Chapter 1573: You’re hungry?

"I’m taking Cassandra Smith’s case."

Silence quickly followed Grace’s remark. Penny’s brows crinkled a little as if she were processing what was said.

"You’re taking Cassandra’s case?" Penny repeated, and Grace nodded. "Why are you telling me this? Do you think I won’t agree because I almost beat her with an IV pole?"

Grace chuckled. "No, but you might need me for anything else. The case is huge and complicated. So, it’ll definitely take a lot of my time."

"Well..." Penny shrugged, admittedly surprised by Grace’s sudden decision. "You know I’m not stopping you, right?"

"I know, but I feel like I still need to let you know."

Penny smacked her lips and smiled. "Well, I think it’s a good practice — just in case I end up in the same situation."

"For God’s sake, please don’t be in the same situation," Grace quipped. "Anyway, that’s the only reason I’m here. And don’t worry about your uncle and me — we’re doing just fine."

With that, Grace walked off and picked up her bag from the couch.

Penny, on the other hand, smiled and glanced over her shoulder as Grace walked past her.

"Grace," she called, snapping her eyes toward the window. "Just curious. Why are you taking the case?"

Grace looked back at her, gazing at Penny’s back. "If I can get her out of here, it means my chances of getting you out of any trouble are high."

A low chuckle escaped Penny as she pushed herself up and turned around. She propped her bottom against the desk, crossing her arms, smiling. Grace smiled back, giving Penny a slight nod of approval.

"I’ll see you around, Penny," Grace bid her farewell before she reached for the door. But just as she twisted the knob, she paused at Penny’s remark.

"Thank you, Gracie," Penny whispered, watching Grace slowly look back at her. "Cassandra is innocent. I don’t just believe it — I know."

Grace sported a short smile. "That... puts more ease in my heart. I hope you know that."

"Haha." Penny chuckled, jerking her chin mildly. "I’ll be watching the news more."

A knowing look played on Penny’s face while confidence flickered in Grace’s eyes. No words were said between them, but both left a lasting impression.

Click.

As the door closed behind Grace, the smile on Penny’s face faded a little.

"I’m glad she’s taking the case," Penny whispered, thinking that she had been trying to stay away from it.

She kept telling herself that she had nothing to do with the case. She also didn’t like Cassandra that much. However, Penny couldn’t help but feel that Cassandra’s case was more personal than she was expressing. It was why the antidote project was something Penny was focusing on — not just for her peace of mind, but also for distraction.

"I am intrigued to see how this case will unfold..." she trailed off, pushing herself away from the desk. She then opened one of the drawers and picked up her other phone, sitting on the swivel chair.

Penny spun the chair until she was facing the glass walls of her office.

"I want to see if Cassandra would be sentenced to death as well..." she continued under her breath. "And how things would play out — just to see how things played out after I was sentenced to death."

There was that curiosity at the back of Penny’s mind.

After all, she was seeing herself in Cassandra’s shoes. Although Cassandra didn’t beg the media, and rather carried herself with the remaining confidence she had, Cassandra still broke down when her bail was rejected. It was all documented, so even if Penny didn’t follow the news, the television was generous enough to show some clips of the people’s reaction to the decision.

"But..." she pressed her lips into a thin line, propping her elbow on the armrest, "my curiosity doesn’t outweigh my hidden rage at the people who put me on death row."

A glint flickered across her eyes, thankful to Grace for taking the case. But at the same time, Penny was aware of the weight this would put on Grace’s shoulders.

With that thought in mind, Penny raised her phone and speed-dialed someone. Putting the phone to her ear, she waited for it to ring until it was answered.

"Mylo," she called as soon as the call was connected. "Meet with Grace and tell her that I’m putting people on her. This case will put her in danger. Make sure she’s going to be safe throughout."

"Okay."

Clack.

The call ended just as quickly as it was answered. Penny gazed at her phone briefly before lifting her gaze, looking at the bright, almost blinding sky. It made her squint her eyes a little.

"Jonathan Pierson..." she whispered, recalling the attempt on Jonathan’s life. "I hope Renren catches Nina’s mom."

Having that thought in her mind, Penny spun her seat and reached for her bag. This time, she searched for her personal phone, quickly dialing Finn’s contact number.

"Hey," she greeted as the line connected. "I need to talk to you... and maybe Nina."

Finn, who was on the other end of the line, raised his brows. "What is it about?"

"A lot of things. I’m dropping by later," she said. "But just in case, one of them is about Nina’s mother. Up to you if you want her in this, or we do it like usual."

"..." Finn didn’t answer immediately. But when he did, a weak voice escaped him. "I’ll think about it and discuss it with her first. I’m not leaving her in the dark anymore."

****

Meanwhile...

Kiara parked her scooter near her small warehouse. Taking off her helmet, she caught a figure from the corner of her eye. She turned her head, catching a motorbike pulling up on the other side of the parking space.

Hugo.

Hugo didn’t kick the stand, but rather, he remained seated while balancing his motorbike. He also didn’t take off his helmet, but his head was turned in her direction.

"Why is he here again?" she wondered, taking little steps toward him. When she reached him, her brows rose slightly. "Hugo, what are you doing here?"

Hugo tilted his head back, signaling her to ride with him.

"..." She blinked, confused. "I have work."

But Hugo kept tipping his head back, then pointed his thumb over his shoulder. Her brow knitted, still confused.

"Where are we going?" she asked, but the answer she got was a shrug, followed by him placing his hands together as if he were praying.

"You’re hungry?"

"..." Hugo paused and thought about it. Now that she mentioned it... he nodded.