Chapter 135 Penelope froze, struggling to control her emotions. "What do you mean?" Did this woman know something? Penelope had dropped out of high school, with no hope of college. She ran with thugs and never knew where her next meal would come from. Then Caleb had recognized her-or rather, the pendant around her neck. Her life had changed overnight. She became a princess. Caleb spoiled her endlessly. One tearful glance, and the golden heir would bend over backward to make her smile. She knew that he would give in no matter what she did. Thus, she married his older brother, Lucas.
With Caleb, she could claim only half the Hampton fortune-with Lucas, she could have it all. When Lucas died unexpectedly, she had to adapt. But Caleb was no longer as devoted as before. 'If Sydney really knows the truth...' Penelope tensed, her gaze sharpening. Sydney caught the flicker of panic and tore Penelope's mask away with a quiet, deadly smile. "The original owner of that pendant wasn't you." Before, she had been almost certain. Now she knew. Penelope was the girl from the orphanage who had bullied her. "You're talking nonsense!" Penelope snapped, her voice tight.
"I've worn this since I was a kid! Where's your proof it's not mine?" "Proof?" Sydney leaned back, perfectly composed. "The way you're losing your cool right now-that's proof enough." "I'm not losing my cool!" Penelope barked, struggling to steady herself. "On what grounds do you claim this pendant isn't mine?" Everything she had now came from Caleb, and he had only given it to her because of the pendant. All because he had mistaken her for someone else. Penelope didn't even know the full story between the orphanage girl dressed like a princess and Caleb.
She had stolen the pendant back then when no one was watching. How could Sydney possibly know that-unless she had known that little "princess" girl... The more Penelope thought about it, the more her composure cracked. Sydney tilted her head. "Stealing a pendant wouldn't even get you punished. What's got you so nervous?" Something felt off to Sydney. If it were just theft, Penelope would have shrugged it off, especially with Caleb to cover her. So what was she really afraid of? Penelope forced herself to recalibrate. As long as this didn't reach Caleb, she had nothing to fear.
She took a deep breath and said, "I'm not nervous. I just can't stand being accused of theft. You're calling me a thief." "You had no problem being a mistress," Sydney said calmly. Still, her words cut like glass. "And now you're worried about being called a thief?" Penelope choked on her words, then let out a cold laugh. "Look who's talking. Can't even hold onto your 7/3 husband's heart, and you say I'm losing my cool?" "You're right." Sydney didn't flinch. She picked up her bag and walked out.