Chapter 269: I’m certain I am not married

"We’re married."

Silence quickly reigned in the room as Penny’s words echoed. They stared at each other blankly before Zoren tilted his head to the side.

"No, we’re not," he replied flatly.

Penny let out a short laugh, scratching her temple. "Yes, we are."

"No." He shook his head. "I’d know if I were married."

It was the same thing she had said!

"Mr. Pierson, I know it’s hard to believe this, but please, keep an open mind."

Zoren nodded. "I’m listening, and I’m keeping an open mind. It’s just that this is not what I expected to hear. I’m not married, Miss Penelope."

"Mr. Pierson, I’m not lying." Penny placed her hand on her chest and forced a smile. "We’re married. I have our marriage license."

"Okay."

"Huh?"

Zoren shrugged. "Fine."

"You believe me?"

"No."

"Then what’s that ’fine’ all about?"

Zoren didn’t respond, and even though he couldn’t see properly, he slid his eyes to the side. "Nothing."

’That nothing is definitely something!’ Her heart thudded, nervous about what was going on in this guy’s mind right now.

"If you don’t believe me, then here’s the marriage certificate," she said, swiftly pulling it out and placing it right in front of him. "You can check. Look!"

"..."

Penny waited for him to pick it up and check, but he didn’t. Instead, Zoren just stared at her before she noticed a shadow of confusion spreading across his face.

’What? Why?’ she furrowed her brows before her mouth parted in disbelief. "Oh... right, you can’t see. Ha ha ha."

Zoren looked up at her, making her wonder if that laugh at the end of her sentence was even necessary.

"Oh, silly me. I wasn’t laughing at you, Mr. Pierson. Please don’t misunderstand," she quickly explained, then massaged her temple in distress. "Anyway, that’s actually the reason I approached you in the hospital. That day, I found out about our marriage, and coincidentally, you were there."

"It wasn’t a coincidence that I was there. Dean was hospitalized, and as his uncle, I am... oh," Zoren pressed his lips into a thin line, remembering what Dean had told him at the time.

Dean said his girlfriend visited him.

If that girlfriend was her, then...

’I think I just made a mistake,’ he told himself.

Now, he’s dead.

Zoren faintly sighed, his face suddenly looking gloomy. Surely, when one is getting old, they tend to be forgetful. Now, Zoren was in for an earful from Benjamin for disclosing all the information that would allow Dean to take his role.

Meanwhile, Penny’s face kept twisting as she watched him.

While doing business with Zoren, she quickly understood why he was the head of the family. He was not only a boss but also seemed to be a good leader. However, there was only one distinct impression she had of him:

A weirdo.

’He didn’t look weird at first glance, but the more I talked to him, the weirder he seemed,’ she thought in dismay, finding this trait an odd combination or a misplaced one for someone in his position. ’This is not what I expected.’

Penny couldn’t help but look up and recall the image she had of this guy. She thought he was worse than Atlas when it came to showing emotions, or worse than the arrogant Dean.

But this guy? He was... He was...

Penny set her eyes back on him again, only to see him staring at her with the same plain look he had on their marriage certificate.

’He’s a little... goofy?’

At this point, Penny didn’t know if she should feel a little disappointed or amused.

"Miss Penelope, I do not understand why you claim that we’re married, but I can assure you we’re not," he spoke again, this time with a change of tone. "If we were, then I would’ve known what my wife looks like."

Her lips curved down as her shoulders lowered. "You can check, Mr. Pierson. If I show this certificate to your assistant, I know he’ll simply say I forged it. So, check with the Civil Bureau. My line is always open for you for discussion."

Penny carefully slid her calling card to him. "Please."

Zoren glanced at the card on the table and picked it up. "I’ll do that," he said as he got up from his seat. "But I’m certain I am not married."

"I thought so too until I saw it."

**********

When Zoren stepped out of the private dining room, Benjamin quickly rushed to his boss. The latter checked him from head to toe, making sure he was not harmed.

Penny saw this through the gap in the door and snorted. "Did he think I would defile his boss or what?" Then the door closed.

"Sir, is everything okay?" Benjamin asked worriedly. "Did she tell you to sign anything? Or did you tell her about everything?"

Zoren kept a stoic front and resumed his steps without saying a word. Seeing this, Benjamin leaped and followed.

"Sir, is everything okay??" Benjamin repeated, assessing the unchanged look plastered on Zoren’s face. He kept asking questions, but as usual, Zoren didn’t stop for anyone, even with the nuisance fawning around him.

When they reached outside and Zoren got into the backseat, he stayed quiet.

"Sir," Benjamin called once again while looking back at the backseat. "She’s really from the Prime Group?"

"Mhm."

Bitterness shone in Benjamin’s eyes. "Did I screw it up for you?"

"No, she understands."

"Really?" Surprise briefly washed over Benjamin’s face. "But I was — I was a little —"

"As long as you knew what you were to her, then a simple apology would suffice," Zoren hummed, his eyes on the window. "She seemed to be the type not to hold grudges."

No way! was what Benjamin wanted to say. However, Prime Group was their only hope at this point. His thoughts halted upon noticing the look on his boss’ face.

"Sir?" he called once more, his brows furrowed. "Are you okay? You’ve been oddly quiet."

Zoren was always quiet, but after working for him for a long time, Benjamin could discern the different types of Zoren’s silence. This silence meant something was bothering him.

"Ben," Zoren called before Benjamin could attack him with his queries and worries.

"Yes?"

"Let’s drop by the Civil Bureau." Zoren’s expression turned a little serious. "I need to confirm my civil status."

"Huh?!?" Benjamin’s face contorted. "Sir, aren’t you single all your life?!"

"..."