Chapter 1299: Penny, you’re rich, right?

Meanwhile...

Seated in the back seat of a taxi, Nina held her phone to her ear.

"I’m really sorry about that, Cassandra," Nina said as she made her way to Mama to help out. "I don’t even know what to say. Patricia went too far today."

Cassandra didn’t respond immediately, but the dark look on her face was telling. "It’s okay, Nina. It’s not your fault."

"No, it is," Nina insisted, shaking her head. "Patricia has always been angry with me. While she has her reasons, this time she crossed the line. I never thought she would hurt you just because you were with me."

"So, are you saying she wouldn’t have assaulted me even if I weren’t with you?" Cassandra asked, arching a brow as she glanced at her phone.

"Mhm. That’s why... I’m really, really sorry."

"Nina, it’s okay," Cassandra sighed, shaking her head. "Even if you say it’s your fault, it’s not. And it’s not mine, either. Patricia acted on her own."

Nina pressed her lips together, hesitating to ask Cassandra to let it go. But what right did she have to make such a request?

"Nina, don’t worry about it anymore," Cassandra assured her. "I’m not angry at you, and I don’t blame you. But that doesn’t mean I’ll just let it go. From what I hear, it seems like picking on the weak is her hobby. Someone has to teach her a lesson."

"No, it’s not like—"

"Nina." Cassandra’s tone sharpened. "This isn’t about you. This is about me being assaulted for no reason. You’re kind, and maybe that’s why you put up with her. But you and I are different. Please don’t try to talk me out of it."

Nina fell silent.

"Anyway, it was nice seeing you. And thanks for your help today. I have to go."

Before Nina could respond, Cassandra ended the call. Slowly, Nina lowered her phone, staring at it in conflict.

She was angry at Patricia for going too far, but she also didn’t want this to spiral out of control. Still, Cassandra was the one who had been assaulted—she had every right to press charges.

"What’s going to happen now?" she murmured, her worry growing.

DING!

[From: Finn

Are you at Mama now?]

Nina hesitated, staring at Finn’s message.

"Should I... ask him to talk to Cassandra about this?"

---

[PRIME GROUP]

Penny hummed as she skipped back to her office, still giddy from shopping for gifts with Zoren and Atlas. They would have skipped work altogether if they didn’t have responsibilities, but duty called.

Her good mood, however, disappeared the moment she stepped inside her office.

Penny stopped in the doorway, her eyes locking onto the person seated on her couch. She immediately took a step back, glancing left and right.

"Where the hell is everyone?!" she yelled, hoping someone on this floor would hear her. But silence was the only response she got.

"Damn..." she muttered, snapping her gaze back to the unexpected visitor. Another deep sigh slipped past her lips. Was this company even a security firm? How could people just waltz in and out of the CEO’s office whenever they pleased?

"You didn’t have to be so rude about seeing me," Patricia scoffed, rolling her eyes as she stood up. "I need to talk to you."

"Ugh..." Penny almost groaned, gripping the doorknob tightly as she eyed Patricia warily.

Seeing her reaction, Patricia clicked her tongue and marched toward her. Without hesitation, she peeled Penny’s fingers off the knob, pushed her inside, and shut the door.

"Come on... just hear me out, okay?" Patricia said, guiding Penny to the couch. "I promise this won’t take long."

Penny allowed herself to be pushed, albeit with a frown. Before she knew it, she was sitting in the head seat, watching Patricia settle onto the long couch across from her.

"I really need an assistant," Penny muttered under her breath. "Otherwise, I’ll keep getting ambushed like this."

Lately, it felt like her office had become a tourist attraction. Finn always ran to her with his love problems, Theo just to catch up with her, and now even Patricia was here.

Patricia. Of all people.

"What?" Penny huffed, rubbing her temple. "What do you want?"

"I haven’t even said anything yet, and you already look exhausted."

"Because your energy is exhausting."

"Tch." Patricia clicked her tongue but didn’t argue. She owed Penny—something she could never deny. If it weren’t for Penny, she would have died that night. If Penny hadn’t sent her men to help, Patricia wouldn’t have had the chance to make amends with her family.

And Penny never once asked for credit.

"First of all, I want to thank you," Patricia cleared her throat. "I know this is long overdue, but you were out of town. I couldn’t thank you personally until now."

"Ah..." Penny’s expression brightened. "So that’s what this is about, huh?"

Thinking that was all, she smiled.

"Sure! No biggie! Just don’t ask me why I helped, because the reason is obvious. I bought the Millers Company, and I need your family to stay clear-headed. I don’t want to employ people who are grieving—grief takes time and courage to overcome. Hiring and training new ones are a hassle."

She shrugged. "You could say I did it for myself. But still, you’re welcome—if you insist."

Patricia pursed her lips, staring at Penny with mixed emotions.

"That’s it?"

"What do you mean, that’s it?"

’She’s not going to brag? Or ask for something in return?’ Patricia wondered. She had expected Penny to gloat, maybe even rub it in her face that she had saved her. But even after a minute, all she saw was pure curiosity in Penny’s expression.

"What?" Penny asked, confused. "Why are you looking at me like that? You don’t believe my reason?"

"Never mind." Patricia shook her head and straightened her posture. When she had fully recomposed herself, she studied Penny’s face before asking, "Penny, you’re rich, right?"

"I don’t lend money—"

"That’s not what I meant," Patricia interrupted. "Do you think you can talk to a senator on equal terms?"

Deep lines formed between Penny’s brows. "That’s a strange question."

Patricia exhaled. "I might be in trouble."

Penny raised a brow. "What did you do?"

Patricia hesitated before muttering, "I slapped someone... who turns out to be a politician’s granddaughter. Can you make a call and tell them to leave my family and our company out of it?"