Chapter 4 Marriage Disagreement
"I don't know what he said," Penelope replied.
She thought, 'I can't let the matter of Valaeria's runaway marriage slip out, or Berta might stir up another storm.'
Penelope paused, her mind racing. 'If Berta disagrees, does that mean Ajax won't agree either?'
Just as she was about to speak, Berta suddenly snapped, "You don't know? If you don't tell me the whole story, I won't let you off the hook."
"Ma'am! I really don't know!" Penelope retorted.
Berta had never liked her, often using harsh words to threaten her. But this time, no matter what, Penelope couldn't tell the truth.
Berta narrowed her eyes, sizing her up with suspicion. She knew that, although Penelope always showed respect, she was stubborn and wouldn't crack under pressure.
No matter how much Berta probed, Penelope wouldn't reveal anything.
Berta sneered. "Is that so? The Vilehart family isn't worthy of this marriage."
Penelope blinked innocently. "You don't agree?"
Berta scoffed. "Of course I don't!"
'This girl, where did she get such luck? She meets Ajax, and now she thinks she can marry him? A good fortune like that—why should the daughter of a mistress get it?' Berta thought.
But whether the story was true or not remained uncertain. Penelope's tight lips told Berta that she was hiding something, and Berta had to find out if Ajax was really involved.
"You'd better deal with the weeds quickly," Berta warned with a cold smile. "Don't blame me for scolding you later if you're late!"
If what Penelope said was true and Ajax wanted to marry her, Berta would never accept it. She would never allow it, not in a million years.
But to her surprise, Penelope looked unusually happy when she heard those words. It was as if she had received some kind of reassurance.
A smile spread across her face, and she skipped away joyfully.
This was great! Since ancient times, it was the parents who decided matters of marriage. Even if Ajax wanted to marry her, what could he do if Berta refused?
For the first time, Penelope was glad that Berta disliked her.
…
By the time Penelope finished clearing the weeds, it was already dusk.
Covered in dirt, Penelope glanced down at herself. She washed up before taking a car to the Grimwald residence.
The Grimwald family was well-known in Fiaris. She had only provided the address, and the driver quickly whisked her to the entrance of their residence.
"Excuse me. Is Mr. Grimwald at home?"
The butler, Nestor Gebril, who had seen Penelope earlier that day, recognized her immediately.
He opened the gate and said respectfully, "Mrs. Grimwald, just call me Nestor. Mr. Grimwald is in the study. Please, follow me."
During the day, Penelope hadn't paid much attention to her surroundings, but now, under the bright evening lights, she couldn't help but glance around as she walked.
The residence was huge—far larger than the Vilehart family's, at least five or six times bigger. The furnishings and decorations inside were lavish and expensive-looking.
'The Grimwalds are incredibly wealthy,' Penelope thought.
When they arrived at the study on the second floor, Nestor knocked on the door. "Mr. Grimwald, Mrs. Grimwald is here."
Penelope puffed out her cheeks and muttered to herself, "They really do seem to accept me now. It's almost unbelievable."
After Nestor left with a smile, Penelope gently pushed open the door to the study.
Ajax was at his desk, engrossed in paperwork. Even as she entered, he didn't seem to notice, his eyes fixed on the files in front of him.
Lost in his work, his expression was serious, exuding an air of danger. This man always made her feel an unexplainable pressure.
The study was eerily quiet, so still that it felt as though even the faintest sound would echo.
Being in the presence of such an important figure made Penelope's heart race with nervousness.
The inevitable had to happen, though.
Penelope took a deep breath and raised her voice. "Mr. Grimwald, my family doesn't approve of my marriage."