Chapter 22
He finally let go and shut his eyes, trying to get some rest.
But Kelvin couldn't sleep a wink, feeling all jittery with a pounding headache.
Back at the office, he dug into the bottom drawer and pulled out an Aromatherapy Pouch.
The one Penelope had given him, which he had tossed in the trash.
As he inhaled the faint, calming scent, Kelvin slowly started to relax and drifted off.
He had no idea how long he’d been out when he opened his eyes to see Timothy standing across from his desk.
Timothy was tossing the Aromatherapy Pouch in his hand, playing with it.
"This thing's pretty cool; where'd you get it?" Timothy asked. "Aren't you always sleep well? First time I've seen you out cold; didn't have the heart to wake you."
Kelvin cleared his throat, "Give it back."
Timothy grinned, "Come on, let me check it out a bit. Good stuff should be shared!"
Kelvin's tone hardened, "I won't say it again."
"Alright, alright, here you go," Timothy tossed it back. "Why so touchy about an Aromatherapy Pouch? Was it a gift from someone special?"
Kelvin's face darkened a bit.
"No, wait," Timothy clapped his hands. "You're married; you can't take gifts from other women! So, it must be from Penelope!"
Kelvin's face darkened even more.
He shoved the Aromatherapy Pouch back into the drawer. "Got something to say? If not, get out!"
"Looks like I hit the nail on the head!" Timothy laughed, "Didn't expect Penelope was so crafty? Think she could make one for me too?"
Kelvin asked, "What do you need it for?"
Timothy shrugged, "Whatever you use it for, I'll use it for. I don't know what's in it, but the scent is really calming."
Kelvin smirked, "You want it that bad?"
Timothy nodded, "Yeah."
"Alright," Kelvin nodded. "Have Penelope make one for everyone in the company."
Timothy was taken aback. "You're trying to kill her?"
Kelvin mocked, "Good things should be shared by everyone."
Timothy shrugged. "Anyway, let's get to the main point. What are you going to name the jewelry department?"
Kelvin replied, "Haven't decided yet."
Timothy said, "Take your time, but I need some budget allocated first."
Kelvin agreed, "Okay. But I need to remind you of something."
"Go ahead," Timothy looked serious, thinking Kelvin was about to drop some important info.
"Stop shielding Penelope so much," Kelvin warned, "She's just an employee I lent to you, got it?"
Penelope, now under Timothy's supervision, indeed had a much easier and freer time.
Timothy, having worked abroad for a few years, favored a more laid-back and humane management style, focusing on performance rather than attendance.
As long as the work was done well, it didn't matter if the person wasn't in the office.
"I'm just considering that she's your wife," Timothy replied, "But seriously, her professional skills are top-notch."
Back at the jewelry department, Timothy approached Penelope's workstation.
Penelope greeted, "Mr. Foster."
Timothy asked, "Can you make me another one, the thing you gave Kelvin?"
Penelope looked puzzled. "What are you talking about?"
"The Aromatherapy Pouch," Timothy gestured. "His is really ugly; just change the color for me."
She finally got it.
But didn't Kelvin throw it in the trash?
Did he pick it back up?
"Okay," Penelope agreed, "Mr. Foster, I'll give it to you after work."
Timothy nodded. "By the way, Kelvin said it's great and wants everyone in the company to have one."
Penelope was both confused and shocked.
"Everyone's under a lot of stress and not sleeping well," Timothy explained, "The company will cover the cost, and I'll find some people to help you."
So, for the entire afternoon, Penelope and about ten colleagues sat in front of a pile of herbs, sorting, tying, and making Aromatherapy Pouches.
By the time they wrapped up the last one, it was already 8 PM.
Penelope stretched her sore neck and clocked out.
On her way back to King Manor, she picked up some plastic bottles.
Her paycheck hadn't come through yet, and while Timothy probably wouldn't stiff her, it would still be a month before she got it. For now, she needed to make some quick cash.
Penelope remembered the nurse saying the baby's condition was unstable and needed more tests and treatment.
She also needed to keep up with her pregnancy nutrition.
Everything cost money.
The long walk home felt less boring as she picked up bottles. She was so focused she didn't notice a car trailing her.
The car window was half-lowered, and Kelvin's eyes were serious as he watched her.
She was actually picking up trash!
And she was so good at it, clearly having done it many times!
"Mr. Davis," Ryan asked softly, "should I go call Mrs. Davis?"
Kelvin replied, "No need!"
She really surprised him.
Working during the day and picking up trash at night!
If he hadn't had a meeting until now, he wouldn't have discovered it at all!
As they neared King Manor, Penelope looked at her haul for the night, which was a bit small.
Just as she was considering whether to walk around a bit more to pick up some more, a hand suddenly reached out and snatched it away. Kelvin called out her name, "Penelope!"
She was startled and then even more surprised to see it was Kelvin.
"Are you that low?" Kelvin shouted.
"I'm earning money with my own hands, fair and square!" Penelope retorted, "Give it back!"
She tried to snatch it back, but Kelvin threw it away.
With a clatter, the plastic bottles scattered all over the ground, just like Penelope's dignity.
"Kelvin, what are you doing! Do you know how long it took me to collect those? What right do you have to throw them away!" Penelope's eyes reddened.
"Are you that desperate for money?" Kelvin stared at her. "So desperate that you'd pick up trash and throw away your dignity?"
Penelope was furious. "Yes! I need money! What is dignity and respect? From the moment you threw me into the mental hospital, I no longer had those things! Just staying alive takes much more effort for me than for others!"
She continued, "You are the high and mighty Mr. Davis, worth billions of dollars, of course, you wouldn't do such things. But I'm just an ordinary person. You tell me to leave, and I leave. You call me, and I come. I walk to and from work. Can't I earn some bus fare?"
"I knew you'd find out sooner or later, but I'm more afraid of being broke than of you being angry!" Penelope quickly wiped the corner of her eye and squatted down to pick up the scattered bottles.
Kelvin ordered, "Stop picking them up!"
She didn't listen.
"Penelope, I told you to stop picking them up!" Kelvin yanked her up.
Penelope snapped, "Let go of me!"
Kelvin kicked away the bottles in his way and threw Penelope into the car.
Ryan looked terrified. "Mr. and Mrs. Davis."
Kelvin shouted, "Get out!"
Ryan nodded. "Yes."
Kelvin added, "Pick up all her damn bottles!"
Ryan responded, "Yes, Mr. Davis."
When the boss fought, the assistant suffered.
Getting kicked out of the car in the middle of the night was bad enough, but now he had to pick up trash.
Kelvin sat in the driver's seat, personally driving, and suddenly floored the gas pedal.
She quickly fastened her seatbelt. At this speed, she might lose her life.
She couldn't die.
She couldn't die before because of her parents, and she couldn't now because of her child!
"Slow down," Penelope didn't dare open her eyes. "Kelvin, we're going to crash!"
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