267 Loyalty is a two–way street
Shock, dismay, and then anger
each emotion dawned on Benjamin in a matter of seconds. Meanwhile, Penny beamed with happiness. She had been waiting all morning for this moment.
– “You!” Benjamin gasped, then nced back at his boss in panic. “Sir, there seems to be a
misunderstanding
As soon as the words left his mouth, he shot a look at the manager. “What’s the meaning of this?
Why is this woman here?”
“Yes?” <b>the </b>manager furrowed her brows in confusion.
“This woman shouldn’t be here. We’re supposed to meet someone important…” Benjamin spoke politely to the manager, emphasizing the “situation,” and keeping hisposure in front of hist boss. “This must be a mistake. <b>This </b>woman has been harassing-”
“Ben,” Zoren’s calm voice interrupted Benjamin’s exnation. However, knowing his boss couldn’t see, <b>Benjamin </b>had to repeat himself as if Zoren had gone deaf.
Meanwhile, Penny couldn’t help but scrunch up her face.
“There’s <i>definitely </i><i>something </i>wrong with this guy<i>!</i><i>” </i>she thought, pushing herself to stand up. She didn’t bother with Benjamin any longer as she approached the door where the person she needed to talk to was.
“Sir, I don’t think there’s a misunderstanding here,” the manager exined. “We received a memor about the meeting and there’s a due process for how we handle our guests. We confirmed she’s from Prime Group…”
By now, Penny had reached the entrance, arms folded. “Mister…” All content is ? N0velDrama.Org.
“Miss, you said you’d stay away! Why are you here again!?” Benjamin roared at her fiercely, standing protectively in front of Zoren.
“I said I won’t step foot in any of the Pierson’s property, Penny rified. “This is not under the
Pierson’s name.
“You!”
“Sir, please calm down,” said the manager, knowing this could blow out of proportion in a blink of
an eye.
Benjamin, however, wasn’t backing down. Dean was a crafty guy who could have orchestrated all of this! “Impossible!”
Penny’s frown deepened and her lips parted, but her words were caught in her throat when she saw Zoren eyeing her.
<i>‘</i><i>Hmm</i><i>?</i>‘she raised her right brow at him. <i>What </i><i>is </i>he staring <i>at</i><i>? </i><i>Won’t </i><i>he </i><i>stop </i><i>his </i><i>assistant </i><i>from </i><i>throwing </i>tantrums<i>?</i>”
“I’m not ming you; I’m just saying our appointment is Important and-”
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267 Loyalty is a two–way street
“Huh?” Benjamin turned to his boss, his brows furrowed.
Zoren slowly shifted his eyes to Benjamin and said, “Step aside, Ben. My lunch appointment is ticking. Don’t embarrass me any further.”
“But-” Benjamin halted, teeth clenched, looking at his boss with pleading eyes. Meanwhile, Penny raised her brows in surprise.
Zoren then nced at the manager. “Forgive us for this inconvenience.”
“It’s alright, Mr. Pierson. I understand, the manager smiled, but Benjamin could only sulk. “Rest assured this is not a mistake.
Benjamin frowned even more. His boss was too <b>kind</b>! This was why some of the elders in the Pierson Family thought they could walk all over Zoren!
“Ben,” Zoren called again, making Benjamin reluctantly step aside. He had barely taken two steps. when he stopped, eyes fixed on Penny. “I apologize for that.”
“Well,” Penny smacked her lips and shrugged. “It’s fine. I understand.”
At her words, all Benjamin could do was re at her. Petty as she might be, she couldn’t help but return his re with a victorious smirk.
<i>“</i><i>Ugh</i><i>!</i>” Benjamin clenched his teeth and watched as his boss escorted that woman inside.
As Zoren passed his assistant, thetter stopped him for a moment <b>and </b>whispered, “Sir, if you need any help, just give me a shout.”
Penny’s face twitched. ‘<i>He </i><i>didn’t </i><i>even </i><i>try </i>to lower his voice. <b><i>Did </i></b><i>he </i><i>think </i><i>I’m </i>trying to scam <i>his </i>
boss?”
Zoren, however, nodded before entering the private dining hall, the door closing behind him. Everyone else stayed out, leaving Benjamin nervously pacing back and forth, his guard up in case. Zoren needed help.
Inside the private dining hall…
Facing each other, Penny assessed Zoren from head to toe.
“Shall we begin, Miss…?”
“Penelope.”
Zoren smiled subtly and nodded. “<b>Shall </b>we start, Miss Penelope?”
“Sure.” Penny nodded, watching him walk past her. Just as Zoren passed, however, she grabbed. his arm, stopping him.
Zoren paused, meeting her gaze before looking down at her hand on his arm. Penny studied his face up close.
“Mr. Pierson, can you see me?” she asked bluntly, causing creases to reappear on his forehead.
267 Loyalty is a two–way street
‘How <b><i>could </i></b><i>she </i><i>tell</i>? he wondered, tilting his head slightly, casting a shadow over his face.
Despite his paleplexion and the predicament he was currently facing, Zoren’s demeanor exuded a probing gaze. However, her unwavering stare seemed unfazed by his intimidating aura. If anything, it felt as if she were staring straight through him.
“I <b>can</b>,” he finally answered after a moment’s hesitation.
“Clearly?”
Again, Zoren didn’t respond immediately. Despite hearing her denial of being on Dean’s side through the tels earlier today, anyone could say that. He had encountered countless liars who met <b>his </b>gaze with bare–faced lies
“How would I know if I can trust you?” he returned quietly.
This time, Penny paused for a moment. “You’ll have to… since we’ll be handling your security.”
Fair enough.
“Loyalty goes both ways, Mr. Pierson. If I expect loyalty from you, I’ll offer the same.” 2
For a <b>moment</b>, silence hung in the air as they stood facing each other. She maintained her grip on his arm while he held her gaze.
Quietly and cautiously, they sized each other up.
Revealing his current predicament could be either good or deadly. Yet he had heard of Prime Group’s reputation the best of the best, despite being rtively young in the business, thanks to their rigorous standards for both their personnel and clients.
Zoren took a deep breath and nodded slightly. “I cannot,” he confessed calmly but coldly. “No, Miss Penelope. I can’t see you.”
<i>So </i>that <i>exined </i>his <i>earlier </i>actions.
Considering theme excuse he had given her, Penny chose not to dwell on it further. For Zoren Pierson, disclosing this information could be his undoing. Hence, Penny didn’t hold it against
him.
She watched as his already dted eyes widened as if trying to catch a glimpse of her.
“Then you owe <b>me </b>no apology for earlier, she released his arm slowly, taking a step back. “Tell me what you need from me, and I’ll tell you what I need from you<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>Enjoy </b>mass release