The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 152

Penelope smiled sweetly. “So, are we still allowed to have careers in Orenth?”

“Penelope, I was just joking with you, cuz!”

“What a hilarious joke.” Her smile remained, but her eyes were cold as she turned to her mother’s grave. “Why is there a dirty shoe on my mother’s headstone?”

Chasel shot a sharp glare at his father. Mr. Lancaster scrambled over and snatched the shoe away.

“And there are footprints,” Penelope continued.

Mr. Lancaster immediately started to wipe the stone with his sleeve.

“I think your tongue would do a better job.”

“Penelope, you can’t ask him to—”

“And all this spit,” Penelope interrupted, her gaze sweeping over the Lancasters. “Whoever spat on it can lick it off.”

A stunned silence fell over the group.

“You’re going too far, child! We are your elders!” Grace Lancaster shouted.

“Chasel,” Penelope said, ignoring her and fixing her cousin with a pointed look. “It must have been quite a climb to your position as general manager, given your intelligence.”

Chasel’s jaw clenched. The threat was unmistakable: do as she says, or Theodore will fire him.

“Let’s not mix family matters with business, shall we?” he said, forcing a smile.

“A fair point,” Penelope nodded, then added, “But why should I be fair to you?”

“I—I’m your cousin…”

“Don’t make me laugh! Are you worthy? Do you know who I am now? I’m the future lady of Zenith Group. You’re not even in my league!”

“Don’t be so arrogant.”

Penelope’s lips curved into a smirk. “Everyone, it must be tiring to stand. Why don’t you kneel instead?”

Chasel’s fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. Finally, with a deep, shuddering breath, he knelt. Seeing him go down, the other Lancasters followed suit, their faces dark with humiliation.

“Auntie…” one began.

“Address her as Mrs. Laurier,” Penelope cut them off. “My mother is no longer part of your family, so stop trying to claim her.”

Left with no choice, they changed their address and, one by one, began to kowtow and offer their apologies.

Penelope knelt before her mother’s grave and took out a pack of wet wipes, gently cleaning away the filth. She hadn’t made them lick it. Their mouths were just as dirty; they would only stain the stone further.

“Mom, I’m here. I know you don’t want to see them, and you certainly don’t want that animal buried next to you. Don’t worry. I’m going to give you peace today.”

She turned and glared at Chasel. “I want you to move Lucien’s grave. Now.”

...