Chapter 20: Growing hatred, jealousy, and inferiority

During the meal, Haines and Charles couldn’t contain their excitement. Penny thought since she indifferently brushed it off, they would drop it.

Allison usually didn’t like this type of conversation at the table, but she made an exception this time. This also made her proud of Penny. The rest of the kids had to listen, though the older children couldn’t help but inquire as it earned their intrigue.

The only one who wasn’t happy with it was Penny... and Nina. It was hard to feign a deaf ear when they were almost shouting about it in front of her ear. If only Penny knew this would happen, she would’ve been extra discreet!

Why was Nina so nosy?!

Nina was also not pleased with how things turned out. She was trying to put Penny in a difficult position, but it only ended with everyone praising her that heaven could even hear them!

After breakfast, Haines showed Charles the files Penny made last night.

Charles was stunned.

"I know it’s good news when you said Penny resolved the issue, but this..."

Haines nodded like a proud father. "That’s not all. Look at this." He then clicked a few stuff on the keyboard, showing Charles some side notes she left.

"She even provided some legal notes?" Charles’s mouth fell open. "This is unbelievable!"

The notes were short but precise. It involved some legal issues that needed to be taken note of since a project as big as this would need a lot of legal work.

Charles was speechless. He mindlessly drifted to the armchair nearby, still couldn’t wrap his head around this.

"Are you sure Penny did this?" he couldn’t believe it. "Haines, this is... this is great."

"It is more than great, Charles!" Haines exclaimed, only to notice the dwindling mood in the air. "Why? What’s wrong?"

"Nothing." Charles shook his head.

But Haines couldn’t just think that was nothing. Hence, he sat down opposite him and looked at him curiously.

Seeing that look on Haines’s face, Charles sighed heavily.

"Professor Singh told me Penny is a genius, and he wanted to nurture her while she’s young. It seems Penny wanted to finish college early. With her abilities, she might do that."

"Oh?" Haines was taken aback. "Isn’t that great, Charles?"

"It is."

"Then what seems to be the problem?"

Charles sighed once more and glanced at the documents on the table. "Allison."

When he dropped his wife’s name, Haines immediately grasped Charles’s reluctance.

"Penny is only with us for over one season, Haines. We’re still trying to be parents to her — even though we don’t know if we’re even doing a good job. And you know Allison, once I bring this up to her, she will feel sad," explained Charles.

Knowing Allison, she would surely argue about Penny’s childhood. Graduating early for a genius like Penny would be great. However, Allison had always wanted her children to have a good childhood.

"Penny already spent the first thirteen years of her life with a different family," Charles added. "If Professor Singh took her as an apprentice, that’s akin to sending her away again."

Haines understood the dilemma, but he also had an opinion about it.

"I don’t know much about being a parent, but if Professor Singh gave this offer, you should also discuss it with Penny and not just with Allison. Though young and still needs guidance, she is smart. Don’t forget who resolved this issue, Charles."

"What if she wants to go away?" Charles wondered, his face crumpled with worry.

Haines shrugged. "I think the proper question is: what is being a parent to you, Charles?"

*

*

*

Meanwhile, in the garden, Nina was squatting in front of the flower bed.

"I hate her..." she muttered, plucking an innocent flower to vent her building anger.

Ever since they found out she wasn’t her parents’ daughter, the parents who used to pamper her seemed to have lost interest in her. Back then, they would listen to her every whim and would drop anything if she needed anything. Her brothers were also at her beck and call.

But now, even the servants were all tending to Penny.

Nina was pampered since the day she took her first breath, but then, all of a sudden, everything changed. Her peaceful and easy life gradually changed. When Haines found Penny, their parents could only think about their daughter. If not for Haines stopping them from going to Penny to avoid complicating things because they were highly emotional, they would’ve gone to Penny.

When she heard that Penny didn’t want to go home, Nina thought it was over. But then, Penny suddenly changed her mind.

The little girl thought, ’Penny simply played hard to get, so she could negotiate her terms!’

"She’s taking everything from me." Her eyes moistened, thinking of how Atlas scolded her and Slater did not defend her.

There was this growing fear in her heart that was telling her it was only a matter of time before Penny would take away everything from her: her parents, her brothers, the title of being the only daughter of the Bennet, and her life.

"Miss Nina."

Suddenly, Nina heard Butler Jen’s gentle voice. When she looked up at him, her eyes started to well up.

Butler Jen’s face softened as he smiled. "Miss Nina, I prepared you your favorite pudding."

Her favorite pudding?

"I noticed you were a little down lately, so I thought it could cheer you up," Butler Jen explained, almost making Nina cry.

No one in the family had noticed her somber mood except Butler Jen. Although he had been busy helping Allison manage the household, he always took special notice of her.

"Second Young Master Hugo is also resting from his training," Butler Jen said. "I asked him if he wanted to join you and he said yes."

"My brother?" Nina’s eyes lit up. She wiped her eyes and quickly got up.

Atlas might still be upset with her, and Slater was the hot and cold type. But Hugo was always kind to her!

Having said that, Butler Jen assisted Nina to the other part of the garden. But when they arrived, they stopped when they saw Hugo and Penny talking. Penny was hugging Chunchun while Hugo had his palm open and a frog was on it.

Nina’s excitement immediately disappeared, replaced with bitterness. Looking up to see if Butler Jen noticed her displeasure, all she saw was Butler Jen smiling at the two.

Her initial disappointments rose in her heart, turning into a fit of spiteful jealousy.

She glared at Penny.

Today, Nina promised herself she would do everything to kick Penny out of the house before she could steal everything from her.