Chapter 697
“It really was you p>
Penelope appeared, blocking Yvonne’s path. The moment Yvonne saw her, she guiltily turned to flee.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t be here unless you had nowhere else to go p>
Those words made Yvonne freeze. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned back to face Penelope. She shed all her guilt, her eyes now filled with pure hatred, as if her current state was entirely Penelope’s fault.
“It seems Marico didn’t give you much of a reward. You were a fool to work with him p>
“I may not have gained anything, but you lost p>
Penelope laughed. “What did I lose p>
“Theodore was kicked out of Zenith Group! He can’t be your safety net anymore p>
“Ha, is that how you comfort yourself? Why would I need him as a safety net? Can’t I be my own? Do I lack money? I own half of KINY Group! Do I lack power? All I have to do is say the word, and I’ll be the Bishop heiress, and the Bishop Group will be mine p>
“I am the heiress p>
“You want the title? Fine, you can have it p>
“Penelope p>
“What, do you find yourself pathetic too p>
“You p>
“What did you used to call me? A bastard? A pauper? A wretch? Now I’m giving those words back to you.” Penelope took a step forward, looking down at Yvonne with a sneer. “You, Yvonne, are the bastard, the pauper, and the wretch! Oh, and let me add one more: you’re an idiot p>
Yvonne, consumed by rage, let out a scream and lunged at Penelope. “Penelope, I’ll take you down with me p>
Penelope tried to dodge, but she didn’t realize she was right at the top of a flight of stairs. The force of Yvonne’s attack sent her reeling backward. Yvonne lost her
balance too, and they both tumbled.
But just then, Donald rushed over.
In that split second, Penelope clearly saw the shock and worry in Donald’s eyes— the genuine love of a father for his daughter. She also clearly saw him reach out a hand, but it wasn’t for her.
And so she fell onto the stairs, tumbling down several steps before landing hard on the ground.
Pain shot through her entire body, but it was nothing compared to the chill seeping into her heart.
“My child, are you alright p>
“I’m fine, I’m p>
“You! Why are you back p>
“Dad, I was wrong! I don’t want to leave you, I don’t want to leave the Bishop family! Please forgive me p>
“Dad, I’ve missed you and Grandpa so much these past few days p>
At the top of the stairs, Yvonne threw herself into Donald’s arms. Donald gritted his teeth several times but couldn’t bring himself push her away And so Penelope watched the touching drama of a father-daughter reunion, complete with heartfelt tears.
In that moment, beyond the
coldness in her heart, Penelope found herself laughable. She had actually believed she meant more to Donal@than Yvonne did. She had thought Donald was finally her father alone. She had thought that if forced to choose between them, Donald would choose her without hesitation.
Because she was his biological daughter. Wasn’t that reason enough?
Now, it was clear that reason meant
nothing. Blood ties were no match for over twenty years of a
father daughter bond. Even if that bond was fractured, her claim as his
biological daughter couldn’t O
compare.
It was true for Donald, and it would be even more so for Hans.
Just then, Donald finally seemed to see her, his face immediately showing guilt and remorse. He quickly pushed Yvonne away and started down the stairs to help her up, but Penelope was already on her feet.
A fall from that high had to hurt; in fact, her forehead was slick with a cold sweat
from the pain. But she stood there stubbornly, her gaze fixed on Donald, her eyes cold and her rejection unmistakable.