The Year I Was the Other Woman To Myself novel Chapter 449

“They can’t just decide they want the shipment one day and not the next. It doesn’t work that way!”

Penelope scoffed. “Tell the factory to ship the robots originally slated for the Bishop Group to other clients. As for the Bishops, let them stew.”

The crisis had finally passed, and Penelope could breathe a sigh of relief.

That evening at Star Villa, despite Mr. Stapleton Sr.’s presence, the atmosphere at the dinner table was still incredibly tense.

“I just found out that she’s the one responsible for Lorraine’s death! And Theo actually married her, brought her into the Stapleton family, and now she’s sitting at our table. How can any of you eat? I’ve certainly lost my appetite. I feel for Lorraine. It’s a tragedy!”

Steven slammed his fist on the table. A preemptive strike and a deflection—that seemed to be his strategy for the night.

His plot with Louis to harm Theodore had alarmed Joseph, prompting a hasty return to the country. But since coming back, he hadn't mentioned the incident. However, the calm before a storm often signals a more violent tempest to come, and tonight was destined to be anything but peaceful.

“Oh, Lorraine was such a darling. Her sudden death was heartbreaking for all of us! Even as her aunt, I still can’t get over it after all these years, let alone Renata. I can’t imagine how she’s managed all this time, only to be… to be driven mad by all this!”

Steven’s wife, Nydia, dabbed at her eyes before shooting a cold glare at Penelope.

“And for someone to have the gall to show her face in the Stapleton family, without a shred of remorse… It’s an insult to Lorraine’s memory, and to Renata!”

Penelope acted as if she hadn’t heard a thing and continued eating.

Theodore even placed a piece of braised lamb on her plate, urging her to eat more.

“Theo! I thought you loved Lorraine more than any of us, but now I see you’re nothing but a selfish, cold-blooded brother. Falling in love with the woman who killed your own sister, marrying her, and then parading your affection in front of us. Aren’t you afraid you’ll give your grandfather a heart attack?” Steven pressed on.

Mr. Stapleton Sr., who had just taken a sip of soup, nearly choked on it.

“You damn brat, are you wishing me dead!”

He roared at Steven, his eyes wide.

“You’re clueless but always trying to make a scene. I’m embarrassed to have fathered you!”

Steven’s eyes reddened with anger. “Dad, you’ve always favored Renata! And after Theo was born, it got even worse. I bet I’m not even your son—you probably found me somewhere!”

“Oh, I did. In a dumpster.”

“You’re calling me trash!”

“Ah, so you do have a brain in there somewhere.”

“Dad!”

Penelope continued eating in silence. She was witnessing what a truly sharp tongue was—one that didn’t even spare its own son. And the fact that Steven, after years of this treatment, could still come up with such idiotic schemes showed a resilience that was, in its own way, almost impressive.