Penelope's eyes wavered.
Of course, she's thought about how it would be nice if that happened, but it wasn't an easy task.
Isaac, who had paid a large sum of money to Bridget's family to take her as his wife, hoped that she would be worth the money.
In fact, Bridget's original family, the House of Florence, was a long-standing family whose name was recorded several times in history books, although it had recently fallen into decline due to business failures.
In comparison, what about Penelope's family, the Hudson family?
His great-grandfather, who was said to have come from a foreign country, was of unclear origin and was constantly suspected by the nobles and was not accepted socially.
The Hudson family had been labeled as a 'family of unknown origin' for three generations.
The reason Penelope had to marry the old Count of Bellingham and the reason she was laughed at in high society was largely due to this background.
"Isaac wants to use Bridget as a springboard to establish himself in aristocratic society. He will never divorce her."
Penelope knew his desires well.
How excited Isaac was to be invited to the noble party thanks to the invitation he received from Bridget.
William was amazed.
"So you're saying that you'll give birth to that child and hold it in your arms just by believing that her uncertain promises?"
"Isaac has accepted this child as his heir, and if the child is a son, he will Inherit the title and property. I am satisfied with that."
"What if he doesn't keep his promise?"
Penelope wanted to explain to her father how much Isaac loved and cared for her. That he would never do that.
But she kept her mouth shut because she knew how pointless it would be to say such things to her father.
"You know that the moment they have that child, the Bellinghams will no longer care about you. They will try to take your title away from you immediately."
Penelope, who remained by the Count of Bellingham's side as his wife until the day he died, retained the title of Countess of Bellingham.
Now that the Count's son has become the new Count, she is technically the former Countess of Bellingham.
In any case, it was a marriage for the purpose of obtaining that title. With that title, one would be remembered as a noble for life and would be cared for by the Bellingham family.
However, if Penelope gave birth to a child by another man, it would provide legal grounds for the Bellingham family to expel Penelope.
The new Count of Bellingham, who already regarded Penelope as a thorn in his side, would not miss this opportunity.
It would be difficult for a poor stepmother who was left alone to avoid her duty of support simply by starting a relationship but giving birth to a child would be a legally contestable issue.
"If you're not careful, the child will become an illegitimate child and even your title will be taken away. You will lose everything. Don't trust your fate to the empty promises of Viscount Winston."
Penelope's face turned pale.
"Then what should I do?"
"You have to use your head. Make Viscount Winston want to divorce Bridget"
"How?"
"Either you give Viscount Winston what he wants, or you prove that Bridget is useless."
Penelope's gaze wavered.
"When you plan something like this, you should show some guts. I didn't give birth to you and raise you to be a concubine in someone else's house."
William drove the wedge in.
"If you can't do that, give birth quietly and put the baby up for adoption without anyone knowing, and then go back to Bellingham. Live there as if you were dead."
"That can't be!"
Penelope looked at Viola with a look of need, but Viola looked away, noticing William's expression.
"Do as your father says, Penelope."
Viola, who believed that looking good to men was the only way for a woman to survive, was never one to go against her husband, even if it was related to her children.
William said.
"If you leave Bridget alone, she'll take everything from you. I can't stand to see that happen."
"..."
"Yes, now you know what to do?"
***
That night. Isaac lay in bed with Penelope, lost in thought.
Penelope asked cutely, snuggling into Isaac's arms.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Bridget, that is."
Penelope's expression hardened slightly when she heard that what Isaac had been thinking of was Bridget.
But Isaac was lost in his own thoughts and spoke absentmindedly, not noticing Penelope's expression.
"I think Bridget has some ulterior motive."
"What are her intentions?"
"If not, why would she let you stay in this mansion?"
Penelope paused. 'Let you stay'.
Of course. She knew that Bridget had given permission, but it felt bad to hear those words so soon after her conversation with her father.
Doesn't it seem like she has no choice but to be kicked out if Bridget kicks her out?
"Isn't that the end of the story? Even If she has an ulterior motive, what can Bridget do? If she wants to kick me out, will you let her do it?"
Isaac asked playfully, wrapping his arm around Penelope's shoulder.
"Are you worried?"
It was a very serious matter for Penelope, who was carrying a child in her womb. Isaac's playful tone made her tear up for a moment.
But Penelope had no choice but to suppress her anger because she had to please him.
She coquettishly entered Isaac's heart.
"Oh, it's not about me, I'm your person, and it's ridiculous for Bridget to treat her husband like that."
"That's true."
"A wife shouldn't treat her husband like that. She can't go against his wishes. Everything Bridget enjoys is yours, and she seems to forget that. Does she even know how to be grateful?"
You should never go against your husband's will. A wife is her husband's property, so she should always respect him and make him happy.
It was something she always heard from her mother.
Penelope flattered Isaac with such words.
She never thought that words she hated hearing as a child could be so helpful.
"That's what I'm saying. Thanks to me, she can live in a mansion like this and think she's great."
Isaac was furious as he thought about Bridget's unreadable eyes and blunt expression.
Penelope nodded cutely.
"Yes. Bridget is nothing without you. All she has is the honor of her family. Even if she has other motives, what can she do if you break them?"
"You're right. What can something like her do to me?"
Isaac pondered Bridget's actions and came to his own conclusion.
"She was trying to embarrass me at the party, right? She thought I'd give up on being social."
Isaac snorted.
"What do you mean? Bridget tried to embarrass you at the party?"
"Oh, don't worry about it. It's nothing serious. I guess she wants to block my entry into society, but she can't do that. I'll definitely make my place in society."
Penelope bit her lip as she watched Isaac burning with enthusiasm to somehow squeeze his way into society through Bridget.
'I need to cut off all contact with Bridget.'
***
Cedric, the butler of Winston Manor, looked at the large ruby ring in front of him with a puzzled look.
"Why are you giving this to me..."
"I have a favor to ask of you, butler."
Penelope smiled beautifully.
Her lips, painted as red as the ruby in front of her, formed a captivating smile.
She was the one who acted as a ruler, ordering the servants around as she pleased during the few days that Bridget was imprisoned.
It was obvious after just a few days that the butler of this mansion was a man of few words and a reserved disposition.
"It's not that difficult. Can you give it a try?"
Penelope gently picked up the ring and dropped it into the butler's pocket.
"A jewel ring like this would be worth at least six months' salary for a butler."
The pocket was heavy because the ruby was so big.
Cedric swallowed hard.
"What would you like to ask?"
"From now on, bring me all the invitations and letters that come to Bridget. Don't leave behind even a small note."
"Yes?"
"If you do your job well. I will reward you with a generous amount of money. How about that? It's not that hard, is it?"
Penelope spoke secretly in a low voice.
"Of course, this is a secret between the butler and I."
"He doesn't even know, the Master?"
Penelope emphasized.
"The two of us. You and me."
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