Chapter 14

Allison struggled to shake her head, but her hands and feet were tied up and immobilized, with a thick piece of cloth stuffed in her mouth.

Leah Flanagan–Eaden shockingly forbade any anesthesia, forcing her to bear the unbearable pain of branding.

It was the same location and the same scar. The moment the branding iron burned her skin, a searing pain like a thousand knives shot through her body.

The pain was so intense that she wanted to moan, but with her mouth gagged, all she could do was convulse in agony.

In the end, Allison saw nothing but darkness as the pain knocked her out..

The next morning, in the hospital.

Penelope woke up, took a look at herself in the mirror, and couldn’t help but scream, “Ah..”

Her reflection showed her body covered in red rashes, including her face, and it was unbearably itchy.

Leah Flanagan–Eaden rushed over to prevent her from scratching her face, “Penelope, these rashes are nothing; just use the medicine every day, and they will disappear soon.”

Penelope was on the verge of losing it, “How soon is soon? Can it disappear today? How did I become like this?!*

“You have the nerve to ask!” Christopher scolded with a thunderous face, “The doctor said if you recover well, it would take a week; if not, a couple of weeks. Look at yourself! You’re the one who drank alcohol. You almost made us a laughing stock at the engagement party!”

How could the bride–to–be be absent due to an alcohol allergy from her own engagement party?!

How embarrassing!

Penelope covered her face and only then did she realize the time, “The engagement party! What’s the date today? Where is Lucian?”

She began to panic. It wasn’t easy for her to get this far.

Leah Flanagan–Eaden tried to soothe her, “You were unconscious, so your father and I decided to let Allison attend the engagement party in your place. After all, Allison looks similar to you; no one would notice with some makeup on.”

“What?” Penelope’s voice shot up several octaves.

“Mom, how could you let that…” She stopped short of swearing, remembering Christopher was still there, “How could you let Allison replace me?”

She was a bit scared.

What if Lucian found out?

After all, the one who slept with Lucian that time was Allison!

What if Allison got greedy and wanted to become Mrs. Lindberg? Wouldn’t she lose out?

“Should we cancel the engagement party then? Look at you now!” Christopher was fuming and speechless at the sight of his daughter covered in rashes.

Penelope mumbled, “I didn’t want this; I’m not usually allergic to alcohol. Who would have thought I’d be allergic to cherry wine?”

She wanted to explain more, but seeing Leah Flanagan–Eaden’s look and fearing that her dad would get angrier, she shut up.

Leah Flanagan–Eaden tried to comfort him, “Christopher, you’ve had a long day; go home and rest. I’ll stay with Penelope.”

Once Christopher left, Leah Flanagan–Eaden came over to the bed and took a closer look at Penelope’s face.

She knew what Penelope was worried about, so she clarified right away, “Penelope, that bi t ch’s mom is still in the hospital, and her medical fees depend on us. There won’t be any problems; you can rest easy for now. Once your rashes are gone, you can reclaim your title as Mrs. Lindberg Penelope wondered for a moment and thought that made sense.

With Grace around, Allison wouldn’t dare disobey.

Still…

“Mom, tell the doctor to use the best medicine. I need to recover as soon as possible.”

To Penelope, every moment Allison spent with Lucian posed a risk of being exposed. She couldn’t afford to lose everything she’d achieved.