Chapter 372

“All I asked him to do was watch his sister. It’s a simple task, and he couldn’t even do that!”
“And what about you? What were you doing?” Penelope countered.
“I I was just talking to an acquaintance for a moment
“So, as the adult, you get to shirk your responsibility and blame the child? And because he’s a child and can’t fight back, he has to bear all the guilt?”
“Who do you think you are, talking to me like that? I haven’t even blamed you yet!” the woman shot back, embarrassed.
“You can blame us if you want, but don’t blame the child. He’s too young to carry such a heavy burden.”
“You’re ridiculous!” the woman muttered. She grabbed her daughter’s hand and stormed off, leaving the little boy standing alone on the sidewalk. He looked after his mother, wanting to follow but too scared to move.
Penelope’s heart ached for him. Seeing a street vendor selling candy apples nearby, she bought one for him. But just as she turned back, the woman returned, grabbed her son by the arm, and dragged him away.
Penelope let out a sigh and saw Theodore still standing by the car, his expression having softened. She ran over to him with a smile, holding out the candy apple.
“Here! Bought this for you!”
Theodore chuckled, the last of the gloom vanishing from his face. He took the candy apple and bit into it. “It’s sweet.”
“Really?”
“Try it.”
She took a bite from his hand, and the sourness made her face scrunch up. “You liar!”
Theodore took another bite. “I still think it’s sweet.”
“If you like them, I will buy them for you every day!”
“Are you looking to get punished tonight?”
“Have mercy, my lord!”
Theodore grunted, then playfully scooped her up and bundled her back into the car. “You’re in for it now!”
With KINY Group out of the running for the Higgins Plaza project, the Bishop Group was quick to step in Penelope felt she owed Mrs. Higgins an explanation, especially after being given the opportunity. After work one day, she went to the Higgins Group headquarters. She explained that while KINY Group was eager to partner with them, they had to withdraw due to unavoidable circumstances.
Mrs. Higgins, being a shrewd woman, didn’t press for details. She simply acknowledged Penelope’s y It’s a shame but I’m sure, we’ll have other opportunities to collaborate in the future.”
“Absolutely,” Penelope smiled.
Mrs. Higgins personally escorted Penelope downstairs, where they once again ran into Yvonne.
“What’s this? Can’t stand to lose, so you’ve come back to stir up trouble?” Yvonne sneered.
Penelope found it amusing. “You can only talk about winning and losing after a fight. Since we never fought, how can you say I lost?”
“You didn’t dare to fight. You’re a coward who ran away!”
“If thinking that makes you feel better, then by all means,” Penelope said with a
slight purse of her lips, then turned and strode toward the exit. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ.net
Yvonne, infuriated by her dismissive expression, blocked her path. “Can’t you handle a loss, Mrs. Stapleton?”
“Have you ever heard the term ‘hollow victory,’ Ms. Bishop?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Penelope offered a faint smile. “You truly are the Bishop family’s little princess, with everyone clearing the way for you.”
“I win because of my own abilities, Penelope!”
“Ha, abilities?” Penelope clicked her tongue. “I didn’t get to see any of this princess’s abilities this time. Maybe next time. I just hope you actually have some.” “Penelope!” Yvonne seethed.
But Penelope simply gave a breezy wave and walked away, completely unfazed.
Friday arrived, Penelope skipped work in the afternoon, planning to pick Timothy up after his classes
they could drive back home
together. To her surprise, eel.not
received a call from Donald. He wanted to meet.
First one Bishop, then another. Were they ever going to leave her alone?