Chapter 1502: I won’t give up on you—on my sister.

[Prime Group]

"I’ll be in your office around lunch."

Penny hummed in response before the line disconnected. Pausing in her tracks, she gazed at her phone and sighed.

I didn’t think he’d worry about me too, she thought, shaking her head before resuming her steps.

After leaving Mint’s ward, Penny didn’t linger long in Hugo’s. She had work to do but promised her second brother she’d return with a cake later in the evening.

Soon, Penny reached her office and set down her things. Just as she did, a knock sounded at the door. Glancing up, she saw Patricia peeking her head in.

"What?" Penny asked dryly, turning to face her.

Patricia carefully closed the door behind her, then darted toward Penny. The sudden movement caught Penny off guard, and she jolted when Patricia was already right in front of her.

"What the —?"

"Penny, tell me the truth. Don’t worry, I won’t sell you out or anything!" Patricia nodded firmly, her eyes burning with sincerity. She clasped Penny’s hands tightly, her gaze nearly boring into Penny’s skull. "It’s not you, is it?"

"Huh?"

"Cassandra!" Patricia hissed, only to hush herself and lean in closer. "It’s not you, right?"

Penny scrunched her nose, staring at Patricia in disbelief. She pulled her hands away, scoffing.

"Patricia, are you asking if I ordered the police to arrest her?" she laughed incredulously. "Do you really think the police would act just because I asked?"

Patricia pursed her lips and cleared her throat. "Well, I’m just making sure. As your assistant, I’d rather not have the police raiding this company. Besides, you did smack that officer in the head and got away with it."

"I got away with smacking an asshole in the head," Penny corrected. "He got away from facing a bigger problem for abusing his power, arresting an innocent person, and trespassing on private property. They’re lucky all they got was a suspension and a smack. If Grace had pursued charges, their department would be in serious trouble."

She crossed her arms and shook her head. "Patricia, I’ll toe the line if I have to—but I don’t cross it. I don’t put myself in situations where I know I’ll end up in jail. Sure, I’ve got the urge to do crazy things, but that’s why you’re here. That’s why Grace is here. That’s why everyone around me is here."

"Fine..." Patricia sighed, rolling her eyes. "I wasn’t accusing you. Just making sure, you know?"

With that, Patricia turned to leave. But just as she took a few steps, Penny spoke again.

"Patricia."

Patricia turned to face her.

"That news... what do you think of it?"

"Huh?" Patricia arched a brow. "I don’t care about the news."

"Oh?"

"Maybe she did it, maybe she didn’t. Either way, I don’t care. I only brought it up because I was worried you were involved. But if you’re not, then it’s not my business," she shrugged indifferently. "Besides, I don’t like her. If she’s innocent, good for her. If not, I’m sure she’ll be cleared, eventually."

Then she raised her brows. "Why are you asking me?"

"Nothing," Penny replied, shaking her head and walking back to her chair. "I just thought... if I were in that situation, I wonder what people would think of me."

"I’d bite their heads off!" Patricia barked without hesitation, making Penny flinch. "You might be hateful at times, Penny, but I know you wouldn’t do something like that."

Penny scrunched her face, eyeing Patricia, who was clearly trying to score some brownie points. "Prepare me some tea. I need to work."

"Okay~" Patricia giggled, flashing a sweet smile. "One coffee coming right up!"

With that, she skipped out, and Penny stared at the door in disbelief.

"I said tea, not coffee," she muttered, shaking her head as she sat down. Glancing once more at the door, she let out a soft chuckle before getting back to work.

---

Some time later...

Atlas arrived at her office for lunch. Since Penny had work to finish, they ended up eating together inside with some takeout.

As they ate, Atlas glanced at her. Penny was devouring her food like a machine, taking one bite after another.

"I called Dad earlier." His voice broke the silence, and Penny raised her brows. "I saw the news about Cassandra Smith. I’m not sure why, but I feel like I should check on Miller’s Company and Global Prime Logistics."

He paused, giving her a knowing look. "After all, this case reminded me of what you told us—about the one that got you imprisoned and sentenced to death."

"Ahh..." Penny nodded slowly. "Did you find anything strange?"

"No, which isn’t surprising. Uncle Haines and Dad are very thorough with all their shipments," Atlas shrugged. "Still, it doesn’t hurt to look again with fresh eyes."

Penny smiled and nodded. "Good."

"Penny."

"Hmm?"

"This case..." Atlas trailed off, watching her focus more on her food than on him. "...what does it make you feel?"

Penny paused mid-bite. Since the news broke that morning, all she’d heard was either: stay out of it, or are you involved? This was the first time someone asked how she actually felt.

Penny smiled wearily and looked up at him. "To be honest? I don’t know what this feeling is. Watching her get escorted into the station brought back some unpleasant memories from the past."

She shrugged. "But Mint was right. This isn’t my business, and I don’t want to get involved. I’ve lived this whole life trying not to experience that again. I’m not here to be anyone’s hero."

She gave him a tired smile. "Her family won’t forsake her, even if it’s not out of love but for appearances. There’s no need for me to feel anything about it."

"I’d rather spend that energy making sure I’m not the next one. Still, thanks for asking and checking in. I appreciate it."

After saying her piece, Penny resumed eating while Atlas quietly studied her.

"In this life," he said, "even if things don’t go the way we want... I won’t forsake you."

Penny looked at him.

"I won’t give up on you—on my sister."

Her eyes softened, and she lifted her bowl slightly. "Let’s eat."