Chapter 1350: You might be in danger

Jessa and Allison didn’t linger long after signing their checks. If anything, Jessa even had the audacity to tell Penny, "You’re welcome," as if the additional thousand they added to their monthly expenses was something that could help Penny’s company flourish.

But Penny didn’t think much about it.

In her previous life, she had never held more than five digits. But in this lifetime, since she started young and had been trading as her first step to financial freedom, money had eventually become just mere numbers. She was still grateful, though, but when it came to business—one million was a very small number, let alone thousands.

"They still left my office with a smile," Penny hummed, smacking her lips in satisfaction as she stared at the checks in her hand. "I wonder how I should give these back to those two?"

Penny rubbed her chin, thinking of a way to return the money to Jessa and Allison without directly handing it back. After a few minutes of fruitless brainstorming, she waved dismissively.

"I’ll think about it later," she muttered, opening a drawer to place the checks inside. She then picked up her phone and dialed someone who might want to hear about this.

Ring... ring... ring...

---

[Skyline Plaza: Finn’s]

"Finn, someone’s calling," Nina called out, holding Finn’s phone, which he had left on the stand while they were unpacking some of Nina’s things at his place.

Finn, who was assembling Nina’s favorite desk, looked back at her. "Who is it?"

"It’s... Penny." Nina furrowed her brows. "I think it’s business if she’s calling you. Otherwise, she’d call me."

"Oh." Finn rocked his head before rising from the floor. When he stood in front of Nina and took the phone, he flashed her a smile. "I’ll finish assembling that after this call."

"I didn’t know you’ve been doing business with Penny."

"She’s the matriarch of the Pierson Corporation," Finn quipped. "Though, I doubt it’s anything urgent." He turned to leave. "I’ll be back."

"Mhm."

Nina skipped back into the room to continue unpacking her clothes and other belongings. Finn, on the other hand, lingered for a moment, watching her with a subtle smile before stepping out of the room.

"Penny," he greeted, closing the door behind him. His brows furrowed as soon as Penny got straight to the point.

"What??"

"Just what I said," Penny rocked her head. "Mom and Aunt Jessa came to me today for some security assistance. Apparently, Nina’s biological mom appeared at Aunt Jessa’s doorstep. So, Mom and Aunt Jessa were worried that woman would try to bother Nina. They paid me. Ask me how much?"

Finn automatically ignored Penny’s last remark, his expression turning grim. "I didn’t think she’d dare show her face in front of Aunt Jessa, considering everything she did to her."

"Did you hear me? I just told you they paid me."

"Penny, are your men also keeping an eye on Nina at work? I think that’s the first place her mother would go if she wanted to force her way into Nina’s life."

"Uh... hello?"

"Penny, I heard you." Finn sighed. "I’m not surprised they wrote you a check, but please."

"But I want to tell you how much they’re paying me for an entire year."

"Fine. How much?"

"Twenty-four thousand." Penny grinned. "Aren’t they cute? It makes me proud that my mothers are willing to shell out that much money for their child’s protection."

Finn opened his mouth, then closed it again. He was well aware of the Prime Group’s rates, and twenty-four thousand for a year of security services wasn’t even three days’ worth of what other clients paid the best security firm.

Shaking his head, he pushed the thought aside and sighed heavily. "I’m writing you a check for this as well. You’ll receive it at your office soon."

"Wow... you people are very generous. I think I’m going to be rich!"

"I’m doing this to reinforce security." Finn huffed sharply, glancing back toward the room where Nina was. "I’ll talk to Nina about it, so you don’t have to worry. After all, we still haven’t found out who sent that gift."

"Speaking of, are you sure you’ll find out who it was soon? If not, my men can handle it."

"No." Finn gulped, his eyes glinting as he looked away from the door. "I already have a lead. I should hear from my investigators soon. Whoever did that... I’m going to find them."

Asking for Penny’s help was great and all, but Finn knew he couldn’t keep depending on her. She already had enough on her plate. This one—Finn wanted to handle it himself.

Penny smiled and shrugged. "Fine. If that’s what you want. Let me know once you and Nina have talked about your arrangement, so I can brief my men."

"Thank you."

"You’re welcome. And also, help me find a way to return Mom and Aunt Jessa’s checks without them finding out."

With that, the call ended abruptly. Finn let out another heavy sigh as he put his phone down. But instead of dwelling on it, he picked it up again to send a short but precise message to the investigator handling Nina’s case. Once that was done, he walked back into the room they would be sharing.

As soon as he opened the door, he leaned against the doorframe, watching her fold her clothes on the floor. A soft smile spread across his lips. His eyes warmed, his heart filling with quiet contentment—knowing she was here. Knowing she was in a much safer place. A place where no one could sneak in and leave something horrible for her.

"Hmm?" Noticing the stare on her back, Nina’s brows lifted as she turned. "What are you doing?"

"Admiring you," he quipped before walking in and squatting beside her. "Nina, I need to talk to you about something."

A deep line formed between Nina’s brows as she tilted her head. Seeing the slight crack in his smile, a part of her immediately knew it was serious.

"What is it, Finn?" she asked, reaching for his hand. "What’s making you look so burdened? Is it bad news? What did Penny say?"

Finn exhaled slowly before opening his mouth. Penny might not agree with him, but he knew Nina would understand.

Nina knew what had happened that night on the island, yet she had never spoken about it. The Bennets assumed she had no idea, but she did. She had simply chosen not to bring it up.

In other words, it was best not to keep her in the dark.

"You might be in danger," Finn confessed.