Chapter 621

Downstairs was lively; Yvonne had arrived.
Marico’s mother was quite pleased with her future daughter-in-law, holding her hand while they chatted, while Penelope made no effort to hide her disgust.
Yvonne played the part of a demure, well-bred young woman, lowering her gaze respectfully when speaking to her elders.
But when she saw Penelope coming downstairs with Marico of all people, her brow furrowed and her face darkened, and she barely restrained herself from lashing out. She took several deep breaths before forcing an elegant smile and walking over to Marico.
“Marico, I heard you’re getting a seat on the board. That’s wonderful, congratulations.”
Marico shot her a sideways glance and continued down the stairs. “Why congratulate me? You should be congratulating yourself. Isn’t this what you wanted?”
Yvonne’s smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. Her gaze turned cold as she looked at Penelope.
“What are you doing here?”
“Is this your house? Am I not allowed?” Penelope retorted, raising an eyebrow.
Yvonne gritted her teeth and lowered her voice. “Penelope, have some shame. You’re divorced from Theodore. What right do you have to be here?”
Her words had barely left her mouth when Mr. Stapleton Sr. called out from the dining room.
“Penelope, come and sit.”
A small smile touched Penelope’s lips. “You see? The man of the house wants me here. So why don’t you stop acting like you own the place?”
With that, Penelope walked toward the dining room.
The Stapleton estate had a grand dining hall for family banquets like this one, though they usually used a smaller breakfast room for daily meals.
By the time Penelope entered, most people were already seated. Mr. Stapleton Sr. was at the head of the table, with his wife to his left and an empty seat to his right. Besides that one, there was only one other empty chair at the far end of the table.
Penelope would never dare sit next to the patriarch, so she started toward the back. But Marico’s mother suddenly stood up, bumping her aside as she pulled Yvonne toward the head of the table.
“You’re our honored guest tonight, dear. Come, sit next to Grandpa.”
Yvonne, who had been sulking just a moment before, now looked smug. She shot a triumphant glance at Penelope as she moved toward the seat of honor.
Mr. Stapleton Sr.’s expression hardened. “This is a family dinner There are no honored guests, only family. if Ms. Bishop is a guest, then she shouldn’t be here tonight.
At his words, Yvonne froze, standing awkwardly in the middle of the room.
Marico’s mother was flustered. “Dad, don’t say that. Yvonne and Marico are getting married soon. Of course she’s family.”
“A rather hasty engagement, wouldn’t you say? One that was even kept from me.”
“Well, we just didn’t want to bother you.”
“And you were right. The mere sight is bothersome.”
Bothered by what?
He didn’t specify, but everyone knew who he meant: Yvonne.
After everything that had happened, the Stapletons had long grown tired of the Bishop family. It was baffling why Marico’s parents had insisted on an alliance through marriage, especially without Mr. Stapleton Sr.’s approval.

“Penelope, get over here and sit down!” Mr. Stapleton Sr.’s voice was stern now.
Not daring to anger him, Penelope quickly went and sat in the empty chair beside him. On her other side was
heodore, and next to him were their two sons.

“I want to sit next to Mommy!” Hubert complained, unhappy that Theodore was between them.
Theodore simply cast a look at him, and Hubert immediately fell silent.
It seemed his last punishment had been severe enough to finally put the fear of someone into the little troublemaker.
Julian pouted. “You already stole my seat, and now you want to steal Dad’s? Serves you right for getting told off.”
Hubert glared at Julian. “You’re always picking on me! I’m not calling you my brother anymore!”
“Who cares!”
“Hmph, I hate you!”
The sight of the two little boys bickering amused everyone, especially Mr. Stapleton Sr., who laughed so hard his beard trembled.