Zoren, for Mark and Wild, was perhaps one of the most reliable people around Penny. So when he said it was done, they didn’t question it, especially Mark, who had worked for the man for many years.
With that, Wild scolded Penny one last ti while Mark had to sit through all of it. Mark felt it wasn’t proper to leave while the two went on about the drink Penny accidentally had. So, when Wild finally finished his scolding, they excused themselves.
However—
"Mark," Penny called just before Mark could walk out of the office. "Don’t leave yet."
Hearing this, Wild’s face reddened, giving Mark a warning look. "If she asks for any dangerous requests, don’t."
Mark kept his mouth shut, nodding in response. He watched as Wild stord away before walking back in, closing the door behind him.
"What is it, Miss Penny?" he asked, walking closer to her desk.
"I’m going to drop by Finn’s ho later to talk about a plan," she started as soon as he stopped, taking out sothing from her drawer to show him a woman’s portrait. "It’s about her. I know Renren already gave his word that he’d go to catch her, but I need her as soon as possible."
Mark’s eyes shifted to the wallet-size photo between her fingers. He had seen that photo before — in fact, every bodyguard stationed with Penny and Zoren had seen this portrait before.
It was a portrait of Nina’s biological mother when she was a lot younger.
"I need you to be alert at all tis," she said. "And also, extend the range of my security. For them to co up with such a trap, it ans they’d been watching from afar, perhaps farther than the shadow guards Renren planted on ."
That was the only thing that could explain how they were able to co up with such a plan. After all, Penny had visited the orphanage under a different na. Therefore, the enemies knew she was interested in the orphanage. For the shadow guard not to detect them, it ant they were watching from behind them.
"I’m already planning on doing that." His voice was a little detached as he lowered his head. "And I’m also planning on reviewing your tracks from a few days ago at least. It’ll probably give us an idea just how far they were watching."
Penny nodded. "Yes, do that."
Mark lowered his head once more and turned on his heel, taking a step to leave. However, just when he took his third step, he stopped and looked back at Penny.
"Miss Penny."
"Hmm?"
"Do you think the file I took that night is even legitimate?" he asked. "If it was planted, doesn’t that an the details about Jonathan Pierson were altered?"
A mont of silence fell in the office as the two of them stared at each other. After a beat, Penny nodded at him.
"It could be," she replied, setting aside the photograph on her desk. "But what I am certain of is that he was there at so point."
Otherwise, Jonathan wouldn’t have reacted the way he did when the drunk Penny confronted him.
Maybe all the other data weren’t as credible anymore, but one fact remained: Jonathan Pierson was one of the orphans in that orphanage for so ti in the past.
Mark studied her and nodded. "I’ll be out for a while, but I will be back before you leave for the laboratory."
With that, Mark resud his steps, and this ti, he didn’t stop anymore.
When he was out of sight, Penny slowly leaned back. A sharp breath slipped past her nostrils, brushing aside the stray hair falling on her forehead.
"That was close," she whispered, worry now peeking out from her heart.
When Mark and Wild were there, Penny didn’t want to appear worried. Knowing them, they would also get worried. Even so, realizing that she had made a huge mistake that could have had a detrintal effect on her life.
And this slight unease crawling from her gut to her heart wasn’t just fear of what could have happened. But rather, a feeling of knowing what kind of people she was up against.
They weren’t just vile, but they were also smart.
Perhaps smarter than she could ever be.
Therefore, Penny decided right then and there to pass it to her husband. This... was sothing she could fix, but not as squeaky clean as Zoren’s n could do.
After all, the Phantom Circle was not just any vigilante group in the underworld. They were almost untraceable, making themselves a mystery to those who had heard of them.
’What a hypocrite, Penny...’ she thought. ’I told him not to stay away from the Phantom Circle when we officially started this relationship. Yet, here I am, relying on that.’
Pride couldn’t feed her, but it could sting her in so way. Her thoughts, however, were interrupted when a knock ca from the door.
Knock knock
"Hmm?" Slowly, she raised her eyes to the door, catching Patricia peeking her head in. The second she recognized her, Penny stopped the urge to roll her eyes. "What now, Patricia?"
Patricia smiled awkwardly, feeling a little bitter about Mark. Stopping in front of Penny’s desk, she cleared her throat.
"Penny, I asked Mark to hand this to you, but he just told he forgot," she said, handing over the small custom flyer she made for Penny. Her lips stretched into a coaxing smile. "My mom’s making sothing tomorrow. She asked which one you’d like."
Penny’s brows rose slightly before her eyes fell on the flyer. She picked it up and skimd through it.
Does she think she can always get her way by feeding ?
The corners of Penny’s mouth twitched, not entirely pleased by this. Even so, she found herself checking the nu and considering what might satisfy her taste buds tomorrow.
As for Patricia, she pursed her lips while Penny read the nu. But then, she noticed a photograph just on the side of Penny’s desk.
Hmm? Patricia’s brows rose a bit as she stretched her neck to get a better look.
"You know what, I don’t know." Penny sighed and snapped her eyes up, only to see Patricia eyeing the photograph. She instinctively placed her hand on top of it, watching Patricia look back at her. "Anything is fine, Patricia. Now, go."
"Penny, who is that?" Patricia asked, pointing at the hand covering the small portrait. "She looks familiar."
"It’s none of your business, Patricia."
Patricia frowned. "It is my business if it’s on your desk."
"For Pete’s sake..." Penny grumbled, pulling the photo closer to look at it. "It’s supposed to be my mother, apparently."
"Huh?"
Penny smacked her lips and cast a disinterested look at Patricia. "Patricia, can you please stop asking for a mont? I have work to do, and as far as I know, your job is to help with that, not stress out."
"Fine." Patricia clicked her tongue as she picked up the nu. "Gosh. Are you on your period? I’m leaving. I’ll just bring so food tomorrow."
With that, she dragged her feet out. But just as she stepped out of the office, Patricia furrowed her brows as she looked back at the door.
"Why does that person look a little familiar? Where did I see her?"
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