Avoiding questions throughout the night had been difficult, but fortunately, Zoren didn’t pry. Surprisingly, Atlas remained quiet, even after seeing Penny’s and Slater’s faces. Only Hugo had asked questions, but he quickly got distracted when Butler Lee ntioned Renny and Chunchun playing outside. Hugo ended up playing with them all night. From what Penny heard, Hugo even slept with them.
"I guess I should leave so things behind," Penny murmured, gazing at her open suitcases in the bedroom as she did a final check.
Her lips curved up slightly, and her eyes glead. "This may not have been the honeymoon I expected, but it’s full of mories."
At the start of the trip, Penny had been stressed about things not going her way. Seeing Atlas, Hugo, and even Allen on the sa plane had bothered her — just a little. Then, upon arrival, Slater and Benjamin were the ones to pick them up.
The surprises hadn’t stopped there. She ran into Lily, Ginnie, Finn, Nina, and even Max. Jas had also made an appearance, as well as Mint and Ray. With so many familiar faces popping up, no one could bla Penny for thinking this vacation would only add to her stress. But in the end, she had been wrong.
The five-day trip hadn’t even felt like five days — it felt much shorter and packed with fun. Sure, there had been an incident involving a syndicate, but it wasn’t enough to overshadow everything else. The trip had it all: cody, romance, action, and even a llow dramatic confession from Slater.
It had been a rollercoaster, unexpected but completely worth it.
"There you go," she muttered, smiling brightly as she placed a few items inside a cabinet. "We’ll co back for you. We’re visiting this paradise again for sure."
And next ti, she would make sure no one thought she was abducting her husband. She was also certain that Butler Lee would keep their things safe and ready to use the next ti they ca back.
"That’s it!" Penny clapped her hands, then turned to look at the rest of her luggage. "Ti to pack."
With their flight only a few hours away, Penny quickly packed up the remaining essentials while making sure not to put so much strain on her leg. She deliberately left behind a few more items, ensuring she had a reason to return. When she finished, she nodded in approval.
"This is more like it," she said just as a knock ca at the door. A castle helper stood outside.
"Young Madam, are you finished packing? The Young Master asked us to assist with your luggage."
Penny nodded. "I’m done. Thank you."
With that, she helped the helpers carry her bags downstairs to be loaded into the car. One of the perks of marrying a rich man was skipping the usual travel hassle — no need for a car, then a ferry, then another car to the airport. A helicopter would take them straight there, where a private plane would be waiting.
Zoren had extended this luxury to their friends, offering to cut down their travel ti. However, most of them had declined for their own reasons. Although they accepted the helicopter trip, they didn’t want to bother them by tagging along in their private plane.
Penny was now ready to leave. She watched as her luggage was carried out of the bedroom, then took one last glance around. Smiling softly, she turned to follow the helpers. But as she reached the zzanine, she paused.
Her gaze drifted toward the other direction of a particular study—the very place where Zoren had taken her to watch the birth of the star, Penelope.
After a brief pause, Penny turned to the helper. "Tell Renren I’ll be down in a bit."
The helper nodded with a polite smile and continued downstairs.
Penny lingered for a mont before taking a different path—one leading to the attic.
From the beginning, Penny had told herself she would return there. Zoren had given her plenty of details, enough to satisfy her curiosity, but sothing still nagged at the back of her mind. She hadn’t thought much of it before, but now that she was leaving, she knew she had to take one last look.
She stopped in front of the attic door. It creaked loudly as she pushed it open, revealing Enzo Pierson’s workshop.
Glancing around, everything looked exactly as she had left it. The book she had placed on a stack of others remained in the sa spot, now covered in a thin layer of dust.
She stepped forward and picked it up, waving a hand in front of her face as dust filled the air.
"Ahem!" she coughed, holding her breath until the dust settled.
Flipping to the page where she had slipped the Pierson family photo, Penny pressed her lips together as she studied the image.
It was exactly as she rembered it: a dashing man and a beautiful woman standing behind an elegant elderly woman—Old Mrs. Pierson—who sat with an adorable young boy on her lap. Even in a photograph, their presence was undeniable. It wasn’t just their appearance or expensive clothing; there was an aura about them, sothing regal and commanding.
Especially Enzo Pierson, Old Mrs. Pierson, and Zoren.
Enzo looked like a prince straight out of a fairy tale. Old Mrs. Pierson had the air of a powerful queen dowager. And Zoren? He carried the weight of a genius heir — one who would lead the next generation with an iron fist.
Penny murmured, "It’s amazing to see them together in one picture."
Her eyes shifted to Naylani Pierson.
"But sohow... not to judge, but she feels off."
That was what had been bothering her.
It wasn’t just a matter of appearance—Naylani was undeniably beautiful. But compared to Enzo, Grandma Pierson, and Zoren, she lacked presence. Even in this picture, she seed more like a backdrop than a central figure.
Again, no offense.
Penny lifted her gaze to the unfinished painting of Naylani.
"But..." she trailed off, staring at the portrait. "That woman in the painting—though unfinished—looks more like the Naylani Pierson I’ve heard about."
Moving closer to the painting with the small family picture in her hand, Penny raised the photo beside the canvas. Just what was this feeling that Penny couldn’t shake?
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