Chapter 285

The guests were already seated, and the four Sullivans found a spot. But as soon as they sat down, the people next to them got up and moved elsewhere.
Ward cleared his throat, trying to strike up a conversation with the people in front and behind him, but they all avoided his gaze. Someone even pinched their nose, as if he were a pile of garbage. He noticed other guests glancing in their direction, whispering to their neighbors, and then sharing looks of disdain.
Realizing it was because of that viral video, Ward gritted his teeth in hatred. “Penelope, I swear I will make her kneel before me and beg for forgiveness.”
Zebulon, feeling the sting of the surrounding mockery, let out a heavy sigh. “The biggest mistake of my life was ever loving a woman like Penelope. A vile, scheming bitch.”
“Well said,” Mrs. Sullivan sneered. “Good thing she’s already gotten what she deserves. She’ll never recover from this!”
After her tirade, she remembered Rebecca and turned to look at her, who was staring down, lost in thought. Mrs. Sullivan frowned and nudged her. “As the young mistress of the Sullivan family, you need to hold your head high in public. Be confident and poised, not timid and insecure.”
Rebecca straightened up and looked at Mrs. Sullivan, her lips parting as if to say something, but she hesitated.
“What is it?” Mrs. Sullivan asked.
Rebecca paused again, then shook her head. “It’s… nothing.”
She was just remembering how Penelope had claimed she was marrying Theodore, and how Susan later said that Mrs. Stapleton was Penelope. And just now, the welcome sign had indeed listed the bride’s name as Penelope…
But… could it be possible?
Rebecca rejected the thought immediately. How could Penelope be Mrs. Stapleton? On what grounds? Was she even worthy? Hah. If she was Mrs. Stapelton, it would be the biggest joke in the world. Thıs content belongs to.net
“Mom, how many years do you think Penelope will be sentenced to?” she asked instead.
“Given the large sum involved, if we push for it, she’ll probably get six or seven years.”
“Only six or seven? Can’t it be longer?”
“By the time she gets out, her reputation will be ruined, her future gone, and her youth wasted. She’ll be completely at our mercy. That’s when her real suffering will begin.”
Rebecca’s eyes narrowed. “As her best friend, I’ll be sure to take very good care of her.”
The two women exchanged a knowing, malicious smile.
Just then, the emcee took the stage and announced the official start of the ceremony.
As the music began, Theodore, dressed in a sharp, tailored tuxedo, walked onto the stage. Everyone knew the heir to the Zenith Group was exceptionally handsome, but today he seemed even more radiant. He stood there, a singular point of light that made everything else fade into the background. He looked toward the end of the aisle, his refined features softened by an overflowing tenderness, waiting for the bride who would soon walk toward him.
At that moment, all eyes turned to where the bride would appear, waiting with him. But unlike him, they were filled with curiosity. What kind of woman could possibly be
worthy of a man like Theodore?
Meanwhile, chaos reigned in the bridal suite, especially as the appointed time had already passed.
“Has anyone found him yet?” Hannah asked anxiously.
“Not yet. Everyone’s out looking,” someone replied.
Hannah glanced back toward the ceremony hall. “Penelope, maybe I should walk
you down the aisle?” Before Penelope could answer, Hannah shook her head. “No, that wouldn’t be right.”
Penelope was growing anxious, too, constantly looking toward the door. Mr. David Anderson was missing. They had been searching for almost an hour with no luck. She wanted to wait longer, but she could hear the orchestra in the hall finishing a piece and having to repeat it. The guests were beginning to sense that something was wrong.