Chapter 1129: Worst luck

"They’re gonna kill you."

Penny halted as her brows twitched up slightly. The corner of her mouth lifted a little, and the relaxed air around her gradually changed as she faced Mint.

"That’s one way to get my attention," she said, holding the railing as she leaned against it.

Mint, on the other hand, simply observed the change in the air around Penny. Earlier, Penny had been tamed—one might wonder if she was truly the woman everyone was talking about.

"Now, that’s Penelope," Mint smiled in satisfaction, walking over to Penny’s side. "For a moment, I thought the stories I heard about Penelope Bennet were overexaggerations. But I guess you simply knew how to enjoy a vacation."

"That’s one way to put it," Penny replied. "If you come to me as Benjamin’s cousin, I’ll treat you as one. However, if you come to me for business, you’ll get business. Now, what you said... is that just to get my attention?"

"Well." Mint shrugged. "Partly, maybe."

She paused, and the smile on her face brightened. "My proposal to you still stands, and I’m dead serious about it. I’d make you my wife if I get the chance, but I’ll put that off for later. I don’t think it’s fair to make a move on you when my rival isn’t here."

"What I said was to get your attention, but also because I need your help with something," she continued solemnly. "I’ve heard a lot about the Prime Group, and to be honest, many people aren’t happy with your company. Particularly, the Secret Service."

"I’m aware," Penny nodded. "Would they kill me because their clients trust my services more?"

"Haha. That’s a bit... well, I don’t think they’ve crossed that line," Mint chuckled. "I guess you’re also aware they won’t do that."

"There are so many things people have to handle for them to waste time on a businesswoman like myself. After all, it’s not me who goes out there and speaks about any movement or bill they want to pass."

"That’s correct, but..." Mint trailed off, studying the sharp look on Penny’s face. "There are people who don’t think Doctor Penelope is a waste of time."

Penny arched a brow and tilted her head slightly. "And here I thought it was our first time meeting, but it seems you’ve done your homework."

"I always look into people around my Beanie."

"I hope Benjamin doesn’t mind that."

"He wouldn’t mind if he doesn’t know." Mint shrugged, casually resting her arms on the railing. "As you already know, the Vitt family has always pursued serving the government. Although my reason isn’t about family, but something more personal, my cutest cousin used to dream of being part of the government. He used to want to become a politician."

Penny was a bit surprised by this, but not surprised enough to indulge in it. "And what does that have to do with my life?"

"Haha." Mint chuckled, shaking her head slightly. "God... I’m falling for her more and more. Help me."

"..."

"Well, on a serious note, I initially disliked Zoren Pierson for changing my cute Ben-Ben’s goal in life. Ben used to dislike him, but after a while, Zoren managed to change Benjamin’s goal. What I’m saying is, I initially didn’t approve of it. However, after being part of the police force, I realized Benjamin is better off as an assistant," she continued, her eyes on the group who still hadn’t started the fire. "It’s a dangerous line."

This time, Penny purposely remained quiet as she had a few guesses where this was headed.

"Him being away from the chaos that the public doesn’t know about is a good thing," Mint continued, casting Penny a side-eye. "But I was wrong. Ben isn’t safe as an assistant either, especially if the man he works for is the Pierson Family. Particularly, Zoren Pierson."

"My husband takes care of him."

"Do you know how many people have approached Benjamin with ill intentions, Miss Bennet?"

"No, but I don’t see why this sounds like it’s my fault."

"I’m not saying it’s yours, but the environment surrounding the Piersons." Mint huffed and shrugged. "Benjamin is smart enough not to give his trust to just anyone, but there were some who managed to slink their way past his defenses. For one, his last girlfriend didn’t have pure intentions."

Penny arched a brow slightly, eyes on Mint. "You mean that woman he was crying about?" she blurted out, aware that Benjamin had recently ’broken up’ with this woman he had been seeing. "She left him... because of you?"

"I had no choice. I had to step in before she made her existence more significant to him." Mint chuckled. "Don’t worry. I didn’t kill her. I simply talked to her."

"Talk, huh?" Penny rocked her head, but she knew it wasn’t just a simple talk. Despite Mint’s current mild aura, Penny was aware that the former wasn’t someone to deal with lightly.

"I’m saying this to justify my reason for not liking Zoren Pierson." Mint cupped her face. "Although everything I said was just the small details adding to the biggest one: he’s working Ben to the bones. My cousin seems to have lost a bit of weight, though I’m glad he’s still as lively as ever."

A satisfied smile turned up on her face as she turned around and propped her elbow on the railing. Her head turned to Penny, carefully studying the latter’s face.

"On a more serious note, I have some questions for you," she added casually. "Don’t worry. It’s not an interrogation, but rather, I’m offering you an alliance."

"An alliance?" Penny was intrigued. "An alliance for what?"

"To catch the guys who are after you." Mint wiggled her brows. "I’m investigating a case I can’t disclose to you yet. However, I suspect you might need my help. I’m offering it to you in advance."

For a moment, silence fell on them as they held each other’s gaze.

"I don’t think I need your help." After another moment of stifling silence, Penny broke it with a calm tone. "You would need mine, not the other way around."

"Wow..." Mint’s eyes briefly twinkled as her mouth fell open. "Don’t do that. You’re making my heart race."

Penny ignored the misplaced admiration in Mint’s eyes as she continued. "You need to figure out a case. I don’t. I have my men to protect me, so Homeland Security’s protection is unnecessary. Even so, I appreciate that you thought of me."

"If that’s all, then I’ll have to join my husband and the others. They’re kind of pathetic for not starting the fire," she added, lowering her head slightly before turning her back on Mint.

But just as she took a step, the corner of her lips curled up as Mint raised a hand in surrender.

"Fine." Mint clicked her tongue in defeat, eyes on Penny’s back. "Man... you’re hard to deal with. But then again, I wouldn’t fall this hard for someone who is... basic."

Penny arched a brow and looked back at her, smirking. Mint sighed in defeat, just staring at the cunning look on Penny’s face.

"I’m onto this deadly drug, and I had a hunch that, one way or another, it’ll eventually lead me to you," Mint surrendered, giving Penny what she wanted—an explanation of the alliance. "One reason is because you created this miracle drug that could make that drug useless. Another reason is... Charles Bennet. I heard about the baby swap and his service records. Your father seemed to have the worst luck during his service. He stepped on a pile of dung, and it’s starting to smell now. I need your help."