Chapter 1355: Quickie but not

[Skyline Plaza: Finn’s]

"Is that what you’re going to wear tonight?" Finn stopped by the door, gazing at the beautiful Nina in a simple yet elegant peach dress.

Nina looked back at him and smiled. "Do you think it’s too much for a simple dinner celebration?"

"Too much?" He chuckled, walking up to her. Taking her hand, he carefully spun her until she was facing him. His eyes scanned her from head to toe before meeting hers with a smile. "Yes, it is."

"Gosh, I knew it—"

"You shouldn’t go if you don’t want to be too much."

"Huh?"

"You’re too pretty," he clarified, pulling her into his arms. "Someone as perfect as you will always be too much for any occasion."

Nina blinked, resting her hand on his chest. "Finn, that sounds insulting... even though I know you’re trying to compliment me."

"I’m sorry. Looking at you simply robs me of any intellectual flattery I could articulate."

"Stop it." She lightly slapped his chest, pursing her lips to suppress a laugh. "Goodness. Penny is going to pick me up in a few minutes."

"But I’ll miss you." He clasped his hands behind her back. "Let’s just stay here."

"It’s Grace’s 32nd birthday."

"It’s a fake birthday."

"I know that, but she’s really serious about it. As her friend, I want to support her." Nina smiled, nodding at him.

"Should I go?" he wondered aloud, knowing this was Nina’s first day at his place.

"Didn’t you say you have dinner with your parents tonight?"

"I’ll cancel."

Nina shook her head and cupped his face, looking deep into his eyes. "Finn, we talked about this before. Before us... we prioritize ourselves first."

"So when we need each other’s support, it won’t easily break us," he continued, nodding in understanding. "I know that, but..."

"I’ll be fine," she reassured him with a warm smile. "I know you’re worried, but like you said... you’re going to protect me. And I believe you, so that puts my heart at ease."

A silence followed her words as she gazed at him with unwavering confidence. No fear, no hesitation—just trust.

There were only a few things Finn had told her: that she might be in danger because someone disliked her. He hadn’t given details, instead using the Bennet Family business, the Piersons, and Nina’s biological mother as excuses.

He couldn’t just outright say Jonathan wanted her dead because she had supposedly killed him—her husband—in a previous life. The important thing was that she understood people might be after her and that others were making sure she would be okay.

And secondly, that Finn was still investigating the gift. Until they uncovered the culprit, he would have to keep bodyguards around her.

Nina agreed on one condition: the bodyguards would remain at a distance. She wanted to be protected but still live her life as normally as possible.

Finn exhaled through his nose and nodded. "Fine."

At that moment, the doorbell rang. Both of them perked up as the second chime followed.

"I think that’s Penny," Nina said, patting his chest.

Finn reluctantly let her go. "I’ll get the door. Take your time. I’ll entertain them until you’re ready."

"Thanks."

With that, Finn left the room and walked down the stairs. When he opened the door, Penny and Zoren stood outside.

"Hey there!" Penny raised a hand. "Where’s my sister?"

"She’s still getting ready." Finn offered the couple a smile and opened the door wider. "Come in."

"Mhm." Penny stepped inside, looking around the mansion with an open-mouthed gape. "Wow. This place looks expensive."

Zoren’s eyes flicked to his wife before sweeping over the surroundings. He pressed his lips into a thin line and then, briefly observing Penny again, decided he would build an even grander house on his lot.

"Finn, why is your house so big when you lived alone back then?" Penny asked curiously as they settled in the living room. "It’s beautiful, though."

Finn shrugged. "That’s what I ask myself, too."

"Do you want a bigger house?" Zoren asked, his gaze locked on Penny.

Penny slowly turned to her husband and blinked innocently. "Why would I want a big house?"

"You seem very impressed by Mr. Davis’s place."

"Renren, don’t be mad at Finn," Penny pouted, noting how Zoren addressed people based on his level of hostility. "I’m impressed, sure, but I’m just curious. After all, he didn’t even live here until now."

"How do you know that?" Finn and Zoren asked simultaneously, both turning to her.

’Please come up with a better explanation,’Finn prayed inwardly. ’I don’t want your husband looking at me like he’s calculating how to remove me from the picture.’

"Nina told me." Penny smiled—it was a lie. She had actually run a background check on Finn when she learned about his relationship with Nina. That’s how she knew those details. "Anyway, I don’t want a big house."

She suddenly jumped to Zoren’s side, hugging his arm and fluttering her eyelashes coquettishly. "If we had a bigger place, I wouldn’t find you as easily. Besides, we need a big lot with a small home because Renny and Chunchun love playing outside. And when I’m angry, I enjoy watching our people dig their own graves so they remember that’s where they’ll end up if they mess up. Right? Right?!"

Zoren studied his wife before nodding in satisfaction. Then, he decided there was no need to build her a bigger home. Though, he was still looking for ways to buy her a road—if that was even possible.

Finn, on the other hand, glanced at the couple and shook his head. ’I don’t think I’ll ever get used to them.’ Penny had always had a certain image in his mind, but with Zoren, she was an entirely different person.

"I’m sorry for making you wait!" Nina’s voice rang out as she hurried down the stairs.

"It’s alright!" Penny grinned, rising to her feet along with Zoren. "It wasn’t a long wait, and we’re still early."

With that, the couple faced Finn to bid him goodnight before heading toward the front door. Finn followed to see them out.

"Wait." Finn gently caught Nina’s arm and pulled her closer, smiling. "I’ll pick you up later, okay?"

Smiling, she nodded. "Call me when you’re on the way."

"I will."

A brief silence stretched between them before Finn’s gaze dropped to her lips. Slowly, he tilted his head and bent down, pressing a soft, sincere kiss on them.

At the same time, Zoren glanced back and caught the scene. His eyes flicked to Penny, who immediately covered her lips.

"Later," she said, shielding herself. "I know you, and your ’quickie’ is never actually quick."

Had it not been for Zoren’s kisses always leading to something else, Penny wouldn’t mind. But her husband was always in heat. She didn’t want to make things awkward—not just for Nina but also for Angel and Mark, who would be riding with them. Those two had already begged her.