Chapter 1549: Deliveries from Father

[PRIME GROUP]

In the CEO’s Department, Hayley, Teddy, Shawn, and even Patricia hovered over the same computer, brows furrowed, eyes reflecting disbelief.

"What the hell?"

Their faces conveyed what words couldn’t at the moment.

They were staring at a trending article that threatened to overshadow the current scandal of human trafficking. People might be furious about the ongoing news, but juicy and scandalous gossip always held its allure, especially when it involved powerful, well-known figures.

"Oh, my god..." Hayley, seated in front of her computer, covered her gaping mouth. "Seriously?"

Shawn frowned deeply. "So, were we wrong?"

Teddy remained silent, his gaze fixed on the article, his emotions mixed.

Patricia glanced up at Shawn. "What, wrong?"

"Well..." Shawn hesitated, glancing at Teddy and Hayley for confirmation.

"It’s nothing, really." Hayley laughed, deciding swiftly to mask any suspicion or disappointment they harbored towards their boss.

Patricia scowled. "You guys... I feel like you’ve been keeping something from me lately. Hah! Are you gossiping about me behind my back?"

"Why would we gossip about you? What’s there to talk about?" Teddy’s tone was cold and distant. "Let’s focus on work. Patricia, let me know when Miss Penny is available. I need to prepare my report."

"Tsk." Patricia clicked her tongue, watching Teddy leave. She then gave Hayley a pointed look before turning back to the screen. "I always knew there was something odd about Penny’s eldest brother. I just knew it!"

With that cryptic statement, Patricia picked up the folder she had come for and exited the room, as if she hadn’t said anything at all.

Hayley and Shawn watched her leave, then exchanged looks. Given Patricia’s long-standing relationship with Penny, they assumed she also knew Atlas. They had all attended the same school, after all.

"We’re in the clear," Hayley said, smiling at Shawn. "No worries."

Shawn nodded in agreement, but added cautiously, "Let’s avoid discussing this further. I knew it! I never doubted Miss Penny."

Teddy, however, shot Hayley a disapproving look. He had recently kept his distance, and both men knew why. Teddy adamantly refused to entertain the idea that Penny could be having an affair with a married man while being married herself.

For Teddy, it was a matter of not knowing the full story and convincing himself of that. Besides, Penny was a great boss, and Prime Group was the only company that had taken him in without any additional requirements besides doing his job.

Shawn’s mindset mirrored Teddy’s to an extent, but for different reasons. He trusted in Penny’s character and believed there had to be a valid explanation. Perhaps her estranged husband was also unfaithful, and Penny was considering divorce. Zoren might be too.

Both of them (Penny and Zoren) kept their personal lives strictly private. Very private.

Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that rumors about their personal lives were circulating.

Hayley, on the other hand, felt differently. While she wanted to believe in Penny, she couldn’t shake off her uneasy feeling. It wasn’t enough to make her consider quitting, but she felt obligated as Penny’s assistant to seek the truth.

However, this article was like a thorn removed from their throats.

"So... it wasn’t her," Hayley muttered aloud, drawing the attention of the other two. Even Shawn, who had returned to his seat, looked at her with a mix of emotions. "But why wasn’t Sir Atlas there that day?"

"Maybe he left early?" Shawn suggested quietly, to which Hayley nodded.

"Then why did Miss Penny end up spending the night with them?"

"Hayley, drop it," Teddy interrupted, sounding irritated. "If we were mistaken, that’s good. No need for more questions."

"I wasn’t talking to you." Hayley rolled her eyes and turned back to Shawn. "What do you think?"

Shawn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Maybe... to make it seem less suspicious? After all, two men spending the night together could raise eyebrows, especially in that context."

Atlas and Zoren weren’t exactly close friends; their relationship was strictly employer-employee. The perfect office romance scenario!

"You have a point," Hayley agreed. "That makes sense. Shawn, are you...?"

Before she could finish her sentence, Shawn’s face turned crimson, his breath catching.

"Haha, just kidding. You don’t have to look so horrified," she laughed, waving it off. "Anyway, thank goodness that’s cleared up..."

Hayley trailed off as an unfamiliar voice called her name.

"Miss Hayley Rogers?"

Turning towards the office entrance, Hayley furrowed her brow. Standing there was a deliveryman in the uniform of a popular delivery service in Anteca.

"There’s a delivery for you." The man held a large box wrapped in black bubble wrap.

"Oh?" Perplexed, Hayley stood and approached the delivery guy. "But I didn’t order anything, and I certainly wouldn’t have it delivered to the office."

The delivery guy tilted his head, checking the waybill again. "It’s addressed to Hayley Rogers."

Hayley double-checked; indeed, it was for her. There were no other Hayley Rogers in the building, and certainly not in this department.

"If it’s for you, then please sign here, miss."

Strange, she thought, but signed anyway. Prime Group had a stringent scanning system for all incoming and outgoing items, so there was no immediate concern in her heart.

"What’s that?" Shawn asked, watching as Hayley placed the box on her desk.

"To be honest, I have no idea." Hayley shrugged. "I haven’t changed my delivery address for any online orders."

"That’s odd. Have you checked who it’s from?"

Hayley glanced at the receipt again, her expression troubled. When she looked up, it was even more conflicted.

"It says it’s from my father," she said slowly. "But my father doesn’t even know where I work. He stopped asking after my second year of working."

After all, Hayley was known for frequently changing jobs.

"Oh..." Shawn started to respond, but another voice interrupted from the doorway.

"Mr. Shawn Lowie?"

All three turned to see another deliveryman in the same uniform.

"That’s me...?" Shawn replied uncertainly.

"There’s a delivery for you, sir," said the delivery guy.

Just as confused as Hayley, Shawn rose from his seat and accepted the delivery package. But as he signed the proof of delivery, another delivery guy appeared. This time, he was calling Teddy’s name.

All three of them furrowed their brows. Now, that was concerning, especially since they all received packages from their supposed "Father."