Chapter 1621: Peace, at last.

If "horrible" was an understatement, just how atrocious was the incident?

Zoren’s thoughts circled that word, refusing to let his imagination run wild—because the moment he did, he wouldn’t know what to do. Yet even with his imagination restrained, his body began to tremble like never before.

How bad was it?

Seated quietly in his study, his face darkened. His eyes remained fixed on the folder before him—a folder he had requested after hearing Finn’s remarks during their brief conversation.

He could’ve just asked Penny or gone through her things, but Zoren didn’t believe she would leave something like that lying around—especially not if she didn’t want anyone else, himself included, to see it.

"Whatever it is..." he murmured, his dark eyes swirling as he reached toward the folder.

Buzz!

His hand froze just as his fingertips brushed the smooth surface of the folder. Shifting his eyes toward the phone, his brows rose. He redirected his hand and checked the screen.

Penny.

Another deep exhale left him, but it did nothing to ease the pressure on his chest.

Zoren cleared his throat and forced a miserable smile. His gentle, low baritone came through:

"Yes?"

"Heya, Renren! I’m heading to Pierson Corporation. Want me to grab something on the way?" Penny’s voice was jolly—brighter than usual. Considering last night’s breakthrough, it wasn’t surprising.

"Also, Mint’s being discharged today. I plan to visit her. Want to come with me?"

Zoren’s gaze softened as he listened in silence. "I’m not at the company."

"Huh?" Her confusion was immediate. "Did you have an emergency meeting? I checked your schedule. You’re supposed to be in the office."

"I took an early leave," he said. "Just got home... planning to take Renny and Chunchun for a walk."

"Oh..."

"I can pick you up," he offered, glancing at the folder before adding, "Though I believe Benjamin is going to pick up his cousin. That’s probably going to be a long discussion for the both of them."

Penny chuckled. "That’s exactly why I’m going—Mint’s afraid that’ll happen if no one’s there to intervene with Benjamin’s wrath."

Zoren tilted his head, amused. He wanted to laugh—at her tone, or maybe just at the fact that Mint was already scheming before even being discharged or fully healed. "Shall we go together then?"

"Sure!" she hummed. "Wait for me in the parking lot. I’ll stop by the penthouse first—need to make sure my Second Brother hasn’t trashed the place."

"All right. See you."

"Mhm. Bye-bye~!"

Clack.

As soon as the line disconnected, the smile faded from his face. His eyes dropped to the folder again, and he sighed deeply, pressing a hand on top of it.

"Later," he whispered. "Not without a proper state of mind or her permission."

Maybe it was cowardice—or maybe it was the idea of violating his wife’s privacy—that made him hesitate. But Zoren knew he couldn’t approach this recklessly... even if, in the end, his actions would likely be the same once he opened that folder.

---

[PRIME GROUP: CEO’s Department]

"Finally... our lives are back to normal," Hayley mused, glancing at their now-empty "gift corner." Her lips stretched in satisfaction as she nodded to herself.

After the last batch of gifts from Father—including car keys from three of the most iconic luxury brands—Teddy, Hayley, and Shawn had panicked and practically cried to Yugi.

A car as a gift? Probably one of the best gifts anyone could receive.

The thing was... they didn’t even know this father! And a luxury sports car? It just felt too much.

Afterward, the gifts stopped coming, and they surrendered the cars to Yugi, who promised to sort it all out.

Peace, at last.

"I agree," Shawn said with relief, casting a grateful glance toward the office entrance.

Hayley followed his gaze. For once, they weren’t looking at that entrance with dread. But as they turned, they spotted Penny walking across the hall.

"She’s leaving early again," Hayley murmured, tilting her head. "I wonder how she finishes her work with so little time."

"She’s not leaving as early as before," Shawn replied, eyes tracking Penny until she disappeared from view. "Still... I wonder what she’s working on."

Even Teddy, catching their line of sight, turned toward the entrance where Penny had gone, a similar curiosity rising within him.

Although Penny still managed to get her work done, the question of where she kept going lingered in their minds. While pondering, the three of them spotted Patricia.

"Huh?" Hayley furrowed her brows. Before she could even think, she leapt from her seat and rushed out.

"Pat!" she called, stopping Patricia.

The latter turned with a raised brow. "Yes?"

"Are you... leaving now?"

"Mhm!" Patricia blinked. "Penny already left, and I asked if I could go home too. She said yes—so long as the task at hand was done."

Hayley knew that... still, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Are you done with your task?"

"Yep!" Patricia answered quickly, making Hayley raise an eyebrow. "I put in extra hours last night. Didn’t do anything else today but finish it early."

"Oh..."

"Anyway, I’m clocking out. See you tomo—"

"Wait!" Hayley squeaked, darting back into the office to grab her things. She reemerged just as fast, standing in front of Patricia with a bright smile. "Let’s go together!"

Patricia scrunched her nose. "You know my brother isn’t picking me up, right?"

"I know. But hey, it’s never a bad idea to earn a few good points from my future sister-in-law," Hayley said shamelessly, hooking her arm around Patricia’s. "And since today’s a good day—no suspicious gifts or knowing almost every delivery guy in the city—let’s go!"

Patricia studied the foxy grin plastered on Hayley’s face. She liked Hayley—truthfully, she was probably the most straightforward friend she had. Hayley always knew what she wanted, and once she had her sights on something, she never let go.

But also...

Patricia pressed her lips into a thin line, mentally reminding herself: Hayley has a car... and I’ll probably need it if I want to tail that maid.