Chapter 22: You ate them, did you?!

One of Penny’s habits was to take note of the chefs’ names or people who made the dishes she loved the most. Chef Skylar surely made it to the top of the list.

Taking the last bite carefully, Penny savored every last residue of it. It almost made her tear up when she finished.

She wanted more! A dozen wouldn’t be enough!

Seeing this, Hugo smiled kindly.

"Chef Skylar always keeps an extra pudding for me," Hugo said. "You can have it when you feel like it."

Penny’s eyes twinkled as she gazed up at her brother. She almost forgot he existed while eating.

"Should I ask someone to get it?" he asked.

Penny licked her lips, but then shook her head. "It’s okay. I’m full. Thank you."

But her eyes were screaming at him, "What are you waiting for?! Get it!"

So he asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Penny nodded profusely, even though her heart constricted for refusing. "It’s yours and Chef Skylar saved it for you. I can’t just eat it."

Hugo was on a strict diet because of his training. However, he would often reward himself with sweets. These puddings were his favorites, and Penny didn’t have the heart to eat his rewards. If it were Slater’s, she wouldn’t mind.

Hugo smiled weakly. It was obvious she wanted more, but she was refusing because she was being considerate of him.

What a thoughtful little sister.

"How about we share?" he suggested. "I am on a diet, anyway. So eating the entire thing is not advisable."

Her eyes lit up, but she said, "Second Brother, you are still so young. Is it necessary for you to limit your food intake?"

"Penny, why are you talking to Second brother as if you’re older than him?" Nina chimed in before Penny could take all the spotlights again. "Second brother is a varsity member. He’s the youngest member of the team and we really take pride in it."

"Oh, you’re here too?" Penny blurted out, a bit surprised when she heard Nina. She also forgot about her because of the pudding. "Why would you take pride in it, though? It’s not like you’re the one who is doing all the work."

Nina frowned. "Penny, why would you say that? I take pride in my brother’s achievements because I’m his sister. I know the concept of family is new to you, but there’s nothing wrong with being proud of your family’s achievements."

Nina wasn’t wrong, though.

The concept of family felt like an alien concept to Penny even with both lifetimes combined.

"Really?" Penny scratched her temple, wondering if she should argue with a kid. But thinking her words might enlighten Nina’s overview of everything, she added, "But Nina, does that mean only when they get an achievement would you be proud of someone? Isn’t seeing them do their best or just try — enough to be proud of them?"

Nina was rendered speechless.

"Taking pride in someone’s achievements just because you’re family is a little... convoluted," Penny added innocently. "I’m not saying you shouldn’t, but what if it’s still not enough and appreciated despite all the hard work? Isn’t more reassuring for someone to know that they can try and fail without fear because the family will still be proud of them, regardless?"

Her words might’ve not struck Nina, but they reached Hugo.

Hugo smiled warmly at Penny, grasping the idea of her argument. However, he didn’t feel dissatisfied with Nina because she was still young. Even so, Penny and Nina were at the same age. The comparison in their wisdom was far too great not to notice.

At the same time, Butler Jen returned and overheard everything.

Butler Jen heard what happened this morning from the servants. Even if he didn’t, Allison wouldn’t stop talking about it. It wasn’t like Butler Jen didn’t believe it, but hearing Penny say all of this at this age touched his heart.

Did she learn this because her previous family wouldn’t appreciate her if she failed? Thinking about it, Butler Jen felt a constriction in his heart.

"It’s you, isn’t it?!"

Suddenly, Slater’s voice rang out from the entrance.

Everyone turned to him and saw he was fuming.

Slater marched toward the table, throwing the empty wrappers of chocolates on the table.

"You ate them, did you!?" he pointed at Penny, certain she was the one who ate his chocolates.

Those were his favorites and he would only eat them on special occasions. This morning, he felt a little down and thought a piece could cheer him up. To his horror, every piece of them was gone! All that was left were the empty wrappers that only added wounds to his heart.

Penny’s eyes widened in horror as she saw the wrappers.

Seeing this as an opportunity to strike, Nina spoke. "Penny, did you eat Slater’s chocolates? I thought he already told you about them a few days ago?"

"I did tell her not to touch them! Penny, you eat everything in the fridge and our kitchen has never been so empty since you came in here!" Slater fumed, his nose flaring with smoke. "How could you be so greedy and eat my stuff too? Not only that, but you even left the wrappers for me to see! Are you a glutton!?"

Hearing this, Penny felt a little guilty. She just wanted a piece last night, but before she knew it, everything was gone!

"Penny, you should apologize to him now!" Nina urged. "No one touches those chocolates because they were Slater’s. You probably forgot his reminder, so just tell him that. If not, he might tell Mom and Dad. Even if you resolve a problem by a fluke, they will have to discipline you."

Slater sneered. "That’s right. I should go tell Mom and Dad! This time, they won’t be able to protect you. You’re dead meat!"

Penny glanced at Nina, who was taking this as an opportunity to strike. All those words of wisdom went poofed like smoke. What a waste of breath!

This brat... who said resolving the core issue of the company could be resolved by a mere fluke?

Butler Jen panicked, knowing those chocolates were truly precious goods for Slater. But before he could think of a way to de-escalate the situation and before Penny could reluctantly apologize, Hugo spoke.

"I’m sorry, Slater," Hugo sighed and offered his younger brother a guilty look. "I’ve been on a diet and have been on constant training. I was very hungry, so when I saw the chocolates, I ate them."

Slater: "Eh?"

Penny: "Eh?"

"Eh???!"