The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 77

The woman’s eyes widened in surprise, and she seemed taken aback by my reaction. “Wait, I know you. You’re the woman who helped me that night.”

My jaw tightened as I crossed my arms over my chest, my skepticism unwavering. “Is that what you call it? You lied to me!”

She looked genuinely apologetic now, her gaze dropping to the ground. “I know, and I’m so sorry. It wasn’t right, and I feel awful about it.”

“Oh, that’s rich!” I barked.

“Please, let me explain!” she pleaded, raising her hands in surrender.

I hesitated, still hardly containing my anger. “Explain? What could you possibly say to justify what you did?”

She took a deep breath, her eyes locked onto mine. “I owe you an apology. I guess I didn’t really consider how crazy fans would get. I’m truly sorry.”

My brow furrowed as I regarded her cautiously. “Apology? You expect me to believe that?” The woman nodded, her expression earnest. “I am. You see, I needed a story to keep my job, so when I saw you coming out the firm, I pounced.”

“So you’re just another desperate reporter,” I said icily, jamming a finger in her face. “And I don’t think you realize just how insane Timothy’s fans are.”

She looked genuinely apologetic now, her gaze dropping to the ground. “Trust me, I do. Which is why I regret it deeply.”

I kissed my teeth and adjusted the purse on my shoulder. Her apology was sounding pretty lousy so far. Looking at her down, her older, homely appearance. has also diminished significantly.

She had a round but upbeat face framed by wavy, black hair. Her gray eyes were round and expressive, and they certainly seemed downtrodden in that moment. She looked cleaner overall, having exchanged the theater impression of a homeless woman with a cardigan and some slacks.

“Who even are you?” I asked, my gaze tracing over her. “I mean, when you’re not impersonating homeless people, that is.”

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Chapter 77

began to speak. “My name is Penelope Carter, but everyone calls me

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genuine, and yet my guard remained firmly in place. “Well, Penny, I’m not sure what

now?”

at me, her eyes earnest. “For deceiving you and using your kindness for a story. But I want you to know that I genuinely appreciate the

found myself listening more closely to her words. “That was a

find a way to make things right,” she continued, her voice. low and barely audible.

plan to do that?” Penny’s gaze never wavered as she spoke. “I’ve been following Timothy Hayes‘ scandals very closely. As a fan of his, I’ve seen the dedication you’ve put into

words. Part of me itched to see how deep she’d gotten into Timothy’s private life, and just how much of it exposed his relation to me. I was already being dragged through the gutters for

want to help,” Penny

way?” She took a step closer, her fingers fiddling with the hems of

set that can shape public perception. I want to counter any negative publicity or scandals that might come in your or Timothy’s way. I believe you both deserve a fair chance, and I want to use my abilities to make

swirled within me–doubt, uncertainty, but also a spark of hope. Could Penny’s

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Fri, 22 Ma

Chapter 77

case?

“And why should I trust you?” Penny’s voice held a note of sincerity as she met my gaze head–on. “I understand that you don’t

considered her offer, the wheels turning in my mind. Could I trust her

get to use my skills for something positive for a change. On a more selfish note, helping a

began to creep in as I weighed her words. “You’re proposing to handle

again, I can even help you navigate the negative

my reservations and the potential benefits of having someone with Penny’s abilities on our side. This may have been something that I needed to speak with Timothy about, considering his career

I sighed and gave her a reluctant nod. “Fine, I’ll consider it. But know this-

lit up with gratitude, and she quickly scribbled down her contact information on a piece of paper. “Thank you, Evie. I won’t let

I took the paper from her, I could only try and feel hopeful about what’s to come. The paper with her contact information felt

for giving me this opportunity,” Penny said sweetly as she

gaze.