"Lola, what nonsense are you talking about! Is that really how you see your mentor?" Mrs. Penny stared at Lola in disbelief.
Is this Lola's true opinion?
Mrs. Penny had raised her apprentice with care, but is this really how Lola sees her as a mentor?
Lola's words chilled Mrs. Penny to the core. Heartbroken, she looked at Lola and said, "Lola, after all these years, have you really not felt how I've treated you? I've never seen you as a rival in love. In my eyes, you'll always be a child—my apprentice. But now, you say these things, accuse me of begrudging your happiness? Ha! I'm the person in this world who wishes for your happiness the most!"
"If you truly want me to be happy, then approve my marriage right now!" Tears welled up in Lola's eyes as she stubbornly wiped them away, looking at Mrs. Penny with determination.
Mrs. Penny looked at Lola helplessly and insisted, "No, I can't agree right now. I still need to observe Neil Zhao a bit more. There are things I need to confirm..."
"What is it that can't be discussed right now?" Lola glared at Mrs. Penny, full of resentment. "Master Peony, just what do you need to confirm? We love each other, and he's wonderful to me—what else is left to confirm!"
"That matter... I can't say..." Mrs. Penny bit her lip, stepped forward and took Lola's hand, pleading, "Lola, I'm truly not refusing your marriage. Once I've confirmed a few things, I'll make my decision. Please, don't rush—I promise I'll give you an answer."
"Forget it!" Lola coldly shook off Mrs. Penny's hand and stepped back. "You can't even bother to make up an excuse, you don't even try to fool me! What is there left to confirm? I bet you never intended to agree—you're just stalling for time. Neil Zhao is getting older and wants to settle down, but if you keep refusing, you'll drag things out for years. Maybe you'll drive him away, and while you enjoy a happy marriage, I'll be left alone, always envying you! Isn't that what you want? Isn't it!?"
With that, Lola grabbed Neil Zhao and dashed toward the door.
Mrs. Penny instinctively chased after them, reaching for Lola's arm and pleading, "Lola, come back! Please, don't rush. Let's go to the inner room—I need to speak with you privately... Please, come back and let me explain everything."
"Liar! I don't want to hear your nonsense, I don't believe you! You stole the man I love, and you can't stand to see me happy!" Lola fiercely shook off Mrs. Penny's hand and dragged Neil Zhao out the door.
Mrs. Penny was caught off guard when Lola broke free. Normally, her martial arts skills would keep her steady, but for some reason, she suddenly felt dizzy and lost her balance. Lola's push sent Mrs. Penny stumbling backward, crashing into a chair.
Mrs. Penny and the chair toppled to the floor, her stomach slamming into the chair's backrest. A searing pain ripped through her lower abdomen.
Lying on the floor, Mrs. Penny's abdominal pain was unbearable. She looked up, but Lola and Neil Zhao were already gone.
Suddenly, she felt a rush of warmth beneath her skirt—a hot stream burst forth. When she reached down to check, her hand came away covered in blood!
"Oh no!" Mrs. Penny bit her lip, fighting through the agony. Unable to stand, she crawled toward the door, shouting, "Help! Somebody, help!"