Chapter 1417: Don’t worry, girl. I got you.

Meanwhile...

Nina carefully sliced the cake, unable to stop herself from glancing at Penny across the counter. Penny watched the cake like a hawk, looking as if she might drool if Nina stalled any longer.

Quickly, Nina placed a slice on a plate and slid it in front of Penny.

"Here," she said. "Eat this first while I get the guys some."

"Huh?" Penny snapped her eyes up, blinking innocently.

"Finn and I don’t really eat sweets that much, so this cake will just sit in the fridge forever." Nina chuckled, winking. "We’d really appreciate it if you helped us finish it."

Penny’s eyes lit up, her mouth stretching into a wide grin. "Sweet! I might start living here to help you with the leftovers. Thanks!"

Without wasting a breath, she picked up a fork and cut a huge portion. Although buying the cake for Nina had been her idea, it looked so cute that she got too excited. It was the last one in the shop, and she had wanted to give the best to Nina. But at the same time, she had also been tempted to taste it.

Sure enough, it was just as delicious as it looked.

As Penny moaned in satisfaction, savoring the first bite, Nina chuckled and continued slicing pieces for Zoren and Finn.

"Ah, this is so good," Penny mumbled, already cutting another mouthful. "I’m going to buy one tomorrow if there’s more available. Uncle Wild and Yugi will love this. Or maybe, I’ll buy more for Mom and Aunt Jessa. First Brother will not like it, so I’m going to buy him one as well. As for Second Brother and Third Brother... they will like this, so they won’t get any."

Nina laughed but said nothing. As she covered the rest of the cake to store it in the fridge, Penny suddenly perked up.

"Right..." Penny cleared her throat, swallowed her bite, and said, "I hired Patricia."

Nina paused, turning back with furrowed brows. "You hired Patricia? As in, Patricia Miller?"

"Uh-huh." Penny nodded. "She’s going to be one of my assistants. I know you’ll say it’s my business, but I still want to know how you feel about it. And don’t worry about sparing my feelings—I’d rather know the truth."

"Would you... change your mind if I said I wasn’t comfortable with it?"

Penny tilted her head, briefly looking up as if considering, then nodded. "Of course. You’re my sister."

Nina pursed her lips, pushed the cake into the fridge, then walked toward Penny, leaning against the counter.

Curiosity flickered in Penny’s eyes as she chewed, her gaze locked on Nina. "Are you uncomfortable with it?"

"Penny, if I were uncomfortable, then I would’ve been since you bought the Millers’ company—with Dad and Uncle Haines taking charge." Nina let out a weak chuckle. "I can’t say I’m uncomfortable with this decision. After all, it’s your business, and I know you made it after a lot of consideration."

She smiled, nodding approvingly. "Like you said, I’m your sister. And you’re mine. I trust your judgment."

"Ohh..." Penny’s lips curled into a grin, already expecting that kind of response. "Aren’t you too kind? Nina, that woman bullied you at every turn. I thought you’d be a little dissatisfied with this."

"It’s true that Patricia was cruel to me, but..." Nina trailed off, letting out a shallow breath. "I made a mistake, Penny. A huge one. No apology can ever erase that damage. I was the one who started it, so I’m willing to be patient until she forgives me. And I say that with full honesty and confidence."

Her eyes softened at the thought. Penny’s forgiveness had come so easily—so much so that Penny had forgiven her long before Nina even asked for it. But Patricia’s anger served as a reminder of how far she had come.

"That said, since she’s working for you now, I just hope..." Nina hesitated. "I hope she doesn’t do anything to hurt you or the Prime Group. Maybe, in time, she’ll move past the pain I caused and move forward. I don’t expect us to ever be friends again. But I do hope she finds peace."

A small, proud smile formed on Penny’s face. If someone had told her in the past that Nina would ever say something like this, she wouldn’t have believed it. This wasn’t just growth—this was a completely different person from the one she had known.

"Well, since I’ve got your blessing, I guess it’s all good!" Penny intoned. "And don’t worry about running into her. That woman knows what will happen if she ever tries to bully you again."

"Penny..."

"I’m not doing this for you," Penny reassured. "I didn’t hire her just to stop her from bullying you. But that’s part of the job now."

She shifted her position slightly. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you something."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I heard you were there when Patricia slapped Cassandra Smith at that restaurant," Penny said, her brow quirking curiously. "Is that true?"

Of course, Penny already knew. The people she had assigned to safeguard Nina had reported the incident. But Patricia had also come to her earlier that day.

"Uh, yes." Nina massaged her nape, feeling a little uncomfortable at the mention of Cassandra’s name. "They did have an altercation. That’s why I said I hope Patricia doesn’t act recklessly. From what I heard, Cassandra wants to press charges—"

"She’s dropping them," Penny interrupted, smiling innocently.

Nina furrowed her brows. "Huh?"

Penny’s smile widened. "Though, I wouldn’t be surprised if she presses charges against me instead."

"What? Why?"

"Well..." Penny hummed, choosing her words carefully. "Let’s just say I used her as the final test to hire four new employees."

Her grin stretched until her eyes squinted. Nina stared at her for a moment before a shallow laugh escaped her.

"Was it because of that gift?" Nina asked. "Finn told you, didn’t he?"

Penny’s smile stretched even further. "I was looking for an excuse, and she just handed it to me." She winked. "It took me some time, but don’t worry, girl. I got you."

Would it be horrible for Nina to feel satisfied hearing this?

Then, for this fleeting moment, she might just be a horrible person.