Chapter 7 Negotiation
Penelope's face flushed with embarrassment. "I—"
"How could someone as cunning as you possibly be any different?" Ajax's voice was as cold as ice. "People of the same kind flock together. Valeria has no sense of decency, and you're no better."
"Don't you dare insult Valeria, or me!" Penelope shot back, unable to hold her tongue.
Even if Valeria was the reason she had ended up like this, hearing her reputation attacked was too much to bear.
"Valeria?" He sneered, his eyes dark and venomous. "Do you want me to tell you she's had two abortions?"
Ajax had investigated Valeria long ago, though he hardly cared about the specifics. Marrying a woman was merely an assignment to him, a task to complete.
"Abortions?" Penelope couldn't believe it. In her mind, Valeria had always seemed so poised, the epitome of a refined heiress.
"And what about you?" he said, his tone laced with mockery. "Did you get some sort of… reconstruction surgery?"
"Reconstruction surgery?" Penelope was momentarily stunned, but then she understood and felt indignation rise within her. "You're accusing me unfairly!"
She didn't even have a boyfriend, let alone the need for such a procedure.
"Unfairly?" Ajax let out a cold laugh. "Are you still trying to deny running away? Are you still pretending?"
The accusation cut deeply, and Penelope lowered her eyes, feeling utterly trapped and powerless against him.
"I have to admit, you put on a convincing act of innocence," he mocked. "But when you're with me, you'd better not act like a dead fish. Only women who try to please me get to keep my favor. Make me unhappy, and I'll make sure you wish you were never born."
His words sent a fresh wave of terror through her.
Penelope shivered again, frustration bubbling up at the way he kept finding new ways to insult her.
What did he take her for? Who decided that everyone must be guilty by association?
Valeria had kept so many secrets from her, and remembering it hurt.
Yet, he—the man admired by so many women—meant nothing to her. She didn't want to have anything to do with him.
Penelope's large eyes widened, her anger and frustration tangled together. She couldn't match his sharp words, so she bit her lip to show her resolve.
"You have no right to act indignant, my dear substitute bride," he taunted.
His breath brushed her face and tickled her skin, making her feel even more uncomfortable.
Penelope's mind raced, recalling that kiss from earlier. Her first kiss had been stolen by him!
Shame and anger overwhelmed her, tears threatening to spill. She couldn't believe her first time might also end up taken by a man she'd only met twice.
"Mr. Grimwald... please, please let me go," she begged, a desperate plea lingering in her voice.
A faint hope still remained: Valeria could come back, and then this nightmare marriage could end.
If only she hadn't come here today. Regret filled her. The tension in the air, their intimate proximity—it terrified her that Ajax might suddenly force himself on her.
Penelope risked a glance at him, seeing the deep, night-like darkness in his eyes, as if he wanted to consume her whole.
Panicking, she looked away quickly. "Mr. Grimwald, can we... talk about a deal?"
Ajax's interest was piqued. "A deal?"
The look she gave him reminded him of a helpless little rabbit, struggling in vain. His gaze lingered, amused, waiting to see what kind of resistance she could muster.
Her scalp tingled, his dangerous expression making her tremble. She managed to push out the words from between clenched teeth with great effort. "Y-You said that if Valeria could be found..."
He remained silent, but his interest had been captured, and he was willing to hear more.
Penelope took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "So, could we wait a little longer? If we can't find her, I'll accept my fate. But if she comes back and I'm already... ruined, that won't be fair... I won't be able to marry anyone ever again."
Ajax narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on her delicate face, flushed with defiant resolve. For a fleeting moment, something unfamiliar stirred within him.
"You're the first to ever try negotiating with me," Ajax remarked.