Chapter 315: Atlas has lost its mind!

"Hahaha!" Hugo’s laughter and claps echoed across the office. "That’s so funny! No wonder Allen looked so nervous, and everyone outside too!"

Allen’s frown deepened as he glanced at Hugo, who was doubled over with laughter, clutching his stomach.

"That... is... not nice—pfft!" Hugo broke out into laughter again. "You should’ve told Allen! He must’ve felt so embarrassed! Hahaha!"

"Sir Hugo, I feel more embarrassed by how you’re laughing at me," Allen sighed. If it weren’t for Hugo’s uncontrollable laughter, Allen might have felt more shocked and relieved rather than embarrassed. Despite his remark, Hugo tried — and failed — to stifle his laughter.

Atlas shook his head at his second brother, then cast a look at Allen. "He can be shameless, but I hope you learned a big lesson today. As my right hand, you should know me better than anyone. I don’t engage in scandalous affairs, nor do I indulge in temporary bliss."

"Yes, sir." Allen lowered his head. "I shouldn’t have doubted you. I’ve learned my lesson now."

"First Brother, don’t be too hard on him," Penny chuckled, watching Allen slowly raise his head. "I’m really sorry about that. I was just being playful, but what my brother said was right. You should know him better than anyone."

"Yes, Miss Penelope." Allen lowered his gaze, while Penny offered him a subtle smile.

Even though Allen had thought she was Atlas’s mistress, he hadn’t treated her poorly. In fact, everyone here had remained professional. Penny couldn’t help but compare this experience to the people directly under Zoren Pierson.

’But then again, Atlas’s life was never in danger,’ she thought, considering the long list of life-and-death situations Zoren had faced over the years. ’So, I really can’t blame that vitamin-deficient man for going the extra mile in repelling everyone. They also kept telling me I’m not the first one to approach Renren with such intentions.’

Penny could only imagine what Zoren had experienced for his assistant to act like his mother.

"Anyway, Hugo, that’s enough," Atlas warned, watching his brother wipe his eyes. "You’re hurting Allen’s pride even more. I think that punishment is enough."

"I’m not trying to punish him..."

"But I am," Atlas confessed, snapping his eyes to his assistant. "Now, that’s enough. He’s learned his lesson."

"Fine, fine." Hugo cleared his throat and straightened his back, casting Allen a smile. "Now you know how my brother punishes people. Don’t worry, we’ve all been through it, right, Penny?"

"Haha... don’t mention it," Penny laughed awkwardly, recalling how many times Atlas had dragged her into his nonsense as a form of revenge.

"I’ve never done anything to Penny," Atlas said, only to earn disbelieving looks from his siblings. "When did I?"

"Should I list it?" Penny blurted out. "First, you told everyone that I was betting on you, and then you dragged me into betting on the basketball team."

Atlas tilted his head. "I thought you loved betting so much, so I was giving you an excuse if Dad and Mom thought you were a gambling addict."

"..." Penny and Hugo were speechless. "That’s your reason?"

"I’m not petty," Atlas said, a glint flickering in his eyes.

Lies!

Penny, Hugo, and Allen were nearly deceived until the corner of Atlas’s lips curled up briefly. It was a small gesture, but it didn’t escape their sharp, observant eyes.

"Anyway, why are you here, Second Brother?" Penny asked out of pure curiosity. "Are you planning to have lunch together?"

"He’s dropping by because he’s bored, that’s all," Atlas replied nonchalantly.

Hugo smiled. "I dropped by because I heard Sven is gaining favor with the elders. I wanted to see how he’s doing."

"If he’s the one you’re visiting, his office is a few levels below mine," Atlas responded flatly. "Go and see him. I’m sure he’ll be elated."

"First Brother, don’t be jealous." Hugo chuckled. "Of course, I need to see you first. I can visit him last."

"Speaking of Sven, First Brother, how’s the situation with Ito Motors?" Penny inquired. "You haven’t mentioned anything about it."

"If you’d come home last night, you would’ve known."

Penny’s expression soured.

"Sir, is it alright to tell them about it?" Allen asked, thinking the matter was quite confidential.

"The situation is confidential, but it’s also a family matter," Atlas remarked. "My siblings already know half of it, so I don’t mind."

Allen nodded, interpreting Atlas’s words as a signal that Penny and Hugo were his allies. "Well, the thing is... Sir Atlas is losing his mind!"

"Huh?" Penny’s face twitched, expecting Allen to say something important.

Hugo tilted his head, while Atlas frowned.

"What is he on about now?" Atlas muttered, giving Allen a deadly look to make him stop talking. However, Allen duly avoided his gaze and turned to Atlas’s siblings as if he were tattling on his boss.

"Not only did he give the negotiation powers to the general manager, but he also wants to sabotage himself!" Allen continued, hoping Atlas’s siblings would intervene. "Sir Sven has already built rapport with Ito Motors and the Ito family. So there’s a high chance the negotiations will succeed. However, CEO Atlas wants to break this negotiation with an impossible proposal!"

Hugo furrowed his brows. "An impossible proposal?"

"He wants to raise our rates for Ito Motors!" Allen was exasperated, making everyone wonder just how long he had been holding these big emotions back. "If Sir Atlas does this, I’m afraid he’ll lose to Sir Sven. After all, everyone on the general manager’s side is backed by the Prime Group. The Prime Group will soon operate in the country, and with them supporting Sir Sven, there’s a huge possibility that there could be a change of power in the company!"

After speaking in one breath, Allen was panting. Slowly, he gazed up at Penny and Hugo, hoping they understood the dilemma caused by Atlas’s stubbornness. But to his dismay, all he saw were the siblings smiling at him in amusement.

"Penny, you’ve got their back?" Hugo asked Penny, who shook her head.

"Was he ever my Big Brother?" she replied with a chuckle. "But it is amazing how Sven is using me to make a name for himself. My brother doesn’t even do that."

"He’s delusional," Atlas shrugged. "Let him be."

Allen darted his eyes between the three, who were casually conversing as if they hadn’t heard him. Deep lines formed between his brows before he blurted out,

"Sir, what’s going on?"

The three stopped talking and turned to him. The first to break the silence was Hugo.

"Oh, First Brother didn’t tell you about this either?" Hugo tilted his head. "Penny owns the Prime Group."