Chapter 267: Loyalty is a two-way street

Shock, dismay, and then anger — each emotion dawned on Benjamin in a matter of seconds. Meanwhile, Penny beamed with happiness. She had been waiting all morning for this moment.

"You!" Benjamin gasped, then glanced back at his boss in panic. "Sir, there seems to be a misunderstanding."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he shot a look at the manager. "What’s the meaning of this? Why is this woman here?"

"Yes?" the manager furrowed her brows in confusion.

"This woman shouldn’t be here. We’re supposed to meet someone important..." Benjamin spoke politely to the manager, emphasizing the "situation," and keeping his composure in front of his boss. "This must be a mistake. This woman has been harassing—"

"Ben," Zoren’s calm voice interrupted Benjamin’s explanation. However, knowing his boss couldn’t see, Benjamin had to repeat himself as if Zoren had gone deaf.

Meanwhile, Penny couldn’t help but scrunch up her face.

’There’s definitely something wrong with this guy!’ she thought, pushing herself to stand up. She didn’t bother with Benjamin any longer as she approached the door where the person she needed to talk to was.

"Sir, I don’t think there’s a misunderstanding here," the manager explained. "We received a memo about the meeting and there’s a due process for how we handle our guests. We confirmed she’s from Prime Group..."

By now, Penny had reached the entrance, arms folded. "Mister..."

"Miss, you said you’d stay away! Why are you here again!?" Benjamin roared at her fiercely, standing protectively in front of Zoren.

"I said I won’t step foot in any of the Pierson’s property," Penny clarified. "This is not under the Pierson’s name.

"You!"

"Sir, please calm down," said the manager, knowing this could blow out of proportion in a blink of an eye.

Benjamin, however, wasn’t backing down. Dean was a crafty guy who could have orchestrated all of this! "Impossible!"

Penny’s frown deepened and her lips parted, but her words were caught in her throat when she saw Zoren eyeing her.

’Hmm?’ she raised her right brow at him. ’What is he staring at? Won’t he stop his assistant from throwing tantrums?’

"I’m not blaming you; I’m just saying our appointment is important and—"

"Move."

"Huh?" Benjamin turned to his boss, his brows furrowed.

Zoren slowly shifted his eyes to Benjamin and said, "Step aside, Ben. My lunch appointment is ticking. Don’t embarrass me any further."

"But—" Benjamin halted, teeth clenched, looking at his boss with pleading eyes. Meanwhile, Penny raised her brows in surprise.

Zoren then glanced at the manager. "Forgive us for this inconvenience."

"It’s alright, Mr. Pierson. I understand," the manager smiled, but Benjamin could only sulk. "Rest assured this is not a mistake."

Benjamin frowned even more. His boss was too kind! This was why some of the elders in the Pierson Family thought they could walk all over Zoren!

"Ben," Zoren called again, making Benjamin reluctantly step aside. He had barely taken two steps when he stopped, eyes fixed on Penny. "I apologize for that."

"Well," Penny smacked her lips and shrugged. "It’s fine. I understand."

At her words, all Benjamin could do was glare at her. Petty as she might be, she couldn’t help but return his glare with a victorious smirk.

’Ugh!’ Benjamin clenched his teeth and watched as his boss escorted that woman inside.

As Zoren passed his assistant, the latter stopped him for a moment and whispered, "Sir, if you need any help, just give me a shout."

Penny’s face twitched. ’He didn’t even try to lower his voice. Did he think I’m trying to scam his boss?’

Zoren, however, nodded before entering the private dining hall, the door closing behind him. Everyone else stayed out, leaving Benjamin nervously pacing back and forth, his guard up in case Zoren needed help.

*

*

Inside the private dining hall...

Facing each other, Penny assessed Zoren from head to toe.

"Shall we begin, Miss...?"

"Penelope."

Zoren smiled subtly and nodded. "Shall we start, Miss Penelope?"

"Sure." Penny nodded, watching him walk past her. Just as Zoren passed, however, she grabbed his arm, stopping him.

Zoren paused, meeting her gaze before looking down at her hand on his arm. Penny studied his face up close.

"Mr. Pierson, can you see me?" she asked bluntly, causing creases to reappear on his forehead.

’How could she tell?’ he wondered, tilting his head slightly, casting a shadow over his face.

Despite his pale complexion and the predicament he was currently facing, Zoren’s demeanor exuded a probing gaze. However, her unwavering stare seemed unfazed by his intimidating aura. If anything, it felt as if she were staring straight through him.

"I can," he finally answered after a moment’s hesitation.

"Clearly?"

Again, Zoren didn’t respond immediately. Despite hearing her denial of being on Dean’s side through the telecoms earlier today, anyone could say that. He had encountered countless liars who met his gaze with bare-faced lies.

"How would I know if I can trust you?" he returned quietly.

This time, Penny paused for a moment. "You’ll have to... since we’ll be handling your security."

Fair enough.

"Loyalty goes both ways, Mr. Pierson. If I expect loyalty from you, I’ll offer the same."

For a moment, silence hung in the air as they stood facing each other. She maintained her grip on his arm while he held her gaze.

Quietly and cautiously, they sized each other up.

Revealing his current predicament could be either good or deadly. Yet he had heard of Prime Group’s reputation — the best of the best, despite being relatively young in the business, thanks to their rigorous standards for both their personnel and clients.

Zoren took a deep breath and nodded slightly. "I cannot," he confessed calmly but coldly. "No, Miss Penelope. I can’t see you."

So that explained his earlier actions.

Considering the lame excuse he had given her, Penny chose not to dwell on it further. For Zoren Pierson, disclosing this information could be his undoing. Hence, Penny didn’t hold it against him.

She watched as his already dilated eyes widened as if trying to catch a glimpse of her.

"Then you owe me no apology for earlier," she released his arm slowly, taking a step back. "Tell me what you need from me, and I’ll tell you what I need from you."