Penny could already imagine how terrified she must have been.


    The guests gasped quietly. Some frowned at her attitude, but no one dared speak. If Xavier himself didn’t scold her, who were they to interfere?


    "What you did to mother was wrong. She has every right to be mad at you. And don’t think because I spoke against her I’ve forgiven you for abandoning me." Penny said, her eyes filling with tears. But she felt a certain kind offort.


    It felt like she had finally done something important, held her father ountable for all the pain he caused them.


    Because of his actions, her mother had been so cruel. Penny had lived through torment, maniption, and loneliness. Every day had been a battle for survival in her mother’s twisted world.


    "I’m sorry, my princess," Xavier said gently. "I admit I’ve been a terrible man. But I’ve changed. I promise you, I will never be a terrible father. Let me prove myself to you. Hmm?"


    Penny stared at him. A tear slipped from her eye, then another. Xavier quickly caught them with his thumb, careful and soft.


    She still hadn’t fully processed the truth.


    Xavier Bloodsworth was her biological father.


    That meant... she was a Bloodsworth now.


    It didn’t feel real. Penny was torn inside, confused, heartbroken, and scared. This was too much to take in all at once.


    This is the same man she has seen on TV countless times before.


    She searched for Osvaldo, herfort, but Xavier turned her head back to himself.


    "You don’t have to cry, Penelope," Xavier said softly pulling her in for another warm hug. "You’re my daughter. And no child of mine should ever shed a tear, not when I’m here to protect and provide for them."


    He had waited for this moment his whole life. A chance to be a father, a real one. Penny hugged him back this time.


    She has wished for this all her life too. A chance to have a father. One that wasn’t a pervert.


    "My dear guests," Xavier announced, turning to the crowd. "Please forgive the drama. Let us now celebrate the return of my precious daughter. Penelope Bloodsworth."


    He held Penny’s hand tightly. The guests burst into apuse.


    Even if their smiles were fake, even if the cheers were forced, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that Xavier Bloodsworth’s princess hade home.


    One by one, the guests came forward to congratte them. Some brought flowers, others came with small gifts.


    "Congrattions, Penelope," Abby said calmly, giving her a small smile.


    Tonight had changed everything. The room was still buzzing from the shock of Xavier’s announcement. No one had expected Penny to be his daughter. And on top of that, she had lost so much weight in just a month.


    "Thank you," Penny replied politely.


    Chris and his father stood in the corner, stunned. They couldn’t take their eyes off her. Just today, they had mocked her looks. But now, they couldn’t deny it, Penelope was the most beautiful girl they had ever seen.


    Barry and his wife came forward to greet his niece like the cool uncle he was. Every pain, every anger Xavier had felt was deserving. Penny was worth fighting for.


    "Hi, Penny. I’m your uncle Barry, and this is my wife, Mary," Barry said with a warm smile. Then he looked around and frowned.


    <fnd576> Readplete version only at find?novel</fnd576>


    "I told them to stay right here... Where are those boys?" He sighed. "My sons should’ve been here by now. You’ll meet them soon, don’t worry."


    "It’s nice to meet you, Uncle Barry, Aunt Mary," Penny replied, still trying to process everything.


    "She’s such a sweet girl," Mary said. "Reminds me of Sofia."


    "Sofia?" Penny asked.


    "Sofie is our daughter," Mary cleared the misunderstanding. "She’s studying abroad but will be back soon. I hope you two will get along."


    "I’m looking forward to it," Penny said with a soft nod.


    "You must be hungry after such a long day," Xavier said kindly. "Come, let’s eat together."


    He led her toward the grand dining hall. As they walked, Penny suddenly froze.


    She felt like she had forgotten something. And just then, she remembered. Osvaldo... and Grandpa Adkins.


    "Osvaldo." She called and hurried back to fetch him. No matter what was happening, Osvaldo was her top priority. She’ll never forget him.


    Xavier watched his daughter hurry over to the real Adkins family who stood at a corner. Osvaldo’s face lit up when he saw his penguin again and Penny smiled.


    "Grandpa,e let’s feast with my new family," Penny said.


    "Congrattions on finding your real father kid," Darlington said calmly. The old man has been acting weak and useless all night to save his grandson. He missed events like this. They used to host events like this without any problem until Dewitt decided to be foolish.


    "Thank you, grandpa." Penny smiled.


    "It’s a shame I came with nothing. Who knew my granddaughter-inw would be this rascal’s daughter?" Pennyughed. But this action alone stirred up certain conversations.


    What is this?


    Is the new Bloodsworth daughter with a madman?


    What is her rtionship with those weird pair?


    "I don’t like her with those people who are they?" Mary held her husband’s hands, terrified at the man beside Penny who looked nothing short of dangerous.


    Even though he smiled harmlessly, he was terrifying.


    "I don’t like them either, but there’s nothing we can do. They’re the lost Adkins family. Though I have no idea why no one has noticed."