Sensing the mood, Penny nodded with a light smile. “Alright, goodbye then.”After saying that, she immediately turned and left.Caleb stood still, watching her receding figure. After a few seconds, Lily tugged at him.“Caleb, what are you looking at?”He did not answer but instead turned and briskly walked toward the inner courtyard.Penny took a cab to Leo’s house. She saw a crowd had gathered, including neighbors, all pointing and whispering about the Eastons.The Eastons’ front door was closed shut. Leo and Sue stayed inside and did not come out.Outside were several burly men, holding rods, looking like the men her aunt mentioned who were there to confront Nathan.Penny approached one of the men who was holding a rod. He was tall and muscular, his biceps bulging. They looked like they could burst at any moment.“Hello, what exactly did Nathan Easton do? Why are you blocking their house?”The man was surprised that such a beautiful woman would suddenly approach and ask, so
Leo and Sue had looked at Penny with anticipation, as if she could truly find a solution.Nathan had hidden tightly behind her, making the scene rather comical.The surrounding neighbors pointed and whispered toward them, making Leo’s face turn red with embarrassment.Due to the issue with the house last time, the neighbors held strong opinions against him. He knew he was in the wrong and did not dare confront them.After all, even if the house was to be demolished, they had to wait for the government’s action. In the meantime, they still had to live there.Seeing how cowardly Nathan was acting, the few men could not help but laugh.“With that little courage, I really wonder how you ever dared to throw punches.”Nathan stiffened and remained silent but then heard Penny coldly ask, “If you’re not going to explain, I need to leave. It’s clear they're here for you. They probably won’t harm Uncle Leo and Aunt Sue. I’ve long hoped you’d learn a lesson or two.”Nathan held onto her a
Lily did not see the specific name flashing on the screen, but she vaguely saw that it was a short string of words.“Caleb, aren’t you going to answer the phone?”Caleb took a sip of the wine offered by an official without even flinching.“Telemarketing call.”“Oh.”Lily was somewhat skeptical, as it was clearly a saved contact name.However, at that moment, other leaders at the table were urging Caleb to drink.“Mr. Fergerson, try this. It’s plum wine made by the chef himself, with plums from the southern part of Union County.”Caleb took it and expressed his thanks. Then, he took a sip and complimented it.The atmosphere at the event was great; everyone was discussing the project.However, Lily felt that compared to earlier, Caleb now seemed a bit distracted.After a few rounds of drinks, he unbuttoned two of his shirt buttons and briefly discussed a few new additions to the project.None of the leaders raised any objections and even suggested adding new benefits.Midway
After Penny left the villa, she still felt as if she was on fire. That was truly too embarrassing.She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down as soon as possible. After all, she needed to quickly sort out Nathan’s situation so she could return to Imperial City without any burdens.She had already looked up information about the official, whose name was Harry Randall. He seemed decent in his personal life and was diligent at work, with almost no flaws.It was clear that for him to hire people to get Nathan this time around was because he was agitated by Nathan’s actions.After all, having one’s own son needing over 20 stitches would be unbearable for anyone.Penny searched around and finally found a photo of Harry and Jeremy on a public account in the county. The photo, taken last year, showed the two of them at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a project.After checking the content of the public account, Penny called Jeremy.His voice sounded quickly from the other end.“P
Penny was upset for just a moment and quickly regained her composure. The most important thing right now was her uncle’s family’s situation.After all, her relationship with Caleb was simply that of an employer and an employee. There was nothing wrong with what she said.When she returned to her uncle’s house, Leo and Sue were still inside, sighing and lamenting. Jenni had come back by this time. Upon hearing that Nathan might go to jail, she began to curse out loud.“I don’t know what bad karma I’ve accumulated to end up with such a worthless man! Give me 100 thousand dollars. I want a divorce!”Jenni had her hands on her hips and was always acting superior in front of the couple. She looked like she wished she could point her fingers in their faces.“The elders are worthless, and the young one is worthless too. Why was he trying to fight other people? It’s laughable. Who would want to live with this kind of man? Just give me the money so I can get a divorce!”Over the years, Su
“Uncle Leo, Aunt Sue, we should go and get Nathan back first. Let him apologize at the hospital.”Sue quickly nodded in agreement. “Alright, alright. Let’s go now.”As Leo and Sue were about to leave, they turned to ask Jenni, “Jenni, are you coming with us?”Jenni rolled her eyes and scoffed coldly. “Why should I care if that weakling dies?”Sue looked upset, but she did not retort.Penny, who was standing nearby, was angered by what she heard but felt helpless. After all, it was a family matter.She accompanied the couple to the police station. Before they even entered, they could hear Nathan crying loudly inside.A pang of concern hit Sue’s heart. They walked into the hall and saw Nathan badly beaten, his face bruised and swollen. It seemed he was attacked by some thugs on his way to the police station, making him almost unrecognizable.“Nate, are you hurt?”Sue quickly approached and grabbed Nathan’s hand.Nathan, looking defeated as ever, burst into tears.“Mom, please
“Penny, Nate is your cousin. Go easy on him, I’m begging you.”Sue had a humble expression on her face, and her lips were quivering.Leo remained silent and knelt without saying a word.The role of a father, in most families, played the part of a mute.Nathan was stunned by the slap. He tasted blood in his mouth, moved his lips, and spat out a bloody tooth.Penny withdrew her hand. “If you had been more responsible back then, divorced Jenni, and didn't take my dad’s money, he wouldn’t have resented your family. Uncle Leo and Aunt Sue wouldn’t have been ashamed to face my dad. But you ran away, living lavishly outside with over hundreds of thousands of dollars, leaving the old couple at home to bear Jenni’s disdain. Your parents have had to serve her like servants. What use is a son like you? Nathan Easton, where’s your sense of responsibility?”Nathan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and remained silent.The police station was silent too. Given Penny’s intimidating p
Nathan had a look of disbelief on his face. Jenni sneered. “Have you forgotten? You got drunk on your first night back, and we had sex. It’ll be a massive loss for your family if I’m pregnant with a boy.” Nathan did remember that night, and he hesitated. If he divorced Jenni, he would not be able to find a new wife, and no one would agree to bear his child. That would mean the Easton family bloodline would draw an end after his passing. Moreover, Jenni was pregnant now. This child would help him remain accountable to his parents. It was a sin to be unfilial. Penny became even more enraged when she saw the hesitant looks on all three Easton family members’ faces. “Uncle Leo, Aunt Sue, are you sure you want her to stay?” To put it bluntly, given how long ago Nathan had realized she was being unfilial and messing around with others, was there anyone who could tell for sure whose child she was carrying? Nathan’s morals were nothing to sing praises over either. However,
Penny was displeased but was too shy to voice it out. Her body felt empty.“Are you happy that he’s back?” “No.” “Then, do you want me?” Penny bit her lip. He had caused sweat to break out across her body. Caleb’s phone rang. Finn was on the other end of the line. He answered the phone, and Finn’s voice rang out. “Imperial City is going to be in chaos tonight. The higher-ups are hunting for the results of Caspian's experiments, and even Uncle Shawn is getting involved in this. "He just called and told me that the higher-ups contacted him and basically forced him to agree to convince Caspian to give them the results. "Cas has also contacted the higher-ups himself and told them that unless Penny is by his side, the mental torture he was subjected to will stop him from recalling where he’s put the chip.” It was a matter of national security, and this was what Caspian was using as his bartering chip the minute he returned. There was no doubt the higher-ups would put a
Penny had made it out of the room by then. Her face was deathly pale. “Penny!” Caleb ran after her and pulled her into his arms. He pulled her behind a pillar where no one could see them. Caleb knew what was going through her mind, and he held her face in his hands. She did not look at him. Her chest heaved as she struggled to process the truth. Caleb did not know what to say and merely brushed the tip of his nose against hers. When she did not resist, he slowly moved down and kissed her. He knew why Caspian had chosen this sort of appearance. Not only would he manage to devastate Penny, but he could also announce to everyone that he was Penny’s first love. That way, he could also cause Caleb to find himself in a sticky situation. However, Caleb could not care less. As he kissed Penny, he tightened his arms around her waist. Their breaths turned ragged as they continued kissing for another ten minutes. Finally, he rested his forehead on her shoulder. His back was slig
Despite everyone staring at him, Caleb only had eyes for Penny. Penny did not know the reason behind that, and her brows were knitted together tightly as she watched Caspian make his way down from the second floor. He took the ring from the host and placed it before her solemnly. “I’m here to fulfill my promise, Penpen.” Penny wanted to smack his hand away, but he slowly bent over and smiled as he took her hand. He tried to put the ring on her finger, but his actions were stopped by someone else. He looked in the direction where the hand had come from, and his gaze met Caleb. “Long time no see, Caleb.” Caleb pulled Penny from her seat into his arms. She was left with no choice but to sit on his lap. Caleb could not care less about whatever sort of tricks Caspian would pull. If he allowed Caspian to put that finger on Penny’s finger, he would change his last name! Penny wanted to struggle out of his grasp, but the warmth of his body caused her to stop. He was still
Some people were speculating if they had gotten back together again, and some were even wondering if Caleb was blind. Why did he pass on Khloe Strauss and choose a designer who did not come from a prestigious family? No matter how well Penny ran her company, these people would still view her as a lowly designer fighting to make a name for herself in the market. She ignored everyone else’s stares and merely took a piece of tissue. She turned slightly to wipe the sweat from Caleb’s forehead. Caleb opened his eyes slightly and looked at her. The two did not say anything. Plenty of people were standing around them, but the light above their heads seemed to have enveloped them in a world of their own. Penny felt her heart rate increase as she clutched the tissue and returned her gaze to the stage. “This is a piece of emerald that Mr. Winston Hill has donated. Bidding starts at three million dollars.” Everyone’s gaze turned toward Winston. Winston smiled at everyone as he int
Ethan patted her head and then noticed Sean's gaze shifting toward them."Sean?"Sean leaned back and remained silent, merely twirling his phone between his thumb and forefinger. His lowered lashes cast a shadow.He stood up and heard Ethan say again, "Leave your phone."Sean chuckled. "Ethan, you're being too serious right now."He left his phone behind and went upstairs.Khloe continued to sway Ethan's shoulders."Ethan, I had Wind take action against Penny tonight. This time, success is mandatory. Failure is not an option."Ethan's expression turned grave instantly. "Didn't I tell you not to act on your own?""But I nearly lost my life because of her, twice."After saying this, she touched the area over her heart, her complexion turning pale in a moment."Khlo?"This time, Khloe genuinely felt discomfort in her heart, and the next second, she fainted."Khlo!"Ethan was no longer concerned about reprimanding her and immediately took her to the hospital.…Tonight, the
After returning to Dawn Haven Villa, Penny pulled up her laptop to check public opinion. There were those who vilified Zach, those who vilified her, and even more who vilified S.M. The autistic child's mother, who had published that post online, was even planning to hold a press conference today to accuse S.M. of not having contacted her yet.Penny obtained the mother's contact number and made a call, but the woman did not answer.After just testing the waters, Penny hung up. She then had people from Dawn Haven Villa follow the autistic child's parents and also had someone investigate the whereabouts of Linda and her group.After leaving Sky Lounge last night, that group of wealthy youths checked into a villa Khloe had purchased in Imperial City.The villa had helpers to attend to them, and the group of wealthy youths lived it up.Penny had a rough idea of the culture in Americana, which was much more open than here, with many policies far more lenient.Her fingertips tapped on
A lot of people had gathered around the police station. Zach had just won a grand prize and was currently a top male star with many fans.Hence, being embroiled in a scandal like this shocked the entire internet.The post written by the autistic child's parents placed Zach directly in the spotlight.The combination of the words 'child', 'abuse', and 'autism' had a huge impact.Fans were voicing their disbelief, but bystanders had already boiled over with rage online, hurling insults and curses.S.M. instantly became the target of public condemnation!When Penny arrived at the entrance of the police station, Zach's agent, Otis, was already waiting there. The grown man was crying so hard his eyes were red."Ms. Sullivan!"He immediately stood up from the ground when he saw Penny."I'm sorry, Ms. Sullivan."Penny did not look at him and headed straight into the police station.Zach was sitting on a bench with a police officer still questioning him.Penny had a strong presence.
Penny stood still for a while, feeling unsettled as she got back into the car.Firstly, it was due to her situation with Caleb. Secondly, it was because of Ethan's words. Was something about to happen?She looked up, intending to speak with Winona. However, she suddenly heard Winona's soft sobs. She was lying on the steering wheel, so engrossed in her emotions that she did not notice Penny getting into the car."Winona?" Penny called out.Awakened from her daze, Winona quickly sat up straight. "Ms. Sullivan.""Did your ex-boyfriend come looking for you again? Haven't you already paid him back? Won't his family let you be?""That’s not it.""Is it because he and that woman are getting married? Did they send you a wedding invitation, which made you feel upset?""No."Then what was it?Penny knew that the family situations of the people close to her were quite simple. Winona came from a single-parent family, and her mother did not care much for her.Raven's parents had passed a
Ethan's gaze fell on Penny, and his brows furrowed. His good upbringing prevented him from making any sarcastic remarks at this moment.After all, Penny was alone on her side. On the contrary, they had strength in numbers. Khloe was just discharged from the hospital today and was planning to welcome friends who had come all the way from Americana to see her.Seeing Penny alone, she felt a surge of satisfaction.Given her status as Ms. Strauss, she had many friends in Americana and would never be as isolated as Penny.She had specifically called Linda over, knowing Linda's temper was explosive. Just a little sob story from her and Linda could spew out some really nasty words.Linda spoke up again at this moment."Slut, we'll get you killed sooner or later!"She touched her face as she glared fiercely at Penny as if she wanted to devour her alive.Khloe quickly intervened, saying, "Linda, let's go. We should head inside."Ethan, Sean, let's go."Sean stood by, sighing slightl