With the situation handled, Yvonne turned her attention back to Norton.
He straightened his posture as she approached.
"I just returned to the country yesterday. I'll pay a visit to your family soon," Yvonne said with a slight smile.
Norton nodded. "My mother mentions you often."
"I heard…" Yvonne's smile wavered. "That your brother is getting married?"
"Yes, on the twenty-sixth of this month. My family should have sent you an invitation."
"I saw it."
"Oh."
Yvonne paused. "The bride's name is Penelope?"
Norton quickly put an arm around Penelope. "This is her. This is my sister-in-law."
Only then did Yvonne's gaze fix on Penelope, studying her carefully. "Have we met before?"
Penelope wanted nothing more than to avoid any connection to the Bishop family. "I don't know you, Ms. Bishop, and we've never met."
"Then it must be a coincidence of names," Yvonne said with another smile. "Theodore and I are friends. Congratulations to you both."
"Thank you."
"I must admit, his sudden announcement of marriage was quite a surprise. Ms. Laurier must have some hidden qualities. From what I can see right now, I don't find you particularly special."
"What you think of me doesn't matter in the slightest."
"Theodore doesn't love you."
Yvonne hadn't recognized her. It made sense, she supposed. Back then, her face had been bruised and swollen from Lucien's beating, and she had been covered in mud, looking like a little beggar. Yvonne had never seen her real face, so she couldn't recognize her now.
"Penelope, are you okay?" Norton asked, steadying her. He assumed she was upset about Yvonne and Theodore. "She's the only one with feelings for him. Theodore doesn't like her back. They never dated."
Penelope's mind was a mess. Whatever had happened between Yvonne and Theodore was in the past. Everyone had a past.
She just… she just didn't want any contact with the Bishop family. That was all.
"I'm fine. Let me take you back to campus."
Penelope forced herself to calm down. After dropping Norton off, she drove to the Johnson family's house. When she walked in, she saw Mr. Anderson and Mr. Johnson drinking tea in the courtyard. She ran over and wrapped her arms around Mr. Anderson from behind.
"Dad…"
The word had barely left her lips before she broke down in tears.

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