Chapter 1452: And the struggle continues

Just when Teddy, Shawn, and Hayley thought no one else would come, they were wrong. One hour after Slater’s arrival and short meltdown, all three of them returned to the CEO’s department. This time, Yugi and Wild were with them—though it was clear one of them was just here to watch the drama unfold.

"See? She’s not here," Patricia frowned, standing on the side with the other three as these people checked the department. "We’re not lying, okay?"

Slater scowled. "Her car is literally in the parking lot."

"She probably used her motorbike," said Teddy, only for Atlas to cut in quickly.

"It’s also there," Atlas’s sharp eyes landed on Teddy. "It’s bold of you to think we didn’t check that beforehand."

Teddy kept his mouth shut, his eyes drifting to Patricia. The latter was clearly not happy, frowning for everyone to see. Well, one would be very unhappy with Yugi and Hugo checking every corner of their department. It felt like they were being raided, but Teddy knew that wasn’t what Patricia was frowning about.

That frown... was part of the act.

With that, Teddy poked Shawn with his elbow. The latter flinched a little, casting Teddy a look, only to see him raise his brows as if to give him a cue.

"Ahem!" Shawn cleared his throat before he huffed. ’It’s alright. I’ve practiced for the past hour. It’s alright.’

Knowing it was part of his job to "protect" his boss, Shawn mustered all his courage to step forward. "Good sirs, with all due respect, this is the CEO’s department. I know you all have business to discuss with our boss. However, you are disrupting our work right now."

"We are trying to work here. And even if we’re new hires, this is a crucial time for us to prove ourselves to our boss as soon as possible," Hayley added, stepping forward and carefully avoiding Slater’s gaze so she could focus on the job at hand. "So, please, if you may, our boss is not here. Do not make us call security."

Teddy and Patricia arched a brow at each other, watching the two stand up against Penny’s brothers—even though Yugi and Wild were clearly helping them. Hayley and Shawn were tasked with staying in the office and handling all affairs there. Patricia and Teddy would assist them, but their main role was to accompany Penny wherever she went.

So, this was good practice for them. Even though this practice was extra difficult since they were dealing with the CEO’s family.

Yugi looked at Shawn and Hayley in surprise. "Uh... they’re actually right," he agreed, shifting his attention to Penny’s brothers. "We already checked the office, and clearly, she’s not here."

"Are you sure there’s no hidden passage here?" Hugo frowned, casting Yugi a displeased look. "Don’t lie, Yugi."

"No, there’s none," Yugi let out a sigh. "If there was, I wouldn’t have suggested this place but straight to where it leads."

Everyone exchanged looks, Penny’s brothers especially displeased by this development. They truly had an urgent matter to discuss with her.

"If Penny left without her car or motorbike, then I guess she commuted," Yugi shrugged. "Or just used someone else’s car."

Hearing this, her four secretaries couldn’t help but twitch. Did that mean Penny would just steal someone’s car if it suited her?

"As much as I hate to admit it, they’re right," Atlas nodded before casting the four a look. "I apologize for the inconvenience. We didn’t intend to disrupt your work, but this is important."

Surprised, the four looked at Atlas with slightly widened eyes.

"However..." Atlas added, this time, his eyes glinting with murderous intent. "If I find out you knew where she was and purposely didn’t tell us, count your days. You’ve been warned."

Teddy, Shawn, Hayley, and even Patricia couldn’t help but gulp. They had seen Penny go off on Cassandra, but Atlas was just as terrifying.

"That brat—" Wild hissed, shaking his head, clearly disappointed at missing out on some drama. "Where in the world did she go?"

"Maybe she’s already at the event?" Yugi suggested, offering her brothers a smile. "I can drive you there."

Atlas, Hugo, and Slater looked at each other before nodding at Yugi. With that, the five men left without further discussion. As they walked away, Yugi turned to face them again.

"I’m sorry for interrupting you guys," Yugi flashed them a wide smile. "It will surely happen again."

Hearing that, the four secretaries looked at him with slight bitterness. Normally, someone would say, "It won’t happen again," but Yugi just confirmed the opposite. Meaning, these interruptions were a common occurrence on this floor. Even so, none of them spoke as they quietly watched the group leave.

A moment later, Patricia jumped from her spot and ran toward the entrance. Following her with the same agility were the other three, peeking their heads out of the entrance, their eyes locked on the retreating men.

"Oh, gosh..." Hayley pulled away, patting her chest. "I didn’t know acting was also part of our job."

"I feel like I’m going to faint," Shawn mumbled in horror, his face ashen.

Teddy and Patricia exchanged glances before looking at the other two. Though Teddy remained quiet, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. And to think it was still morning!

"Though, it’s a good thing you thought of this idea, Patricia," Hayley remarked, making everyone turn to Patricia.

Patricia smiled. "It’s the perks of knowing the Bennets. They protect each other like no other... but also sabotage each other. They don’t need a villain in their story because they are each other’s villains."

A smirk replaced her smile. Thanks to Patricia’s nosiness, they had just saved Penny from whatever doom awaited her. Slowly, all of them turned their eyes toward the CEO’s office.

****

[Prime Group: CEO’s Office]

Penny smirked, seated leisurely in her office. As the noise outside quieted down, she couldn’t help but laugh.

"Man... they’re amazing!" she intoned. "I got four reliable assistants!"

They had just saved her from trouble... or so she thought. But in reality, Atlas, Slater, and Hugo truly needed her for something. And Penny had forgotten Old Mrs. Pierson’s words: the soup was potent. Very powerful.

*****

[Pierson Corporation: CEO’s Office]

Zoren’s brows twitched as he gazed down at his lap. At the same time, Benjamin entered the office, carrying some papers.

"Sir, here’s the report you requested this morning," Benjamin said, placing a handful of documents on the desk—only to notice that Zoren wasn’t reacting at all. Instead, he was staring downward.

"Sir, is something wrong?"

Slowly, Zoren lifted his head and met his eyes. "I think... yes."

"Huh? What is it?"

"I’m hard."

"Huh?"

"It won’t go down."