"Ahhh..." Zoren nodded, looking at the fuming Atlas seated on the long couch in his office.
For a mont, Zoren thought his brother-in-law had caught wind of Zoren’s decision to give Patricia a gift. After all, Atlas had expressed his disapproval of Patricia. She wasn’t particularly likable, but Zoren saw it as part of his "fatherhood program" before the real quadruplets arrived.
"So, we are... gay?" Zoren repeated, nodding in understanding. "Well, that’s interesting."
A glint flickered across Atlas’s eyes as he glared daggers at Zoren, who found it all quite intriguing. However, Atlas’s concern wasn’t what one might expect.
"I’m surprised you’re okay being romantically tied to soone other than your wife."
"Haha. It’s just a misunderstanding," Zoren chuckled. "The person in the picture is still Penny. Although I didn’t expect her insoles to make it seem like you two are the sa height. You are clearly past my shoulder, while Penny barely reaches my shoulder."
As Zoren explained, he sensed the temperature in his office slowly rising. His smile faltered as he looked at Atlas, who returned his gaze sharply.
"I didn’t an to comnt on your stature," he clarified. "I apologize."
"This is exactly what I was concerned about when you two were seen strolling hand in hand with her in those clothes," Atlas sighed, pressing a thumb to his temple and closing his eyes. "Zoren, Pierson Corporation is rather patriarchal with old-fashioned views."
Atlas then glanced at him with one eye. "This scandal is enough to warrant an ergency eting."
And that was why Atlas was angry.
It wasn’t that Atlas would be upset over such baseless rumors. They weren’t true, and therefore didn’t affect him emotionally. Besides, if it were true that he and Zoren were romantically involved, it wouldn’t be anyone’s business.
But having to deal with the company’s top brass over sothing so trivial irritated him to the core. Atlas already had his hands full and no ti for such nonsense.
"You deal with them," he said firmly, hand on the armrest as he pushed himself up. "And don’t drag into this. I’ve got enough on my plate, and the last thing I need is dealing with William Pierson."
After all, William Pierson would seize on this without hesitation. Atlas might as well give him a literal heart attack.
Zoren tilted his head, watching his brother-in-law leave. "First Brother, should I quash the rumors?"
It was an odd question, but he asked out of pure curiosity.
Atlas paused mid-step, considering for a mont. Glancing back over his shoulder, he replied, "There’s no need. I’d like to see my father’s reaction to this."
The corner of Zoren’s mouth quirked as he chuckled, nodding as Atlas resud his stride.
"Well," he shrugged once Atlas was gone and returned to his desk, picking up his phone to resu what he had been doing before Atlas interrupted.
But just before he could dial Yugi’s number again, the door suddenly burst open.
"Sir!" Benjamin gasped, holding the door open with evident agitation.
Even without seeing Benjamin’s pale face, Zoren could tell from his voice that the day’s unpleasant event was arriving sooner than expected.
Zoren sighed, quickly typing a ssage to Yugi.
[Could you please capture my children’s reactions? I’d like to see if they liked their gifts.]
Because there were more gifts on the way. Zoren was, after all, making up for lost ti in raising his "children."
He then turned to Benjamin. "William?"
"Yes, and a few shareholders are headed this way," Benjamin hissed, his dislike for William seemingly escalating even without effort. "He’s calling an ergency board eting."
"An ergency eting over sothing so trivial..." Zoren chuckled. "Escort them all to the boardroom. I’ll follow. And do not bother the COO for this, he’ll strangle the both of us."
****
anwhile, at Pri Group...
"Ahh... this looks good," Penny nodded in satisfaction, reviewing Teddy’s report on their new project plan. Her gaze moved from one page to the next, each revision more impressive than the last.
Teddy was certainly the right person for the job.
Penny smiled, reminding herself never to doubt Yugi’s judgnt again. After all, it was Yugi who had recomnded Teddy in the first place, suggesting he might be perfect for the role.
"I’m impressed," she said, looking up. Teddy stood on the other side of her desk. "I prefer this one. Let’s go with it."
She reached for a folder and handed it to him. "Though think about ways to integrate the other proposal. Both are strong, but this one stands solid on its own."
"Thank you." Teddy took the preferred proposal with a smile.
"By the way, I noticed you changed companies. Did sothing happen?"
Teddy raised an eyebrow, smiling as he took the folder. "They weren’t our first choice to begin with."
Penny studied Teddy’s expression, which now held a confidence that wasn’t there when he first arrived. She sensed that this project was helping him rebuild that confidence. It made her proud.
Whatever happened, she knew it was helping him piece together what this world—and certain people—had chipped away.
"Great job, Ted," Penny nodded approvingly. "I wish I could have seen their faces."
Teddy’s smile widened. He shared the sa sentint when he walked away from his previous employer, who had tried to undermine him.
"I’ll get to work on it. I’ll send you the final proposal once it’s ready," he said, nodding.
"Sure."
With that, Teddy turned to leave. But before he could, he rembered sothing that had been on his mind even before coming here.
"Um, Miss Penny?" he called back, earning a brief hum from her. "Have you seen the news?"
Penny glanced at him, tilting her head. "What news? About the Smiths?"
"No, Miss. The news about your brother."
"Oh..." Penny considered. "I’ll check it later. Is it important?"
"I thought you might want to see it. It’s been making headlines."
"I see," Penny nodded, not dwelling on it. Watching Teddy leave, she shrugged and returned to her work. "I wonder what Third Brother is up to this ti?"
After all, it was usually Slater making headlines, often for the most ridiculous reasons. She didn’t bother checking further; after all, Teddy hadn’t specified which brother—it slipped his mind that Penny had three brothers.
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