Chapter 302: Once bitten, twice shy.

Inside the mansion, Old Mrs. Pierson’s laughter rang out.

"Old Madam, please don’t laugh too much," the doctor said, a hint of panic in his voice. "Your heart rate..."

"Hahaha!" Old Mrs. Pierson ignored the doctor as she clapped happily. "Very well, very well! Those two are young — they married young. Therefore, they’re still in the honeymoon phase. Let them be!"

Butler Hubert nodded proudly. "Old Madam, I’ve already instructed everyone not to approach where the young master and the young madam are. They won’t be disturbed."

"Hahaha! Very good, Hubert! You’ve truly redeemed yourself this time!" Old Mrs. Pierson said, pleased, while the doctor watched her quietly and nervously.

Old Mrs. Pierson, already in her eighties, had recently fallen ill so often that she couldn’t move around much. She frequently complained about her body breaking down. But look at her now!

Her speaking had already strained her throat, often a precursor to a mild flu. Yet, here she was, laughing loudly without complaint.

"Don’t worry about the tea," Old Mrs. Pierson said dismissively. "Those kids will take a while to come to the courtyard."

Butler Hubert nodded. "Yes, Madam. We’ll prepare the tea once they arrive."

"Good, good!" Old Mrs. Pierson said, clapping. "Oh, my goodness! The heavens have finally heeded my prayers. I hope I get to see my great-grandchildren soon!"

"Actually, Madam," Butler Hubert cleared his throat, making Old Mrs. Pierson raise her brows at him. He carefully moved closer and whispered in her ear.

Old Mrs. Pierson listened, her brows furrowing then arching. Once Butler Hubert finished, she looked up at him in shock.

"You think my granddaughter-in-law is already expecting?!"

"Madam, with how big her appetite was, doesn’t it seem like she’s eating for ten people?"

"Hmm." Old Mrs. Pierson rubbed her chin as she pondered this.

The doctor, yet again being ignored, looked at the two helplessly. "Butler Hubert, Old Madam, it’s also possible the young madam simply has a big appetite and a fast metabolism..." but his words faded into nothing as the two continued their speculation.

*******

Meanwhile...

’What... what is he... hey!’ Penny’s brain screamed, but she just froze.

Normally, she would’ve acted without hesitation, tackling him and hurting him in the process. However, she didn’t. Her mind and body went blank, and then she shut her eyes — which she knew she would regret later.

"Breathe," Instead of his lips on hers, Zoren’s face stopped an inch from hers, looking worried. "Miss Penelope, you weren’t breathing. Are you okay?"

Huh?

Penny snapped her eyes open and gasped, pushing his chest away. Her action caused him to stumble to the side while she quickly sat up in horror.

’What the hell am I thinking?!’ she panicked, hands on her flushed cheeks. ’Why did I close my eyes? Oh, my god. No!’

Zoren, on the other hand, propped his elbow on the grass and sat up. "Miss Penelope?"

Penny gasped in horror, her neck twisting like a rusty robot. When her eyes fell on him, he tilted his head slightly to the side.

’I know this is wrong, but I’m glad he couldn’t see,’

"I guess you’re... okay," he said before the corner of his lips curled up mischievously, his eyelids drooping a little.

"Ahem," Penny drew another deep breath and smiled. "Mr. Pierson, I think Old Mrs. Pierson is already waiting for us. There’s been enough misunderstanding tonight, don’t you think? I don’t want them to think we’re doing something inappropriate."

"It’s not inappropriate if it’s legally blessed."

A glint flickered in her eyes. "Are you teasing me, Mr. Pierson?"

"Zoren," he said as he slowly pushed himself up. "My name’s Zoren."

"I feel more comfortable addressing you formally."

"Suit yourself." Zoren offered his hand once more. "I’m simply giving you my blessing. Come on, Miss Penelope. Let me help you."

Penny scrunched up her nose at the sight of his "helping" hand. "Mr. Pierson, have you heard the phrase: once bitten, twice shy? I appreciate the help, but I can get up on my own. Thank you."

"Please," he said. "I insist."

"No." Penny refused, but he kept his hand open. She changed her mind, "If you fall, you’re not falling on me."

"I’m not falling."

And the second he said those words, Penny clasped his hand. She didn’t give him a heads-up, as if she were angry, squeezing his hand and pulling herself up. To her surprise, Zoren gripped her hand steadily and pulled her up, his other hand falling on her side to keep her steady.

’What?’ Penny furrowed her brows as she felt his strong grip compared to earlier. She lifted her wide eyes to him, only to see a slight curl at the corner of his lips.

"Miss Penelope, you didn’t see that coming, did you?" he said with a low chuckle. "That’s what will happen to Dean Pierson if he ever crosses the line."

Zoren leaned closer, adding in a quiet voice, "He wouldn’t see it coming... just like how you didn’t."

A smile turned up on his face as he slowly let go of her hand and withdrew his other hand from her side. As he did so, he continued speaking.

"My illness is something I cannot hide as it shows on my face. However, as I said, despite that disadvantage, I emerged victorious. Even with continuous schemes, it is not I who is walking on eggshells." Zoren took a step back, nodding slightly. "I hope outsmarting you once will add some credibility to the name Zoren Pierson."

"Let’s go, Miss Penelope," he said as he took a step away, glancing over his shoulder. "We’ve been out long enough to confidently say we had a great time. Though that is true."

As he walked off, Penny stood frozen in the same spot, her eyes fixated on his back. Her lips fell slightly open, processing what had just happened. When she heard a purr at her side and glanced down at her leg, where the black panther was nudging, she whispered, "Blacky..." She paused and lifted her eyes to Zoren’s back again. "... I think... I just realized my preference is weird."