Chapter 264: See you at lunch.

"Hi, I have an appointment with Mr. Zoren Pierson," Penny said, leaning against the CEO department’s front desk with a smile.

The assistant looked up at her and smiled subtly. "Miss, I’m afraid you cannot see Mr. Pierson right now."

"It’s okay. I’ll wait."

"No, Ma’am. Mr. Pierson didn’t give any instructions that he’s expecting someone today."

"Ah." Penny nodded. "That makes sense."

Her smile, however, widened as her brows rose. "Tell him that it’s someone from the Prime Group."

Prime Group?

The assistant was aware of the boss’s schedule, and Prime Group was on today’s agenda. Therefore, she quickly offered Penny a smile. Penny was beautiful, and from her simple yet elegant attire, she looked professional. The assistant promptly changed her tone to a friendlier one.

"Alright. The boss’s assistant is inside. I’ll have to relay this first," she said, and Penny nodded amiably.

As the assistant pressed a button on the telecom connected to the CEO’s office because Benjamin was there, they heard Benjamin’s voice.

"You again?!"

The clerk and Penny turned instinctively toward the owner of the voice. Penny’s face twitched while the assistant furrowed her brows.

"Sir Ben..."

"What are you doing here?!" Benjamin roared aggressively, his finger almost touching Penny’s nose. "Didn’t I say you’re not allowed inside? Where are the guards?!"

Penny ground her teeth and hissed back, "And I also said I have important business affairs. That’s why I am here."

"If so, why don’t you go there?" Benjamin grumbled, venting his frustration on her. "Do you think I don’t know you’re with Dean?! If he asked you to come here and aggravate the people here, then you don’t have to! Letting you in, despite the boss’s orders to ban you, is enough to aggravate everyone!"

"Excuse me?" Penny scoffed in disbelief at his lack of restraint. "Is this how the people from the Pierson Corporation talk to others?"

"Hah! No, but you’re not just anyone. You’re a vixen, trying to seduce someone with your looks!"

"Sir, I think there’s a misunderstanding..." the assistant trailed off when Benjamin raised his hand at her. The assistant pressed her lips together, sensing that Benjamin was unusually on edge today.

Benjamin had been a little on edge recently, but today, he seemed to be losing his cool entirely. But what could an assistant do in this situation when her superior was telling her to stay quiet?

Penny glanced at the assistant and waved at her mildly. Her gesture said, "It’s okay," even without using words. Then Penny faced Benjamin squarely.

"Miss, if you think you can slither your way into the Pierson Family through your looks, you’re mistaken," Benjamin lowered his voice, but his expression grew darker and more serious. "Go away from here and stop harassing my boss."

"Isn’t your boss the one who crossed the line today?"

"What?!"

Penny crossed her arms and jerked her chin up. "Didn’t your boss invade my private space and then half-heartedly apologize?"

Benjamin clenched his teeth, resisting the urge to say, ’He didn’t mean that! He can’t see and he’s gonna go blind, do you understand?!’But the truth would further destabilize Zoren’s already shaky position in the company.

"Mister, I don’t know why you’re so quick to jump—"

"Didn’t you get in here because of Dean Pierson?" Benjamin interrupted, cutting Penny off. "Miss, your side always crosses the line. Just being here crosses the line. So, don’t blame us for being hostile toward someone who approaches my boss out of nowhere. In case you don’t know, you’re not the first person who tried and failed to do this."

The rising anger in Penny’s heart strangely subsided upon hearing Benjamin’s last remarks. Though he still sounded angry and was projecting an aura of authority, she sensed his deep need to protect his boss.

Therefore, Penny took a step back and nodded.

"I understand," she said with a slight nod. "I’m sorry."

Benjamin quickly furrowed his brows, taken aback by her response. "What?"

"I said I’m sorry. I didn’t see where you were coming from earlier, but it seems I’m at fault as well," she admitted after briefly reflecting on her actions.

The main reason Penny was here so early in the morning was to avoid Slater. Most importantly, she was in a hurry to settle this marriage as soon as possible. However, she hadn’t considered that some tactics she used when starting her business wouldn’t work in this situation.

Even if she claimed to be from the Prime Group, Benjamin would only think she was trying to deceive them. There was no point in arguing with someone who had already judged her before knowing anything.

’The Piersons... Zoren Pierson has every reason to be wary of strangers,’ she told herself while observing the idiotic look plastered on Benjamin’s face. ’So, no matter how infuriating this guy is, I’m also at fault.’

Penny nodded in understanding and smiled subtly. "I understand now."

Benjamin opened and closed his mouth, still taken aback by her sudden surrender. Just a moment ago, he thought she would argue with him.

"Uh..." he calmed down a bit. "Is that so?"

"Yes." Penny nodded.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

Benjamin huffed and shook his head. "If you understand now, then don’t come here anymore!"

"Okay."

"And don’t bother us again!"

"Okay."

Benjamin narrowed his eyes. "And stop following us."

"Okay." Penny nodded reassuringly, smiling. "I won’t ever step foot in this building or anywhere owned by the Piersons."

"Good!"

"But to make it clear, I’m not on Dean’s side," Penny clarified, turning to the assistant. "I’m sorry about the trouble."

"It’s..." okay...but the assistant couldn’t finish her sentence because Benjamin’s gaze fell on her.

"Anyway, I gotta go!" Penny knocked on the reception desk before flashing Benjamin a smile.

Having said that, she unhesitatingly strode off coolly, as if she hadn’t just been arguing. Benjamin was mind-boggled.

"She gave up so easily..." Benjamin trailed off when Penny stopped after a few steps, then looked back at him.

"Anyway..." the side of Penny’s lips stretched into a wide grin. "See you at lunch."