Chapter 387

A bodyguard rounded the corner, and the two of them quickly slipped away.
Back in the car, Timothy was fuming, angry that Penelope had stopped him from storming in to confront Donald and Mrs. Bishop.
“Who knows more about what happened back then, you or me?” Penelope asked, raising an eyebrow at her brother.
Timothy scowled. “I trust Mom. She would never cheat for a dress, and she definitely wouldn’t have taken five million dollars from the Bishops. If she had, our lives wouldn’t have been so hard.”
“I trust her too. But it’s not enough for just the two of us to believe it if we want to clear her name.”
“So what’s the plan?”
Penelope thought for a moment. “We’re going to see Jack.”
From what Timothy had dug up on Jack, he was a total scumbag who used his family’s minor wealth to get into all sorts of trouble. The only way to deal with someone like that was to fight fire with fire.
Penelope’s first stop was Monolith Builders. After identifying herself, she scheduled a meeting with Louis Lee-the same man Anna and Zebulon had once sicced on her.
Times had certainly changed. Not only did Louis personally come down to the lobby to greet her, bowing and scraping with a practiced smile, but the moment the elevator doors closed, he began to apologize profusely.
“I was completely fooled by those idiots Zebulon and Anna. I had no idea you were Mrs. Stapleton. That’s why I… I did such a stupid thing.” He wrung his hands, clearly assuming she was there to settle the score. A small company like Monolith Builders was nothing to Zenith Group; they could crush him without a second thought, so his fear was understandable.
“Actually, Mr. Lee, I’m here today to ask for your help.”
“Help? Me?” Louis blinked, wondering what he could possibly do for Mrs. Stapleton. “Do you know Jack?”
Louis thought for a moment. “Jack from OG Furniture?”
“That’s him.”
“We’ve never really crossed paths.”
“Then it’s time you did. I need to get some information out of him.”
Louis was remarkably efficient. Two days later, Penelope found herself in a large warehouse, looking down at Jack, who had been beaten badly.
“The guy owes a lot of money around town,” Louis explained, eager to please her. “I bought up all his debts, so now I’m his sole creditor. I’ve already taught him a lesson. Whatever you want to ask, he’ll answer.”
Penelope nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Lee.”
“Not at all. Now that I know you’ve forgiven me, I can finally get a good night’s sleep.”
She asked Louis and his men to wait outside. Then, she and Timothy entered the warehouse.
Jack was sprawled on the floor,
whammering “Please, spare met, you
Entent ack, swear
will
Hearing footsteps, he recoiled in terror, scrambling backward like a worm writhing
on the ground.
Penelope walked over and crouched in front of him.
“Look up.”
Hearing a woman’s voice, Jack looked up in confusion. His eyes were so swollen he could only see
through a narrow shit. He stared for a long moment but didn’t recognize her
“Who are you?” ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ
IMS
“I’m the one who had Louis bring you here,” she stated plainly.
The fact that Louis worked for her made Jack swallow hard. He didn’t dare look at her directly anymore.
“I… I’ll pay the money back
“How long?”
“A… a month.”
“Heh. A month from now, you might be nothing but bones for the wild dogs to chew on.”
The words sent a shiver of fear through Jack.
“I’ll… I’ll do it as soon as I can! Please, just spare my life!”
Penelope was deliberately terrifying him. Only by making him fear her could the ensure be wouldn’t lie. when she started questioning him.
“Then answer my questions honestly.”
“I will. I swear.”
…