herface still smarting from the public humiliation, excused herself to the restroom.
12.
A small smile played on Penelope’s lips as she, too, rose from the table. Trying to
set a trap to embarrass me? she thought. Even if I came out unscathed, you still need to learn there are consequences.