Chapter 127: First impression lasts

"Penny, stop this! I’m sorry — ah!"

Clang!

Thud!

"Ah!" Nina winced, turning her palm to see blood on it. The tears in her eyes flooded her face as she dramatically held her hand, gazing up at Penny pitifully.

"Penny..." she sobbed. "Why did you do this to me? I already said I was sorry."

"Miss Nina!"

At the same time, Butler Jen’s voice rang in the dining room. Following his voice was another familiar voice and Allison.

"Nina!" an elderly woman called in panic and Allison’s voice.

In no time, more people crowded the dining area. Penny caught the elderly woman rushing to Nina’s side. The latter’s complexion paled at the sight of blood.

"Oh, my goodness!" the elderly woman yelled. "Butler Jen! Get her a bandage!"

Out of panic, Butler Jen took out his own handkerchief and handed it to the old lady. After giving it to her, he yelled for a maid to get more first aid for Nina’s injury.

"Oh, my god." Allison covered her lips and immediately squatted beside Nina. "Nina, what’s happening — why...?"

Nina pitifully looked up at her mother and timely hiccuped. "Mom..." she slowly turned to Penny, making everyone look in Penny’s direction. "I was just apologizing to Penny about the notes I was borrowing from her, but she got upset."

She hiccuped once more before she sported a brave front. "But please, don’t be upset with Penny. She’s just a little frustrated that she unintentionally vented it on me. I’m okay." Her brave facade cracked a little, showing the bitterness in her eyes.

"Penny, I’m sorry about the note, but it’s not good to be violent," she said, now looking at Penny. "I know you’re the real daughter of the Bennet Family and you’re right that I’m just the fake one — the outsider. But know that I didn’t want this to happen as well. If I know I’m not the real daughter, then I wouldn’t be so shameless as to live this life lavishly."

Everything that Nina said brought mixed feelings to everyone present at the moment. Butler Jen and Allison couldn’t help but furrow their brows. What Nina was insinuating was something they didn’t expect Penny would do or something that Penny would ever do and say.

But Allison’s mother, Old Mrs. Roswald, had yet to meet Penny. Although she already heard lots of good things about the real daughter of Allison and Charles, she wanted to be the judge herself. This was not what she was expecting.

"Oh, my poor little girl." the old grandma’s heart broke at Nina’s remarks. ’She must be having a difficult time after the mix-up.’

Although the Roswald and the Bennet Family were very keen on blood relations, it would be a stretch to say they could easily forget about their granddaughter. Nina had been with them and she was such a sweet child.

When the old grandma lifted her gaze, her face crumpled in displeasure. "Allison, is this what you said when you told me your real daughter is a well-mannered kid?! How can she hurt other children just because she carries the Bennet and Roswald name?!"

"Mom..." Allison frowned, displeased at her mother’s harsh remarks. "Please, this is a kid’s misunderstanding. Penny wouldn’t —"

"Can’t you see Nina’s hand?! It’s bleeding! Allison, Nina is also your child. It’s the child that you raised for over a decade! Are you saying she’s lying and simply stirring this misunderstanding?"

This time, Allison couldn’t speak. All she could do was stare at her fuming mother and then the child she raised since Nina’s birth.

"Old Madam —"

"Butler Jen, what are you still doing here?! Call the family doctor! Where’s the maid you called, anyway?! Why hasn’t she returned? The cut in Nina’s hand is deep! It might need a stitch!"

As Allison’s mother harrumphed, the maid Butler Jen ordered to get first aid arrived. Following behind her were Charles, Haines, old Grandpa, and the boys. All of them looked like they rushed in here in a hurry.

Seeing the situation, all of them widened their eyes in surprise.

"Ali, what happened?" Charles asked the second he stepped into the scene. Just looking at the situation, one could immediately make a conclusion. However, the initial conclusion didn’t make sense to him.

"What happened?! Charles, you said that the family who raised this child raised her well! How can she be so violent?!" Old Madam Roswald yelled angrily. "Look what she did to Nina! She pushed her with the plate! Now, Nina cut her hand!"

Charles looked at Allison’s mother incredulously before everyone’s eyes shifted to Penny.

"Mom!" Allison raised her voice and got up, walking over to Penny to shield her from all of this. "This... how can you say all of this in front of my children?! I know this looks bad, but the plate probably slipped!"

Nina pursed her lips and then turned to her grandmother. "Grandma, that’s true. Penny didn’t mean to hurt me. It just slipped!"

"Nina, you don’t have to cover for that girl!"

"Mom!"

"Allison! It seems you forgot how I raised all of you!" Old Madam Roswald fumed even more, glaring daggers at Allison. "You might’ve been a Bennet now, but do not forget our family and the Bennet Family rules! You and Charles might’ve raised your children with more freedom, but how can you introduce such an ill-mannered child as your daughter without disciplining her well?! You even sent Nina away because of her! Do you think I wouldn’t hear about this?!"

Nina looked up at her grandmother pitifully. Her complexion was pale and terrified, but deep in her heart, she couldn’t help but smile.

’It’s a good thing I called grandma the other day and told her that I can only meet her on the weekends because they sent me away,’ thought Nina, smirking inwardly. ’I knew it. Grandma didn’t know that they sent me away. Grandma will surely stand up for me!’

Meanwhile, Penny kept her eyes fixated on Nina. Her expression was hard to read.

This... reminded her of how she met her grandparents. Back then, Nina accused her of stealing her necklace, and they found that necklace in Penny’s bedroom.

It was because of this same act Penny’s relationship with everyone in this family went downhill.

’Hah.’ Penny mentally scoffed. ’Why did I even feel bad about her? She’s clearly not worth the slightest bit of kindness and consideration.’