Chapter 12
Kelvin was super impatient, but when he realized Fiona was the woman from that night, he bit his tongue. "Marrying Penelope is just a temporary thing. I couldn't find you back then and needed someone to fill the Mrs. Davis spot, so I picked her."
Fiona nodded, thinking, 'So that's the deal.'
She was scared out of her mind, thinking she'd been found out right after stepping in.
She asked again, "You're still gonna keep your promise to marry me, right?"
Kelvin nodded. "Yeah. I'll handle everything and then marry you."
Fiona was thrilled. "Can't wait for that day!"
She finally felt like she could breathe.
Meanwhile, Penelope eyed the thick whip. "Jeff, go ahead."
Jeff sighed, "Mrs. Davis."
Penelope said, "I know it's tough for you too."
Jeff glanced at the staircase, making sure Kelvin was gone, then braced himself and swung the whip down hard.
The loud crack echoed through King Manor.
Kelvin ate his breakfast calmly, not even flinching.
Fiona felt a sense of satisfaction hearing the sound.
She thought, 'Penelope, as long as I'm here, you'll never rise again!'
Another whip crack echoed.
The other servants shuddered and kept their heads down, focusing on their work.
Penelope, the one taking the hits, looked at Jeff in surprise. "You..."
Both lashes had hit the ground, not her!
"Mrs. Davis, don't make a sound, or we'll be found out," Jeff whispered, "You're good to us servants. I just can't do it."
Penelope said, "But if Kelvin finds out, we're done!"
Jeff nodded. "I know. So you'll have to take the last lash."
Penelope got what he meant and nodded.
If there were no marks on her, it would look too suspicious.
She took the last lash solidly, her back burning with pain, the skin broken.
Penelope looked at Jeff gratefully. No matter how bad the world was to her, there was still a bit of warmth that moved her.
"Mr. Davis, the three lashes have been done," Jeff reported downstairs.
Kelvin responded indifferently.
Penelope stood nearby, slightly hunched, the pain in her wound intensifying as she straightened up.
She thought, 'Luckily it's just one lash, it shouldn't mess up my ability to collect recyclables.'
"Mr. Davis, I have a favor to ask," Fiona asked sweetly, "May I?"
Kelvin said, "Speak."
Fiona continued, "I know the Davis Group is getting ready to launch a talent agency, right?"
Kelvin nodded. "Yeah, we're planning to get into the entertainment industry."
"Then, could you get me some resources?" Fiona asked, "When I go to casting calls, they always find faults and are super picky. If you help, it would be way easier!"
Kelvin asked, "You want to act in the entertainment industry?"
Fiona nodded eagerly. "Yes, it's my dream! And with you around, no one would dare mess with me!"
Kelvin agreed, "Okay."
This was his way of making it up to her.
Maybe, a hardworking Fiona would show another side of herself, making him feel the way he did that night.
Kelvin glanced at Penelope. "You, keep doing odd jobs at the company."
Penelope responded, "Got it."
The gap between people was really huge.
Penelope worked hard collecting recyclables, earning just a few bucks.
Fiona easily got resources in the entertainment industry, making a ton of money as a star, especially with Kelvin backing her!
Once Kelvin left, Fiona dropped her sweet smile and showed her true colors.
"Don't want to bark like a dog? Fine," Fiona sneered, "Sooner or later, I'll make you kneel in front of me and bark."
Penelope couldn't be bothered to look at her. She still had to walk to the Davis Group, and if she was late, Kelvin would be furious.
"You dare ignore me, Penelope? Stop right there!" Fiona blocked her path. "I suggest you ask Mr. Davis for a divorce soon!"
Penelope replied, "It's not my call."
Fiona snorted, "You just want to cling to the Mrs. Davis title and refuse to leave."
Penelope chuckled, "If you have the power, make Kelvin divorce me now. Why come here to pressure me?"
"Fine," Fiona gritted her teeth, "You'll be begging me soon enough!"
Her eyes were full of malice.
Penelope didn't have time to worry about what Fiona might do. Offending Fiona was one thing, but offending Kelvin was a whole different ball game.
Besides, she didn't think Fiona could cause much trouble.
Penelope continued walking to the Davis Group, collecting recyclables along the way.
Today's haul was small, but she still made twenty bucks.
Just as she put the money in her pocket and turned around, she saw a familiar figure by the roadside. It was more embarrassing than seeing Kelvin.
It was Nathan Smith, her former fiancé.
Penelope started to run.
Nathan called out, "Penelope, I've been following you."
Her steps slowed, but she still didn't dare face him.
Nathan Smith walked up behind her. "When I first saw you, I thought I was mistaken, didn't dare to recognize you. But it's really you, Penelope."
She was collecting trash, and she was skilled at it, not like it was her first time.
"Penelope, how did you end up like this?" Nathan asked, "What have you been through all these years?"
She used to be so bright, radiant, and polite, his dream girl.
Now, she had a layer of fatigue and weariness.
"You've got the wrong person," Penelope kept her head down.
Nathan insisted, "No, it's you. I'd recognize you no matter what you'd be like!"
She laughed mockingly and turned around, "Yes, I'm Penelope, your former fiancée, Mr. Smith! But now, we have nothing to do with each other!"
Nathan and Penelope were once engaged.
But after the Cooper Family incident, the Smith Family immediately broke off the engagement and quickly sent Nathan abroad to distance themselves.
That period was the hardest time in Penelope's life.
She was running between jail, the hospital, and the police station, desperately needing someone to help her.
That person should have been Nathan.
But she couldn't reach or find him. The Smith Family doors were shut tight, and the security guards pushed her away.
"No, Penelope, listen to me," Nathan grabbed her shoulders. "Going abroad was my father's decision. He said I should gain experience and succeed in my career before marrying you. I agreed to go abroad to give you a better life!"
Penelope retorted, "Then why ignore my calls, as if you’ve vanished into thin air? You didn't even have the time to tell me?"
Nathan explained, "The situation was..."
"Enough," Penelope interrupted, "I don't want to hear it anymore; it's all in the past."
She had long been completely disappointed in Nathan. Penelope shook off his hand and turned to leave.
Nathan insisted, "Penelope!"
"Don't follow me!" she shouted, "The last person I want to see right now is you!"
Nathan stood there in a daze, watching her disappear from his sight.
"Mr. Smith, your appointment with Mr. Davis is coming up," Nathan's assistant reminded him.
Nathan uttered, "Alright. Go find out what Penelope has been through these past two years."
The assistant nodded. "Yes, Mr. Smith."
When Penelope arrived at the Davis Group, Ryan told her, "Mrs. Davis, you're finally here. Mr. Davis is looking for you!"
Penelope responded, "I'm going in now."
In the CEO's office, Kelvin lounged in his chair, scrutinizing her.
Penelope felt uncomfortable under his gaze. "Is there something you need?"
Kelvin ordered, "Take off your clothes."
She was shocked. "What?"
Kelvin snorted, "Do I need to repeat myself, or should I do it myself?"
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