Chapter 3

Penelope stood there, stunned, a wave of fear washing over her.

She had no idea Kelvin's influence was so vast that he could easily track her every move.

But this time, she wasn't going to run.

She wanted to find out who was trying to frame her family, just to ensure Kelvin's father died on the operating table.

Penelope took a deep breath.

She nodded and walked to the car, ready to open the door.

A bodyguard stepped in front of her, his face cold.

"Sorry, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Davis's orders are clear. You need to go back the way you came. If you're not back in three hours, he'll personally visit your mother and arrange for her transfer."

Penelope's heart sank. This was a blatant threat!

Kelvin knew exactly how to hit her where it hurt.

Only he knew how to twist the knife in her chest.

The villa was at least six miles away.

The car sped off, leaving Penelope to grit her teeth and curse under her breath as she started the long walk back.

On the way, Penelope suddenly saw Kelvin's face on a giant commercial screen.

He was surrounded by people, attending a business forum, with countless microphones thrust in his face.

One reporter managed to get a question in.

"Mr. Davis, are you getting married soon?"

Kelvin paused deliberately.

He looked into the camera, his sharp features dominating the screen.

Even through the screen, Penelope could feel the pressure emanating from Kelvin.

He smiled at the camera and then raised a marriage certificate.

"Sorry, I'm already married."

The crowd around him was envious, but Penelope felt a chill run down her spine. She rubbed her arms and quickly lowered her head, picking up her pace.

Three hours later, Penelope finally reached the villa.

She was parched, exhausted, and felt like she could collapse at any moment.

Kelvin was sitting in the middle of the sofa, putting down his financial newspaper. His gaze swept over her, as if mocking an ant.

She had said she would never see him again, but it had only been ten hours.

"Penelope, still running?"

Penelope swallowed, her voice hoarse and her explanation weak.

"I... I just went for a walk, really, I didn't plan to run away."

"Penelope, do you think I'm an idiot?"

Kelvin moved his wrist, leaning forward, and beckoned her with a finger, like he was teasing a dog.

"Come here. You know what happens when you make me angry."

Penelope obediently walked over, waiting silently for him to continue.

"Kneel, Penelope."

The cold voice in her ear made Penelope think she had misheard.

She looked up in shock, seeing the coldness and cruelty in Kelvin's eyes.

Penelope's lips trembled, her face turning even paler.

"I..."

"Or do you want to lose a leg? Or see your mother die in front of you? Penelope, my patience is limited."

Kelvin impatiently crossed his legs, pulling out a cigarette, the tip glowing.

Penelope bit her lip, feeling humiliated and wronged, but she couldn't afford to cause trouble.

She had to stay healthy to uncover the truth from years ago and ensure her parents' safety.

She bent her knees, slowly kneeling until her knees touched the cold floor, closing her eyes in humiliation.

The next second, Kelvin grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer.

"Penelope, please me."

Penelope opened her eyes, meeting his mocking gaze.

Penelope knew Kelvin just wanted to humiliate her, to see her break down in pain, to torment her spirit.

But she was already broken, her pride long gone.

Penelope's hands trembled slightly.

She straightened up, inching closer to Kelvin, awkwardly removing the cigarette from his mouth, extinguishing it, her eyelashes fluttering in resistance, but her body continued to move closer until she offered a kiss.

At that moment, Kelvin suddenly kicked her.

Caught off guard, Penelope fell to the ground, her already injured leg bleeding.

She winced in pain but refused to make a sound.

"Penelope, you look like a dog right now."

Kelvin laughed, his tone mocking, "So obedient it's disgusting."

His gaze lingered briefly on the blood on her leg, losing interest in further torment.

"Don't make me angry, Penelope. If you run again, I'll break your legs myself."

Kelvin stood up, looking down at her, his eyes condescending.

"Until you've atoned, don't die in my villa. Butler, take her away and treat her wounds. Keep an eye on Mrs. Davis."

Penelope ignored the pain in her leg, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart.

She had a thought—maybe Kelvin wasn't entirely unreasonable.

Was he showing concern for her just now?

Penelope was desperate to prove her family's innocence.

She grabbed Kelvin's pant leg, disregarding everything.

"Wait. Kelvin, I have something to say. Can we go to the study?"

Kelvin looked down at her, from his angle, only seeing her ample cleavage and the blood-stained skin that was even more visually striking.

His eyes darkened, and he dragged Penelope to the study, his tone impatient.

"Speak. Let's see what you have to say."

Kelvin stood in front of her, feeling a surge of anger.

Penelope bit her lip, hesitating before speaking.

"Kelvin, my dad didn't... He's such a skilled doctor, he didn't kill your..."

Kelvin's face changed instantly, and he slapped her hard!

He leaned on the desk, roaring like an enraged lion!

"Penelope, what are you trying to say? Do you think I'm too lenient? Know your place! Your whole family should die for my father! Your dad is a murderer!"

Penelope was knocked to the ground.

Her face burned, her ears ringing.

That slap shattered her illusions about Kelvin.

She lowered her head, silent, feeling like her heart was being crushed, unable to say another word.

Kelvin walked past her, stepping on her hand, grinding it under his foot.

His voice was angry, "It seems you still haven't learned. Butler, don't treat her. Tomorrow, clean her up and bring her to my office. I'll teach her myself!"

He turned and went into the bathroom, punching the wall.

Kelvin despised himself. She was the enemy's daughter, how could he be soft on her?

Someone like her had no heart!

He should take his revenge!

Kelvin's mind kept replaying Penelope's face.

He had to admit.

He had paid too much attention to Penelope over the years.

At first, he just wanted to watch Penelope suffer through surveillance.

After all, the Cooper family had dared to kill his father, but her parents were either in prison or paralyzed.

The only one he could watch suffer was Penelope, who had been sent to prison.

But he didn't see Penelope crying in prison.

Instead, she survived like a weed, finding a way to live.

Kelvin knew that if it weren't for these events, he might have admired someone like her.

But there were no ifs.

He should make Penelope remember her place!