Chapter 25
He continued, "You're just making up for it, just in a different place and way."
Penelope looked up at him. "Can I go back to the mental hospital then?"
Being with Kelvin was worse than that empty, creepy little room.
"After the divorce, if you want to go back, I can arrange it," Kelvin replied, "But for now, it's not happening."
Penelope felt a wave of despair. "Two years of imprisonment, marrying you, isn't that enough? Why won't you let me go?"
Kelvin mocked, "Do you really think you'll be free after the divorce?"
Penelope closed her eyes. "At least let me live a normal life!"
Kelvin shattered all her hopes. "Not a chance!"
"I haven't decided how to torment you after the divorce," he sneered, "But remember, you'll never escape my control in this lifetime!"
The door slammed shut, echoing loudly.
Penelope slowly clutched the blanket, hugging her shoulders against the wall. The only companion she had now was her baby.
She murmured, "Baby, I won't give up on you."
The next day, Penelope arrived at her workstation in the Davis Group on time.
"You're early today," Timothy greeted her cheerfully, "That Aromatherapy Pouch you gave me is amazing, absolutely fantastic!"
She smiled politely. Because she didn't have to walk anymore, she rode in the same car as Kelvin, which was suffocating. She was also afraid of being seen by her colleagues, so she got off the car early.
Kelvin ignored her, pretending she didn't exist.
"By the way, Penelope," Timothy continued, "A new leader is coming to take over as the director of the jewelry department."
Penelope asked, "Is it a man or a woman?"
Timothy replied, "A woman, and a beauty at that. She's incredibly capable; I put in a lot of effort to bring her here."
At ten in the morning, the new female director arrived at the jewelry department on time. She introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Monica Perez. I'll be assisting Mr. Foster in managing the jewelry department. I hope everyone will cooperate with my work so we can grow our emerging brand together."
The colleagues applauded warmly to welcome her. Penelope's eyelashes fluttered as she looked away.
So it was Monica, her college classmate and roommate. They used to be inseparable, sharing a bed, with no secrets between them, closer than sisters.
Now, Monica was rising to fame in the jewelry industry, dazzling and excellent, while Penelope remained obscure.
Those two years in the mental hospital were her best youthful years, trampled by Kelvin.
"Ms. Perez is quite famous in the jewelry industry," Timothy praised, "I'm just here to assist her!"
Monica replied, "Yes, Mr. Foster has money and vision, he can just enjoy life without worrying about work!"
It was clear that the two had a good relationship and could joke around freely.
"Come here, Ms. Perez, let me introduce you to someone," Timothy spoke, "She's our chief designer, Penelope."
Monica's expression changed when she heard the name, but she quickly regained her composure.
Monica greeted, "Hello, Miss Cooper."
Penelope responded, "Hello, Ms. Perez."
Monica stared at Penelope for a few seconds, then smiled, "I have some ideas I'd like to discuss with Miss Cooper privately, if that's okay?"
Before Penelope could have responded, Timothy nodded repeatedly. "Of course! You two are my top assistants; you must develop a good rapport!"
Monica walked up to Penelope. "Come to my office, please."
Penelope nodded. "Okay, Ms. Perez."
Timothy muttered to himself, "Having two beautiful women in my department, am I too lucky? Will Kelvin be jealous?"
At the director's office, as soon as the door closed, Monica's face changed. "Penelope! I never thought I'd see you here!"
Penelope spoke up, "Monica."
"Don't call me that!" Monica was so mad she started pacing. "Did you ever think of me as a friend? You vanished right after graduation, playing hide and seek with me? Do you know how many times I cried, how worried I was about you?"
Penelope lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry."
Monica asked, "What happened to you that you couldn't even tell me? I went to your house, and it was sold. I asked your neighbors, and they wouldn't say a word. It was like you disappeared!"
Penelope uttered, "I'm sorry."
Monica snapped, "Don't say that to me!"
Penelope could only stay silent.
Monica was almost furious. "Fine, if you don't want to tell me, just leave now, and let's pretend we never knew each other!"
Penelope nodded and turned silently.
"You," Monica was really about to lose it. "Do you really not want me as a friend anymore?"
Penelope felt a pang of sadness.
"Monica, my life is a mess, and I'm really unlucky," Penelope replied, "Stay away from me, and you'll be safe. I don't want you to get dragged down by my problems."
Monica was confused. "You're now the chief designer for a jewelry brand under the Davis Group; how is that terrible? Back in school, you outshone me in everything! With your talent, you could start your own brand and make it thrive. Being a designer is an understatement for your skills!"
Penelope could only smile bitterly, "Monica, there are many things you're better off not knowing."
"Fine, fine, keep it a secret for the rest of your life then!" Monica turned away, too angry to speak to her.
Penelope felt terrible too, but thinking about her own troubles, she didn't want to involve Monica.
Seeing her really leave, Monica couldn't bring herself to go after her and went to find Timothy instead.
Timothy responded, "You want to know about Penelope?"
Monica nodded. "Yes!"
Timothy replied, "Well, it's a secret. I'm only telling you."
Monica was impatient. "Got it, just tell me!"
"She's our boss's wife," Timothy said.
Monica was stunned. Did Penelope marry Kelvin? Wasn't that hitting the jackpot, marrying into a wealthy family? Why did Penelope say her life was terrible and unfortunate?
Timothy warned, "Monica, I'm only sharing this gossip because of you. Don't let it slip."
Monica asked, "Are they happy together?"
Timothy responded, "I'm not sure of that. But their relationship is confusing, full of secrets."
Monica pressed, "What do you mean by confusing?"
Timothy explained, "Stay in the company for a few more days, and you'll see something's off."
"Mr. Foster," Monica looked at him disdainfully. "As Mr. Davis's best friend, can't you even dig up this bit of gossip?"
Timothy shrugged. "I know everything about Kelvin, but he never mentions this marriage."
Penelope returned to her workstation, feeling blocked and uncomfortable.
Monica was her best friend, they shared everything, and she really wanted to confide in Monica about her experiences over the years.
But it was meaningless, it would only make Monica feel bad with her.
Her phone buzzed with a message. She opened it; it was from Kelvin: [Get your ass over my office.]
Penelope resigned herself and stood up.
"Mr. Davis, you wanted to see me," She stood properly in front of his desk.
Kelvin threw an invitation at her. "Read it."
Penelope picked it up. "A Charity Auction?"
Kelvin nodded. "Yes."
What did this have to do with her?
She wasn't qualified to attend such a high-end event.
"So you want to take me there?" Penelope asked tentatively.
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