Chapter 84

“Is that so?” Penelope said, fighting back a laugh.
“So let me give you some advice,” Rebecca continued. “Stop this ridiculous behavior and apologize to Zebulon. If you do, maybe they’ll forgive you.”
“What did I do wrong?”
Rebecca frowned, her expression a mask of disappointment.
“You’ve done everything wrong. A proper wife respects her in-laws, puts them first, and obeys her husband as if he were her entire world. That’s what’s expected of you.”
“Wow,” Penelope said flatly. “Did you just step out of the 1950s? Women fought for centuries to break free from those chains, and you’re happily putting them back on yourself?”
“You-you are just impossible!”
Rebecca let out a heavy sigh and began steering Zebulon away.
“We can’t get through to her. Let’s focus on securing the project. She’ll regret all this soon enough.”
After they left, Penelope got a message back from Nathan.
She had secretly snapped a photo of the woman and sent it to him, asking if she was an employee at KINY Group.
His reply was simple: “She was fired for privately soliciting and accepting benefits from potential partners.”
So that was it. No wonder she knew about the KINY Plaza project.
But Zebulon and Rebecca… those two idiots. Even if they were going to bribe someone, shouldn’t they at least confirm who they were talking to first? They were so easily duped.
Just as she got back to her room, she received a call from an unknown number. When she answered, the man on the other end introduced himself as Theodore’s executive assistant.
Harold? The man she had mistaken for her fiancé?
Even over the phone, Penelope felt a flush of embarrassment.
It turned out Theodore had left an important file in the room. A meeting was about
to start, and Harold wouldn’t have time to come get it himself. He was hoping she could bring it over.
Penelope spotted the file folder on the nightstand. “Send me the location. I’m on my way.”
“I’ve already arranged for the hotel’s VIP car. It will be waiting for you downstairs.” “Okay.”
Penelope grabbed the file and
hurried down. The car was waiting for her just as promised Harold was certainly efficient. It was only after she got in that she wondere@how he got her number. ’
Theodore must have given it to him.
So why hadn’t he called her himself?
She must have annoyed him again last night when she was drunk.
And with all this back and forth, didn’t that mean Harold knew about their relationship?
Well, apparently Theodore didn’t mind who knew.
The meeting was being held at a
resort on the island. When she arrived, she realized it was a high level, government fed conference. The attendees were mostly officials, with only a handful of business leaders present,
Theodore among them.
Harold saw her the moment she entered the lobby and quickly came over.
“Ms. Laurier, thank you so much for this.”
Penelope handed him the file and peered curiously past him. “Where’s Theodore?”
“He’s already in the conference room.” Harold led her a few steps toward the doors and pointed inside. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ
In the solemn hall, long mahogany tables were arranged in neat rows, each with a nameplate. Among the jacket-clad officials were a few sharply dressed business elites.
As always, Theodore was the center of attention. The meeting hadn’t started yet, but a small group had already gathered around him, and he was handling their questions with effortless poise.
Harold took the file and went inside. Seeing her job was done, Penelope turned to leave.
Just as she reached the exit, she realized the VIP car was gone. She was about to call for another one when Theodore appeared at her side. He suddenly wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leanedin, and nuzzled her ear.
“Darling,” he murmured, “you smell amazing.”