Chapter 326

Norton’s expression faltered. “I just came to bring you your medicine.”
“I don’t need your phony concern.”
“Then please take it, and I’ll leave right away.”
Mrs. Stapleton took a deep, shuddering breath, reining in her temper as she picked up the pills.
While she was distracted, Norton caught Penelope’s eye. He pointed to his own head, glanced at his mother, and then shook his head frantically, waving his hands in a gesture of caution. The message, though unspoken, was clear: Her mental state is fragile. Don’t provoke her. Don’t argue with her.
Penelope ignored him. “You didn’t even attend my wedding to Theodore, yet you came here today specifically to see me. First, you remind me of the one-year agreement, and then you demand I stop Theodore from loving me. It’s obvious you’ve already noticed or perhaps you’re certain that Theodore has fallen in love with me.”
Mrs. Stapleton slammed the water glass down on the table, her eyes blazing with fury as she glared at Penelope.
“Penelope!” Norton hissed, his voice laced with panic.
Penelope just shrugged. “I will honor the one-year agreement; I did, after all, agree to your terms. But marriage involves two people. Even if I ask for a divorce, Theodore has to agree to it.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m saying that I’m fine with everything. If you have any issues or instructions, you should take them up with Theodore. As long as he agrees, I’ll comply.”
“Do you really think Theodore would choose you over me?”
Penelope laughed softly. “Why would I make him choose between his wife and his mother? I’m not that cruel.”
“You-!”
“Please, don’t be angry. As I said, I’m perfectly fine with the arrangement. If you want us to get divorced right now, and he agrees, I’ll happily meet him at the courthouse.”
Her attitude was neither agreeable nor defiant, but it left Mrs. Stapleton simmering with frustration.
Mrs. Stapleton rose to her feet. “Then remember what you said today. When the year is up, I will make sure Theodore divorces you immediately.”
“In that case, I suppose I won’t be calling you ‘Mother’ for the next year. It’s not like you’ve formally welcomed me into the family, anyway.”
“Let’s both save ourselves the trouble.”
“Fine by me.”
Mrs. Stapleton stormed out. Once she was gone, Norton shot Penelope a thumbs- up. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen her lose like that. Penelope, you’re amazing!”
“Weren’t you worried I’d provoke her?” Penelope arched a brow.
“I was, but you handled that perfectly.” He paused. “I am curious, though. Why did she suddenly show up today?”
e2
Norton grimaced. “My brother was on a business trip a couple of days ago, right? He was supposed to attend a major economic forum he spent days preparing for it. But just minutes before it started, he left in a hurry.”
Penelope’s lips formed a thin line. “Because of me?”
“Who else? It could only be because of you.”
“And Mrs. Stapleton found out?”
“The only reason she agreed to Mr. Johnson’s plea to continue the Johnson
bloodline was because he knelt outside our family home for three days and three nights.”
“What? That really happened?”
Norton sighed. “It wasn’t my mom’s
heart that softened. It was my grandfather. He couldn’t stand to see it anymore and ordered her to
agree. That’s why she gave you the one-year deadline.”
Penelope frowned. Only one year, and yet Mr. Johnson had chosen her, a woman who struggled with fertility. For the first time, she truly didn’t understand him.
After Norton left, Penelope thought about Theodore abandoning such an important forum for her. A wave of guilt mixed with warmth washed over her, and she decided to go see
him on the top floor.
As she approached his office, a middle-aged man in a suit stumbled out, his eyes
red and welling with tears, looking as if he were about to break down completely. Read full story at.net
What on earth
…