Chapter 1225: Penny’s aunt

[PRESENT TIME]

"Ahh..." Grace rocked her head, narrowing her eyes as she processed Penny’s crazy story. "So that’s why, huh?"

"You don’t believe me?" Penny frowned. "Since when have I ever lied to you?"

The corners of Grace’s lips curled up. "Never. You might lie all the time, but not to me—I’m your lawyer."

"Exactly." Penny let out a shallow breath and leaned back. "It was crazy! Even now, I can’t believe everything we went through."

"I wouldn’t either if I were you," Grace shrugged. "I guess... it wasn’t really a honeymoon, after all."

"I can’t even call it a vacation. More like... an adventure."

"Haha. Oh, Penny." A soft sigh slipped past Grace’s lips as she shook her head, feeling a little sorry for her friend.

Days before the trip, Penny had told Grace all about it—she had even watched Penny fantasize about her supposed honeymoon. But alas, not only did Penny’s brothers show up and meet her other friends on the island, but they also got caught up in a whirlwind of chaos.

"But... you had fun, didn’t you?" Grace arched a brow as she reached for her tea. "Don’t lie to me."

Penny pursed her lips and raised her brows. After a moment, she smiled and picked up her juice.

"I have to admit... now that I think about it, it was fun in its own way," she said, making Grace chuckle. "It wasn’t the romantic honeymoon I expected, but it was definitely... eventful."

"Oh, you." The two shared a knowing smile as they sipped their drinks.

Penny had left out certain details—like Slater’s involvement with Homeland Security and the discussion about rebirth. She had promised Grace a full rundown of the trip when she got back, but some things were not meant for her ears. Not that Grace would believe them, anyway. She might be a good listener, but that didn’t mean she believed everything she heard.

"Anyway, I hope you’re doing okay," Grace said as she placed her teacup back in its saucer. "If you need someone to talk to, I can recommend a therapist. This offer extends to your brothers and probably your husband, too."

"Thank you, but that won’t be necessary."

"Are you sure?"

"They’re fine."

"Your Second Brother, I don’t doubt, considering he’s seen far worse. Your First Brother, Atlas, will probably be fine, too—his willpower is as strong as steel. But are you sure your Third Brother is okay after all that?"

Penny smiled. ’If only you knew, Grace... ’She let out a small, secret sigh, wanting to gossip about Slater but resisting the urge. "He says he’s fine, but I’ll keep an eye on him. If I notice anything off, I’ll drag him to a clinic myself. Don’t worry—I already told his manager to watch him."

"You think his manager will actually tell you anything?"

"Of course." Penny’s smile widened. "James and I have a special relationship. Trust me, reporting my brother’s every move is his specialty. He grew up doing that, after all."

"Oh." Grace rocked her head slightly, deciding not to pry. It wasn’t relevant to her, anyway. "If you say so, then I’ll trust that it’s handled. Now, here are your grandfather’s medical reports and the list of potential investors for Miller’s Company."

With that, Grace shifted gears back to business. She took a folder from her handbag and slid it across the table. Penny took it, and Grace continued.

"I also included legal documents regarding Miller’s Company and handled some of their debts," Grace said. "Cutting down their loans was tough—I did my best."

Penny’s brows lifted as she flipped through the papers. She set aside Chairman Bennet’s medical charts and focused on the financial documents Grace had prepared.

"Wow..." Penny nodded in satisfaction and smiled at her friend. "This is amazing."

"I was aiming to cut the losses by fifty percent, but it was tricky."

"You still brought it down by forty-five. Fifteen percent would’ve been impressive, but this? Grace, you better not forget our bond and break our contract. I’m not letting you go."

Grace laughed. "You’re silly."

"I’m serious," Penny emphasized. "I can only use our years of friendship to guilt-trip you into staying. Otherwise, someone would’ve snatched you away from me already."

"I’m flattered," Grace chuckled, though she saw it more as a heartfelt compliment than an actual concern.

People often said Grace helped Penny out of gratitude, but it was more than that.

Years ago, Penny and her father, Charles Bennet, had rescued Grace and her mother from a monster. Charles had not only provided financial support until they could stand on their own, but he had also helped Grace through law school. Without them, she wasn’t sure she would’ve even finished her degree.

It was thanks to Charles and Penny that Grace was able to focus on her studies and graduate early.

But that wasn’t the only reason Grace went above and beyond for Penny. Penny was like a sister to her, and she was happy to help. If anything, it was Grace who feared becoming useless to Penny, not the other way around.

"This is perfect!" Penny beamed after reviewing the documents. "Thank you, Grace."

"You’re welcome." Grace nodded, glancing at the other documents Penny had set aside. "Aren’t you going to check your grandfather’s medical chart?"

Penny raised a brow. "Why? Is there something concerning? Is he dying soon?"

"No."

"Then I don’t need to." Penny smiled and slid the folder back toward Grace. "You know my relationship with my grandparents. They were never part of my life. I’m already saving his company—that’s as far as my concern goes."

Grace kept a composed smile and nodded in understanding. "If you say so, Penny."

"Do you feel sorry for him?"

"Not sorry, exactly. I just don’t think he’s as bad as people say." Grace shrugged as she picked up her handbag. The two of them rose from their seats. "All I’m saying is, maybe give your grandfather a chance. He’s old and grumpy, but... I find him kind of cute sometimes."

"Haha." Penny chuckled and winked. "No one finds him cute except you. Grace, you should marry one of my brothers—then someone in the family could handle him as gracefully as you do."

"Your brothers aren’t my type."

Penny raised a brow as they walked out of the café. "I don’t blame you. The day they finally get a girlfriend is the day I would wonder how they scam her. In my eyes, my brothers all looked like goofy-looking toes. But if you’re open-minded and don’t mind age, Uncle Haines is still available."

"Haha!" Grace burst into laughter, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. When she glanced at Penny with a playful smirk, she teased, "Then you better start calling me ’Auntie.’ Haines might have a bum leg, but I find him very attractive. He aged like a fine wine — sexy."

"..."

Penny stopped dead in her tracks while Grace kept walking ahead, her expression frozen in horror.

Then, finally, she gasped. "No...!"