SWNOVELS Chapter 2263
In fact, the reason was pretty straightforward.
"The first time I laid eyes on you, you were tending to your mom, who was three sheets to the wind, slumped over in her own world of sorrow. Natalie had sent someone to tell me about your mother's sad state Coincidentally, I was neck-deep in research on how parents shape their kids' personalities, and your train wreck of a family history, to me, was the perfect case study.
"Case study?" Rose couldn't even muster a plea, just staring blankly at Penn.
"Think lab rat, only you had it way better than those critters. After all, I showered you with affection and tolerance, let you grow up healthy and wealthy by my side. So, you're more like some spoiled pet I raised Pets, you see, if you have a conscientious owner, they get extra coddling and love. So, when you messed up, I could just chuckle and let it slide. But..."
The hint of a smile in Penn's eyes vanished in a flash.
"Pets should never bare their fangs at their owners, let alone bite the hand that feeds them." After saying this, he smiled again, but this time it didn't reach his eyes, sending a shiver down Rose's spine.d2 "Penn, you're just blowing off steam!" Rose shook her head desperately.
All these years, she had thrived on Penn's doting nature. It seemed no matter how outrageous her actions, Penn would just laugh it off and say it was okay, just be more careful next time.
Now she was being told he'd never even seen her as a person.
How could Rose possibly accept that?
If even Penn didn't regard her as a person, then her existence in this world was utterly devoid of love.
"Don't talk like that, it hurts, it really hurts!" Rose wept pitifully. Her tears now were even more heart-wrenching than when Penn first saw her, bruised and curled up in a corner, sobbing.
"Hurts?" Penn's voice softened a bit.
And with that slight softening, Rose clung to it like a lifeline, "Penn, you're the family I care about the most..."
But before Rose could finish, Penn clicked his tongue. "Good, you should hurt. After all these years, not a single soul around you truly loves you. It's pathetic, a life so miserably lived." Rose felt as if she'd been struck by lightning.
Penn ignored Rose's expression, stood up, took out his phone, and snapped a picture of her in her sorry state, then declared, "Subject A02H, thirty-one years of study... and the research is officially over."
"Penn!!!" Rose screamed.
"Next month, I've got a psych conference to attend. I'll be presenting our little findings there. Afterward, I'll make sure the dean shows you the tape." Penn glanced at the vast blue sky, continuing, "Such a beautiful day here, not like the constant gloom of Munich. You just behave and enjoy your hellish little life, will you?"
"No, no..." Rose's terror peaked in an instant.