Chapter 1501: Never

[Pierson Corporation]

Zoren leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the article displayed on his computer—one detailing the alleged crimes of a senator’s granddaughter. Narrowing his eyes, he pressed a forefinger to his temple.

"This... I didn’t expect," he whispered. "What is going on?"

Since Cassandra and Jonathan were set to be engaged, Zoren hadn’t imagined Cassandra would end up in such a situation. What he had expected was a life of hell for her after marrying Jonathan—not because Zoren intended to make her life miserable, but because Jonathan himself was a menace.

But who was Zoren to reject the marriage?

Even so, this was unexpected.

What was going on?

Knock knock.

His thoughts halted at the faint knock on the door. Looking up, he said casually, "Come in."

A second later, Dean entered and closed the door behind him. Zoren arched a brow, noting the grin on Dean’s face.

"Why are you smiling so much?" Zoren asked, curious. "What did you do, Dean Pierson?"

Dean chuckled as he strutted over to the couch. "Did you see the news?"

"I did."

"That’s why I’m smiling."

Zoren narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Were you behind it?"

"Huh? No—haha! I wish!" Dean laughed heartily. And even with such a short response, Zoren believed him. Not because Dean wasn’t capable, but because he wouldn’t stoop that low. "I’m smiling because this means their engagement is canceled, right?"

"I don’t think either of them has the time to think about tying the knot," Zoren nodded.

Dean’s grin stretched even wider. He tapped the armrest playfully. "I don’t like the Smiths, and I’m a bitter man. I don’t want Jonathan to get married before I do."

Zoren didn’t reply. He simply studied his nephew. "If that’s all, then leave. I have papers to review."

"That’s all. But I haven’t finished laughing yet. It wouldn’t be proper to let everyone know how happy I am today—hahaha!"

Zoren kept silent as Dean laughed like a maniac. It took Dean five full minutes before he finally left the office.

Once alone, Zoren reached for the telecom connected to Benjamin’s desk.

"Arrange a meeting with Senator Smith. If he refuses, tell him to call me. Otherwise, I’ll consider his granddaughter’s engagement to Jonathan Pierson null and void." With that, Zoren leaned back, ready to resume work.

Whether Cassandra was guilty or not didn’t matter to him. After all, this had nothing to do with the Piersons, the Bennets, or Renny and Chunchun.

Why should he care?

But just as he told himself that, he paused.

"..." Zoren remained silent, his mind drifting elsewhere. "Penny said... I was the only one who believed in her innocence. I wonder why?"

Not that the memory compelled him to help, but it tugged at his curiosity.

---

[Pierson Corporation: COO’s Office]

"Sir, have you heard?" Allen stood in front of Atlas’s desk, eyebrows raised.

As usual, Atlas didn’t bother looking up, continuing to sign documents. His lack of interest didn’t faze Allen, who cleared his throat pointedly.

"Sir," Allen moved closer and whispered, "I think the engagement is going to be canceled."

Without even glancing at him, Atlas replied, "I don’t know which engagement, but you’re making me uncomfortable."

"Sir, it’s Jonathan Pierson and Miss Cassandra Smith!"

"Good for them. They’d end up divorcing anyway. They might as well save themselves the trouble."

Allen’s face twisted in disbelief as he leaned in further. "That’s not it, sir. Miss Smith was arrested at the airport. They’re saying she trafficked children."

This time, Atlas paused. That caught his attention. Slowly, he looked up, meeting Allen’s serious expression.

"She trafficked children?"

"Yes. The news is everywhere—it’s shocking!" Allen said. "Sir, do you believe it?"

Atlas didn’t answer. Instead, he said, "If you have time to gossip, I assume you finished the papers I asked for yesterday?"

"Ahem!" Allen almost choked, straightening up instantly.

"I need them today. Stop idling."

"Yes, sir." Allen frowned slightly as he turned away. Why did I even think he was a good person to gossip with?

Still itching to talk to someone, he sighed. His usual gossip buddy, Benjamin, hadn’t been in the mood since morning.

After Allen left, Atlas stared quietly at the door.

"Children?" he murmured, then opened his web browser to see what was going on. He didn’t have to search—an article was already front and center on the homepage.

He skimmed it quickly, frowning. "This is the same orphanage Jonathan visits, isn’t it?"

Now he understood Allen’s curiosity.

This was strange. His chest thudded uncomfortably. Atlas placed a hand over his heart, feeling a dull pang there. For some reason, it felt... familiar.

There had been plenty of major scandals in business and entertainment recently—issues that gripped the nation for days, even weeks. But none of them made him feel this way.

This pain.

"Penny," he whispered, reaching for his phone. He knew this case had nothing to do with his sister or their family. But if he didn’t hear her voice, he would think about it all day.

Ring... ring...

Atlas waited. Just when he thought she wouldn’t pick up, the call connected.

"Penny," he said quietly, trying to gauge her tone. "Do you want to have lunch together?"

It took a second, but when she spoke, there was nothing unusual in her voice. "Lunch? Your treat?!"

Atlas pressed his lips into a thin line. "Mhm."

"Will you bring my husband?"

"No. Your husband needs to work. Otherwise, you’ll eat his fortune into oblivion."

"First Brother, for your information, I am a strong, independent woman! Even if my husband doesn’t work, I’ll provide for him. Or rather, he should just work for me—make loving me his full-time job."

Atlas let out a weak laugh. "I’ll be in your office around lunch."

"Mhm."

With that, he ended the call and gazed at the phone. A small smile tugged at his lips, relieved that she sounded fine. Or perhaps... she hadn’t heard the news yet.

Either way, something still nagged at him.

So, Atlas made another call—this time to his father.

Because if he was right, in their first life, Penny had been accused of something just as severe. Though the details were different, this case felt eerily similar.

And Atlas wasn’t going to let history repeat itself.

Never.