"We’ll do it together. You’re not alone, Penny, and you’ll never be alone again."
Penny smiled as she stood in the bedroom while Zoren handled so quick affairs; his n were outside, exhausted. Who wouldn’t be worn out when Renny joined the fun, making them run a few more laps at top speed?
Penny watched Zoren from the bedroom window as he spoke with his n. anwhile, she listened to the ringing tone in her ear, holding her phone close.
Ring... ring...
"Penny!" After the third ring, Charles’s excited voice ca through. Hearing his lively tone imdiately lifted her spirits.
No one would have guessed that Charles had gone through such horrific experiences in his life, given how energetic he always seed. Even Allison didn’t know about that part of his past. Charles believed Allison might have had suspicions but never asked about his ti in the Marines.
"Hey, Dad." Her soft voice made her father beam. "I missed you."
Charles chuckled heartily. "My princess, of course you did! I knew it! When are you coming ho to visit?"
"Soon," she replied quickly. "I went to see Mom today. I heard you were on a fishing trip with Uncle Haines."
"Ahh..." His chuckles subsided. "Well, what else can I do? The older I get, the more bored I beco. Good thing Haines retired. Otherwise, I would’ve probably gone along with whatever Slater wanted to do."
His sentint brought a brief laugh from her. The way he ntioned going along with Slater already sounded as if he was tired already.
"Daddy, you should enjoy it. You’ve worked hard to provide us with a good life and helped so many people," she reminded him, emphasizing that he deserved this peaceful ti. "I’ll co by, and maybe I’ll join you on your next fishing trip."
"Really?!" His eyes lit up.
She nodded. "Yes, Dad, I will... once I settle everything."
"Then, I’m including you in our next plans!" Charles said gleefully, making her grin as she imagined the light in his eyes. "Bring your husband with you."
"Hmm?"
"If we’re going on a fishing trip, let him co along so Haines and I can scare him a little more!"
Penny laughed, knowing the "scare" was just his way of saying he wanted to bond with Zoren. "Renren will be thrilled. I’ll tell him."
"Heh."
"Anyway, Dad, I called because..." she trailed off as Charles suddenly fell silent. She couldn’t help but smile. "... because I want to thank you."
"Huh?" Charles furrowed his brows, confused. "What did I do?"
She smiled. "Renren and I talked today. He told about the night he ca to our house."
"Oh." Charles rocked his head, but the surprise was apparent on his face. ’I didn’t expect him to tell her about that. At least, not this soon... but then again, it’s Penny’s life.’
A satisfied smile replaced his initial surprise. He nodded approvingly, thinking Zoren had made a wise decision. Even though Zoren was supposed to be good—he had to be great—he was living up to it.
"Thank you for trusting him, Dad," Penny said sincerely. "And I promise you, I’ll be fine."
Charles leaned back in his study chair, holding his phone steadily. "I don’t trust him completely as a husband yet—he still has to prove he’s the best of the best. No, the greatest among the greatest!"
"But as a man... he’s the type of man I’d trust," he added calmly, a soft smile on his face. "I’m a man, and as a man, I see him as soone capable, regardless of his personal and health issues."
Hearing this, she couldn’t resist teasing. "So, you kind of like him?"
"No, that’s not what I’m saying, princess."
"Hehe. You like him."
"Penny, you’re going to be very disappointed, sweetheart."
"Hehehe. It’s okay, Dad. I like him too—very much," she giggled. "But not as much as you, though."
"Haha! Of course!" Charles laughed loudly, and Penny mischievously grinned.
The two of them chatted for a while, catching up even though she had only been away for a few days. It wasn’t as if she were too far; they could still visit her within just an hour’s drive. But distance didn’t matter—they talked for minutes as if no ti had passed.
---
"Mhm. Good night, sweetheart." Charles humd, ending the call before setting his phone down. He let out a shallow breath, gazing at his phone thoughtfully.
"So, Zoren told her about it?" Haines’s voice broke the silence from the couch.
Charles turned slowly toward Haines, who was quietly enjoying his wine. Haines had been there since Penny called, staying silent until the call ended.
"He did, apparently," Charles chuckled, shaking his head. "That brat... he’s more of a man than I thought."
"With Penny as his only weakness, you shouldn’t be surprised," Haines comnted knowingly. "We’ve all seen it. Zoren Pierson... it’s been a while since we t soone like him."
Charles reached for his glass of whiskey, letting out a brief chuckle. "If he’d lived in our ti, he would’ve scared ."
"Haha." Haines shrugged. "Or maybe you two would’ve been great friends. He reminds of you in your pri."
"You always talk highly of ."
"Do I?"
"Zoren... his grandmother entrusted him to us. It must’ve been hard for her to manage such a big family."
"Those challenges aren’t new, are they? Even during the kingdom eras, things like this happened. We faced similar sches, even though the Bennet Family wasn’t as large as the Piersons." Haines glanced at Charles, tilting his head slightly. "So? What are your plans now, Charles? You said you retired, letting Atlas handle the family. And since Allison is making her own money and has a career she loves, are we just going to stay on the sidelines?"
"Yes." Charles smiled at Haines. "Though my job with my children isn’t finished. Even now that they’re all adults and they’re already capable of making their own decisions, I don’t think my role as a parent will ever end. And I don’t want it to. I don’t want to ddle too much because I know my children are strong, capable, and good people."
Haines arched a brow. "Then?"
"Hehe." Charles grinned as a knock ca at the door, causing Haines to raise his brows. "Co in."
Haines squinted as the door opened, revealing Hugo. He watched Hugo close the door, his eyes flickering between his uncle and his father.
"Dad, you called for ?" Hugo asked, still unsure why Butler Jen had directed him to the study when he got ho.
"Yes, I did." Charles nodded, rising from his seat. When his gaze t Hugo’s, he said, "Hugo, can you help Zoren Pierson?"
Hugo furrowed his brows. "Help him with what?"
"Old Mrs. Pierson sent his dical files. While Penny is there to help him recover, I think you, of all people, know how he can regain his strength." Charles’s expression turned solemn. "Besides, you’ve got nothing else going on. Help your brother-in-law... and make him even more formidable. If he’s going to protect Penny, he needs to be able to protect himself first."
As soon as Haines heard this, he smiled, while Hugo pursed his lips. Moving closer, Hugo picked up the whiskey bottle and poured himself a glass.
Hugo raised the glass to his father and uncle with a wide smile. "Done." Then he downed the drink in one go, setting the empty glass down with a grin.
Reviews
All reviews (0)