Chapter 1235: Fear is normal

Silence reigned in Penny’s office for minutes as she processed what Finn had just told her. Seated in an armchair while Finn sat on the sofa, she tapped her index finger against the armrest.

"Finn." After a long pause, her soft voice sliced through the thick air. "Have you considered that he’s bluffing just to get you riled up?"

"No." Finn shook his head, his eyes locked on hers. "I know him, Penny. In my previous life, Zoren asked me to stay by his side. We spent years together—partners. I know him. He wouldn’t joke about something like that."

"Are you sure?"

"A hundred percent." Finn nodded firmly. "This isn’t the first time he mentioned it. He told me before that the person who killed him wasn’t a man but a woman. Back then, I shrugged it off because I could never fully trust anything he said."

"What makes you believe him now?"

"I saw it." He paused, taking a deep breath as he recalled his brief encounter with Jonathan. "I saw it in his eyes, Penny. He might be good at poker, but if there’s anything he can’t fake, it’s the suppressed rage in his eyes."

Finn huffed and leaned closer to her chair. "Penny, he warned me. And I know him—he’s going to kill Nina. Even if he dies, someone else will carry out his orders. I’m certain he’s already set her death in motion."

"You have your men watching her, but I can’t take any risks," he muttered under his breath. "Nina is all I have. She’s your sister. We need to do something."

Penny went quiet again, studying the desperation lingering in his eyes. This was the first time Finn had come to her in such a panic, and she understood why. No matter how composed someone was, when their loved ones were in danger, fear and impatience were inevitable.

"Nina is my sister, so there’s no need to panic, Finn Davis," Penny finally said, forcing herself to reveal something she had kept to herself. "I already assigned more people to watch over her. My husband also increased security around her, making sure she’s protected without her even knowing. So, for now, you don’t have to worry."

Finn exhaled sharply, slightly reassured. He wasn’t completely at ease, but knowing that more people were guarding her from the shadows gave him some relief—for now.

"I didn’t want to tell anyone this because it would only add to the confusion, but that night—the night my third brother and Benjamin were abducted—I was tricked by a child," she admitted. Until now, she had only told Finn she was fine when he asked the next day. "I made a mistake. I underestimated a child, and it nearly cost me everything. She drugged me, left me incapacitated."

Finn’s jaw tensed, but Penny continued.

"And then, there was this woman." Her voice lowered. "I couldn’t see their faces properly because of the drug, but I remember parts of their conversation."

Slowly, Penny lifted her gaze and met Finn’s eyes. "That woman said something about ’erasing all their mistakes.’ I think what she meant was that whoever we’re up against wants to start over—a clean slate. And from what I gathered, one of those mistakes they want to erase is Nina. That woman specifically mentioned her."

"What?" Finn scoffed. "You knew this and didn’t think to tell me?"

"As I said, I didn’t want to add more confusion to an already chaotic situation."

"But we’re allies!"

"We are." Her tone was firm, yet unwavering. "But you’re also my future brother-in-law, who, might I remind you, recently got into an accident and is still in recovery." She didn’t break eye contact. "I am not underestimating you, Finn. And it’s not that I don’t trust you. You’re marrying into my family, and that alone obligates me to give you the benefit of the doubt."

"I wanted to believe it was a warning," she added solemnly. "So, I increased security for everyone—including you and me. That woman and that child nearly killed me. That night, they taught me a valuable lesson. I may not consider them friends or foes, but they reminded me never to let my guard down."

Because if Penny had, she would’ve died. If only they wanted to kill her, she wouldn’t be here now.

Penny refused to let that happen again — not to her or to the people she loved.

"Besides, I was planning to tell you after our family dinner." She nodded at him. "I wasn’t planning on keeping it a secret. I respect our alliance, and I understand the importance of knowledge. I’m not keeping you in the dark, Finn. At least, not that long."

His eyes flickered with lingering frustration, but in the end, he exhaled a heavy sigh. "As much as I hate it, I understand."

Penny was responsible for their security—that was why he came to her in the first place. What good would it have done if she had told him sooner?

"Finn," Penny called, leaning forward to rest a hand on his shoulder. "I don’t blame Nina for killing that man. I may not know the nature of their marriage, but I know Nina. She’s someone I once despised with all my heart and soul. I blamed her for everything. So, I’m not surprised by this revelation at all."

"She’s capable of anything, as long as it benefits her," she continued. "But she’s my family now. The day she asked for my forgiveness for what she did as a child, I forgave her—the child she was and the adult she became. So, I will protect her... even if I have to kill Jonathan myself."

They locked eyes, and Penny gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

For a moment, Finn’s tense posture softened. He let out a long, shaky breath and hung his head low, resting his elbows on his knees. "Ah, god..." He clasped his hands together, his mind racing.

Penny leaned back, watching him. "Fear is normal, especially when someone we love is in danger," she said, unsurprised that Finn didn’t try to mask his emotions with a smile.

"And even I am surprised that when I was alone, I can call myself fearless. But now, I have so much to lose. We have so much to lose, Finn. But you have me. And I have my husband. My brothers are also aware of the threats lurking in the shadows," she reassured him. When he lifted his gaze to hers, the corner of her lips lifted.

"So don’t worry about Jonathan. If anything, you should be more concerned about our upcoming family dinner."

She tilted her head with a playful smile. "You’re going to meet everyone and spend an hour or two with her family. Trust me, you may know us, but you’d better brace yourself for the elders. And by that, I mean Aunt Jessa and my dad. They’re gonna fry you alive."