After a long night of reflection — a night to remind themselves of what they had and what they could lose — morning finally rose once more.
SLAP!
Penny slapped her cheeks and stared at her reflection in the mirror, nodding firmly to herself.
"We can do this," she told herself. "You’ll be fine — everyone’s going to be fine. And..."
She pointed at her reflection. "Nathalie’s a dead woman. I may have forgiven everyone else, but not her."
After her morning mantra, she stepped out of the walk-in closet. Zoren was no longer in their bedroom, but she didn’t bother looking for him. Instead, she flipped her hair and walked out with purpose.
On her way downstairs, she spotted several n standing by the entryway.
Her steps slowed as she eyed the n in suits. It looked like the start of so formal gathering — but they all knew better.
There stood Charles, Haines, Atlas, and Zoren, speaking in hushed tones. It looked like they just engaged in talks as soon as they ca in. Considering their conversation the night before, it was no surprise they’d forgotten there were other places in the residence to talk.
"But as I was saying..." Charles trailed off as he noticed soone descending the stairs. He looked up and offered Penny a smile and a nod.
His pause drew everyone’s attention. Zoren, in particular, smiled fondly at his wife. Penny, dressed simply in a shirt and jeans, her hair tied back and her cheeks slightly flushed, was no less stunning than when she was dolled up.
Haines and Atlas both gave her a curt nod as she approached. "Good morning, Penny."
"There are other places for this," she said knowingly. "Dad, Uncle Haines — have you had breakfast?"
"Thankfully, I have a wife who won’t let her husband walk out of the door with an empty stomach," Charles said, clearing his throat and glancing at Haines. "Can’t say the sa for him, though. He’s been staying elsewhere lately."
"Then I’m sure Uncle Haines has eaten," Penny quipped playfully, making her father narrow his eyes in suspicion.
Haines rely chuckled.
"Haines," Charles continued, his tone curious despite knowing the answer, "does she actually know where you’ve been staying? How co she already know that?"
Atlas, maintaining a dead look, chid in. "I also know."
"What?! Even him!?"
"That’s not important right now, Charles," Haines replied coolly. "How about we go inside first? Penny’s right. There are better places for this conversation."
Charles frowned at the blatant deflection. If it weren’t for their current crisis, he’d have pressed further. But that could wait. This matter, on the other hand, couldn’t.
The group began heading toward the study — Charles and Haines hadn’t yet seen the wall of notes and connections, after all.
Before they could proceed, the front door opened behind them. Turning, they saw Finn and Dean entering.
"Why are you still here?" Atlas frowned at Dean. "You already earned your seat last night. No extras for today."
Finn smiled. "Since he knows Jonathan and they share the sa personality flaws, I figured he might help us piece together a few more things from Jonathan’s perspective."
"What?" Dean recoiled. "That’s why you brought here?!"
"Not a bad idea," Atlas added, nodding. "They do look alike."
Dean’s face twisted at their remarks.
"Either way, the boy was a big help," Charles said, resuming his stride. "As long as he doesn’t get himself killed, he’s welco to join. He might add so helpful insight."
Haines followed after him. anwhile, Penny and Zoren lingered behind, both fixing their eyes on Dean.
Penny’s expression held clear reluctance. Dean still irritated her, but admittedly, his wild obsession with Jonathan had yielded results.
After all, Atlas was — frankly — useless at spying on Jonathan. They might as well have asked Atlas to end him instead. He’d probably talk Jonathan to death.
"Dean," Zoren said quietly. "I let you in last night so you’d understand the gravity of this situation."
Dean frowned. "Don’t tell you’re kicking out. Seriously? After carrying the entire gang on my back?"
"I’m not," Zoren clarified. "But understand this — it’s dangerous. Don’t expect to save you if you get in trouble just for knowing too much."
With that, he turned to Penny and gave a nod. The couple then followed the others into the study.
Atlas stayed behind for a mont, casting Dean a glance.
"He won’t save you," Atlas said flatly. "But I would. Not without you begging, though."
Then he left.
Dean’s face soured. He glared at Finn, who’d dragged him here in the first place.
"I will kill you," Dean muttered. "I didn’t ask to be picked up just to eat humiliation for breakfast."
Finn chuckled until his eyes were squinting. "Sorry about that. But I’m sure they didn’t an all of it."
"I’m not marrying into their family, but I know they ant every word."
"You’re already here, so let’s go," Finn said playfully. "Besides, I know you want to dig into this case too."
Dean’s frown deepened. But since he’d already choked down this morning’s serving of humiliation, he pressed on. Finn was right — he’d been thinking about this case more than he cared to admit.
Even last night, it consud his mind. He barely got any sleep before Finn ca knocking.
And so, Finn and Dean invited themselves in.
Once they reached the study. Everyone else was already settled. Mint and Hugo were there too — their dark eye bags a clear sign they hadn’t slept at all.
Finn and Dean took the remaining seats.
Charles sat at the head seat. Haines to his right, then Atlas. Across from them, Penny and Zoren sat with Hugo standing behind them, his arms resting on the couch’s back. Dean and Finn filled the last two seats at the end.
On the opposite side, Mint stood, leaning over the table with one hand planted firmly down. Her eyes scanned the group, sharp and awake despite the obvious fatigue. They hadn’t even begun the eting, but the first words out of her mouth were:
"So what I’m saying is... Jonathan might not be the real son of the fake Naylani."
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