Chapter 308: Goodnight’s rest

"It’s her husband, and she’s at home. If you need anything from my wife, call her tomorrow. She’s already asleep... in my bed."

The side of Zoren’s mouth hooked up into a triumphant smirk. He was aware that answering another person’s call was rude. There were exceptions, though, especially if there was an emergency. However, instead of an emergency, he was faced with a man who seemed displeased by Zoren’s existence the moment the latter spoke.

[My granddaughter-in-law is beautiful, has a perfect figure — unlike those I see in the tabloids that are barely skin and bones — and is a successful woman.]

[Not to mention, she is also a very thoughtful and considerate girl, very kind and warm, and very likable.]

[She’s too perfect, Renren. You’ll have too much competition. Let’s make sure she stays with our family.]

All of Old Mrs. Pierson’s descriptions about Penny resurfaced in his head, thinking this man was probably one of them.

’He wouldn’t be the first,’ he thought. ’Even Dean claimed to be her boyfriend.’

If Zoren could repel one or two troublemakers, he hoped that would lessen her burdens. After all, it seemed that’s what his grandmother was saying. If Dean hadn’t claimed Penny to be his, he would’ve second thoughts, but even Dean Pierson claimed Penny as his girlfriend.

’They’re not together,’ Zoren smiled in satisfaction, arching his brow when the silence in the line broke.

"Husband?" Atlas scoffed dangerously. "Whoever you are answering her phone, give it to her."

"Like I said, she’s asleep."

"Did you spike her drink!?" Slater gasped, causing lines to appear between Zoren’s brows.

’There’s another one?’ wondered Zoren, frowning.

Atlas let out a deep exhale. "You... where is she?"

"I said sleeping."

"Where?"

"In our matrimonial home."

"..."

After the brief silence, Zoren heard some crackling from the other end of the line. While he was wondering what that sound was, Hugo was stretching his neck from one side to the other while cracking his knuckles.

"You, who dare call himself her husband, why don’t you come out and see us for some exercise?" Hugo forced a smile through his gritted teeth. "Don’t make it complicated because no matter what, we’ll find you, and when we do, you’ll understand the consequences of crossing the line."

"I do need some exercise." Zoren rocked his head. "But I already had that — thanks to her." — he was referring to carrying her, but obviously, it came across the wrong way.

"Brother Hugo!" Slater screamed, holding Hugo back as if he planned to break the coffee table in half.

Meanwhile, Atlas’s face darkened. "Is this the game you’re playing? Well, fine with me."

"I’m not playing," Zoren responded calmly. "My wife is asleep. I would’ve woken her up, but she seemed too tired. Now, if this is important, then you can tell me. I’ll see what I can do. Otherwise, please do not disturb someone at midnight for nothing. People have priorities, work, and life, and people get tired and need rest. Don’t expect people to always cater to you at any time of the day."

He paused and leaned forward against the desk. "If she even has an ounce of importance in your life, then give her the night to recharge. She earned it, she deserved it. Goodnight."

After asserting his stand, Zoren ended the call and placed the phone down — no regrets.

"She might get angry by this," he whispered as he leaned back once more. "But if people call her in the middle of the night, then I’m not surprised she’s that exhausted."

She was kinder and more considerate than he thought, was what came into his mind.

Little did he know, the people who were calling her in the middle of the night weren’t just any nuisance. They were no one but her beloved brothers, who were simply worried for her well-being.

********

[Present Time]

Benjamin glanced at the backseat, seeing his boss stare out the window with a slight smile on his face. He pursed his lips, recalling what Zoren said before they left the mansion.

"For some reason, I don’t want to accept losing my sight. I want to see her... clearly."

A subtle smile appeared on Benjamin’s face as he readjusted his position in the front passenger row. His heart was at ease today, unlike the past several days when he felt stressed just looking at his boss.

’Miss Penny...’ he thought, his eyes softening. ’Even without his knowledge, she’s still his Thursday Girl. I should properly apologize to her this time.’

When Zoren started having problems with his eyesight, he kept it a secret until he gave in to Benjamin’s nagging. Since then, Benjamin never heard his boss say he didn’t want to go blind. If anything, what Zoren had kept saying was too depressing to think about.

Today was the first time Benjamin heard his boss want to regain his eyesight.

’He even asked me to call Doctor Taylor,’ thought Benjamin, heaving a sigh of relief. ’I should let Miss Penny know about this. I’m sure it’ll make her happy.’

For the first time in a while, they journeyed to the office in silence, but also, in peace. Benjamin didn’t feel anxious and Zoren didn’t hear Benjamin’s nagging.

It was a peaceful morning until they reached the Pierson Corporation building.

Standing outside the lift while waiting for it to come down, Benjamin’s harmonious mood instantly soured upon hearing Dean Pierson’s voice.

"Good morning, Uncle," Dean greeted as he approached the group. "You seemed to be in a good mood."

Dean stopped beside Zoren and faced the lift, making the people behind Zoren and the people behind Dean glare at each other.

"I am in a good mood," Zoren affirmed.

Dean smiled amicably, assessing his uncle’s side profile. "Is it because of your wife? I heard you finally introduced your mystery wife to Grandma."

"Yes," Zoren nodded again without looking at Dean. "We had a good time and we both had a good night’s rest."

"Is that so?"

"Mhm." This time, Zoren slowly slid his eyes to Dean. "How about you, Dean? Did your girlfriend have a good night’s rest last night?"