Chapter 552
With that, he walked upstairs, leaving her behind.
Maria frowned. She was already in her pajamas, and he was kicking her out?
Her eyes narrowed. It had to be because of Natalie. Hamilton wasn’t over her, and that’s why he was being so cold.
Penelope waited at the designated spot for a long time, but Hamilton never showed up. Instead, Michael arrived.
“Theodore was there when you called p>
Penelope blinked. “He was p>
She had heard other voices on the line but hadn’t thought much of it.
Michael held back a smile. “Which is why Hamilton isn’t coming p>
“Why not p>
“Do you really think Theodore would let him get into a fight with his ex-wife p>
“We don’t have a relationship anymore p>
“That’s what you think p>
Penelope pursed her lips. “What’s that supposed to mean p>
“It means I’m buying you a drink. You in p>
Penelope couldn’t refuse that offer, especially since Michael had helped her out so much.
They went to a stylish little tavern and started with small talk about their lives. As the drinks flowed, the conversation deepened. Somehow, they ended up discussing Theodore’s engagement to the mayor’s daughter. Michael thought they were a good match, but probably not in love.
“So what are you getting at p>
Michael paused. “Is there really no chance for you and him p>
Penelope let out a long breath. “He’s like a fine vintage wine p>
“Huh p>
“I’m talking about Theodore p>
“What do I know about what he tastes like p>
Penelope smiled. “He tastes very good p>
Michael rolled his eyes. “So he tastes good, but you don’t want him p>
“It’s delicious, but you can’t live on fine wine forever p>
“That’s a classic player excuse p>
Penelope toyed with her glass, her gaze turning somber. “You can’t be too greedy in life p>
“But you need to think this through. If you don’t make a move, he’s going to belong to someone else. And you know how serious Theodore is. aboutCommitment. When he decides to marry Ms. Austin he’ll be determined to forget the past and build a real life with her p>
“Then I’ll wish him well p>
“Fine. I really don’t understand you two p>
Penelope went to the restroom. As she passed the bar, she glanced over and saw a roguish-looking mẫn drinking atone. A curvy woman in a low-cut dress sauntered over to him with a drink in her hand.
The woman leaned in and whispered something in his ear. A smirk played on the man’s lips, and his eyes drifted shamelessly down to her chest.
Penelope thought the man looked familiar and gave him a second glance, but she couldn’t place him.
After freshening up in the restroom, she tried to leave, but the door was blocked from the outside.
She had to push hard several times to get it open. When she finally stepped out, she saw the same man and woman from the bar, now tangled up against the wall right next to the door.
They were kissing passionately, and
the man had hiked up the woman’s
dress, his hand roaming freely
underneath. The woman seemed:
completely lost in the moment
eagerly tearing at his shirt.
“Hey, seen enough?” the man asked, tilting his head to look at Penelope without breaking his rhythm.
Penelope studied him again. He looked so familiar, but she still couldn’t figure it out.
“Want to join in?” he asked with a playful grin.
Penelope scoffed. “I’m afraid of catching something p>
With that, she turned and walked away.
After a few more drinks with Michael, they left together. As they were walking to the parking lot, they heard a woman shouting frantically.
They looked over and saw two men fighting—or rather, one man relentlessly beating up another man who was much larger than him.
The one throwing the punches was the same roguish man Penelope had seen outside the restroom, and the woman screaming in panic was the one he’d been with.