Chapter 23

Penelope's phone had been confiscated by Jacob, so she now had no method by which to communicate with the outside world at all. She had no way of breaking free of his control. She resentfully swallowed a bite of the lasagna before saying in a choked voice, "I hate you, Jacob Thornton!" A flash of hurt crossed Jacob's expression, and he spilled most of the lasagna in the bowl he held. He knelt down to clean up the mess. By the time he looked up again, he had reverted to his indifferent expression. "I'd rather you hate me than allow you to leave me to be with Peter!" he declared. "Just obediently stay by my side. I won't treat you badly." After the meal, a group of assistants poured into her room. "Please pick one of these dresses and head downstairs, Ms. Hall. Mr. Thornton is waiting for you on the couch," said one of them. "Get out!" yelled Penelope. "Mr. Thornton has ordered this season's newly released luxury pearl series for you, Ms. Hall. Please try them on and see if you l