Chapter 19 Ms. Sloane , what are your plans after the successful revenge ? Julian leaned against the French window , his peach blossom eyes filled with dangerous tenderness . Penelope swirled the red wine in her glass , the dark liquid leaving a meandering trail on the sides of the glass , much like the menacing scar on her neck . Will you marry me ? Julian leaned in close , his breath brushing past her ear . " I have always been fond of smart and beautiful women . " She turned her head to avoid it and looked at the night scene outside the French window . In the reflection of the window , the scar on her neck looked like an ugly centipede , constantly reminding her of the pain she had once endured . Do you want to marry me ? Penelope chuckled lightly , a cold mist rising in her eyes . " Mr. Gatlin must be joking . How could someone who has been burned by fire come near it again ? " Julian's smile froze on his face as he reached out to touch her shoulder . The woman instinctively stepped back and avoided , saying , " Mr. Gatlin , it would be more appropriate for us to just be friends . " I was not like Caiden . Men are all the same . Penelope placed her glass on the table , the sound of glass colliding with marble resolute : " When they love you , they would do 0.00 % 02:41 Chapter 19 anything for you , but when they don't , even breathing feels wrong . " 288 Vouchers The next day, when Penelope pushed open the door of the coffee shop , she felt like she had entered an ice cave . Caiden sat in her usual spot , with her favorite iced Americano in front of her . The man had become so thin that he was just a skeleton , his once well- fitted suit now hanging loosely on him . Only his eyes shone brightly , like a desperate gambler clinging to the last shred of hope . " Penelope , can we talk ? " Penelope clenched the bag tightly , her nails digging deep into her palm . The pain kept her awake , and she sat down expressionless : " What do you want to say ? " Caiden was secretly surprised that she , who had always held grudges , would actually listen to his explanation . His eyes sparkled with joy as he eagerly pulled out a stack of photos and pushed them in front of her , " I made Zoey relive your pain every day , her son was also sent to an orphanage . I swear I will stay by your side for the rest of my life , will you come back to me ? " Mr. Henderson was really passionate , she interrupted with a cold laugh , " Who was the one who promised to let the illegitimate child inherit the family business back then ? And who was the one who gave the family heirloom to the lover ? " Caiden's face turned pale in an instant , he opened his mouth , and finally drooped his head in despair , " I ... " You despised me for being the daughter of a maid , not worthy to bear the heir of the Henderson family , she said , cutting into his heart with each word . " I know all about how you had my eggs secretly replaced when we did IVF . " Caiden suddenly looked up , his eyes filled with shock and pain . He trembled as he handed her a stack of documents : " I have never despised you ... It was my grandfather who said that if you dared to get pregnant , he would kill you ... " Penelope opened the file . In the file were photos of Caiden's father having someone surveil her , each one labeled with a date , even including photos taken secretly of their intimate moments on their wedding night ... Penelope , I had my reasons for what happened back then . I never wanted to betray you . I met Zoey because ... Caiden seemed to be struggling to swallow something extremely unpleasant , then he took out a medical report and said , " I am sick ... I didn't dare to let you know ... " The words " tendency towards sadistic behavior " in the report stung Penelope's eyes . She suddenly remembered . Every time Caiden got intimate with himself , he would sneak off to take a cold shower . It turns out ... Caiden looked at her with a complex expression on her face and said cautiously , " I dare not tell anyone about my strange illness , especially you . I am afraid of seeing disgust and fear in your eyes , afraid that you 40 72 % 02:41 Chapter 19 will think I am a freak . " But my mother told Zoey this secret , and I became addicted to the immense satisfaction she brought me , and did something that hurt you . 28 Vouchers After you left , I regretted deeply . Every day , I knelt in front of your coffin to repent and seek redemption . I begged to see you in my dreams , but you never appeared . Caiden was sweating nervously , staring at her cold eyes and saying , " I had no choice back then . I have always loved you the most in my heart . You know that , right ? " Seeing her silence , he took out a gun and placed it in her palm , his eyes red with tears . " If you truly feel resentful and uncomfortable in your heart , then pull the trigger . To die by your hand , I have no regrets or complaints . " Penelope looked at the gun and suddenly remembered the live broadcast from three years ago . He aimed the gun at his own temple , kneeling in tears and begging for her forgiveness , making solemn vows . Later , however ... I don't want you dead , I want 30 % of the Henderson Group , she suddenly spoke , her voice cold . Caiden looked stunned , " You never cared about equity ... " How come you can't bear to give me something you treasured so much ? Penelope came to her senses and asked coldly . Of course not , Penelope , I was just ... Caiden's keen intuition told him that something was off about the 62.10 % 02 41 situation . 1 288 Vouchers Before he could even figure it out , she got up with an indifferent expression and said , " Since you haven't compensated for my sincerity , don't bother me again in the future . " Penelope , don't go , I'll give you the shares ! Caiden rushed up and grabbed her wrist anxiously and carefully , saying , " I will arrange it now . " After signing the equity transfer agreement , Caiden followed her closely , like a child who had done something wrong , saying , " Penelope , would you like to have a meal together ? " Penelope stopped in her tracks . The setting sun cast her shadow long , just intersecting with his shadow , but they could never merge . The compensation you gave me is just a start , she said without turning back , her voice cold . " Don't follow me , or I will show you what real revenge means . " Caiden stood still , gazing blankly as her figure disappeared into the crowd . He passionately kissed her signature on the equity transfer agreement , with a confident curve at the corner of his mouth . Penelope's willingness to take his things was a good sign . I believe it wouldn't be long before he could coax her back home ! Title: Crown of Vengeance In "Crown of Vengeance" by CrushReel, delve into a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Unravel the intricate web of deceit as a woman's life is shattered by family secrets and a tragic twist of fate. Amid themes of revenge, family dynamics, and dark revelations, this ongoing drama unfolds within the walls of a mysterious mansion where past wrongs resurface to haunt the present. Discover the depths of human emotion as our protagonist navigates a world filled with deception and hidden agendas. What sets "Crown of Vengeance" apart is its nuanced exploration of complex relationships and the quest for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Available to read at CrushReel, this story promises a riveting journey through the shadows of the past towards a future where truth may ultimately prevail.