Chapter 4

Outside the door, Penelope lay on the ground, disheveled and in pain.

She moved her fingers, and the sharp pain slowly spread through her body.

The bitterness and grievance in her heart expanded endlessly, eventually turning into tears that fell onto the floor.

What had she done wrong? What had the Cooper family done wrong?

Why did her family have to suffer this unwarranted anger?

The butler watched the scene unfold, wanting to speak but holding back.

He could only sigh and offer some kind words.

"Mrs. Davis, Mr. Davis is actually quite easy to get along with, as long as you don't go against him. Let me help you with your wounds."

"No need. Some wounds just can't be healed."

Penelope forced herself to stand up.

She looked at the butler, the only one who showed her any kindness, and tried to smile but couldn't manage it.

Since she couldn't rely on Kelvin, she would have to rely on herself.

She would find out the truth, no matter what.

Penelope sat on the couch, carefully cleaning her wounds with iodine.

The butler, seeing her determination, could only watch silently, feeling a mix of emotions.

He had watched Kelvin grow up over the years.

Kelvin just couldn't see his own feelings clearly right now.

Kelvin must have feelings for Penelope.

But the way he was treating her, hurting her like this, he would regret it one day.

The doorbell rang.

A middle-aged woman with an air of elegance walked in, carrying a thermos. Her beautiful face was full of arrogance.

The butler's expression changed slightly, and he quickly went to greet her.

"Butler, who is this bitch?"

"Mrs. Andrews, this is the lady of The King Manor."

The butler's tone was calm, emphasizing the term "lady of the house."

"What?" Lily looked Penelope up and down, her eyes filled with disdain and hatred.

"So it's you. Just lucky, I suppose."

She had been helping Audrey, going to great lengths to drug Kelvin and get him into bed.

But Kelvin had switched rooms, leaving Audrey empty-handed and allowing Penelope to take advantage and rise to her current position.

"Lucky?" Penelope didn't understand, thinking Lily was saying she was lucky to have married Kelvin. She replied coldly, "I'm not lucky at all."

Lily, dissatisfied with everything she saw, placed the soup on the side table, her tone turning sharp.

"How did you, of all people, become the lady of the house? Look at you! So uncouth! How could Kelvin ever be interested in a woman like you?"

Penelope stood facing Lily, looking down at her own disheveled appearance, using it as an excuse to leave.

"If you can't stand me, then I'll leave right now."

As she turned to go, a hand grabbed her waist from behind, forcing her to stay.

Kelvin's scent invaded her senses, a scent that was pleasant but now made her feel nauseous, given their situation.

Penelope instinctively tried to move away, but Kelvin pulled her back.

This made her feel strangely confused.

"Mrs. Andrews, this is my wife. You have no right to interfere in my affairs."

Lily was displeased, adopting a maternal tone.

"I may be your stepmother, but I'm still your mother. Since she's my daughter-in-law, she should follow our family's rules. Kelvin, why are you defending her?"

"Is that so? Mrs. Andrews, you should recognize your own position."

Kelvin's gaze was icy. She was just a stepmother, overstepping her bounds.

Lily, humiliated in front of everyone, swallowed her words.

She pointed to the soup.

"As your mother, I don't interfere in other matters, but I put effort into making this soup every day. Kelvin, drink it while it's hot."

Kelvin, for once, didn't argue. He glanced at the soup thoughtfully and then waved his hand.

"Butler, see her out."

The butler pointed to the door, his attitude respectful. "Mrs. Andrews, please."

Penelope watched the scene unfold, gaining a clearer understanding of their relationship.

It seemed the rumors were true.

Kelvin and his stepmother did not get along.

Realizing she was still in Kelvin's arms, Penelope quickly moved away, standing to the side.

Kelvin's arms felt empty.

He frowned in displeasure, then smirked as if he had thought of something.

"Penelope, drink all the soup. Butler, make sure she finishes it."

He sat on the couch, watching Penelope, ensuring she drank it all.

He couldn't help but laugh internally. He had always found it odd that Lily insisted on bringing soup every day.

Recently, he had the soup tested and found something suspicious.

The soup contained substances that could cause infertility.

He was currently dealing with a low sperm count, but with treatment, he would recover in three months.

But if he didn't drink Lily's soup, she would find other ways to harm him.

Rather than wasting time outsmarting her, he decided to let Penelope drink it.

Whether Penelope could have children or not was of no concern to him.

Penelope, not understanding, didn't dare defy Kelvin.

She approached and opened the thermos, the rich aroma wafting up to her nose.

For some reason, what should have smelled delicious now made her feel nauseous.

Penelope looked at the carefully prepared soup, remembering that if things hadn't gone wrong two years ago, she would have been able to drink her mother's homemade soup.

In the end, she drank it all in one go.

Kelvin watched, satisfied, then stood up to leave, not forgetting to say, "Follow me."

Penelope followed him to his bedroom, noting the gray tones that made the room feel oppressive and somber.

She quickly lowered her head, not daring to look around.

Unbeknownst to her, Kelvin noticed this.

He hadn't turned on the lights, and the moonlight bathed her in a soft glow, her fair skin looking almost translucent, her lips red and full from drinking the soup.

Moreover, Penelope had drunk the soup, likely making her infertile.

Kelvin didn't understand why he always felt a surge of desire for her.

Damn it!

What was this woman pretending to be so innocent for?

Kelvin took a step forward, grabbing Penelope and dragging her towards the bathroom.

Penelope was startled, panicking. "What are you doing? Let go!"

"What am I doing? Fucking you. Penelope, you act like this every day. Isn't it just to seduce men? I'll satisfy you today!"

"No, I..."

Penelope tried to protest, but a kiss silenced her, her words stuck in her throat.

Lack of oxygen made her lips part slightly, becoming an unspoken invitation.

Kelvin's Adam's apple bobbed as he pressed her against the wall, deepening the kiss.