Resolving Emotional Knots

Mrs. Penny's reaction was exactly what Lola expected. Lola smiled at her, "That was all in the past. I was just a kid back then..."

That simple phrase, "It was all in the past," made Mrs. Penny pause, then she understood. The fact that Lola could talk about it so calmly now meant she had truly let go.

The girl who once desperately hid her feelings and secrets—that was the same girl who harbored a deep, secret crush on Sean Hayes.

But the Lola before her now had grown up. Those deep, unforgettable feelings from childhood had, with time and maturity, become nothing more than a bittersweet memory.

Just a memory, nothing more.

With those old knots in her heart finally untangled, Mrs. Penny found herself feeling at ease too. She returned to her usual charming self and smiled back at Lola, "Our little Lola has truly grown up."

As their conversation wound down, they'd already arrived at the house where Greta usually stayed.

Everyone hid outside the house. Lola, disguised as Greta, was carefully scrutinized by Mrs. Penny, who looked her up and down. "This look is flawless. Your build is very close to Greta's—it's uncanny! Chancellor Evans's disguise technique is truly impressive. The contact who usually meets Greta will be here soon. Go inside and get ready."

Lola nodded, then suddenly whispered in Mrs. Penny's ear, "Master Penny, I'm about to get married..."

"Married!?" Mrs. Penny exclaimed softly, looking up at Lola in surprise. But all she saw was Lola's retreating figure as she darted away, not even catching a glimpse of her trailing sleeve.

Mrs. Penny bit her lip, watching Lola slip into the house, and grumbled from her hiding spot, "That girl! She drops a bombshell about getting married and then runs off, not even telling me who she's marrying..."

Then Mrs. Penny grew frustrated. She'd raised Lola herself, yet as her mentor, she hadn't even noticed Lola had someone special. What a failure!

Mrs. Penny looked closely and saw a man dressed as a farmer, unremarkable, walk into Greta's courtyard, knock on the door, and go inside.

Soon, sounds of fighting erupted from inside Greta's courtyard, but it didn't last long. Only the man's muffled groans of pain remained.

A look of worry flashed in Mrs. Penny's eyes. It was only one night, when Sean Hayes had drunk too much and talked in his sleep, that Mrs. Penny learned Lola had already been mistreated before Sean rescued her from the brothel.

Sean Hayes had kept that secret tightly, never telling anyone—not even his own wife, Mrs. Penny. From Mrs. Penny's observations, it seemed Lola, being so young and traumatized at the time, probably didn't even realize what had happened to her.

If Lola never learns about her past, how will she explain it to her husband on their wedding night?

Not every man is as understanding as Eugene Jr., who doesn't care about his wife's past.

If Lola's wedding night turns into a disaster because of this, who knows how much psychological trauma she'll suffer? Her happiness for the rest of her life would be ruined.

Just thinking about it gave Mrs. Penny a headache.

Lola was rescued by Sean Hayes and trained by Mrs. Penny herself. "Once a teacher, always a mother," Mrs. Penny thought, feeling an even greater responsibility for Lola.

While Mrs. Penny was tangled up in worries about Lola's future, she suddenly heard a subordinate whisper, "Chief, the spy is here..."

Mrs. Penny looked closely and saw a man dressed as a farmer, unremarkable, walk into Greta's courtyard, knock on the door, and go inside.

Soon, sounds of fighting erupted from inside, but it didn't last long. Only the man's muffled groans of pain remained.