Chapter 13 Honest Body
At Ajax's command, a dozen maids entered the room, each carrying an elegant outfit. "Please, Mrs. Grimwald, make your choice."
The display was overwhelming—each garment more luxurious than the last.
Penelope clutched her blanket, feeling both embarrassed and indignant. She reached for the outfit held by the maid nearest to her.
"Everyone, please leave," she whispered.
The maids quickly exited, but Ajax remained, adjusting his tie with graceful precision in front of the dressing mirror.
"You too... leave..." Her voice was barely audible.
Ajax glanced at her, his head lowered, with an indifferent, icy stare. Then, with a smirk of pure arrogance, he said, "Penelope, is there a single part of you I haven't seen or touched?"
"You!" Penelope raised her head, only to falter.
Remembering her position, she looked down again.
Though she feared him, she resolutely held her ground, waiting for him to finally leave the room. Only then did she slip out of bed and head to the bathroom.
As Penelope caught her reflection in the mirror, fresh tears welled up. Her neck, shoulders, and chest were covered in his hickeys.
Ajax was despicable. No matter how much he wanted to punish her, how could he leave hickeys on her body to vent his frustrations?
It was the 21st century—most women were liberated in thought. Yet Penelope had grown up determined to save her first time for the one she truly loved. And this man...
"Ajax, I hate you," she muttered.
…
After her shower, Penelope searched the room for her bag and phone, only to remember that when Ajax had whisked her away from the speed dating event, she'd left everything on a chair.
Annoyed, she smacked her forehead, feeling overwhelmed by the chaos. She took a deep breath, hoping to calm herself.
Just then, a warm voice came from outside the door. "Mrs. Grimwald, Mr. Grimwald has requested your presence downstairs."
Still seething, Penelope followed the butler downstairs, where Ajax sat at the dining table, eating breakfast with poised elegance. She only followed because she wanted to leave the Grimwald residence as quickly as possible.
As he ate, Ajax cast her a cool glance. She was dressed in a simple dress, her face clean and free of makeup, giving her a pure, natural radiance.
"Mr. Grimwald, I'm leaving now," she said firmly, addressing him in her usual formal way, despite what had happened between them.
"Where to?"
"I need to return to the university!" She had been dragged back here yesterday, but today, she was due back at campus.
"Back to the Jiang household," Ajax remarked.
"No, I—" Penelope began, only for him to cut her off.
"Until the wedding, you'd better stay put with the Vileharts. If I find out you've done otherwise, not one member of your family will get away unscathed—I guarantee that." His tone grew colder as he glared at her. "Think carefully: can you really afford to defy me?"
She paled, a wave of helplessness washing over her. "I won't fight you anymore. Please… let me go back to the university."
"Once we're married, you're free to go to the university—or anywhere else." His words were unyielding, each one pressing down on her. "Or would you prefer to stay here with the Grimwalds?"
She drew a sharp breath. His words weighed on her like iron shackles, and she knew she couldn't resist.
In her eyes, he was an arrogant, domineering man—distant and impossible to reason with.
"Why does there even have to be a wedding?" she murmured miserably.
If they went through with it, everyone would know, wouldn't they?
Ajax shot her a disdainful look. "You should be grateful that someone as busy as I am has found the time to marry you."
Penelope's heart soured. Ajax was impossibly arrogant!
Though she kept silent on the outside, inside, her thoughts were racing with every insult she could think of.
Nestor noticed the tension and gently pulled out a chair for her at the table. "Mrs. Grimwald, please, sit down. It's tiring to stand."
"I'm not hungry," she replied stubbornly, still simmering.
She despised Ajax. He was too overbearing and controlling. She couldn't resist the marriage, but she could at least maintain her dignity.
Just then, her stomach growled, a loud and undeniable protest in the morning stillness.
Ajax's gaze slid to her, his sharp, handsome features lifting into a mocking smile. "Your mouth says no, but your body seems quite honest."
Penelope felt mortified. In front of this man, her dignity was worth less than nothing.