FAMILY BREAKFAST

When Penny arrived at the main mansion, she paused at the grand entrance, her fingers tightening slightly around her skirt. She took a deep breath calming her racing heart.

Once, Chris had promised to introduce her to his parents once they were married, and now she was meeting them. Only that this time, she wasn't married to Chris, but his mad brother.

Penny had been worried that the Adkins family would not accept her because of her size. No one does, but now she knew about them, she didn't care.

Housekeeper Hughes stood by the polished wooden doors of the dining hall, her eyes sharp. "Miss Penny," she called gently, just as Penny was about to step in.

The woman leaned closer, lowering her voice. "Remember, back straight. Don't slouch. And if Madam Abby shows displeasure, apologize immediately. Do not talk back no matter what."

Penny gave a faint nod, lips pressed into a calm smile. She didn't respond, there was no need.

The Penny of a few hours ago, might have listened.

Now, she didn't care.

The Adkins family didn't scare her anymore. They needed her more than she needed them.

They were the ones desperate to keep her here, not the other way around. She was the only one who could tame the madman. The only one that has survived his brutality. And they knew it.

She knew Osvaldo's secret, one no one knew about. He wasn't really mad, to Penny, everything he did was all pretense. She had no idea why Osvaldo would want to act mad, but she didn't care.

Let them try to act superior. Penny was the one with power now. She knew their secrets, knew the truth they buried so deep even the servants dared not whisper it.

In fact, she might just enjoy the luxury while she takes revenge on Chris and Ariana for their betrayal.

The servants pushed open the heavy doors, and Penny stepped in with quiet grace.

"Oh Penelope, Welcome child, please come, come my dear." Abby Adkins called sweetly. A sweet smile on her lips as she welcomed her daughter.

Penny had expected to be scolded, but she was shocked to see her mother in law hug her so sweetly.

Maybe Rosie was wrong. Maybe Abby isn't so bad.

The woman actually seem so sweet and less troublesome. As they walked to the table, her eyes went over to Christian and Ariana who's sat across the long dinning table stretched before her like a battlefield.

Ariana was adorned with expensive jewels as usual, wearing a white dress that showed off her curves. Her blonde hair was tied up falling over her shoulder in ponytail. She looked so beautiful. Like an angel ascending from heaven.

And Penny. She was in her flower dress. No make up. No jewel, nothing. There wasn't even a hair pin attached to her hair.

She should be the jealous one. She should be envious of her sister, but she wasn't. If anything she had been happy for her sister.

But she had no idea why Ariana hated her so much.

Her eyes turned the left, to see an unfamiliar figure seated there. An elegantly dressed older man. Maybe he's Greg Adkins, Christian's father.

Everyone stared at her. Eyes swept over her from head to toe, not bothering to hide their judgment. The silence thickened, almost suffocating.

Madam Abby's expression was calm, her face like a porcelain mask as she welcomed her new daughter in law happily. But Greg Adkins… his lip curled downwards

He couldn't hide his disdain. The girl was hideous and fat.

Of course, the madman liked her. Only a lunatic could stomach such a girl. Greg's eyes gleamed with calculation. If she was truly as easy to manipulate as Chris claimed, then everything would go according to plan.

They'll milk her dry, then manipulate her into killing Osvaldo. Once their plans succeed, they would blame her for it, and lock her up in prison for life.

Easy isn't it. Greg smiled.

That would be the end of the cursed Adkins bloodline.

"Please come seat with us. I am so sorry I hadn't formally welcomed you." Abby said leading Penny to seat beside her.

"Before Christian announced your arrival, you were already inside the penthouse." She said dishing a few portion of the food into Penny's plate.

"Is this enough, or do you need more?" Abby asked, but before Penny could speak.

"That wouldn't be enough. Penny can eat everything on this table. Right Penny?" Ariana chuckled at her own joke.

"Hush Ariana. I will not take you bullying Penny. She's your elder sister and now your sister in law too." Abby scolded her. She would not let this girl ruin their plans of milking Osvaldo's inheritance from the one person that holds it now.

Ariana who hadn't expected to be scolded was too stunned to speak. She thought Abby would hate Penny too like everyone else.

Everyone hates Penny.

"I'm sorry mother. I didn't mean to. I... It's just the usual joke I and Penny laugh at sometimes." Penny shook her head as she stared at her younger sister.

Joke?

They barely even joke like this.

"That is no way to joke around Ariana. Jokes are meant to be funny, not boring." Abby rolled her eyes uninterested. Ariana clutched her fingers beneath the table, her nails digging into her finger.

She hadn't thought her plans of mocking Penny would backfire. She knew she had to do something about it as soon as possible.

"She's learnt her lesson mother. I'm sure Penny has no problem with it, if it's their usual jokes. Right Penny?" Chris asked but Penny didn't respond.

She hated that this is the life she'll be accustomed to now. Seeing Chris and Ariana everyday was something she wasn't ready for.

Ariana suddenly sniffled like an innocent child. "I'm sorry if I really hurt you Penny. I was wrong and was merely joking." She said.

"It's nothing Ariana, you've done worse." Penny smiled.

"Can't you just stop Penny. Ariana has already apologized, can't you let it go?" Chris came in defense of his finace and Penny couldn't help but chuckle. She hadn't even said a thing yet he was getting so defensive.