Chapter 463: The taste represents how I feel

The next day...

A soft moan echoed through the room as Penny slowly woke from a deep slumber. Stretching her arms and legs, she blinked her eyes open. Unlike last night, she felt much better—completely recharged. Sitting up, her gaze landed on the chair beside her bed.

A small smile appeared on her face as she noticed a bowl and some towels on the side table. Although no one was there now, she knew someone had looked after her during the night.

"Was it Second Brother?" she wondered with a smile, recalling that Hugo had been with her last night. "Or Mom?"

After all, it was Allison who had woken her up for some warm soup and medicine. Either way, Penny appreciated her family’s care, even though she was an adult.

’In my first life...’She cut the thought short before she could start comparing. Smiling softly at the empty chair, she told herself, "There’s no need to compare then and now. They weren’t like that before, just as I’m not who I used to be."

For some reason, after last night, Penny felt ready to let go of some parts of her past she’d been holding onto. Life was different now, and she was content. Though it wasn’t perfect—perfection was never her goal.

"Well, I’m better now! I should thank them for nursing me back to health."

With that thought, Penny energetically jumped out of bed. It was as though the fever had replenished her energy. She felt like she could conquer the world, and her mood was suspiciously good.

***

After completing her usual morning routine, Penny applied some tinted lip balm and smacked her lips, smiling at her reflection. She looked bright and refreshed, with no sign of exhaustion. Even her body felt lighter, all traces of the previous day’s soreness gone.

"Hehe," she giggled, skipping out of her room and straight to the kitchen to join her parents for breakfast before heading to work.

It was the start of the week, and Penny knew her brothers’ routines well. Atlas had likely gone to work already, Hugo was probably still asleep or training, and Slater... well, his schedule was always unpredictable, but he still somehow found time to bother her.

However, the reality turned out different from her expectations.

As Penny approached the dining room, she froze.

"Good mor—" Her words caught in her throat as she sensed an ominous aura hanging over the kitchen. She dramatically staggered back, squinting her eyes as if to shield herself from the dark atmosphere radiating from the dining room.

Peering at the table, she furrowed her brows. Not only were Allison, Charles, and Haines present, but all her brothers were there too.

’What’s going on?’ she thought, her heart starting to race for reasons she couldn’t pinpoint. This felt like déjà vu. ’I swear I didn’t eat anyone’s food last night.’

Unless she had started sleepwalking, she couldn’t be guilty of anything. But she was fairly certain that wasn’t the case.

Her brows lifted as her gaze shifted to Haines, who was subtly lifting his hand to his neck, then motioning a cutting gesture. He was signaling to her that this wasn’t the best time to enter. Penny glanced at Atlas, only to find him staring right at her.

"Uh..." She took a step back when she caught Hugo’s eyes meeting hers.

A sinking feeling settled in her stomach, and Penny quickly abandoned any plans to lighten their mood. She knew there was no chance of brightening up this morning. Sighing internally, she decided to retreat.

"Good morning," she said with a forced smile. "I’m off to work early. I forgot I have a ton of things to do. See ya!"

Turning quickly, she attempted to flee the scene, convinced her brothers had gotten into some kind of trouble. She didn’t want to get roped into whatever it was. But just as she was about to make her escape, her mother’s voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Penelope Bennet?"

The use of her full name sent a shiver down Penny’s spine. Slowly, she turned back with a strained smile. "Mom?"

Her mother’s angelic smile greeted her.

"Penny, it’s still too early for work," Allison said sweetly. "Why don’t you join us for breakfast?"

"Hehe..." Penny laughed nervously, thinking of an excuse to decline. But seeing the overly sweet smile on Allison’s face, she didn’t dare. Although her mother’s smile was angelic, it was almost too angelic.

This wasn’t the smile Allison wore when she was truly happy.

"Okay," Penny sighed, reluctantly pulling out a chair and sitting down. She glanced around, noting the various emotions plastered on her family’s faces.

"Penny, here, eat something." Allison’s voice pulled her attention back. Looking down, Penny saw her plate was already filled with the usual breakfast Allison prepared. "Thanks, Mom."

"You’re welcome, Penny." Allison’s smile remained as she gestured for Penny to start eating.

Picking up her cutlery, Penny decided to just pretend she wasn’t aware of the heavy tension in the room. That would make her life easier. But as she raised her spoon to take a bite, she noticed everyone watching her intently.

’Huh?’ Her eyes flicked to Atlas’s neutral expression, then to Hugo’s worried gaze, and finally to Slater’s taunting smile. She looked over at Haines, who gave her a small, careful shake of his head. Not understanding that gesture, Penny finally turned to her father.

The moment their eyes met, she saw dread and panic reflected on Charles’s face. His eyes silently urged her to run as far and as fast as she could.

"What’s wrong with everyone?" she mumbled, guiding the spoon to her mouth. The second she started chewing, her face twisted in shock.

"Is it good, Penny?" Allison asked with a sweet smile.

Forcing herself to look at her mother, Penny noticed that everyone’s cheeks, except Slater’s, were slightly puffed out. They couldn’t swallow the food and it was now stuck in everyone’s mouth. The food looked like her usual breakfast, but the taste was... awful.

Penny set her puppy-dog eyes on Allison. "Mom, why... am I being punished?"

Allison’s smile faded, replaced by an icy stare. "Penny," she said calmly with a soft sigh. "I’m not punishing you, my dear. The taste only represents how I feel about how you kept your marriage a secret from me, your mother."