Chapter 536: I thought you knew a lot of things about me

Penny and Zoren had discussed Patricia. Although Zoren didn’t divulge all the details, he told Penny he was keeping Patricia around solely to make whoever had sent her believe that Patricia had him wrapped around her finger.

Penny didn’t mind, as she also hadn’t told Zoren about the person behind Patricia. She was still searching for Nathaniel. With everything that had happened, Penny and Zoren were taking things slowly, careful not to overwhelm each other.

One thing Penny was certain of, though, was that Patricia knew Zoren was aware of her scheme. It reminded Penny of the conversations between Nathaniel and Patricia—those horrible plans meant to entrap Zoren.

"How are you?" Penny asked with genuine curiosity, noticing how quickly Patricia had turned pale. "Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"Ah." Patricia’s voice faltered, forcing her to clear her throat. "Hehe. I’m just not feeling well today."

"Not feeling well... but you’re out shopping?" Penny raised an eyebrow.

"There’s a charity event later," Patricia muttered, biting her lip as she forced a grin. "Anyway, I’m in a bit of a hurry, so I’ll head out."

"Oh..." Penny tilted her head, watching Patricia quickly turn toward the cashier. When the paper bags were handed to her, Patricia almost snatched them in her rush. But just before she could leave, Mrs. Miller’s voice rang out.

"Patricia, look at this dress! It’s amazing..." Mrs. Miller’s excitement faded as she noticed Patricia’s pale face, her eyes then landing on the woman standing beside her daughter. "And you are...?"

"It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Miller." Penny smiled, her eyes squinting slightly. "It’s Penelope Bennet. Remember me?"

The brief admiration in Mrs. Miller’s eyes quickly shifted to dismay upon hearing Penny’s name.

"You’re Penelope Bennet?" Mrs. Miller scoffed, giving Penny a scrutinizing look from head to toe. "Hah! Did you go under the knife to get rid of all that fat?"

"Mom," Patricia tugged at her mother’s arm, forcing a polite smile. "I’ve finished shopping. How about we check out the other shops?"

Ignoring her daughter’s plea, Mrs. Miller turned back to Penny.

"Thankfully, I didn’t have to go through any painful procedures," Penny replied calmly, "but I’ll take your comment as a compliment—it just means I look good. Thank you."

"Hah! I wasn’t trying to compliment you!" Mrs. Miller huffed, raising her chin proudly. "Are you shopping for a dress for tonight’s event? I heard your brother is attending. Maybe he asked you to be his muse... or was it that fake daughter he’s bringing?"

She paused dramatically, gasping. "Don’t tell me that impostor is still trying to take what’s rightfully yours. Poor thing."

"Mom!" Patricia nearly shouted, her voice cracking as she tugged harder at her mother’s arm. "Can we please just leave? I’ve already paid."

"Mrs. Miller," Penny said, cutting in before Patricia could whisk her mother away. "It’s good to see you again after so many years. People say time changes us, but I’m glad it hasn’t changed you."

"What did you just say?" Mrs. Miller snapped.

"All I’m saying is that it’s nice to see you haven’t changed," Penny repeated, her tone light but her meaning clear. "You’re just as lovely as I remember."

"Hah!" Mrs. Miller smirked, raising her chin even higher. "And you’ve changed. I must admit you look... presentable now."

She would’ve said stunning, but this was Penny, and Mrs. Miller was not one to pay the Bennets any compliments.

"Although I don’t like your family, I don’t dislike you," Mrs. Miller added with a sneer. "You’ve grown into a fine woman. Sadly, I heard you’re married now. It’s a shame, though—you could’ve married into Ito Motors! I bet your mother was heartbroken when you settled for a nobody."

"It was a marriage of love." Penny smiled politely. "My mother would’ve been heartbroken if I married someone I didn’t even know."

Although, technically, she had married Zoren as a stranger.

"Mom," Patricia interjected again, her voice strained as she gave Penny an apologetic look. "Congratulations on your marriage, Penny. I didn’t know."

"I thought you knew a lot of things about me," Penny said, tilting her head.

Patricia’s brows furrowed, her smile becoming tense. "What?"

"Hmph! Why would my Patricia care about your life?" Mrs. Miller laughed condescendingly. "Penelope Bennet, you might not realize this, but Patricia is way out of your league. You gave yourself away to marriage so young. Young people never know what’s best—this is what happens when parents let their children run wild without guidance. They rebel."

Penny’s smile faded slightly as Mrs. Miller’s remarks hit a nerve. Just as she was about to respond, Nina’s voice interrupted.

"Penny, look at this! Do you think it’ll suit me?" Nina appeared at Penny’s side, holding up a random dress she had grabbed to diffuse the situation. She couldn’t bear listening from the sidelines any longer.

Nina had brought Penny here knowing the Millers would be around. She had expected them to brag, but instead, they had resorted to belittling Penny and the Bennet Family. To prevent Penny from unleashing her fury, Nina stepped in, hoping to divert their attention.

"You picked this?" Penny asked, her gaze falling on the dress.

Nina’s expression twisted slightly, and Penny, ever observant, didn’t miss it.

"Oh, look who’s here!" Mrs. Miller exclaimed, noticing Nina. "It’s the fake—"

"Mom!" Patricia yelled, her voice filled with desperation as she grasped her mother’s arm tightly, her hands ice cold. "Please! We have an event later. Let’s just go."

Mrs. Miller glanced at her daughter, her brows furrowing. "Baby, are you alright? You look so pale."

"I’m not feeling well," Patricia hurriedly replied. "Please, I just want to go home."

"Alright, alright," Mrs. Miller said, suddenly concerned. She turned, no longer paying attention to the Bennets. "Let’s go, honey. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize."

Patricia offered a weak smile. "It’s okay," she murmured, glancing back at Penny and Nina as her mother led her away.

"Miss Miller!" A staff member ran up to them as they took a few steps toward the exit. "You forgot this."

"Huh?" Patricia looked down to see the black card she had used to pay. Her hand trembled slightly as she accepted it. "Thank you."

The staff member smiled. "Mr. Pierson says he’s sending you another dress. Should we send it to the same address?"