CHAPTER 112: THE FAT UGLY DUCKLING IS NOW CUTE?

Wow! Another one? Rosiielove, thank for the gift honey. I love you. ლ⁠(⁠・⁠﹏⁠・⁠ლ⁠)

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Evening had just begun to settle when Abby and Greg stormed out of their mansion and marched toward the penthouse with tight faces and hurried steps.

It had been almost 24 hours since Penny took everything from their house.

At first, they laughed it off. They thought she was bluffing, just throwing a tantrum. Of course, she’d return everything.

Even if they agreed to apologize to her, they didn’t want to.

But just a few moments ago, Barnaby came back with new furniture.

Cheap furniture.

Ugly, embarrassing, low-grade furniture!

Greg was furious. He refused to accept this humiliation. Penelope had no right. No right at all.

It was bad enough they’d hurt Chris the way they did. Now Penny was dragging their name through the mud?

"This ends today," Greg muttered as they reached the penthouse.

He knocked hard on the door.

Hughes, the loyal housekeeper, opened it politely.

"Where is Penelope?" Abby snapped, eyes like daggers. She had never liked Hughes. Truth be told, if she’d known things would go this way, she would’ve fired the old woman a long time ago.

"Miss Penny is inside, Madam Abby," Hughes said with a slight bow.

"Fetch her," Abby ordered.

"Please come in. I’ll go get her for you..."

"There’s no need for that," Greg interrupted. He didn’t want to set foot into the madman’s lair more than he had to. The last thing they wanted was to catch the madman’s curse like Ariana did.

He just wanted to talk to Penny and put an end to this circus.

"Just bring her here."

Hughes hesitated. "Are you sure...?"

One glare from Abby was all it took. Hughes turned and quickly made her way down the hallway.

She found Penny in the lab, still in her gloves, swirling an orange liquid this time in a glass beaker while Darlington observed closely. They both have come up with a new antidote for Osvaldo with Dewitt’s formula since the last three Penny made didn’t work.

"Miss Penny," Hughes called gently at the door.

Penny looked up, surprised. "Yes?"

"Madam Abby and Master Greg are here. They want to see you."

Penny smiled, it about time they did.

Darlington’s brows pulled together at once. He recognized those names. They were the same couple who had once kept him away from Osvaldo. They’d signed a contract with Dewitt, making them Osvaldo’s guardians until he came of age. Back then, he had no power to stop them.

"I’ll be right there," Penny said, calmly peeling off her gloves and removing her lab coat.

"Should I come with you?" Darlington asked. Seeing what Chris did the last time, he didn’t want anything to happen to his granddaughter in law. Especially since his grandson was so find of her.

"No need, grandpa. I’ll be back shortly." Penng smiled and stepped out of the room.

When she reached the door, she found Greg and Abby waiting with strange smiles. The anger and frown they once had on their faces had disappeared and now being replaced by forced smiles.

No yelling. No insults. No threats.

That was surprising.

"Penny dear!" Greg said with exaggerated warmth. The same man who once looked at her like she was filth now smiled like she was made of gold.

"How have you been? It’s been too long since we last talked."

"Yes, Penny," Abby added, trying to smile but failing miserably. "We know we’re probably the last people you want to see, but... we’re here to apologize."

Apologize?

Even Penny blinked. She knew their visit would be interesting, but not this interesting.

Greg continued. "We’re really sorry. For everything Penelope."

Penny crossed her arms. Did this people really think of her as a fool?

"What are you apologizing for exactly?" Penny asked.

"Is it for the time you set me up with your servants? Or the time you tried to starve me and my servants? Or the time you called me all the nasty names in the world?" Penny asked.

"Or are you apolo..."

"All of it," Greg said, still wearing that fake, sugary smile. "We were wrong. We treated you horribly. But we’ve had time to think, and we just want to make things right."

"Osvaldo is like a son to us," Abby added, trying to sound motherly. "We raised him."

"And now you’re married to him," Greg said, "which makes you our daughter, Penny. Let’s start over. No more fights. No more drama."

Penny was silent, and then after a while, she gave them the sweetest smile they’d ever seen. "So... does that mean I can call you mother and father now?" She asked eagerly like a child waiting to be loved.

They glanced at each other awkwardly, but nodded.

Greg forced a laugh. "Of course, sweetheart."

"Ha! How stupid! Greg thought in his mind. He never knew this fat pig was easy to manipulate.

But... something was off.

Why does she look so... radiant?

Was it her skin? Her hair? Had she lost weight? Her figure didn’t look as wide as before.

No, that’s impossible. No one loses that much in a week.

But still... why did she suddenly seem so attractive?

Before he could think too deeply, Penny clapped her hands together.

"Did you receive my gifts?"

"Gifts?" Abby asked warily.

"Yes. I redecorated your mansion," Penny said sweetly, her eyes sparkling. "Used materials that suit your... level."

"What’s that supposed to mean, Penelope?" Abby hissed, the fake calm peeling away from her voice.

Greg quickly grabbed her hand to stop her. They couldn’t afford to upset Penny. Not now. Not when she held their image and comfort in the palm of her hand.

"Huh?" Penny blinked like an innocent kitten. "Was it too much? I thought you’d love it."

"No, no, no," Greg said, waving his hands. "We love it. It’s just... the furniture is very... different from what we’re used to."

"Different?" Penny tilted her head like a curious doll blinking her bright blue eyes.

"Are you saying you don’t like it?"

"No!" Greg yelped. "Not at all! It’s... unique. Just... surprising."

Penny leaned in slightly, smiling. Her voice was soft as velvet but carried a steel edge. "Well, I hope you continue to enjoy the new setup. It reflects who you are... beautifully."

Abby’s jaw clenched, but she said nothing.

Greg stared at Penny, confused by the strange feeling in his chest.

This is supposed to be the fat girl. The disgusting ugly fat girl.

Since when was Penny this beautiful?