Chapter 48

Penelope knew better than to push him. Reading the shift in his mood, she smoothly steered the conversation toward the upcoming celebration. The mention of the event jogged Matteo's memory and her curiosity. He remarked casually that he had already pre-ordered a gown for her. "Really? Where is it? I want to see it," she said, her eyes bright with anticipation. "I had Ms. Wright retrieve it," Matteo replied without thinking. He paused, then added, "But she's already off the clock." "I'll check with Mindy. She should know where it was left," Penelope said, her excitement impossible to hide. Matteo gave a subtle nod in approval. As she turned to leave, Penelope caught a glimpse of him slipping Mila's resignation letter into a desk drawer. If she wasn't mistaken, several other letters were already inside. The realization struck her then that Mila had been trying to quit for quite some time, and Matteo had simply refused to let her go. The discovery left a sour unease settling in h