Chapter 304

Susan couldn’t help but chuckle.

She faced Penny with a serene expression, “Don’t fret. I’m not planning on going back to the royals.

So, there’s no chance for anyone to mock me.”

“Susan…” Judith went white, looking like she’d been sucker–punched.

Judith was convinced that with her genuine intentions, Susan would come around to acknowledging her eventually.

But did‘ Susan’s words really mean she was cutting ties with them for good?

For a moment, Judith felt somewhat dispirited.

Seeing this, Penny became slightly uneasy.

Susan was really in a league of her own.

It wasn’t that she was unwilling to rejoin the royal ranks; it was clearly a tactical withdrawal.

With these words, Susan was really putting her on the spot. If Judith started to believe she was the reason for Susan’s reluctance to come back, wouldn’t that render all her years of effort meaningless?

No, she wouldn’t let Susan pull her strings.

Penny bit her lip and spoke softly, “Mrs. Landor, let’s not be hasty with words in the heat of the moment. Whether or not you plan to rejoin the royal ranks, as the wife of the wealthiest man around, it’s important to stay informed. You wouldn’t want to embarrass Mr. Landor, would you?”

Penny first categorized Susan’s words as spoken in anger, then dragged Ben into the mix, aiming to confuse the situation.

Susan blinked and then looked over at Ben, “You don’t think I’d make a fool of you, do you?”

Ben wrapped an arm around her with a laugh and said casually, “Of course not! You’ve just made us billions. If I dared complain about you, the board would probably boot me out.”

Ben glanced at Penny with a playful look, “Susan’s artificial intelligence project just got stamped with an S–level for super–secret by the government and is branching out into all sorts of areas. Even Tonico’s bigwigs shot us a letter a while back, itching for a top–tier collaboration. So, Miss Nicholas, got any piano accolades that can top that?”

Penny was stunned for a moment, her face turning slightly sour, “I…”

Susan’s status as Mrs. Landor was too high–profile; it slipped her mind that Susan had racked up such accomplishments.

Penny found her words with effort, “Playing the piano refines your sensibilities. It’s a world apart from pursuits reeking of money.”

“Oh? Is this refined attitude of Miss Nicholas the result of polishing up your sensibilities?” Ben let out a sigh, “Now you’ve got me wondering what Miss Nicholas used to be like.”

Most of the time, Ben was very calm, but once he started his sharp–tongued mockery, not everyone.

could bear it.

Penny was feeling a bit unsteady now..

Ben chuckled and stood up, “Thank you all for your hospitality. It’s leave now.”

Getting late, Susan and I will take our.

Susan also stood up.

Judith held onto Susan’s gaze, her eyes brimming with a silent plea, clearly not ready for her to leave.

na Susan softened for a moment and said softly, “If Mrs. Nicholas has some free time, you are welcome to visit my place next time.”

The implication was that she was welcome at the Landor’s house.

But here, she probably didn’t want to come again:

Judith heard Susan’s implication.

She felt both embarrassed and a bit guilty.

“Then I’ll see you out.” Judith stood 1. up.

“I’ll go as well.” Eason followed.

O The large house was quickly left with only Penny by herself.

Penny pursed her lips.

She was ghostly pale and looked completely frazzled.

Her previous success against Yana had made her overconfident.

This time against Susan, not only did she fail to make Susan lose her composure, but she herself had been utterly embarrassed.

After today’s events, how would Judith and Eason view her?

Could she still firmly hold the title of Princess of Tonico?

Penny started to panic.

A few minutes later, Judith and Eason came back.

“Mom, Eason.” Penny greeted them timidly.

Judith gave her a look and said nonchalantly, “I’m beaten. I’m going to get some rest.”

There were no words of criticism from Judith.

But this indifference made Penny even more panicked.

She reached out anxiously to Judith, “Mom, I’m sorry.”

MALIC Suit–nearted.

Judith turned to look at Penny, “Penny, you shouldn’t be apologizing to me.”

Penny clenched her teeth, “I know. I’ll go apologize to Mrs. Landor tomorrow.”

Judith spoke with composure, “An apology is in order, yeah. But don’t forget what’s truly important.

Whether or not Susan decides to come back, she’s my child in my heart, just like Eason and you are.”

The same.

Penny’s heart screamed in a frenzy.

How could it really be the same?

She’s just an adopted daughter.

Given how they reacted to Susan’s cold shoulder, Penny wondered if Susan ever gave them a smile, would there even be room for her in the Nicholas family?

Penny thought she had concealed it well.

Yet Judith saw right through her.

She let out a sigh, “Believe it or not, after all these years together, you’re just like my own kids to me.

But Penny! Eason and you have been pampered by me since you were small. You’ve been right by my side, living in the lap of luxury. But Susan? She was taken right after she was born, and the life she’s endured… it’s unspeakable. Do you have any idea how much it hurts me, like a knife twisting in my heart, to see the reports Alexander dug up? Seeing all that Susan’s been through since she was a child, can you even imagine how heart–wrenching that is for me?

“Now, having finally found her, I naturally can’t wait to compensate her with all my love. I thought you would understand me, but I didn’t expect you to reject Susan because of this. You’ve disappointed me so much.”

Having caid that lindith wont unetaire without looking back.

“Mom!” Penny watched her with a lost soul.

Eason sighed and was also about to leave.

“Eason, are you disappointed in me too?” Penny looked at him pitifully.

Eason, seeing Penny’s almost tearful expression, ultimately stopped in his tracks.

He said calmly, “Penny, Susan is doing well in the Landor family. She genuinely doesn’t want to come back. You don’t have to see her as an imaginary enemy.”

“Eason, I didn’t… I just…” Penny hurried to explain.

Eason let out a sigh, “Remember, we’ve been a family for more than twenty years. Penny, there’s nothing you can think of or worry about that Mom and I can’t pick up on. You joined us at five, and back then, you were so reserved, always shy. I’ve been by your side ever since, just wishing you’d unwind and really feel a part of this family.”

Reflecting on her childhood, Penny smiled faintly, “Eason, you’ve always been kind to me since I was a kid.”

“But you’ve never been able to completely relax, have you? The more perfect you tried to be over the years, the more insecure you felt inside,” Eason sharply pointed out.

“No, I haven’t.” Penny trembled all over.

It was a feeling of being completely seen through.

She thought her disguise was perfect.

But had they seen through it all along?