She had no intention of explaining. She knew the rules of this world too well: if things weren't handled properly, they weren't handled properly, and any excuses were useless. Only Joey, unable to stay calm, always seemed afraid she would be at a disadvantage.
As expected, Capone ignored Joey's words completely. He flicked the ash from his cigarette and said to Zoey:"A month's salary will be deducted, no family visit leave next year, and you're not allowed to leave the port without my permission!"
Upon hearing the first part, Zoey remained calm, but her face turned pale at the latter part.
"Boss…" Joey still wanted to argue, but Zoey grabbed him firmly, stopping him from speaking further.
Penny, standing aside, felt increasingly anxious. Her eyes were fixed on the glittering necklace around her neck. She suddenly regretted flaunting it so conspicuously.
How could she have thought that Capone would overlook her actions because of their past relationship?
Zoey had a deeper connection with Capone's brothers, and Joey's pleas were of no use. How could she expect to escape unscathed?
So, when Capone approached with a drink, Penny instinctively shrank back, her mouth opening as if to speak, but no words came out.
"What's wrong? Afraid of me?" Capone asked with a half-smile, staring at her heavily made-up face. He was momentarily puzzled why he had once allowed a woman like Penny to stay around him, comparing her to Sophia, who was untouched by makeup.
The saddest thing for a woman is not that she is unloved, but that the person she once loved thinks they were blind for ever loving her.
That was probably Penny's situation.
"No… not at all, Capone. You're joking. How could I be afraid of you?" She tried to force a smile, but it was barely successful.
Capone poured vodka from his glass down her collarbone. The amber liquid flowed over her skin, soaking the expensive necklace. Under the light, the alcohol shone more brilliantly than the necklace, making the diamonds and gold look much dimmer.
"Acting on your own, biting the hand that feeds you, playing tricks on me—do you think you're so impatient with life, hmm?"
Penny shivered as the cold liquor seeped into her skin, her teeth chattering. "No, I didn't…"
"Still denying it? If I had arrived a bit later that day, Lucas would have forcibly taken my woman on my own turf. If word got out, it would have been a massive disgrace, and I'd have no standing left! Sophia Diaz was taken to his room by you. Do you dare say you weren't playing tricks on me?"
"Capone, believe me, I really didn't do it on purpose! That day, Lucas came to the restaurant early for Italian food. Since the pianist was on leave, I asked Sophia Diaz to play a piece temporarily. Unexpectedly, Lucas caused trouble and insisted that I bring Sophia Diaz to apologize to him. I had no choice! You know he knows me—offending him, he wouldn't let it go…"
"So you handed over my woman to be toyed with by him? You've got some nerve. If he succeeded, how many lives would you have to pay with?"
Penny was nearly driven mad with jealousy over his "woman" and his special treatment of Sophia Diaz. But she didn't dare show it, only able to force out tears to try and placate his anger.
Unfortunately, Capone was unmoved. He grabbed the necklace around her neck and yanked it harshly, almost choking her: "I don't keep ungrateful dogs. You can't stay at ROYAL anymore. Go to the finance department and settle your wages tomorrow!"
Penny was stunned. She didn't expect Capone to directly tell her to leave. Not to mention their brief affair, even considering the effort she had put into ROYAL over the years—though not meritorious, certainly not without hardship. Moreover, this circle wasn't very large, and if he let her go, it meant she wouldn't be able to rely on this job for survival. How would she make a living?
"No, Capone, please, I beg you, don't fire me based on past affection!" She clung to his sleeve, pleading desperately.
Capone remained unmoved. Two of his men by the door immediately came over and started to drag Penny out.
"Capone, you can't do this! I haven't betrayed you… Sophia Diaz was brought in by you. I only thought you were tired of her and wanted to teach her a lesson. It doesn't really matter if she was assaulted by Lucas or not! She's been here, so she's just like us. Even if you regret it, it won't change that fact!"
Capone's face darkened as he suddenly stormed over, grabbing her by the hair and forcing her to look up at him. "Say that again and see what happens!
"Boss, please forgive Penny this once! I believe she didn't do it intentionally; she just misunderstood! The main issue is my fault for not keeping an eye on Miss Sophia, which gave Lucas the chance. Penny knows she's wrong, and I'll talk to her properly. Please, give her another chance!"
Zoey pleaded with Capone, now addressing him as "Boss" instead of "Capone."
Capone's grip on Penny tightened and then loosened. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as if he was forcing himself to swallow his anger.
He knew Zoey rarely addressed him in this manner, only doing so during her marriage to the second brother, Portman. After Portman's death, Capone took over the management of ROYAL, with Zoey staying on to help. Now, Zoey was invoking her status as a widow to plead for a woman in ROYAL. Capone could only feel irony and helplessness.
He released Penny, then suddenly tightened his grip again, causing the diamond-studded chain to dig into her flesh. With a snap, it broke, leaving her neck cut and bleeding. He threw the chain on the ground and stomped on it.
He pushed Penny toward the two subordinates at the door and said, "You can stay if you want, but you'll work as a cleaner in the guest rooms. No salary for three months. If you can't stand it, come back to serving customers. Don't let me see you again—get out!"
Penny wanted to say something but ultimately remained silent. Capone cutting off her means of survival was already generous; she didn't dare provoke him further.
Zoey didn't delay. She helped Penny to her feet and tried to get her out quickly. She heard Capone's voice behind her: "This is the last time. Next time… I won't consider anyone's feelings when you beg for such a woman!"
Zoey bit her lip, "I understand. Thank you!"
After Capone stormed off, Zoey supported Penny, who was sobbing, her makeup smeared, clothes and skin ruined by alcohol, a deep bruise on her neck, and her hair a mess with some strands pulled out by Capone. She looked like a madwoman.
Zoey warned coldly, "Penny, I'll say this one more time—stop having any illusions about him. He's not a man you can afford to want!"
Penny, deeply shaken, pushed her hand away and staggered to her feet. "I don't need your concern. What right do you have to manage me? Aren't you also living off those brothers? I'm not as clever as you—marrying the second brother, then clinging to Joey after his death… Now you're unable to protect yourself and still begging for others. I don't care!"
She was unwilling to accept it. She had simply loved someone wholeheartedly—why did she have to suffer such torment?
Joey stepped forward and grabbed her by the neck. "Shut up! You… Boss shouldn't have shown mercy! Do you believe I could break every one of your teeth and make you wish you were dead?"
"Enough, go back now!" Zoey pulled him away. "Keep an eye on Capone. Things are unstable these days. Don't let your anger cause more trouble. Leave this to me!"
Even though every breath felt like a stab to her chest, Zoey's expression of pain was fleeting, quickly replaced by calm and composure.
"And you? Are you going to take the blame for something you didn't do just to plead for that woman? Didn't you hear what Boss said? No vacation next year, and you can't leave the port! How are you going to visit your family, your father's illness…"
"Enough, don't say any more! Go, Joey. I'm your second sister-in-law. Don't meddle in my affairs anymore. The rumors are frightening!"
What could she say? When she first arrived at ROYAL, she was naive, and Penny had helped her. Now, she was merely repaying that kindness.
Joey had no time to say anything further. Zoey had already turned her face away and was helping Penny out, her back a sight of anguish.
He threw his coat with frustration, feeling that the Diaz girl was simply ungrateful and had caused too much trouble!