Chapter 818

"You guys must be starving. I'll go make some food for everyone."

Penelope reached the second floor just as Theodore stepped out of the bathroom, fresh from a hot shower with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Seeing her walk in, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply for a long time.

"Who exactly is Heath Haynes?" Penelope asked, pulling back slightly.

Instead of answering, Theodore scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed, launching a fiercely seductive assault on her senses.

After a breathtaking session fueled by the scent of their passion, Penelope lay melted against Theodore's chest.

"I'll just wait until you're ready to tell me," she murmured.

Theodore rested his forehead against hers, pressing a tender kiss to her nose. "I don't have hard proof yet. As soon as I'm absolutely certain, I will tell you everything."

Penelope's eyes sparkled mischievously. "So you aren't actually addicted to video games. You were just using it to get close to Heath."

Theodore gave her nose an affectionate bite. "You're interrogating me!"

"I knew it. I was right."

Theodore paused, then sighed in helpless defeat. "Alright, you're right."

He never intended to hide it from Penelope; he just needed solid evidence first. And

he knew that the evidence was incredibly close.

Just then, a knock interrupted them.

"Mr. Stapleton, I've prepared lunch. Please come downstairs and eat."

It was Heather's voice. Penelope let out a soft scoff.

"Someone's really gunning for the homewrecker position."

Theodore looked momentarily confused. "Her?"

"Yeah. And she's a pretty girl, too."

"I didn't even notice what she looks like. But if she thinks she's a beauty in front of you, she's severely overestimating herself."

The smooth compliment hit its mark, and Penelope, who was always fiercely confident in her stunning curves and radiant complexion, beamed.

"Obviously. Only you are handsome enough to stand next to me."

Theodore nodded seriously. "My face is just barely worthy of you."

"You're too modest."

Ignoring the incessant knocking, the two of them playfully teased each other for a while longer before finally getting dressed But when Theodore pulled the door open Heather was still standing right outside

"Oh! Ms. Laurier was in Mr. Stapleton's room."

Seeing Heather's infuriatingly fake surprise made Penelope want to smack her.

"Who else would it be?"

Heather offered a stiff laugh. "I didn't say it was anyone else."

"Do you make a habit of eavesdropping at bedroom doors?"

"I don't know what you mean, Ms. Laurier," Heather said with a dramatic shrug. She immediately turned her focus to Theodore. "Mr. Stapleton, I made you some ginger, soup to warm you up. Thank you so

much for diving into the ocean to

save my brother."

Theodore stared at Heather, looking as if he was just now realizing she existed.

"This is the second floor. This is a

private area for my family and me. I expect no one to come up here and

disturb us without ou cit

permission, Theodore said, his voice dropping to a freezingo temperature.

Heather's smile shattered, but she desperately tried to piece it back together. "I'm so sorry. That was presumptuous of me. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

"If there is a next time, I'll have to ask you to leave my house."

Heather was completely paralyzed by the rejection, but Theodore didn't care in the slightest. He took Penelope's hand and led her downstairs.

Penelope smirked, whispering to Theodore, "She cooked a whole meal just to impress you."

"Do you want to eat it?"

"She didn't invite me."

"Then I won't eat it either."

"I am a little hungry, though."

"Should I make you some pasta?"

"Sounds good."

Chatting effortlessly, they arrived at the dining room. Heather had actually cooked a massive feast, and Hubert and Julian were already digging in.

"Mom, Dad, you have to try this! It's amazing!" Hubert mumbled through a mouthful

of food, his eyes squeezed shut in pure joy.

Even Julian looked impressed. "These BBQ ribs are better than the ones at our hotel's restaurant."