Penelope swirled her glass and replied, “Well, yes.”
Curious, Bella asked, “How did you recognize me today?”
“Isn’t it allowed to recognize you by your makeup?” Penelope replied with a smile.
Bella touched her face, puzzled. “Really?”
“I made all three of you look different today. Of course, I can recognize you,” Penelope explained, still smiling.
Bella returned the smile and said, “Cheers.”
Penelope raised her glass, too, saying, “Cheers.”
They drank and put their glasses down, their faces not yet flushed.
“You’re quite the drinker,” Penelope complimented Bella.
Bella smiled and replied, “It’s kind of a family thing.”
Suddenly, a strange man bumped into them. His eyes lit up upon seeing the two beautiful women, and he immediately started flirting with them. When dealing with such men, shouting or politely asking them to leave was often futile. Bella shrugged, unsure of how to handle the situation.
Penelope glanced at the man and communicated with her eyes, “Let’s get him drunk!”
Penelope snapped her fingers to get the bartender’s attention and ordered some drinks.
“Care for a drink?” Penelope smiled and asked the man.
“Of course!” After just two glasses of Long Island iced tea, the man urgently headed to the bathroom.
The bartender came over and said, “Lady, didn’t you have a drink?”
“I did,” Penelope showed an empty glass.
“You’re not even tipsy after two glasses. You’re really good at holding your liquor,” the bartender marveled.
Penelope smiled and tapped the table, signaling to Bella that they should leave.
“Lady, do you know who that man was?” the bartender asked her.
“Who was he?” Penelope asked.
“Someone you can’t mess with,” the bartender said, shaking his head with pity.
Indeed, the man returned, accompanied by three strong bodyguards.
Bella turned to Penelope, who raised her eyebrows and commented, “You don’t look too good.”
“You dared to try and get me drunk! You’re the first!” the man sneered.
Penelope took a step back, avoiding the spray of alcohol from his lips. He reached out to grab her, but to his surprise, his hand was caught by someone behind him. He was quickly wrestled to the ground.
Penelope looked at Bella in shock. “You did that?”
Bella calmly replied, “Boxing. I learned it as a child.”
The three bodyguards saw their boss being overpowered and rushed over to intervene.
“Wait a minute!” Penelope shouted.
The three strong men stopped in front of Penelope, wondering what she wanted.
Penelope reached out to grab Bella.
“What are you doing?” Bella cried out.
“Let’s run!” Penelope replied, and they dashed into the crowd.
Bella shouted, “I thought you were going to fight them with me. Why are you being so spineless?”
“I don’t know how to fight!” Penelope admitted.
“What?!” Bella’s protest was cut short as she was caught by one of the bodyguards. Bella stood at less than 1. 6 meters tall, while the strong man who had captured her was over 1. 8 meters tall, making it clear who had the upper hand.
“Don’t hurt her!” Penelope yelled.
The bodyguard snorted and lifted Bella with one hand, leaving her feet dangling about 6 inches off the ground. A crowd gathered, and everyone witnessed what was happening.
Their boss stepped forward and said with a smile, “Run, just keep running.”
Penelope noticed Linda and the others preparing to fight, and she glanced at them to stop them, creating a deadlock between the two sides.
Penelope then turned her attention back to the man and couldn’t help but ask, “Do you know Warren Duncan?”
The man paused, suspicious. “Why are you asking me this?”
Penelope showed him her phone and said, “He wants to talk to you.”
The man looked at the flashing interface and took the phone cautiously. At that moment, Penelope swiftly punched the man in his right eye.
“Damn it!” The man clenched his fist, ready to retaliate.
Penelope’s automatic reflex was to crouch down, and she felt a gust of wind passing over her head. Another man, standing behind her, firmly caught the first man’s fist. Slowly, the first man’s face twisted in agony, and with the sound of bones breaking, his screams echoed throughout the bar.
Bella, who had been held up in the air, stared at the man standing behind Penelope. “Brother?”
Penelope stood up and turned to look at the tall man behind her, measuring about 1. 9 meters in height. His eyebrows were sharp, and it appeared that crushing a fist was as easy as crushing an egg.
The bodyguard put down Bella and joined the other two. Suddenly, all the overhead lights in the bar were turned on. The previously dim and blurred environment was replaced by bright, well-lit surroundings.
Footsteps approached and stopped behind Penelope, sending a chill down her spine. She slowly turned her head and saw Warren, the one she had “abandoned” at home to take care of Chris.
“Mr. Davis must rush to the hospital,” Warren said, bowing his head and looking at the man lying on the ground. The man was sweating and groaning, eventually being helped up by the bodyguards. “I apologize, Mr. Duncan. I’ve offended your friends. I’m really sorry.”
“Are you hurt?” Warren turned to Penelope, who shook her head and sought refuge behind him. “She forgives you. You can go now,” he instructed, lifting his chin.
Davis was assisted out of the bar.
The manager stepped forward to apologize, and Warren commented, “I believe you should consider reorganizing your bar.”
“Yes, Mr. Duncan,” the manager responded, wiping sweat from his brow and looking nervously at the tall man behind Warren.
Bella asked, “Why are you here?”
She watched her brother approach and asked Warren, “Is this your girlfriend? I just helped her block a fist.”
Warren smiled and pulled Penelope forward, who had been standing behind him. He said, “This is my wife. She’s playful.”
Penelope argued, “I’m not playful…”
“Shut up,” Warren interjected, giving her a glance.
Penelope obediently remained silent and bowed her head. “Let’s have a drink together. I have two bottles of good wine, but I haven’t had the chance to open them.”
“Forget it. Let’s save it for another time. I’m quite busy with business right now…” the man smiled.
Warren patted Penelope’s head and introduced him, “This is David Lee, my friend.”