Chapter 1250: Back in - 22

"Nina, did you have fun today?" Penny looked at Nina in the backseat, smiling. "The dress was really good, right?"

"Mhm." Nina blushed, thinking about the dress and its cost.

Penny and Lily had wanted to pay for it, but Nina refused. After seeing the price, she asked to reserve it instead. It was beautiful, and surprisingly, not that expensive—something she could afford on her own.

After that, the ladies spent the rest of the day together. Their meetup had been spontaneous, but it was fun nonetheless. Now, Penny was offering to drop Nina off on their way home.

"Nina, how come you’re the one paying for the wedding dress?" Penny asked curiously. "I understand not wanting us to buy it for you, but isn’t it only right for Finn to pay? He’s the groom—it’s his responsibility."

"Finn and I already talked about it. He’s handling the venue, food, and most of the expenses. I don’t want him to pay for something I’ll wear."

"But..."

"Penny," Nina interjected. "Please don’t try to talk me out of this."

"Oh, that’s not what I meant." Penny waved her hand dismissively. "But tell me this—do you think Finn Davis is poor?"

"Hmm?"

"Nina, Finn’s family is on the Fortune 500 list. Aside from the subsidiary he signed with Pierson Corporation, their business is massive, especially internationally." Penny studied Nina’s face, wondering if she was unaware. "He wouldn’t care how much the dress costs—he’d pay for it without a second thought."

"I know, Penny." Nina sighed. "I know the Davis family is wealthy, and that Finn could afford a grand wedding. But... that’s exactly the point."

"What point?" Penny tilted her head. "I don’t see it."

"I don’t want people thinking I’m marrying him for his money!" Nina exclaimed. "I don’t want them to think I’m taking advantage of his family."

"Excuse me?!" Penny scoffed, crossing her arms. "Who’s taking advantage of who here?"

"Penny."

"Nina, don’t tell me you don’t see the Bennet family as your family?" Penny continued, ignoring Nina’s attempt to stop her. "If Dad and Mom—or just our brothers—heard this, they’d be knocking on the Davis household’s door with bags of money like it was ransom. Sure, the Davis’ might have more money than us, but influence? Hah! Dad could bury them alive and get away with it."

Penny’s words might have sounded boastful, but she wasn’t wrong.

The Bennets weren’t materialistic, nor had they ever flaunted their wealth. However, they were undoubtedly among the highest ranks of society. Not to mention, Charles had immense influence in Anteca after decades of running their business. That was just Charles—add in Atlas, Hugo, Slater, and even Penny herself, and it was clear they weren’t a family to be underestimated.

"Also, Aunt Jessa might be eccentric, but she has plenty of wealthy friends from the cooking show she judged for a season!" Penny continued. "Yugi is a huge part of Prime Group—heck, he’s the one who sent me out today! And Yuri? She’s a teacher at one of the most prestigious schools in Anteca, where parents bend over backward to get on her good side."

Penny frowned. "Nina, our family isn’t one to be easily looked down on."

"I know that, but... just because you’re my family doesn’t mean I should take pride in your achievements as if they were my own."

"Huh?"

Nina let out another deep sigh. "Taking pride in someone’s accomplishments just because you’re related is a little... convoluted." She paused, then added, "Your words, not mine."

"Huh?!" Penny’s face scrunched in confusion. "When did I say that?"

Back in Chapter 22.

"When we were kids," Nina reminded her.

"I said that?"

Another heavy sigh escaped Nina, followed by a chuckle. "I think you were right back then. I’m proud of all of you. Mom, Dad, our brothers, you, Aunt Jessa, Uncle Lester, Yuri, Yugi... You’re all amazing."

"You are too!" Penny gasped.

"Hehe. But I just want to make this my own," Nina clarified. "You might not understand, but... I need to feel like I’m my own person too."

"Nina, that’s low, you know!" Penny pouted. "If you put it that way, I can’t argue anymore."

"Penny, don’t worry." Nina reached for Penny’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "This is what I want. But if it makes you feel better, you can buy me the flowers for the wedding?"

Penny gasped, clasping Nina’s hand eagerly. "Really?"

"Mhm." Nina nodded. "Please choose something that matches my dress—something simple, but beautiful."

"Don’t you worry!" Penny declared excitedly. "You’ll have the most gorgeous bouquet in the world!"

A soft chuckle escaped Nina as she watched Penny’s enthusiasm. "By the way, Penny, when are you having your formal wedding? You and Zoren only had a civil ceremony because you said it was love at first sight. Now that everyone knows about your secret marriage, isn’t it time to start planning the real wedding?"

Penny blinked. Then blinked again.

Seeing her reaction, Nina furrowed her brows. "Penny... don’t tell me you never thought about that?"

Silence.

"...It slipped your mind, huh?" Nina muttered, and with Penny’s continued silence, she knew she was right.

---

[Pierson Corporation]

"What’s wrong?" Atlas glanced up from his desk at Hugo, who had just entered his office. Normally, Hugo would jump onto the couch without a second thought, but today, he stood frozen in deep thought.

Hugo snapped out of it and walked up to the desk. "First Brother, I have a question."

"Hmm?" Atlas hummed, finishing the last document before calling it a day.

"When did you realize Assistant Allen was in love with you?"

"Huh?" Atlas slowly looked up. "What are you on about now?"

"I think... Max is in love with me."

Atlas raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think that?"

"He told me today that if I have no intention of pursuing someone, I shouldn’t give them mixed signals. And that it’s hurtful." Hugo frowned. "It’s been bothering me. I want to think I’m wrong. I am wrong, aren’t I?"

Atlas pondered for a moment before shaking his head.

Hugo exhaled in relief—only to choke on it when Atlas added, "No, he’s definitely in love with you."

"What?!"

"Tell me if you two get together." Atlas leaned back, smirking. "Don’t worry about Dad. I’ll be the one to break the news that you’re into men."

Just then, something crashed to the floor.

Hugo turned, while Atlas tilted his head slightly to the side.

Standing in the doorway were Allen and Benjamin, their eyes wide.

"Second Brother...?" Benjamin gasped, while Allen covered his mouth in shock.

"No, no, no!" Hugo frantically shook his head, but it was too late.

"We’re sorry for barging in and overhearing a private conversation!" Allen bowed. "We’ll leave you two now! We’ll pretend we didn’t hear anything, so don’t worry!"

Before Hugo could explain, the two of them bolted, leaving him standing there, speechless.

"...Oh, crap." Hugo ran a hand through his hair, eyes fixed on the door.

Atlas, meanwhile, simply chuckled. "I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all," he said reassuringly. "No need to hide anymore, Hugo."

That was when Hugo realized he should not have gone to Atlas for advice.

So, he decided to seek out Zoren.

But all he got from the CEO was a pat on the shoulder... and an encouraging nod.