Yesterday I consulted my lawyer.
The tampering had been mostly Sylvester's work; only he could have gotten into the room the surveillance camera covered.
Since he wanted to play the hero rescuing the damsel, I would pin both crimes on him.
As for Penelope, I would deal with her slowly.
【The plot's completely broken! Isn't the female side character just a prop to push the leads together? How dare she break up with him!】
【Wicked woman! You're driving a wedge between our leads! You'll never win against this pure-love couple!】
These two clinging vines wound around me thought they were fit to make me their prop?
Sylvester was rattled, right on cue.
"That's not what I meant either... I..."
I gave a look to Robin, who had finally shown up.
He caught it at once and murmured into the crowd.
"Anyone who didn't know would think the one on the floor is his girlfriend!"
"The Pruitts lost a fortune, and he talks like it's nothing!"
In an instant, the murmurs about the two of them having something going on came from every side.
Public opinion?
Two can play that game.
I quickly took Penelope's hand, my voice light with satisfaction.
"Penelope, you wouldn't let some worthless man come between us, would you?"
She pulled her eyes off Sylvester and nodded hard.
Once I'd sent Penelope's parents off, I called my lawyer right there.
"Change the defendant. Yes, change it to Sylvester Delgado."
Then I turned and walked away, not bothering with Sylvester and his endless explaining.
Penelope wanted to speak, but she was too afraid I'd turn my anger on her, and her face went green holding it in.
Over the next few days, I worked carefully on the lawsuit materials.
I was just getting in the car to drive to the courthouse and file.
Robin told me my parents had come.
"Not just come. They brought Sylvester!"
That caught me off guard.
My parents didn't approve of me meeting someone online; they'd set their hearts on an arranged match. How did they even know Sylvester?
Before long, the three of them walked in.
My father, who was always stern, was chatting and laughing with Sylvester.
My mother called him "little Sylvester" in that warm tone.
She spotted me and spoke with a note of reproach.
"Why didn't you introduce little Sylvester to us sooner?"
Sylvester rubbed the back of his head. "I upset her a while ago, so we've been fighting about a breakup!"
I still hadn't worked it out.
The scrolling comments told me why.
【Our leads have plot armor! A little trick and they've won over the female side character's parents!】
【The male lead saved her parents from a car crash that nearly happened, so now he's their chosen son-in-law. Once those two marry, isn't the money all our girl's?】
I drew a deep breath and laid out the whole story.
But my father acted like someone had taken over his body.
"So what? They're both important to you. Losing a little money is nothing!"
My mother even tore up my documents on the spot.
"Drop the lawsuit. Why hurt everyone's feelings!"
"We'll all have dinner together today, and the misunderstanding will clear right up!"
【Looks like the slow-poison-at-the-engagement-dinner plot got moved to today!】
【As long as it's back on track. I don't want to watch the side character gloat anymore!】
All that preparation, ruined in a single stroke.
My hands curled into fists, the fingertips going white.
They practically dragged me into the private dining room by force.
Sylvester had a long, sickening apology speech ready.
【The male lead stalls for time while our girl doses the drink outside. What a perfect little couple!】
【Wait, no! Why's there an extra person?】
My parents turned, startled too, at Brandon Mason standing outside the room.
My original arranged match. A young heir from the business world, and a doctor with a medical degree.
My father swung his head toward me. "What's he doing here! You're marrying little Sylvester!"
I curved my lips and mouthed the words at the comments in front of me.
You don't like watching me? Then watch me enjoy this.
The counterstrike starts now.
Brandon gave me a slight smile, clapped his hands, and someone brought in Penelope, guilt written all over her face.
Along with a video.
At the restaurant entrance, Sylvester had forced Penelope's left hand flat against his chest with one hand.
With the other he pressed a packet of medicine into her palm.
"This beats for you alone, for life! Leah Pruitt is nothing! You're all I want!"
"After the way she treated you, don't go soft! Slip this in, then have her drink a glass of the milk I prepared every day, and she'll be slowly poisoned!"
Under the stunned stares of my parents and Sylvester, I picked up my phone and dialed the police...
