The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 16

That kind of love was cheap and shameless, and she wanted no part of it. Rebecca was just as bad, calling herself a best friend while committing the ultimate betrayal.

She would make them both pay.

The next morning, Penelope joined the Sullivans for breakfast.

Mrs. Sullivan shot several glares her way. When Penelope didn’t react, she began speaking in a loud, passive-aggressive tone. “Some people just don’t know their place. They think the company can’t survive without them.”

“Hah. Is she still waiting for us to beg her to come back?”

“We really gave her too much credit. That’s why she has such delusional ideas.”

“Mom,” Zebulon said, shaking his head. “Stop it. Let’s just eat.”

“I’m her mother-in-law. I’m just teaching her some humility!”

“Thank you for the lesson,” Penelope said, turning to Mrs. Sullivan with a sweet smile. “You’re right. I’m completely useless. I’ve never closed any major deals or made any real money for the company. Dad was right to fire me.”

“Hmph. At least you have some self-awareness,” Mrs. Sullivan said, looking smug.

“Oh, that reminds me, I still have a thick stack of files to hand over. There’s the Zenith Group commercial street project, the luxury villa development… oh, and the KINY Group mall.” She turned to Mr. Sullivan. “Do I still need to hand those over, Dad? They’re not exactly major projects, after all.”

Mr. Sullivan’s face darkened. “Of course you do. It’s your responsibility!”

Penelope then looked back at Mrs. Sullivan. “I’m sure you’ve never heard of these projects, Mother. You’re so busy at home watching television and gardening. You wouldn’t have time for such things.”

“You—!”

“Now that Dad has fired me, I’ll have plenty of free time. I can stay home with you. We can watch TV and garden together. Won’t that be lovely?”

Mrs. Sullivan’s blood pressure skyrocketed. What had gotten into Penelope? She used to be so respectful, but now every word out of her mouth was laced with poison.

Zebulon thought for a moment. “Maybe you should just take some time off at home.”

After Mr. Sullivan and Zebulon left for work, Penelope went upstairs to change. Since the handover wasn’t complete, she still had to go to the office. But her hours were now her own.

As she was heading out, Mr. Johnson called her.

“Penelope, get to my office, quickly! I begged my son for ages, and he’s finally made time to see me. It’s the perfect opportunity for you two to meet.”

“Your son is that busy?” That his own father had to beg for a meeting?

“Of course! My son is an incredibly important man.”

Penelope had to laugh. She was actually curious to meet this incredibly important son of his. According to Mr. Johnson, his son was so handsome that one look was enough to make any woman fall hopelessly in love.