Asher glanced in the rearview mirror. His eyes did look swollen and dark as if he’d been crying.
“My grandfather was really nice to us despite all his affairs,” Asher said, sounding downcast.
Penelope sniffed and continued to blow her nose.
“Oh, where’s my bag?” She suddenly remembered that she had left it on the sofa in the lounge. “Please wait, I forgot my bag!”
Asher was about to start the car when Penelope quickly stopped him and got out of the car.
“Hey, did you do that on purpose?” Asher shouted from the car.
Was she resorting to such tricks just to see him again?
Penelope began walking back while counting the doors.
In this upscale place, she didn’t have to worry about her modest bag being stolen. Sure enough, her small bag was lying quietly on the sofa, waiting for her.
Penelope was ready to leave with her bag when she touched the handle and heard voices from outside. One of them seemed to be Warren’s mother.
“Oh no!” Penelope looked around, searching for a second exit.
As the footsteps approached and the conversation outside became clearer, she moved around the room, desperately looking for a hiding place.
Whether Penelope was the girlfriend of her grandson or her son, she was definitely not the ideal person in the eyes of Warren’s mother. If they were to meet now without Asher or Warren around, Penelope felt like a target in front of a firing squad.
But this room was empty, containing nothing but a sofa and a coffee table.
Penelope glanced outside the window. Being on the third floor, jumping out was not an option.
Wait, was there a platform outside? It seemed like a potential hiding spot.
Kathrine supported old Mrs. Duncan, and she opened the door, saying softly, “Please come this way, take it slow.”
Old Mrs. Duncan was exhausted, returning after everyone had persuaded her.
“Thank you for accompanying me today,” Old Mrs. Duncan said as she sat down, sighing and smiling at Kathrine.
Kathrine poured a cup of water and handed it to old Mrs. Duncan, replying, “It’s my pleasure.”
“You are very considerate. Your parents have taught you very well,” the old lady remarked, looking at her with kind eyes, as if she already considered her a daughter-in-law.
Kathrine smiled and said, “It’s just that our company is busy. My father couldn’t stay here to help. Please don’t mind.”
“Well, that’s okay. Our families have been friends for generations. Don’t we know each other by now? There are enough people here, and there’s really no need to bother people in your family to run around. Besides, I’m very happy that you are with me,” Old Mrs. Duncan replied, patting Kathrine’s hand.
Kathrine smiled.
“Oh, why is the window open?” A cool breeze greeted her from behind, and she walked toward the window.
On the platform, which was less than a meter wide, Penelope felt quite uncomfortable with her big belly. Squatting down was the only way to alleviate her discomfort.
Kathrine closed the window and turned around.
Penelope felt like she was eavesdropping.
“Kathrine, come here,” the old lady beckoned.
“What can I do for you? Please tell me,” Kathrine walked to her slowly and gracefully.
Old Mrs. Duncan asked, “Tell me honestly, how is your relationship going with Warren?”
Kathrine did not expect the old lady to ask such a straightforward question, and she felt somewhat shy. But she also knew that this was not the time to avoid answering. If she couldn’t fully win Warren’s heart for now, she needed to find stable support for herself.
This support was the old lady in front of her.
Penelope grew increasingly uncomfortable from squatting for a long time. It appeared that they wouldn’t be leaving soon. She quickly took out her phone and asked Asher for help. Asher, upon hearing that she was trapped on the third-floor platform, was nearly panicked.
“You… don’t move, I’ll come right away!” Asher exclaimed, vaulting over the railing with one hand and running anxiously.
Five minutes later, Asher opened the door to the lounge, following Penelope’s instructions. Both old Mrs. Duncan and Kathrine looked at him with surprise.
Asher was a bit out of breath as he said, “Something’s gone wrong; come and see.”
“What happened?” Old Mrs. Duncan asked with concern, “What’s wrong with your uncle?”
Asher paused, glanced at the calm Kathrine, and casually fabricated, “There’s something wrong with Uncle Warren. He said his heart is bothering him, and he’s feeling a bit dizzy.”
Panic quickly overtook both old Mrs. Duncan and Kathrine, and they hurriedly left for the hall.
As soon as they left, Asher swiftly locked the door, ensuring no one could enter again.
“Stupid Penelope, where are you!”
Penelope reached out and knocked on the window. The window had been shut from the inside by Kathrine just moments ago, making it impossible for Penelope to open it with her own strength.
Asher opened the window promptly and reached out to pull her in.
“Slower, my legs are numb…”
“You’re still pregnant. What were you thinking?!” Asher scolded her sternly as he helped her back onto solid ground, finally having a moment to express his concern.
“I was panicking; who would have guessed I’d have such bad luck.”
Penelope lay down on the couch, her knees still numb.
Asher peered out of the window and remarked, “You weren’t afraid of falling off that narrow platform?”
“I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. It was only afterward that I got scared when I thought about it.” Penelope picked up the teapot and refilled her cup.
Taking a sip, she began to calm down.
“I just couldn’t bring myself to look down. If I died, that would be my own fate. But if my baby died, it would be my fault.”
“That’s nonsense. Your life is valuable, too.” Asher couldn’t help but pat her head.
“For my own life, I can take responsibility, but the child is innocent,” Penelope insisted.
“Alright, can we go now?” Asher extended his hand to help her up.
“Just give me a moment to recover,” Penelope replied.
“You weren’t this delicate before.”