Chapter 12


    Allison acted as cool as a cucumber, and she didn’t even darey her eyes on Jason.


    At this point, Lucian went up to her, dipped his head slightly and introduced her to his family,


    “Penelope, this is my aunt, Cora Lindberg–Hamilton.”


    Allison greeted her in a slightly raspy voice, “Hello, Auntie.”


    She intentionally lowered her voice. Although she couldn’t perfectly imitate Penelope’s voice, it could


    pass in this noisy environment.


    Allison had heard of Cora Lindberg–Hamilton from Christopher. She was a tough cookie who knew all


    the right moves. Her husband, Mr. Brummett, had been under the weather and resting while she


    single–handedly ran thepany with flying colors. She was sharp as a


    tack.


    Allison’s careful demeanor made Cora Lindberg–Hamilton think that this ‘Penelope‘ was very polite and


    obedient.


    She nodded approvingly and said, “Mmm, Lucian, since you’ve popped the question, you better treat


    Penelope right.”


    “Got it.” Lucian wrapped his arm around ‘Penelope’s‘ waist, took a swig of his drink, then said to Allison


    while looking at Jason), “This is my cousin Jason, you’ve met before.”


    Allison felt like her heart leaped into her throat when she heard this name.


    She slowly exhaled, one hand holding a wine ss, the other hanging by her side, clenching tightly.


    She didn’t say a word, which Lucian thought was due to the unpleasant dinner they hadst time. He


    figured Penelope was still holding a grudge, so he didn’t make a fuss about it.


    Meanwhile, Jason, with a glint in his eye, raised his ss, “Congrats, … Penelope.”


    The drawn–out tone made Allison shudder involuntarily, which made her spill her wine all over her


    dress.


    “Sorry!” Her face turned a shade paler, she quickly put down her ss and apologized, “I need to step


    out for a bit.”


    Then she bolted back to the dressing room without a second thought.


    Lucian frowned slightly and sent a warning look to Jason, but Jason just shrugged innocently, “Lucian, I


    didn’t do anything.” But his bride, Penelope, was acting pretty fishy today.


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    “Auntie, Penelope can’t hold her liquor; she might have had one too many. I’ll go check on her.”


    “Go ahead, we’ll hold the fort here. You should be with her.” Cora Lindberg–Hamilton said


    nonchntly.


    Lucian nodded and headed towards the dressing room.


    Meanwhile, Allison had made it to the dressing room, but her nerves were still on edge.


    She almost thought Jason had figured her out.


    She couldn’t stay here any longer.


    Allison wanted to quickly change out of her dress and make a swift exit while no one was looking.


    However, just as she had taken off her dress, she heard the door being pushed open, followed by


    Lucian’s voice, “Penelope…”


    Damn it, she was too hasty and forgot to lock the door.


    She instinctively turned around and saw Lucian’s towering figure in the doorway, who was frowning at


    her.


    Allison clutched her dress lightly to cover herself, but her cheeks turned crimson involuntarily, “Why are


    you here?”


    Seeing the panic in her eyes, Lucian asked in a low voice, “What happened?”


    “My dress is stained; I need to change into a fresh one and continue.” She tried to maintain her


    composure, but her nervousness was still as clear as day to him.


    Lucian’s gaze deepened slightly. The moment he walked in, he noticed ‘Penelope’s‘ bare back. Her


    skin was smooth and wless.


    But he remembered that morning that he had seen a prominent scar on Penelope’s back.


    But now, that scar… seemed to have disappeared.


    At this thought, Lucian reached out and grabbed her shoulder, his voice low, “Turn around, let me help


    you change.”


    “No need; I can handle it.” Allison’s face