Chapter 82
“Marry Liam, Penelope.” Caroline, her mother, stated firmly as soon as Penelope settled onto the couch. “You’re past the age for marriage–actually. you’re overdue since you’re twenty–five. Don’t wait until you’re thirty, or you might find it hard to have kids.”
Penelope couldn’t help but laugh at her mother’s words. She leaned back against the couch, comfortably stretching her legs our “Oh, Mom, you really love to joke. If Liam heard that, he’d probably double over with laughter. But is that guy even capable of laughing! He always has that poker face; it’s like he’s been carved out of stone, don’t you think?” she asked with a grin, seeking her mother’s agreement
After all, it was true that Liam rarely showed any emotion. It was infuriating! No matter how frustrated Penelope got, he remained nonchalant. Ever since childhood, they had never clicked. They were like oil and water–never able to mix, no matter how hard they tried.
But Caroline remained serious. “I’m not joking, Penelope. You need to marry Liam. He needs to marry you, too. I’ve been planning this for both of you since you were little.”
“Hahahaha!” Penelope burst out laughing again. She clapped her hands in delight, wiping away the small tears that formed in the corners of her eyes. “Mom, you’re truly hilarious! You’re making me think you’ve recovered from your illness with all these things you’re saying?”
“Penelope.” Caroline called her name in a deep, serious tone.
Slowly. Penelope stopped laughing. She looked at her mother’s worried expression, her brows furrowing deeper than usual. Even after all she had been through. Caroline managed to sit up straight on the couch,
Penelope swallowed hard. Suddenly, she felt anxious. “M–Mom, stop joking. It’s not funny anymore. Are you really expecting me to marry Liam! The guy I can’t stand from the Moore family! Are you playing matchmaker like you did with Callisto and Amber?? Is this Auntie Amanda’s succestion!!”
“Yes.” Caroline was firm. “Yes, Penelope, I expect you, as my daughter, to marry Liam, the adoptive son from the Moore family. You will marry no other man but him. And that’s final.”
“MOM!!” Penelope shot up from her seat, her jaw nearly dropping at her mother’s words. “Whether you’re joking or not, that’s really not funny! Why would I marry that pest? You might as well have told me to jump off a bridge or gel run over by a truck! Should I just hang myself instead?!”
“Tak!” Caroline scolded her strictly. “Can you calm down and six, Penelope
Penelope bit her lower lip hard. Even though her heart raced with anger, she chose to sit back down to confess her feelings. “I love Gideon, Mom. He’s the only man I’ll marry:”
Caroline’s furrowed brow deepened. “What are you talking about? Are you serious right now! The guard of Callisto?!”
“Yes! Gideon Lee! I have loved him ever since he saved me from drowning in the swimming pool in the backyard!”
Penelope could vividly picture Gideon’s stunning face, along with the kiss she placed on his cheek just a few months ago. He wasn’t just handsome, he was hardworking, kind, sexy, and loyal. He came from a respectable and influential family like theirs. She couldn’t see any other man worthy of marrying her but him!
“Lee, huh?” Caroline’s expression soured. “I don’t like the Lee family: they have too many dirty secrets. It’s not good for you, my daughter, to marry just anyoor
“Mom! He’s not just anyone! The Lee family is nice, and they treated me well when Gideon introduced me to his parents, so-
“What did you say?” Caroline suddenly blurted out, startling Penelope. “Are you two in a relationship
Penelope stood her ground but lied. “Yes, Mom, he’s my boyfriend. We’re official with his parents! I even planned to bring him here to the mansion to introduce him to you, but it seems that won’t be necessary! But, Mom, I’m telling you right now, I will not marry Liam!”
Caroline let out a deep breath, almost exasperated. “Oh why, Penelope You’re so stubborn. I told you to stop being a flint, but look at you. How many boyfriends is this now? Over thirty, I think-
“I’m serious about Gideon Penelope cut her off firmly. “I’ve never felt this way about any other man but him.”
“Ha! Really now?” Disbelief was evident on Caroline’s face
as some sort of punishment for her past
Penelope grew serious and stood her ground. Maybe her mother was trying to marry her off to Liam as some so flirtations Caroline needed to know that Penelope was genuinely in love with only one man now!
“It sounds cheesy, but I really am in love with Gideon, Mom! I’ve known him for almost my entire life, and I’ve really thought this through! I chased after him for a whole year before he finally said yes last month! So, please don’t punish me like this, ruining all the effort I’ve put in just because you want me to marry Liam!” She was lying, since Gideon never agreed to her confession, knowing how flirtatious she was.
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Chapter 82
Penelope couldn’t even imagine Liam wearing a wedding suit while she waited for him at the altar in a wedding dress! No way! That would be nightmare!
Caroline massaged her temples and waved a hand in the air. “Get out of my sight; you’re giving me a headache. We’ll continue this conversation another day. Just wait until I call you again.”
Pouting. Penelope stood up. “Alright. Mom, take a rest. Til head out now.
She hurriedly left her mother’s office in the mansion.
Tkk! Was Caroline really serious? Marraget To Liam‘ She knew what kind of relationship they had with each other. It was worse than a dog and cat! At least dogs and cats can learn to get along when you put them in the same lisse, but Liam and Penelope? Hat She didn’t know what to say
anymore.
was fine,
They were totally incompatible. If she was water, he was oil. If he was water, she was fire. If he wo explode into each other.
was gasoline. In the end, they’d both just
Maybe Auntie Amanda and Caroline really did have a plan, and they were dragging her into it. Why did they have to make such a big deal out of Callistol
“Hey,”
Speaking of the devil…
Penelope stopped walking when she ran into her brother. She raised an eyebrow and smiled slyly. “You look well, Callisto. The last time I saw you. you were ugly sleeping in the hospital like a dying person. Now you’re back. I’m glad. But then again, all that preparation for your funeral with that Black dress and outfits was wasted—”
“I heard you’re going to marry Liam, Callisto cut her off, indifferent to her insults.
Upon hearing that, her anger flared. “Who’s marrying who?! I’m not marrying that creepy guy! I can’t even stand him!” She stomped her feet in frustration. “How can Mom want me to marry that guy!!” Suddenly realizing, she shot a glare at Callisto. “You! This is your fault, brother! If you hadn’t been fighting with Mom, I wouldn’t be caught up in this mess! It’s your fault” She hit Callisto’s arm several times.
“T” Callisto caught her thin wrist and lowered it. This is why Gideon will never like you back. You didn’t even bother to pretend to be nice to me, knowing I’m his boss. Tsk!”
Penelope paused. “Y–You!” She pointed at her brother in shock. “Do you have to drag my relationship with Gideon into this mess!! Urggh! I hate you! I hate you all!“
“Liam is at the door; it looks like you have somewhere to go, Callisto remarked nonchalantly, yet with a dark undertone, before turning away
“W–What?
Penelope’s heart raced as she turned toward the entrance. Her thoughts spiraled as she imagined Liam standing there, possibly waiting for her to join him for some ridiculous errand her mother had cooked up. How could her mother even think about marrying her to someone like him? Sure, he was from a well–off family, but that didn’t mean he was the right fit for her. He was stony and distant, and they had been at odds since they were kids.
“Liam?” she exclaimed, irritation spilling over into her tone. “What are you doing here?”
He stood with his arms crossed, an unreadable expression on his face. “Your mother asked me to escort you to the wedding of your friend.”
Penelope felt a wave of irritation wash over her as she looked at Liam. “A wedding she echoed incredulously, her brow furrowing. “You mean to tell me that my mother actually sent you to take me to a wedding? Is this some sort of twisted joker
Liam remained stoic, his dark eyes unwavering. “No joke. Your mother believes it would be good for you to attend. She thinks it might be beneficial for your social life,” he replied, his voice steady, almost bored.
Penelope huffed, crossing her own arms in defiance. “As if dragging me to some wedding would magically make me forget her ridiculous marriage plans! Why can’t she just leave me alone? Im an adult! I can make my own choices
“You could go to the wedding. It’s just one evening he suggested, but the way he said it, as if it were a chore, only fueled her frustration.
“One evening? You mean one evening of pretending to have a good time while being constantly reminded of my impending doom–marriage to you?” Penelope felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought.
Liam arched an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by her outburst. You don’t have to try the Penelope. But you might as replied, his tone even and calm
(act civil for one night,” he
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Chapter 82
“Act civil Civil?” She threw her hands up in exasperation. “Do you even hear yourself? You and I can barely stand each other, and now my mother expects us to play happy couple at a wedding? This is absurd!”
He pushed off the doorframe, stepping inside the house as he regarded her with a slightly bemused expression. “Look, Penelope, it’s just a wedding. We can get through it. It’s not like it’s a life sentence.”
With a huff, Penelope turned her back on him, feeling a mix of anger and bewilderment. Her thoughts swirled as she paced back and forth, trying to find a way to make sense of everything. Why did her mother think this was a good idea? Didn’t she see how disastrous the pairing was? The image of Liam’s stoic face only added to her frustration; he was like a rock, unyielding and unchanging, and she couldn’t stand it.
As Penelope continued to vent her frustrations, Liam waited patiently, arms crossed, watching her pace. “You really don’t want to go to the wedding?” he asked, breaking the silence.
T’d rather do a million other things, like cleaning the attic or reorganizing my closet she snapped, spinning around to face him. “But it’s not just about the wedding. It’s about my life. Liam! I don’t want to end up in a loveless marriage just because my mother thinks it’s a good idea!”
“Then don’t marry me, he replied, his voice flat. “We’ll go to the wedding, and that will be that. Your mother can think whatever she wants. We’re just going as friends.”
“Friends” Penelope scoffed, incredulous. “Since when have we ever been friends? We’re more like enemies stuck in a never–ending duel!”
Liam raised an eyebrow, his expression unfazed. “Well, tonight, we’ll be friends,” he said, a hint of sarcasm creeping into his tone. “And if it means you get to avoid the ‘marry Liam‘ talk for a while, then it’s worth it, right?
She paused, considering his words. There was something oddly appealing about the idea of using the wedding as a temporary shield against her mother’s matchmaking schemes. Maybe if she put on a brave face, she could distract everyone–and herself–from the mounting pressure of her mother’s expectations.
“Fine, she finally relented, running a hand through her hair in defeat. “But just so you know, I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for me.”
“Of course,” Liam replied, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Let’s just make it through the evening without any drama. I can handle that, can you?
“Drama?” Penelope repeated, irritation flaring again. “You’re looking at the queen of drama here! You have no idea what you’re signing up for!”
“Maybe I do he replied, his tone dropping slightly. “But this isn’t about us. It’s about surviving the night. So, are you coming or not?”
“Fine Penelope snapped “Let’s just get this over with!
She grabbed her purse and shot him a glare before walking toward the door. “But just so you know, I’m going to wear the most ridiculous outfit! can find, and you’ll have to be seen with me.”
Liam chuckled softly. “You really think I care about fashion choices? Just don’t embarrass yourself.”
“Ha! That’s rich coming from you! You look like you just stepped out of a corporate meeting at all timest “Better than looking like I just came from a clown convention,” he retorted with a straight face,
She couldn’t help but laugh at that, despite the situation. “Alright, alright. Let’s go, Mr. Corporate Suit
After divorce he wants[/caption]
