Chapter 550

After all, he was just a silly, sick man. If she ever saw him again, she’d just stay away. Nothing to be afraid of.
After calming Kristin, Penelope had Hubert take her back to the car. Once the doors were shut, Penelope pulled Natalie to her feet.
“The more you fear them, the more they’ll bully you!”
Natalie was still trembling. “I… I just want to stay away from them.”
“That only works if they’re willing to let you go.”
“Let’s go back to town. Right now.”
Penelope sighed. “Alright.”
They had planned to head back that same night, but just as they reached the highway entrance, Kristin suddenly threw up. When Natalie felt her forehead, she realized the little girl was burning up.
Penelope immediately turned the car around and drove to the hospital. After a flurry of activity, they finally got Kristin on an IV, and her fever slowly began to subside.
The terror had been too much for her little body.
Watching her daughter lying on the hospital bed, her small brow furrowed even in sleep, Natalie gritted her teeth in hatred.
“Hamilton… what gives him the right to do this to us?”
Penelope came over and patted Natalie’s shoulder. “Looks like we’ll have to wait until Kristin is discharged before we can go back.”
Hubert wanted to stay at the hospital with Kristin, but Penelope didn’t want him causing any trouble, so she called Timothy to come and take him home.
After seeing them off at the elevator, Penelope returned to the hospital room and saw Natalie bent over Kristin’s bed, sobbing. She knew Natalie was afraid of Hamilton he had terrorized her into that state-but Penelope wasn’t afraid of him. She marched downstairs, got Hamilton’s number from Michael, took a few deep breaths, and dialed.
He answered quickly, his voice dripping with arrogance. “What, you want to get even for Natalie?”
“You knew it was me?” Penelope narrowed her eyes.
“Hah.”
Hamilton didn’t answer, just scoffed.
That single sound stoked Penelope’s anger even more.
“You have the nerve to laugh? What’s so funny? Did you know that Kristin is in the hospital because you terrified her? You’re a grown man so impressive. Cant pick on someone your own size, so you go after women and children, is that it?”
When Penelope had called, Hamilton had put the phone on his desk and turned on
the speaker. He hadn’t expected her to come at him with such a vicious tirade.
He glared at Theodore, but Theodore remained expressionless, slowly sipping the red wine in his glass.
“I’m a woman too, and I’m an easy target. Why don’t you and I meet up for a one-on-one fight? You’ll definitely win. And when you do, get on my knees and call you Your Majesty.’ Of course, if by some miracle I win, you will immediately apologize to Natalie and Kristin an swear you’ll never bother them again!”
“Why so quiet? Don’t tell me you are scared? No, that can’t be! I mean, who am Just a helpless woman with no background, no connections, and not even a man to protect me.
How could you possibly be afraid of me?”
Her sarcastic, biting tone was far more insulting than any curse word. Michael and Simon were covering their mouths, trying to stifle their laughter.
But Penelope had it wrong. She wasn’t without protection. Her protector was sitting right there, as solid as a mountain. If not for him, did she really think Hamilton would be sitting there, silently taking her abuse?
But Penelope continued her relentless assault. Hamilton gritted his teeth and looked at Theodore.
“Am I just supposed to sit here and let her yell at me? Can’t I say anything back?”