Chapter 1581: A mini panic

"Oh, Patricia, you’re home!" Mrs. Miller was pleased to see her daughter walk into the kitchen. "Are you hungry? Dinner’s almost ready. I’ll just set these aside for tomorrow."

Patricia slowed near the kitchen counter, watching her mother carefully close a food container.

As Mrs. Miller placed the large container into the fridge, she asked, "Did you ask Penny what she likes for tomorrow?"

"Mom, Penny will eat anything — even leftovers," Patricia sighed. "Just prepare anything, and she’ll eat with a grateful heart."

Mrs. Miller laughed, pleased with Penny’s easy-going nature. The Millers — particularly Patricia and Mrs. Miller — harbored lingering animosity toward the Bennets, their former business competitors. However, after the Prime Group and the Bennets saved the Miller family from bankruptcy, and with Patricia now employed at Prime Group, Mrs. Miller had begun to see the Bennets’ actions in a more positive light.

Oh, how the world turns.

"Very well, I’ll make her something delicious!" Mrs. Miller announced, closing the fridge and turning to Patricia. "What about your colleagues? What do they like? Patricia, you should invite them over sometime. I’ll prepare them a nice meal."

Patricia smacked her lips, leaning against the counter. "Mom, I’ve told you. We work all day, so I can’t just invite them over for tea or something on their day off. Besides, I also want to rest on my day off, too."

"My dear daughter, connections are power," Mrs. Miller said, standing across from Patricia. "As Penny’s assistant, you should build friendships and earn their trust. It’ll come in handy when you need support. Being her assistant is already an achievement, but you should show that you’re more than Penny’s shadow. I’m not talking about your colleagues, but rather, in general."

"Fine..." she sighed. "I’ll ask them one of these days, but not now. Those guys are pretty busy..."

Patricia trailed off, raising her eyebrows. "I’m busy too, you know!"

Mrs. Miller chuckled, nodding at her daughter. "Of course, you are. You’ve been so busy that your brother and dad are starting to worry a bit. Anyway, I’ll set the table, so go change first. Your father and brother will be home any minute now."

"Okay..." Patricia hummed but didn’t leave right away. She watched her mother stir the pot on the stove, then said, "By the way, Mom, I was greeted by a new helper earlier. She said you hired her full-time?"

"Oh, right. I brought in a few people to stay on full time," Mrs. Miller replied without looking up. "Most of the maids who left us during the family crisis don’t want to come back anymore."

"Oh..." Patricia nodded slowly. "Though I don’t think we really need extra maids."

Mrs. Miller paused and glanced at her daughter. "Patricia, there’s plenty to do in this house. Why? Did she bother you?"

"No?"

"Then don’t worry about anything in the house anymore. Now go change, and then come back down."

"Fine..." Patricia finally pushed herself away from the counter and walked out of the kitchen.

*****

Minutes later, Mr. Miller and Theo came home. As usual, Mrs. Miller welcomed them after setting up the dinner table.

Theo slowly sat down in his usual spot in the dining room, briefly looking around. "Mom, where’s Patricia?"

"Your sister arrived earlier, but I told her to change first. She probably took a shower, but she’ll be down soon," Mrs. Miller explained as she poured her husband a glass of water.

"She’s early today," Mr. Miller remarked. "Is everything alright?"

Mrs. Miller chuckled, giving her husband a knowing look. "Of course, she’s fine. You two worry too much about her, but Patricia is smart. Besides, she’s working with Penny, so there’s no need to worry."

Both Theo and Mr. Miller sighed softly.

No one could blame them for worrying about Patricia. After all, her announcement of working for Penny had been sudden, though they were happy for her. Since then, Patricia had been preoccupied. Even her usual shopping sprees had stopped, replaced by a focus on recipes and menus. Patricia had even been working at home to better understand her role, though this too concerned Theo and Mr. Miller.

What worried them most was that, due to Patricia’s important role at Prime Group, they feared she might make a mistake — one that could anger Penny and impact their family.

"Mistakes are normal," Mrs. Miller reassured them, watching her husband and son. "Stop worrying so much. If she says everything is fine, then it is. Besides, if something were wrong, she’d be here in tears."

"I guess you’re right," Mr. Miller nodded, sighing. "I’m just not used to this. She’s busier now than she’s ever been."

Theo remained quiet, but the forced smile on his face indicated his agreement with his parents.

"I’ll call her," he said finally. "She probably didn’t realize we’re here."

"It’s alright. I’ll ask someone else to call her."

Theo shook his head, already rising from his seat. "I’ll do it, Mom."

"Well... alright."

With that, Theo left the dining room to summon Patricia for dinner. Since her outburst some time ago, the family had decided to wait for her. Although Patricia had apologized afterward — even tearfully — her words had left an impact.

When Theo reached Patricia’s room on the second floor, he knocked.

"Patricia?" he called. "It’s time for dinner."

No response.

Theo knocked again, assuming she might be in the bathroom. Repeating his message, he still received no answer. Curious, he pressed his ear against the door but heard nothing.

"Patricia, are you there?" he asked. "I’m coming in, unless you say not to."

Silence.

After a minute of waiting and giving her a final chance, Theo finally turned the knob and opened the door. It creaked lightly as he peered in, scanning the room. She wasn’t there.

"Huh?" Theo stepped inside, looking around. "Patricia?"

Just as he started to worry and run out, Patricia returned to her room. Their paths almost collided if Theo had been a second slower in stopping.

"Patricia!"

Startled, she jumped slightly. "That surprised me — brother! You almost gave me a heart attack!"

Patricia patted her chest, breathing heavily as she steadied herself. Realizing where he came from, she glanced into her room and back to him.

"Brother Theo, what are you doing in my room?"