Chapter 1371: He’s not wrong

"Miss Penny."

Penny stopped at Butler Hubert’s call, pausing just as she exited the bathroom. Flinching, she turned her head toward him.

"Butler Hubert, no matter how important this is, I don’t think it’s proper for you to wait for me outside the bathroom," she blurted quietly, furrowing her brows as Butler Hubert suddenly dragged her to the corner. Watching him, she saw him glance left and right before facing her sternly.

"Miss Penny, I did what you asked last time," Butler Hubert’s voice was low, barely reaching her ears. He paused, nodding at her as if he didn’t need to say the rest of his remarks.

Penny studied his expression before asking, "You found the person?"

Visiting the Old Residence had always been part of Penny and Zoren’s weekly routine. They visited the Old Madam no fewer than three times a week. It was the minimum, no matter how busy they were. One reason was to cherish each moment with the aging Old Mrs. Pierson, but also because Penny was closely monitoring the Old Madam’s health.

The last time she was here, she asked Butler Hubert to investigate the other helpers of the manor. After all, the Old Madam’s episodes had only happened once — that time William "claimed" he visited the Old Madam to inform her about Jonathan. After that, the Old Madam was healthier than ever. At first, Butler Hubert thought it was probably the treatment that was working.

But Penny and Zoren suspected something else. Penny suspected that someone might be "poisoning" the Old Madam with small doses.

Turns out... she was right.

"What should we do, Miss Penny?" Butler Hubert asked worriedly. "I did what you told me and investigated all the helpers."

"Have you confronted the person?"

"No, not yet." Butler Hubert shook his head and sighed. "You said once I find out, don’t do anything. However, ever since then, I’ve been sending this helper on other tasks to keep her away from the Old Madam. The problem is I’m running out of errands... and the Old Madam is fond of this person."

Penny drew a deep breath, nodding at him in understanding. "Keep sending her on every errand you can think of."

"Miss Penny, are we going to keep that person here?" Butler Hubert huffed in distress. "As I said, the Old Madam is fond of this helper, and she’s been working here for two decades. If she ever approaches the Old Madam while I’m not around, I’m afraid... the worst might happen."

"That’s why you have to keep Grandma in your sight," Penny replied. "Butler Hubert, I understand that cutting this person off immediately is the safest option. However, we need to make sure this person is working alone... or if there are others involved."

"You think there are more helpers who are helping her?"

Penny pressed her lips together, unable to answer with certainty. However, she believed whoever sent this person would’ve likely sent another one or two more to cover for each other.

"This is the Old Residence, Butler Hubert," Penny whispered, showing conflict in her eyes. "Whoever they’re reporting to would’ve known there are many eyes and ears here. Just sending one person doesn’t seem like a good plan — if I were in their position."

"..." Butler Hubert lowered his head, sighing heavily. His heart was already filled with anxiety. It wasn’t like the Old Madam hadn’t had enemies before.

During the Old Madam’s prime, she had quite a few enemies — both from within the family and outside of it. She was quite the woman, as others said. But now, Old Mrs. Pierson was no longer the same. She was old and vulnerable. She could no longer protect herself from all the greed and ruthlessness that reigned in the family.

"Butler Hubert." Penny clasped his hand, looking him in the eye. "Grandma is someone very precious to me, to Renren, and to my family."

She paused, nodding at him reassuringly. "We won’t let anything bad happen to her."

"Thank you, Miss Penny." Butler Hubert sighed heavily, trying to force a smile. "I’ll do what you say then."

"Thank you, Butler Hubert."

As Penny released his hand, Butler Hubert studied her for a moment before asking the most important question:

"Miss Penny, would you tell the Young Master about it?"

For a second, there was nothing but silence between them. Penny and Butler Hubert stared at each other, their eyes showing different emotions. While Butler Hubert’s eyes were filled with curiosity and worry, Penny’s eyes showed determination.

"Please don’t let him know," Butler Hubert blurted out under his breath before Penny could respond.

"Butler Hubert."

"Miss Penny, I’m sorry for requesting this," Butler Hubert said, hanging his head low, fidgeting with his fingers as his gaze stayed downward. "However, if the Young Master finds out, he will kill her. Literally."

"So please..." he continued, lifting his eyes to meet hers. "I’ll do my best, but do not let the Young Master sully his hands. Especially not for the Old Madam. She wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if that happens."

Penny opened her mouth, then closed it again. After a second, she offered him a small smile before nodding in understanding.

"This will not reach him," she said reassuringly.

"Thank you, Miss Penny."

"Please rest tonight," Penny said, placing a hand on his shoulder and tapping it. "Renren and I will be staying here tonight. We’re in the adjoining room next to Grandma. We can keep watch."

"Yes. Thank you."

With that, Penny withdrew her hand from his shoulder before walking away. As she did, Butler Hubert watched her retreating figure with a deep sigh. After a moment, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.

When Penny was about to turn to a corner, she glanced back in the direction Butler Hubert had taken. Once he was out of sight, she slowly looked away from the empty hallway and turned her gaze to the corner ahead.

There, leaning on the wall, was none other than her husband. Had Butler Hubert turned around earlier, he would’ve seen Zoren. However, he hadn’t, and was unaware that Zoren had heard everything.

Slowly, Zoren turned his head and met his wife’s eyes. The usual smile and excitement he had when meeting his wife after a long day of work were nowhere to be seen.

"He’s not wrong," he whispered, his voice calm and dark. His presence strong and suffocating, and the weight of his words unmistakable. "I’ll kill her... all of them."