Chapter 456

After all, Norton had run away because of Mrs. Stapleton’s cruelty. And Mrs.

Stapleton had been cruel to him because of Lorraine’s death. And Lorraine’s death was connected to her.

She never believed she was at fault, yet she was still branded a ‘sinner’.

It wasn’t Theodore who had given her that label, but because of it, she felt an inexplicable guilt toward him.

The feeling was so complex that, in the end, she went back inside, leaving him alone in the dark.

The next morning, when Penelope woke up, Theodore’s side of the bed was still empty.

After freshening up, she came out of the room and looked around, but he was nowhere to be found. She knew then that he had gone alone.

At a moment like this, he didn’t want to face it with her.

Perhaps he was afraid of losing control, afraid he might feel even a flicker of resentment toward her.

It was almost noon when Theodore returned.

He saw her waiting for him by the door, and a faint smile touched his lips as he walked over and pulled her into an embrace.

“It wasn’t him,” he said, his voice as light as he could make it. “I told you that kid wouldn’t do something so foolish. He’s probably hiding out somewhere, living his life just fine.”

Penelope hugged him back, only then noticing that his body was still trembling slightly.

“Yes. And when we find him, we’re going to give him a piece of our minds.”

“Absolutely.”

On the way back, Theodore was constantly joking, glancing over at Penelope every so often, as if he was afraid she might be upset.

The more he acted this way, the more miserable she felt. Eventually, she just pretended to be asleep.

When they returned to Orenth, Penelope went back to his place with him. That night, they were intimate, but while the passion was still there, something was missing. By the end, it felt almost hollow.

With the Stapleton Tech crisis resolved, Penelope formally submitted her resignation to Carson.

He accepted it, his only words being, “I’m sorry.”

Penelope, however, felt a great sense of relief. She started working at the design firm she owned with Hannah. It was a small company with a manageable workload, and with Hannah in charge, she could afford to slack off now and then.

One evening, as she was leaving work, the receptionist led a visitor over to her.

To Penelope’s surprise, it was Mrs.

Stapleton. She was elegantly

her expression as cool and

as ever

She was out of the hospital?

“Can I help you?” Penelope asked warily.

Mrs. Stapleton took a deep breath. “My mind is clear now. You don’t have to be

afraid of me.”

“I’m not afraid of you. Just surprised to see you here.”

“I came here specifically to apologize to you.”

“What?”

“Lorraine’s death was an accident. I

shouldn’t have blamed you. I’m

thankful nothing truly terrible

happened, otherwise would have you, but also

not only wronged you,

deeply hurt Theo.”

to’

Hearing this, Penelope felt a wave of relief. It seemed Mrs. Stapleton had truly

recovered.

“I know where Norton is,” she added.

Penelope’s face lit up. “Really?

Theodore has been going cravenet

es he? You have to tell

looking for him!”

Mrs. Stapleton’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Let me take you to him. We can bring him home together.”

Without a second thought, Penelope agreed. “Okay.”

The moment they were in the car, Mrs. Stapleton sped off, driving so fast it startled Penelope.

“Maybe I should drive,” Penelope suggested.

A strange smile twisted Mrs. Stapleton’s lips. “No need. We’ll be there soon.”

“Is he still in Orenth?”

“Who?”

A jolt of fear shot through Penelope. “Norton. Weren’t you taking me to find Norton?”

“Him? What do I care if he’s dead or alive!”

“Then where are you taking me?”

“To see Lorraine, of course!”