Chapter 1143: How about we negotiate with them?

Minutes later...

"I knew it!" Lily huffed. "They left without us! Wait... does this mean they’ve got a surprise for us?"

Max scrunched up his nose at Lily. "Can you shut up for a minute? There’s a sick person here."

"Sick person??" Lily briefly glanced at Ray, who was throwing up on the side of the boat. "Ray was already sick before, though." — sick in the head.

"Well, if Miss Penny told us to get on the island, it’s probably because she has plans," Allen remarked with a shrug. "I wonder what they are."

"Whatever it is, I’m looking forward to it!" Ginnie grinned. "I don’t like surprises, but this is going to be fun."

Max arched a brow at Ginnie’s remark while she chuckled excitedly. Meanwhile, Nina turned to Finn, who had told them to get to Pierson Island because Penny’s group was already there.

"Did Penny really say they went back to the island, Finn?" she asked, noticing the reluctance in his eyes. She pressed her lips into a thin line, holding his hand while nodding at him. "It’s okay if you can’t tell me."

"I’m sorry," Finn whispered. "I’ll let you know once we get there."

"But are they there?"

Finn took a moment before shaking his head. He leaned over and whispered, "Something bad is happening. We need to leave the town first."

"..." Deep lines appeared between Nina’s brows as she looked at Finn curiously and worriedly. However, since Finn was trying his best not to alarm everyone while still giving her bits and pieces of the situation, she didn’t want to let him down.

Reaching out to hold her fiancé’s hand, Nina offered him a subtle smile. "I don’t know what this is, but I’m sure... everything’s going to be fine." She paused, her eyes holding his. "They’re my siblings, after all. So, I know."

"I know." Finn nodded back at her, his voice low. "I’m sorry that I can’t give you the details."

"It’s okay. I know you’re already trying your best, and that’s good enough for me." She squeezed his hand, giving his cold fingertips some warmth.

With that, the group sat in the boat, heading back to Pierson Island, unaware that the Bennets and Zoren hadn’t returned to the island. Finn was simply taking the group to safety in case things went south. Moreover, Finn had to reach Butler Lee for help since Butler Lee seemed to be the only person who could handle the situation.

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[Penny and Zoren]

After leaving Mint, Penny and Zoren drove back to get a signal. Penny was the only one with a phone since Zoren thought he didn’t need to bring one—he was with his wife all the time, and Mark was with them too.

Besides, they didn’t expect anything like this to happen.

So, when Penny finally got a signal, she quickly contacted the only person she trusted to handle the situation at the bonfire. Biking their way back would take too long, after all.

"That should do it, right?" Penny snapped her eyes at Zoren. "Finn said he’s got it."

Zoren nodded. "Butler Lee should know what to do if they get onto the island."

"Now what?" Penny breathed out, biting her lip as she gripped her bike’s handle. "Should we really let Mint go there alone?"

"Mint is trained. She’s going to be fine... hopefully," Zoren replied, trying his best to stay calm.

Compared to Mint, the people the syndicate had taken were his assistant and his brother-in-law—two people who were very close to his heart. If anyone wanted to rescue those two, it was Zoren.

"Renren, didn’t Butler Lee tell you about this syndicate?" Penny’s question brought Zoren back to the present. "I mean, everyone in town knows about the castle on your island. If the syndicate operates here, isn’t it only natural for them to take an interest in the castle?"

"Butler Lee did mention some troublemakers," Zoren returned casually. "I think they tried to take control of the castle. However, with Butler Lee in there, they failed."

"How come you didn’t tell me?"

"Penny, having interested people in the castle isn’t new," Zoren replied. "Besides, he told me we should be safe since these troublemakers don’t bother tourists, especially people from the castle." He explained sternly, "I didn’t think it was worth mentioning. I’m sorry."

"You don’t have to apologize. I’m not upset with you—just a bit curious." Penny sighed, bending over to rest her arms on the bike’s handle. "I’m just worried about Third Brother and Benjamin. Those two... knowing them, they’re probably bawling their eyes out as we speak."

"I don’t think Mint can rescue them without alerting the people inside," she resumed. "I’ve studied different kinds of syndicates as part of Prime Group’s training. Uncle Wild was a felon before I met him."

She paused and looked up at Zoren. "It’s how I know about the Phantom Circle."

"I’m sure you do," Zoren nodded. "However, I can’t let you in there, Penny."

"Renren, I’ve lived two lifetimes. I survived prison; I survived hell. But... gosh." She ruffled her hair. "I’m not saying I don’t understand Mint or you, but this is my brother we’re talking about."

Zoren kept his lips drawn into a thin line, eyes on his wife. If anyone understood Penny, it was him. Penny had ended up in jail because of her brothers in her previous life. Even though she didn’t plan to repeat that, her relationship with them had improved.

So, in a way, Penny would surely do something for her family—the people she cared about.

"I don’t want you to get hurt," he said under his breath. "But I also understand your worries. So, I’m thinking... since it’s already too dangerous, we can’t afford to engage in a fight. That should be the last resort."

"How about we negotiate with them?" he suggested.

Her brows furrowed as she slowly looked up at her husband in confusion. "Renren, you’re saying...?"

"Mint’s going to sneak inside to get them out. However, if they’re found, it will be deadly for her," he explained sternly. "They’re a syndicate. They won’t just touch me, the owner of the castle. If that’s not enough, I’m sure being the person behind the Phantom Circle will make them think twice."

The corner of his mouth hooked up as he added, "Besides, Butler Lee is around. He’ll be able to call my men in time."

"By ’men,’ you mean..."

"Butler Lee is an advisor to the Phantom Circle. As long as we can buy time, our chances are high."

Penny blinked, then blinked again. She didn’t hear the rest of his remarks as she gasped. "What did you just say?! Butler—Butler Lee is what?!"