Chapter 484
“If you keep restricting my freedom of movement, I’ll call the police. Are you not afraid of that?”
Darren snorted. “Go ahead and call them. We’re not working for the next few days anyway, so we can hang out anywhere. The police station has beds and free food. Sounds pretty good to me.”
Penelope was speechless. It was a classic case of someone with nothing to lose having nothing to fear.
She held up her phone. “I’m not leaving. I just need to make a call.”
“Fine, make your call. I’ll be watching you.”
Not in the mood to argue, Penelope sat down on a bench and called Hannah.
Hannah explained that while they had argued, it was an exaggeration to say they had fought. Buck had blocked her path as she tried to leave, and she had pushed him. He did stumble over something and fall into a sitting position, but he got up immediately and seemed completely fine.
But Buck was undeniably injured, and seriously enough to require surgery. An injury like that, even with a successful operation, could have long-term complications and a difficult recovery. The future problems were endless.
Still, Penelope found it hard to believe. Could a single push that caused him to sit down hard really result in such a severe injury?
It seemed a little far-fetched.
“Ms. James, you said the person who attacked you last night looked a lot like Buck, right?”
“Yes.”
“How sure are you?”
“About sixty percent.”
“Then let’s start there. If we can prove he was the one who attacked you last night, then his injury is no longer your responsibility.”
Not only would Hannah be off the hook, but he would also have to face legal consequences.
“Okay, I’ll communicate that to the police.”
After hanging up, Penelope noticed Darren had moved to the far end of the hallway
and was on the phone with someone, speaking in hushed, secretive tones.
Her mind started turning, and she stood up and began walking toward him.
Halfway there, a small boy, maybe two years old, toddled into the
middle of the corridor. He tried to
Fap
squat down but ended up sitting on
the floor with a prop.
He didn’t cry. He just crawled forward, picked up a small piece- debris from the floor with his tiny fingers, and was about to pubit in his mouth. .
Penelope quickly grabbed his hand, stopping him just in time.
“Waaah!”
The child, startled, burst into tears.
His mother, who had been dozing on a bench, heard his cries and rushed over.
After Penelope explained what happened, the mother looked mortified.
“He hasn’t eaten all day. He must be starving.”
This woman was Buck’s wife. They were from out of town, working in Orenth with no one to rely on, and now this had happened.
Penelope had some small biscuits in her bag—Hubert had put them there—and she gave them all to the woman.
“Ma’am, I can tell you’re a good
person. Please, save our family
el?
can’t work any more. anymore, we won’t be
able to survive.”
Penelope’s expression hardened. Without a word, she turned and continued walking
toward Darren.
“Yes, I know what to do.”
“I’m keeping her here, I promise she won’t leave.”
“Right, I told her a million. She’ll have to pay whether she agrees or not.”
Darren was still on the phone. Penelope walked right up to him and snatched it from his hand.
“Instead of having your lackeys relay messages back and forth, why don’t we talk directly?”
After she spoke, the other end of the line went silent.
Penelope frowned. “Why aren’t you talking?”
“Penelope,” a voice finally replied, “do you still recognize my voice?”