Upon hearing those venomous words cutting through the refined atmosphere of the restaurant corridor, Jeremy didn't even need to think twice about who was speaking. The voice was unmistakably familiar carrying that particular combination of arrogance, disdain, and barely controlled hostility that he had come to associate with one of the most unpleasant people from his past life.Jeremy slowly turned around, his expression shifting from the relaxed contentment he'd been feeling moments before to something much more guarded and tense. As he completed his turn, his suspicions were immediately confirmed. Standing there in the elegant hallway, looking completely out of place despite her expensive clothing and jewelry, was exactly who he had feared it would be.Penelope—his ex-wife Patricia's best friend, confidante, and perhaps most toxic enabler. The woman who had spent years whispering poison into Patricia's ear, encouraging her worst impulses, and actively working to undermine Jeremy's r

At that moment, upon hearing what the waitress had just said with such professional certainty and unmistakable finality, Penelope felt as if the ground had suddenly shifted beneath her feet. Her jaw immediately dropped open in a completely unguarded expression of shock and disbelief, her carefully maintained composure shattering like glass as she processed words that seemed to make absolutely no sense.For several long seconds, Penelope simply stood there frozen, her mouth hanging open in a most unflattering way as her mind struggled to reconcile what she had just heard with everything she believed she knew about Jeremy and his financial circumstances. The confident, superior expression that had been plastered across her face just moments before had completely evaporated, replaced by raw, unfiltered astonishment.When Penelope finally managed to find her voice again, it came out as a quivering, shaking sound that bore no resemblance to the strong, commanding tone she had been using ju

Jeremy took a step closer to Penelope, his presence suddenly seeming much larger and more commanding than his physical stature would suggest. “Because I'm telling you right now, with complete honesty and absolute certainty: the next time you actually try to humiliate me, the next time you attempt to disgrace me or spread lies about me in front of other people, I am not going to take it lightly with you.”His voice dropped even lower, becoming almost conversational but somehow more threatening because of its very calmness. “I have been patient with you. I have ignored your petty insults and your toxic behavior because I didn't think you were worth my time or energy. But that patience has limits, Penelope, and you've just reached them.”Jeremy let those words hang in the air for a moment, allowing their full weight to sink in. “So consider this your one and only warning. Keep your distance from me. Keep your opinions about my life to yourself. And most importantly, stay away from me

For a brief moment, all the color drained from her face as genuine fear flickered across her features. The triumphant expression that had been plastered across her face just seconds before evaporated completely, replaced by something that looked uncomfortably close to terror.Her voice, when she managed to find it again, started out as a barely audible grumble a weak, trembling sound that bore no resemblance to the strong, commanding tone she had been using moments before. Penelope could feel her confidence wavering, could sense that she had perhaps pushed things too far, and the realization made her voice shake with uncertainty.But then, recognizing that showing fear would be a form of defeat, Penelope made a desperate effort to mask her reaction. She straightened her spine, lifted her chin, and forced her voice to become louder and more aggressive, even though the underlying tremor of nervousness was still clearly audible to anyone paying close attention.“Do... do you think I'm af

Immediately, Penelope struggled to her feet, her face burning with humiliation and rage as she brushed dust off her expensive outfit. Her hands were still shaking from the encounter, but now fury was replacing the fear that had made her crumble just moments before. She turned toward the waitress with venom dripping from every word, her voice harsh and bitter as she tried to salvage whatever dignity she had left.“You're going to pay for this,” Penelope spat at the waitress, pointing her finger accusingly while her whole body trembled with anger. “You decided not to listen to me when I warned you about that man, and I promise you're going to regret it. When the time comes, when Jeremy shows his true colors and does something terrible, when he destroys property or steals something valuable, or when you finally discover that Jeremy is nothing but a pathetic con artist trying to scam this place, then you'll know exactly what hit you.”The waitress just stared at her with a mixture of pit