Chapter 453: Penny's Return
Hattie said, “You haven’t met her children. They look nothing like her. Even the siblings don’t resemble each other. At first glance, you’d never guess they were family.”
Isolde replied, “So, you suspect they aren’t actually related?”
“Yes. Right now, we need to verify two things: their place of birth and whether Heidi and her late husband truly had children.”
Isolde mused, “If their identities are fabricated, the spies would have covered their tracks meticulously. Francisco leaves no room for error. Official records won’t reveal anything.”
“Then where should we investigate?”
Isolde said, “Where she once lived. There must be neighbors. Start with the locals for information.”
“Understood. I’ll head there shortly,” Hazel said.
“Good. Eat first, then go. Be quick.”
Isolde summoned the café attendant, ordered a few pastries, and requested a pot of premium coffee. Hazel ate swiftly, devouring the treats like a whirlwind. Wiping her mouth, she declared, “I’m off.”
“Be careful!” Isolde called after her.
“Will do!” Hazel hurried away.
Isolde watched her leave, then turned to settle the bill. Just then, two figures entered the café. One was August, Cristina’s father. The other, though dressed in men’s attire, was unmistakably Penny.
Penny had indeed returned to Argentum. The two strode inside and entered a private room.
Isolde rose immediately. “Wait here,” she told Hattie. Moving cautiously, she tailed them. The bustling café provided cover, and Penny never glanced back, so she went unnoticed.
Once August and Penny entered their room, Isolde asked the attendant to seat her in the adjacent one. These private rooms were separated only by thick screens. It was impossible to see through, but voices carried.
She handed the attendant a piece of gold. “Please leave. No disturbances.”
Isolde was shocked. Why is Penny with August? Did they know each other before?
“Penny,” August began, his voice tinged with excitement and joy, “when did you return? I thought you’d never come back to Argentum. Seeing you is such a surprise. In that disguise, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Penny’s tone was calm by contrast. “I arrived yesterday. I sought you out today but feared your wife might recognize me, hence the disguise.”
August said, “She’s always been unreasonable. Don’t take it to heart.”
“I’ve no right to blame her. In fact, I should thank her,” Penny replied.
The sound of coffee being poured followed.
Isolde pressed closer to the screen, puzzled. Thank Mrs. Felton? Unless…
“I returned because I heard he was dismissed,” Penny said.
August sighed. “Yes. It wasn’t his fault. My foolish daughter dragged him into it. He defended his sister, crossed Princess Isolde of the Langley family, and paid the price.”
“Isolde?” Penny’s voice held a hint of surprise.
“Indeed. Though truthfully, it wasn’t Isolde’s doing. He acted rashly, blinded by love for his sister. Slandering a high official, driving Geoffrey to suicide… The King reprimanded him and stripped him of his post.”
Penny’s voice turned icy. “Serves him right.”
August fell silent for a moment before speaking softly, “He’s not inherently bad. Just impulsive. Young men inevitably make mistakes. Don’t be too angry.”
“What good does my anger do? He is not by my side. He doesn’t even know I’m his mother,” Penny said bitterly.
August sighed softly. “Do you want to claim him? He’s learned some of the truth. If you wish, I’ll bring him to you.”
“No need,” Penny replied.
Isolde listened, feeling greatly alarmed. Is Arthur Penny’s son? Born to her and August?
Earlier investigations suggested Penny had once tried to become a concubine but was beaten and humiliated by the primary wife, who took her child.
Rage flared in Isolde’s chest. This seemingly honest August deceived Penny, let her bear his son, then abandoned her to be forcibly separated from her son and exiled to a distant land.
Poor Penny. All these years, she could only endure her days in Windermount, pining for the son she lost.
Isolde thought this way, her heart filled with both grief and rage. She could hardly wait to rush over and beat up August right then and there, to vent Penny’s grievances for her.
Just as she was seething with anger, she heard voices coming from over there again. It was August asking Penny, “All these years… you’ve been in Windermount?”
“Yes.”
“Were you… well?”
“Very well.” Her tone was flat, devoid of emotion.
After a silence, Penny asked, “He still has no children?”
“None.” August hesitated. “He… is divorced.”
“Why?” A thread of tension entered Penny’s voice.
“He married Agnes, the daughter of the Valen family. You knew that. I once wrote to tell you. After marriage, they got along fairly harmoniously. His wife cared for him. But… circumstances changed. His mother-in-law grew disdainful, and as you know, my wife has a domineering temperament and often found fault with Agnes. With all these reasons combined, it ended up this way. Truly helpless.”
“So the Valen family scorned him,” Penny said coldly.
August was quiet for a moment. “Pablo’s intentions are unclear, but Margaret likely grew disdainful, and even Agnes came to look down on him. Our family’s status was never high. His official post was our only pride. Now that he has been dismissed, with the king decreeing he shall never be reinstated, who would still regard him with respect? Penny, I am truly ashamed. I failed to care for him properly. I beg your forgiveness.”
Penny’s voice was heavy. “You raised him well. You tended to him meticulously, nurtured him into officialdom. That he became a baron at such a young age is largely your doing. For this, I am truly grateful. His downfall is his own doing. No one else is to blame.”
Isolde seethed. How can she be so forgiving? He deserves worse!
Just as Isolde could bear it no longer and prepared to storm over and berate August, she heard Penny say, “I’ve heard enough. Thank you for meeting me. I must go.”
“Won’t you stay? Tell me about your life these years.”
“I’ve been comfortable. At Belleview Manor, wanting for nothing, with good company.”
“Belleview Manor? That sounds familiar… Oh! That’s Isolde’s…”
“Yes. I’m going to see her now. Farewell.”
Only after they had both left did Isolde slowly slide open the private booth’s door and step out. Returning to her window-side seat, she found August now sitting with Hattie.