Chapter 1049 Penelope, I Just Like You
Penelope walked in and immediately spotted Brandon slumped at the desk.
He looked completely drained, with dark circles under his eyes that screamed he hadn't slept all night.
"Penelope," Brandon's eyes lit up when he saw her, "You're here."
"Yeah. I asked you to meet, didn't I? How could I not show up?"
"I thought you might bail on me. I also thought Kelvin might come with you, or... he wouldn't let you come at all."
Penelope replied, "I have something important to discuss with you. I didn't tell him."
Brandon smiled and handed her the menu. "Want something to drink?"
"No, just a glass of water."
He paused, "Are you wary of me? Afraid I might spike your drink?"
Penelope hadn't considered that, but Brandon's mention made her scoff.
"Yeah, once bitten, twice shy. You pulled that stunt once, so of course, I have to be cautious. But honestly... Brandon, you were the last person I expected to betray me. Yet, you did."
He gave a bitter smile.
It had come to this. The friend she once trusted most had become a familiar stranger.
"Penelope, you must hate me, despise me," Brandon said. "I did so much for you before, but in the face of this incident, it all seems insignificant."
No matter how many good deeds he had done for her, the trust, affection, and gratitude accumulated were all wiped out by that one incident in the hotel room.
Penelope looked into his eyes, "Even now, I still want to ask you, why?"
Brandon pursed his lips, eyes downcast, unable to meet her gaze.
"Why?" Penelope pressed, "After Isabella died, we talked it all out. You promised to be lifelong friends, even like family. But you agreed on the surface and then turned around and reneged!"
"Why did you lure me into that hotel room and... put your hands on me?"
"Why did you send Thessaly to Paul's bed? You were targeting me, but she was so innocent!"
"Brandon, tell me, why? Why?"
Penelope thought she could stay calm, but she had overestimated herself.
The feeling of betrayal was too painful.
She had fainted from anger, spent an afternoon in the ER, and now... bringing it up again, her emotions were still hard to control.
"...I'm sorry."
All Brandon could say was that.
Faced with the evidence, he could only admit his fault and apologize.
"You certainly owe me an apology, but you owe Thessaly even more!"
Brandon's eyes flickered.
He didn't feel he owed Thessaly anything!
That woman had ruined his entire plan, handed the evidence to Kelvin, and despite the photos he held, she had exposed everything... he wanted to strangle her!
There was no remorse, only hatred!
Of course... he couldn't let Penelope know his thoughts.
In the bookstore, the two sat facing each other.
Penelope's expression was rich, her emotions intense.
Brandon remained mostly silent.
This scene... was all observed by a pair of deep eyes.
Kelvin stood calmly behind a pillar, watching Penelope's profile and Brandon's face.
Kelvin knew Penelope would go see Brandon.
Since this morning, Penelope had been acting off—distracted, in a hurry, eager to get to the office.
She never used to be like this.
Kelvin had noticed her unusual behavior but hadn't said a word.
"Mr. Davis," Ryan asked, "Do you... want to go in?"
"No."
"Then you'll just stand here?"
"Yes," Kelvin nodded, "Just watching is fine."
Ryan was puzzled.
Actually, since Penelope left the jewelry department, Kelvin had set his sights upon her.
From then until now... Kelvin was still watching?
Ryan didn't dare ask more, just stood silently beside him.
Kelvin continued to watch, hands behind his back.
He knew why Penelope was meeting Brandon; he understood, so... he let her go, turning a blind eye.
But he had to ensure her safety.
No one could guarantee Brandon wouldn't act impulsively.
He couldn't let Penelope get hurt again.
In the bookstore, the atmosphere was heavy and silent.
"Here are your black coffee and water," the waiter said, placing the drinks down, "Enjoy."
Brandon took a sip of his coffee.
Penelope didn't touch hers.
Her guard was still up; she didn't dare drink.
"Penelope, drink. Don't let yourself get thirsty. After all that yelling, you need to hydrate and rest," Brandon said. "I haven't touched your water, couldn't tamper with it."
Penelope retorted, "Last time, you didn't touch the water either, but I still fell for it."
"I... bribed the waiter."
"I knew that waiter was your man. Later, you pushed him out to take the blame. Fortunately... no one believed you!"
Brandon acknowledged with a nod.
His demeanor only made Penelope angrier!
"You show no sign of remorse, none..." Penelope shook her head, her tone full of disappointment, "You're so downcast now because you were exposed, you lost everything, not because you think you were wrong."
Brandon asked directly, "If I repented, would you forgive me?"
Would she?
Act like nothing happened, like it was in the beginning!
Could she do that?
If not, then what was the point of his repentance?
To Brandon, regret was a sign of weakness; correction was a sign of incompetence!
"Repentance" had no place in his life!
In Brandon's view, it was all about winning or losing!
Seeing him suddenly ask, Penelope answered seriously, "If you were sincere..."
She stopped herself.
Forget it, she couldn't do it.
She wasn't someone who could forgive without limits; she couldn't forgive a man who had almost ruined her reputation!
Moreover... if she forgave Brandon, what about Thessaly?
She had no right to forgive on Thessaly's behalf!
"See," Brandon gave a bitter smile, "Even if I repented and corrected myself, we can't go back."
"You should never have done it in the first place. You wouldn't have done it if you knew how it turned out."
"Penelope, I just like you," Brandon said, "Really like you, from childhood, I wanted to marry you. Twenty years later, fate brought us back together."
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