Chapter 258: Penny’s back

"Who’s that?"

"Hmm?" Nina raised her head to the well-dressed man beside her. "Oh, you mean her?"

She glanced back at the window and smiled, before refocusing her attention on her fiancé. "That’s Penny."

"That’s Penny?"

"Mhm! She’s changed a lot, hasn’t she?" Nina chuckled. "I’m working on her office — did I tell you about that?"

"No, but Penny’s back?" The man tilted his head, more interested in Nina’s cousin than her current project.

Nina blinked and nodded. "Mhm."

"Since when?"

"Since... not long ago...?" Nina furrowed her brows. "Finn, why are you asking?"

Finn smiled gently. "Just curious. She was quite popular back at Summit Academy."

"Well, yeah. Haha." Nina chuckled. "I remember everyone wearing accessories with her face on them. You were even part of her fan club, right?"

"Yes. Does she still remember me?"

"I’m not sure," Nina sighed, thinking Penny’s interests had always been different.

Nina had already shared many details about her personal life with Penny, yet Penny would often ask about things Nina had already told her. It didn’t bother Nina, but she wasn’t sure if Penny would remember someone like Finn.

"Maybe?" Nina added with a shrug. "After all, you used to be in the star section."

Finn gazed at his beautiful fiancée and couldn’t help but smile. Seeing this, Nina blushed slightly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She pouted. "Is there something on my face?"

"No," Finn chuckled, caressing her cheek with the back of his hand. "I just missed you and you’re more pretty than ever."

Nina pursed her lips and clasped his hand. "I missed you too, Finn. Welcome back."

"Haha. I wasn’t away that long, was I?"

"But it felt like forever." Nina leaned her head on his shoulder, sliding her fingers with his. "I really missed you. And next time, please come out and at least greet Mom and Aunt. Their opinion of you means a lot to me."

"Next time."

Finn leaned back, smiling as he let her lean on him. "I missed you too," he said softly, glancing towards the restaurant. He caught sight of Penny watching their car move away and smirked.

********

In the headmaster’s office of the Summit School of Excellence Academy, all the lights were off. The only source of light was a desk lamp, casting a dim glow over a mountain of paperwork.

Ray sighed for the umpteenth time, sitting behind the desk, his mind drifting despite the task at hand.

"It’s his fault," he grumbled, thinking of his stubborn cousin. "He always worries me unnecessarily."

In the past, Ray and Dean had gotten along well despite the tension between Dean and Zoren. After all, Ray’s family wasn’t directly involved with the Pierson Family. Moreover, Renren always assured him that whatever problems he had with Dean, Ray was out of it.

However, as years passed, Ray found himself having to choose a side. The older they got, the more serious things became within the family, especially when Renren took over.

What had happened recently wasn’t new to anyone in the Pierson Family. Worse things had occurred in the past, but it still annoyed Ray.

"Even if he doesn’t say it, I can tell his health hasn’t been the best," he muttered, cupping his face in frustration. "If I can tell that, I’m sure others too. I should’ve just pursued a business career instead of becoming a professor."

Another deep exhale escaped him. He knew the only support he could offer now was to be there for his cousin. Ray had always been close enough to the Pierson Family to care, but far enough to avoid getting involved in their complicated matters.

What a sad way to live.

Despite all the wealth, connections, and influence the family had, no one was truly happy.

As Ray silently planned how to help his stubborn cousin, a knock on the door broke his thoughts. He looked up and saw a head peek in.

"Finn?" Ray furrowed his brows, recognizing the man by his perfectly styled hair. Only Finn had such a flawless hairstyle, as the man was a bit too vain.

Ray’s expression twisted when Finn stepped inside, the strong scent of his cologne immediately hitting Ray’s sensitive nose. "That perfume is so strong — how can Nina even stand it?"

"Haha." Finn casually sat across from the desk. "My perfume isn’t strong; your nose is just a little too sensitive."

"If you know I have a sensitive nose, then why come here wearing that perfume?"

Finn grinned. "I was in a hurry. I came straight from the airport, then went to pick up Nina."

"Wow..." If Ray wasn’t pinching his nose, he would’ve clapped for the fiancé of the year. "Isn’t that what you call dedication?"

It was surprising that Nina and Finn ended up together, considering Finn had been engaged to Cassandra almost his entire life. But life had its way of twisting people’s fates. Regardless of their childhood memories — especially Ray’s impression of Nina when they were young — he believed people could change.

They were young back then.

What mattered now was that Nina had grown into a fine and noble woman.

Finn chuckled, rocking his head. "I learned something interesting, which is why I came here as soon as I dropped her off."

"Hmm?" Ray squinted, staring at him suspiciously. "What is it?"

"Well..." Finn hesitated, making Ray roll his eyes.

"Finn, what favor do you want in return?" Ray asked, knowing Finn’s pause meant he wanted something from him. "I’ll do it if the information is worth it."

"My request isn’t hard," Finn chuckled. "I just want you to join my team."

Ray’s answer was swift. "No."

"Ray—"

"Finn, we’re friends, but I know you and Dean have been in business together, and your company is coming under the Pierson family," Ray explained. "Joining your team means siding with Dean. That’s not going to happen. Keep your information to yourself; I don’t need it."

Finn nodded in understanding. "I was just kidding."

"But I’m not," Ray’s expression sharpened. "Don’t pull this on me agai—"

"Penny’s back."

"Huh?"

The corner of Finn’s lips curled into a crafty smirk. "Penny’s back. I just saw her when I picked up Nina. Is that enough of an apology for siding with Dean, Ray?"