Chapter 208: Penny is leaving

That night, Charles summoned his children to the family room. Even though there was an upcoming basketball play Hugo and Atlas were participating in, he wanted to break the news to them as early as possible. He didn’t want the same problems they had before to come between them again just because he held off on information the boys would most likely want to hear early on.

"Atlas, Hugo, I know you’re tired, but this is important," said Charles sternly, watching his two elder sons look at him listlessly. However, Atlas almost looked like he needed emergency attention because of how tired he appeared.

Charles took a deep breath and huffed it out. "Penny is leaving."

"What?" Atlas, despite his haggard and stressed appearance, frowned. "Dad, what is it this time?"

Hugo wasn’t also pleased. "Dad, why are you sending Penny away? Whatever bad news you heard, it’s not true."

Penny smiled awkwardly at her brothers but was not surprised that Slater didn’t react. Much to her shock, before Charles could continue, her father and her other brothers suddenly cast Slater a look.

"Slater, why are you not reacting?" asked Charles out of pure curiosity. "If you’re going to react, react now, son. In that case, we can all move forward together."

"Slater, don’t tell me you’re secretly happy with the news?" Hugo squinted. Atlas, on the other hand, preserved his energy on the upcoming "debate," he would have with his father. He shared their sentiments, though.

Slater cleared his throat and shrugged. "Penny and I talked about it." His display of nonchalance looked more like arrogance. "She explained it to me, so I understand about it now."

Atlas, especially Hugo, was quickly filled with bitterness at Slater’s bragging. Was he saying he and Penny were closer? That’s why Penny told him beforehand?

Slater slid his eyes to the corner, feigning ignorance of his brothers’ obvious internal monologues.

Charles, on the other hand, looked at Penny with a smile, and Allison stroked Penny’s head. That was a minus to their worries. Hence, Charles faced his elder sons solemnly.

"Boys, I know this is a surprise, but let me explain." Charles cleared his throat and started. "Some time ago, Professor Singh approached me about Penny..."

Charles told Atlas and Hugo every single detail, while the other two listened intently. At this point, Allison, Penny, and Slater felt skeptical.

Looking at them, Allison couldn’t help but sigh and Slater shook his head. As for Penny, she tilted her head to the side.

’Are they listening to understand? Or were they listening to find the slightest mistake in what our father would say and use it against him?’her face crumpled and it didn’t take long for them to prove her right.

"I see. So since Penny is a genius, Professor Singh wants to use her intelligence to make a name for himself?" Hugo replied after the long explanation.

"Hugo, weren’t you listening?" Atlas clicked his tongue at him. "Professor Singh doesn’t need Penny to make a name for himself. After all, he’s already well known in his field and a very respected person in the education department."

He then cast Charles a look, almost making his father sigh, as if Charles was expecting a long and endless argument. "Dad, I know your intention is good and you want Penny to make a decision for herself. I understand that, but she’s thirteen."

"Are you saying Penny can’t decide for herself?"

"I’m saying most people don’t decide until they reach the legal age. Although I know Penny can decide on this matter, what I’m saying is who would take care of her? We might not care what other people would say, but will you really send a thirteen-year-old somewhere far away?" Atlas was in disbelief. He wasn’t even sure if that was the right argument because he was physically and mentally drained from the practice.

"It’s a good opportunity for her," Charles sighed. "And it’s Penny’s decision. So, we have to respect it. It’s a decision for her future."

Allison nodded and backed up her husband. "This is hard for all of us, even for Penny. However, as a parent and as a family, support is the only thing we can give to each other. We have no right to cut down other people’s wings even if it’s family."

"What about Hugo?" Atlas tilted his head. "When he told you he wanted to enlist, you and Dad were so angry about it. Dad even raised his restrictions and gave him certain grades to hit if Hugo wanted to talk about it again."

"Uh... about that..." Hugo cleared his throat as he cast Atlas a look. "Dad already approved of it some time ago."

Atlas scrunched up his face. "What? When?"

"Heh. I forgot to tell you because of the exam week."

Darting his eyes between his sons, Charles was just pleased this was rather peaceful than he expected. "Atlas, Hugo, Slater," he called, waiting for his son to look in his direction. "I know you’ve all grown fond of Penny, but as a family, no matter how hard it is, it is only natural for us to support her, no matter what."

"That’s right." Allison smiled. "As much as possible, let’s cherish all the time we’re together. Moreover, there would be certain breaks, so we can always visit or Penny can always visit us."

"It’s not the end of the world and we’re not sending her away for good." Charles nodded. "I hope you’ll find it in your heart to accept that your little sister has her own dreams and ambitions she wants to achieve as an individual."

Hugo and Atlas didn’t show any sign of understanding it, but they were quiet. When silence was about to settle in, Slater raised a hand.

"What do you want to say, Slater?" asked Charles.

"You said Penny will sure to stay here for a good three months. At least, before the new school year starts," Slater said, and his parents nodded. "And you also said we should cherish this moment while we’re all together."

"Yes." Charles and Allison nodded.

"Then how about we have another sleepover tonight?" he suggested. "It would be nice if we could make more memories together."

Charles and Allison’s brows as they looked at each other before casting their eyes on Slater again.

"I don’t mind another slumber party." Penny raised a hand, and the next person who quickly backed her up was Hugo.

"I’m joining."

Atlas listlessly leaned back and muttered. "As long as we’re going to stay in the family room. I can’t feel my legs. I’ll sleep here."

Hearing their quick acceptance, Slater smiled from ear to ear.

This wasn’t how Allison and Charles expected things would turn out before they brought this up. However, this outcome wasn’t also bad. Both of them grinned from ear to ear, nodding.

And thus, the family spent the night together for the second time... and many more times in the future.