Sitting in the back seat of the car, Warren took out her first imperfect work, smoothed it with his hand, and observed it carefully.
Her technique wasn’t very sophisticated, but she already understood that capturing the essence and spirit was more important than achieving a perfect likeness. In the painting, he was looking down as if contemplating something.
She had mentioned that the eyes weren’t vivid enough, probably because “he” wasn’t directly looking at the “artist” but instead had his head slightly bowed as if focused on something.
Warren chuckled. It seemed that even this detail was captured with remarkable realism.
“Sir, why are you laughing?” the driver asked with a smile.
“The investment in her tuition seems to be paying off. She appears to be a diamond in the rough,” he remarked in a good mood as he held the painting in his hand.
The driver smiled. He had a good rapport with Penelope and was aware of her diligent nature, always putting all her best effort into accomplishing tasks. He remarked, “She probably regrets not having gone to school. Last time, when she was learning gardening, she protected the books well, which the butler gave her.”
Warren furrowed his brows and said, “Attending school isn’t the most important thing. What matters is a commitment to learning and self-improvement. I believe she’s doing well in that regard.”
“Yes.”
People who hadn’t attended traditional school often held a deep reverence for books. As he pondered this, an idea suddenly crossed his mind.
****
Penelope took the brush, alternating her gaze between Mrs. Brown and the drawing board.
Mrs. Brown finished stripping the green beans and inquired, “I’ve completed my task. Are you done?”
“Not yet!” Penelope shook her head.
“How much longer will it take? I’m about to start cooking.”
“Please give me a moment.” Penelope retrieved her phone, snapped a picture of Mrs. Brown, and said, “Alright, you can cook now.”
Mrs. Brown smiled, stood up, and remarked, “If Master Asher had studied as diligently as you, he probably wouldn’t have pursued archeology, such an unpopular major.”
Penelope chuckled but did not reveal to Mrs. Brown that it had been Asher’s scheme. Back then, he had applied for archeology, so regardless of his grades, the outcome would have remained the same.
However, with Asher’s trick, he must have told his grandmother that his grades were not good enough, so he had no choice but to accept that offer.
Penelope continued to draw according to the photo on the phone before her.
Both the grandmother and grandchild were using their own methods to treat each other well. They had genuinely good intentions.
****
Throughout the day, Warren took out the painting from time to time. Occasionally, he smiled. After dinner, Warren stopped Penelope and handed her a velvet box.
“What is this… Wow!” Penelope took it, opened it, and exclaimed.
With a smile, he said, “This is a progress award.”
Inside the box was a necklace, a concentric platinum pendant sparkling with fine diamonds.
“A big award…” Penelope sweated nervously on her forehead.
It was the most precious gift she had ever received.
Mrs. Brown came over, holding a fruit juice. She smiled and said, “The painting is really good, especially the butler’s, it’s identical!”
He looked at Penelope. “The butler also has one?”
“Everyone in the house has a painting. They all look similar,” Mrs. Brown said with a smile.
Penelope nodded and said, “I don’t have much money to buy gifts for everyone. In order to thank everyone for taking care of me, I sent them these. It’s affordable and it represents my gratitude.”
Warren’s enthusiasm cools down.
Penelope untied the buckle of the necklace and handed it to Mrs. Brown. “Please help me wear it.”
Mrs. Brown waved her hands. “I have poor eyesight. You can ask Mr. Duncan for help.”
Penelope minced to the front of Warren, picked up the hair on her neck, and handed him the necklace. She smiled and said, “Can you please help me to wear it?”
She bent over and stretched her head in front of him, in a waiting pose.
He held the necklace in both hands and said, “Lower.”
“Okay.”
“Lower a little.”
“Okay.”
When his hands slightly touched the skin of her neck, she shuddered, and her goosebumps stood up immediately.
Penelope’s ears turned red. Her voice was as small as a mosquito. “Are you finished?”
“It’s tangled in your hair,” he said calmly.
“What?” Penelope looked up, and the necklace pulled her hair. She felt the sting of a hair strand on her head.
He put his hand on the top of her head. “Wait.”
Penelope felt tired because she had been bending down for a long time. She knelt on the ground and said, “Be careful, don’t break my new necklace.”
He unraveled her hair carefully and said, “You’re not worried about your hair, but you’re worried about the necklace?”
“I can grow my hair, but it’s a pity if the necklace breaks.”
Warren said, “Just buy another one if the necklace breaks.”
“Really?” She was excited and jerked.
Warren pulled a few of her hairs again.
“Ouch…” Penelope covered the place where her hair was pulled and kneaded it.
Her hair fell in his palm, but she had fallen on his heart.
“Have you unraveled it?” She asked.
“Yeah, I’ve finally done it.”
He slowly took apart her hair and the necklace. On her slim and smooth neck, an expensive sparkling necklace showed the woman’s tenderness.
Penelope only felt that the hair on her head was heavy, and there was a momentary, oppressive feeling. She turned back in confusion and found him sitting straight.
“Okay,” he said.
“Thanks,” Penelope said, standing up with her eyes down. She reached for the necklace and rubbed it with her thumb.
The place he had touched felt like a flash of lightning. She wouldn’t deny that it was love.
Before going to bed, she was pacing back and forth inside the room.
Suddenly, she stopped and took out the phone to dial.
However, Asher’s phone was turned off.
“Hmm…” Penelope lay on the bed and whispered.
Because she was keeping secrets in her mind, she didn’t sleep well. She flipped over with her brows frowning.