[Incoming ssage from Miss Penelope
Mr. Pierson, can I call? I need to discuss an important matter with you regarding the golden card invitation you sent to my brother.]
Zoren arched a brow as Benjamin stopped speaking. Their eyes fell on the phone on the desk, and Zoren reached for it.
"Call Miss Penelope," he commanded, and the phone dialed Penny’s number. As it rang, he waved for Benjamin to leave.
Benjamin smiled from ear to ear, knowing his boss couldn’t see it. He withheld a giggle as he turned and left the room, giving Zoren and Penny so privacy.
"Hello?" Zoren greeted the mont the call connected. "I missed you."
Penny, who had been about to speak, closed her mouth as her words stuck in her throat. She pressed her lips together, trying to suppress the smile tugging at her face.
"Hi," she murmured, glancing away from the mountain of work in front of her. "I missed you too."
Zoren smiled in satisfaction. "No, I miss you more."
"That’s not fair," she giggled. "Renren, I think I miss you more."
"Aren’t you tired, Miss Penelope?" he teased, raising her brows. "You’ve been running through my mind since the second we parted. You might lose more weight if you keep this up."
Penny chuckled, her cheeks blushing. "Stop it!"
"Haha."
"Goodness, this is about work!" she exclaid, still touching her cheek. "I called for work, not to be flattered!"
"I see," he said with a slight head tilt. "Good thing this isn’t just flattery—these are my honest thoughts."
"..." If she could have squealed, she would have. This man sent butterflies fluttering through her heart, even from a distance. ’I’m a lost cause.’
"It’s a good thing you didn’t idle earlier, or I would’ve had Benjamin drive us back to my place."
"It’s not easy," she pouted. "But yes, I’m glad I didn’t. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the chance to talk to my brothers."
"Were they angry?"
"Not my second brother, though he gave a mountain of papers to review," she shrugged. "Speaking of my brother, Renren, please hold off on the love arrows. I need a clear mind."
Zoren smirked, biting his bottom lip to suppress a smile. "Then stop breathing."
"Huh?"
"I can’t help it."
Penny buried her face in her palm, holding her breath to stifle her laughter.
"I’ll try," he reassured her. "Your concern is about the golden invitation?"
Penny straightened up, her expression shifting to seriousness. When she spoke, she was back to her usual self.
"Yes, Mr. Pierson," she said firmly. "I hope you’ve considered that soone is bold enough to impersonate your childhood friend. This person knows a lot about you and your friend. If they realize you’re catching on quickly, it’ll be difficult to trace them."
"Ah."
"Extending your favor to and my brother seems like a bold move. I apologize for my delay in addressing this. I should’ve asked last night, but how did your date with Patricia Miller go?"
Zoren didn’t respond imdiately, having almost forgotten about Patricia. ’Right,’ he thought. ’That woman still exists.’
"Mr. Pierson?"
"Don’t worry about Miss Miller, Mrs. Pierson," he replied casually, causing Penny to pause.
What did he just call her?
Zoren smirked. "Pri Group has been a big help to , so naturally, my generosity will extend to both Pri Group and Global Pri Logistics. Whoever sent her will know that I’m onto them, but at the sa ti, the excuse I just ntioned will make them reconsider."
"I see." Penny nodded, satisfied with his reasoning. "I just wanted to confirm. I don’t want these issues to interfere with what’s between us."
"They won’t," he assured her. "I gave you my word, didn’t I?"
Penny pressed her lips together and nodded. "You did. I just wanted to make sure that our relationship isn’t clouding our judgnt."
"Does it affect yours?"
"In so ways, yes," she admitted. "But not at the cost of your safety or mine, and certainly not at the expense of my family."
"The feeling is mutual." He nodded. "I’m on it, Penny. But I have one request."
"What is it?"
"Pull back your guards."
"I can’t do that."
"I can’t let you leave yourself vulnerable, Penelope."
A smile tugged at her lips. "It’s fine. I leave myself open to see who will take the opportunity to strike."
"Can’t you figure out who will betray you without giving them the chance?"
"Renren, you answer that question."
"You don’t," he chuckled, and she nodded approvingly. "Still, my request stands. I’m pulling back my n to co ho."
"I still can’t," she said. "The Pierson family eting and board etings are coming up. My n will ensure nothing happens to you until then. I’ve given them that order, and I don’t go back on my word."
Zoren arched a brow. "It’s absolute?"
"My word is absolute," she repeated. "Right now, Pri Group is benefiting more from Pierson Corporation. Sending them back would reflect poorly on ."
"I understand." Zoren respected her decision. "Then I’ll be sending my n to watch over you. Handle them well—they can be a bit of a headache."
"Your n?"
"Yes," he nodded, tilting his head slightly, as if offering it as an expression of affection. "Don’t argue with about this. It’s for my peace of mind."
Penny opened her mouth, then pressed her lips together and shrugged. "If it’ll give you peace, fine."
"Thank you," he said, clearly pleased. "Now that that’s settled, shall we have lunch together?"
"Lunch... I can’t." Penny glanced at the papers in front of her, almost despairing. "My first brother called earlier, and he said you’re welco."
"He’s feisty."
"Wait until you et him in a business setting—or even outside of one."
He chuckled. "I’ll work hard to win his approval."
"You might not get that in this lifeti." Penny reluctantly checked her phone. "I have to go now."
Zoren hesitated. "Okay. I’ll see you later?"
"Mhm. See you later."
"After work?"
"Yes, after work."
With that, Penny hung up, and Zoren slowly placed his phone down. He stared at the device in his hand, exhaling softly.
"This isn’t good for ," he whispered. "My need for her keeps growing... and it’s only going to get worse."
His brows furrowed as he added, "That woman... I still haven’t dealt with her."
*****
[Skyline Plaza: Zoren]
Patricia peeked out of the guest house window, only to see the black panther sitting in front of the door, seemingly waiting for its next al. The smaller cat nearby was napping, but Patricia knew it was also keeping watch.
"Mr. Pierson..." she whimpered, her lips trembling. "Please forgive and let out of here!"
As soon as the words left her mouth, her stomach growled. She flushed with embarrassnt, staring down at her belly. She hadn’t eaten anything since morning.
Zoren was going to starve her to death!
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