314 Acknowledging the problem
Perhaps there were some things Penny had to reconsider about what Grace had told her. Initially, she expected the worst reaction from her brothers. Her mind raced far from reality, giving her a real headache.
But reality turned out to be different.
Her brothers weren’t angry or upset because a man had answered her phe at night. They weren’t even disappointed. If anything, they were simply and purely worried about her well–being.
“I’m so disappointed in myself, Penny admitted, noticing how As’s brows raised in surprise. “I thought you were going to scold me so badly that I’d end up hating you.”
“Who said I won’t scold you? Content held by N?velDrama.Org.
“But now, I think getting scolded is fine<b>,</b>” she said, a smile stretching from ear to ear <b>as </b>As shook his head at her. “I’m sorry aboutst night. I should’ve at least told you I wasn’ting
home.”
“You didn’t even know you fell asleep,” he replied. “You said you were too sleepy, didn’t you<b>?</b>”
She nodded. “Mhm. Very sleepy.”
“Did you rest wellst night?”
“Surprisingly, I feel recharged!” Her smile broadened again. “I realized I was more exhausted than I thought. It seems I’ve been pushing my body too hard sinceing home.”
As leaned back and crossed one leg over the other. “You should lean back and rx. If you need anything. <b>I’m </b>willing to help.”
–
Normally, Penny would outright refuse his help. Helping them was never a problem for her, but receiving help… that was an entirely different matter. Her brothers- especially As often offered their help, and she never once epted it. The reason was straightforward: in case there was a falling <b>out</b>, they wouldn’t be able to remind her of what they’d done for her.
The only help she ever epted from <b>him </b>was a simple task that anyone could do, just so it wouldn’t look like <b>she </b>refused their help altogether.
Was <i>that </i><i>why </i><i>As </i><i>also </i><i>didn’t </i>want to <i>bother </i><i>her </i><i>with </i>his <i>problems</i>?
“Actually, I need help, Penny remarked, and much to her surprise, As’s brows rose, his eyes slightly dting in surprise.
It seemed like As was shocked, as if he had just won the lottery. It was a subtle reaction<b>, </b>but she could see it clearly.
“What do you need? <b>Maintaining </b>his usual poise, <b>As </b>asked curiously, with a hint of willingness. “Tell me
Tim having problems with some guys from Smart Strategies Solutions…” Penny exined her dilemma to her brother, who had been in the business for quite some time. “<b>Can </b><b>you </b>help me?“
<
314 Acknowledging the problem
As fluttered his eyshes tenderly and smiled, realizing this was the first time she had asked. him for such <b>an </b>important favor. “Of course,” he nodded. “Rest today and wait until tomorrow. They’ll <b>shut </b>up by then.”
“Thank you,” she giggled. “Then I’ll wait!”
“They wouldn’t have been giving you a hard time if you mentioned me or Dad,” As said with at slight sigh. “We know them.”
“I don’t want them to say I’m a nepo baby and that I’m only seeding because capable.”
my
family is
“Aren’t we capable?”
“First Brother, I-”
“Pfftt-
Before Penny could exin, As burst outughing. Her forehead creased as she looked at him. in confusion.
“First Brother, <b>why </b>are youughing?” she mumbled. “That’s not nice.”
As slowly recovered from hisughter. “You don’t have to exin, Penny. Everyone knows the
reason.
“Huh?”
“You once said you wanted to be someone on your own,” he reminded her, his eyes soft and understanding. “Although we want to help, we’re aware of what you’re trying to achieve since. you epted Professor Singh’s offer. Even <b>so</b>, I’m still d if youe to me to make things easier for you. No one’s going to fault you you’ve established Prime Group on your own, and a little bit of support from us won’t change that.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes softened as she nodded.
Grace was right.
Penny’s defense mechanism, developed since childhood, had grown over the years. She kept everyone close, but not close enough to feel her within reach. As a result, everyone was still careful around her.
If she hadn’t asked for As’s help and tried Grace’s suggestion, she might never have heard
these words from him.
<i>‘I </i><i>do </i><i>have </i><i>a </i><i>problem</i>…‘she thought before another thought crossed her mind. …then<i>, </i><i>if </i>I <i>acknowledge </i><i>this </i><i>problem</i>, what am I <i>going </i>to do <i>about </i><i>my </i>attraction to Renren? It would <i>be </i><i>nice </i><i>if </i><i>he </i><i>were </i>in <i>his </i><i>fifties</i>, <i>though</i>. That <i>way</i><i>, </i>it <i>wouldn’t </i>feel <i>so </i><i>wrong</i><i>.</i>”
Outside As’s office, some staff couldn’t help but talk among themselves.
“Sir Allen, is it really the CEO’s mistress?” one of the employees asked.
“How is that possible?
314 Acknowledging the problem
<b>“</b>Should we cover this up? This information might reach people who want to bring thepany
down.”
Allen sighed as he noticed the distress on the employees‘ faces. He understood their dilemma but couldn’t help worrying about what was happening inside the CEO’s office.
“Well, just keep quiet for now, Allen ordered quietly but sternly. “Until we receive an order from the boss, don’t let anyone know that his… his mis- the woman is inside the office. We have to protect his image at all costs.”
The employees‘ eyes burned with determination as they nodded, ready to protect As. Just as they agreed, Allen noticed a figure approaching.
“Uh, Sir Hugo!” Allen straightened his back to match the military aura of the iing second brother. Even the employees cleared their throats and straightened up.
“I’m going to see my brother. Hugo offered them a smile, his steps slowing but not stopping- “He’s <b>in </b>his office?”
“Uh, yes, Sir Hugo…” Allen nodded, only to remember that As was currently dealing with his mistress. “Uh, Sir Hugo, wait!”
This time, Hugo stopped. “Yes?”
“Uh… your brother is currently in a meeting” Allen exined while the other employees nodded, quietly cheering him on. “So, you might need to wait for him until he finishes.”
“Ahh…” Hugo nodded. “I see. Okay, I’ll wait for him in the waiting room.”
“Yes, yes.
Hugo took a step, but then he looked back at them. “Is my sister there too?”
“Sir?”
“My sister.”
Allen furrowed his brows. “Sir Hugo, Miss Nina hasn’te in today.
“I’m not talking about Nina, but our biological sister, Penny,” Hugo exined, only to see confusion on their faces. “She’s about this tall, wearing a red dress, and has a huge ribbon hair clip<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Allen <b>and </b>the other employees exchanged confused looks. After a moment, their jaws dropped.
“That is… Miss Penelope!?”