Chapter 357: I changed my mind

Meanwhile...

The bachelor’s party had a pool party theme and was held in a penthouse in one of the most popular buildings in Anteca for such occasions. Even before Penny and Hugo reached the penthouse, they had encountered quite a few people along the way.

Hugo didn’t seem to know the people they were bumping into, but Penny recognized a few familiar faces. Not that she knew them personally, but if someone’s face was often in the news, she had no choice but to be familiar with it. After all, the soon-to-be groom was a well-respected basketball player in the major league. So, it was no surprise that his guests for this bachelor party were a mix of all genders.

"Keep close to me," Hugo said, tilting his head back slightly to whisper to her.

Penny raised her brows and glanced at him. "I won’t wander off."

"I know, but you might get snatched," he reasoned. "My little sister is such a steal that I’m afraid they’d be in trouble."

Her face twitched as she forced a smile. ’Why did he even invite me here? It’s not like I’m going to Ray’s ceremony.’

Even so, this party somewhat helped her, as otherwise, she would be preoccupied with Zoren’s meeting with Patricia.

Penny stayed close to her brother from behind, peeking over to his side as they entered. She smacked her lips, taking in the sight of numerous people in swimsuits or trunks. Although a few were "overdressed" for the party, Penny didn’t mind.

"Penny!"

As they were heading inside the penthouse, Penny and Hugo stopped upon hearing a woman’s call. Turning their heads, they saw a petite woman with large eyeglasses, her short hair tied in a ponytail, with the excess falling freely from the side of her face.

Penny narrowed her eyes, watching the woman skip toward them. "Ginnie?" she blurted out before her face brightened up. "Ginnie!"

"Penny~!" As soon as Ginnie reached Penny, she threw her arms open and jumped into Penny’s embrace. "Penny, I missed you so, so, so much! I missed you! I missed you! I’m so happy you came! When I heard you were coming, I had to fight my way into this party! Fortunately, Senior Hugo told me about it. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have even told me out of spite!"

Ginnie continued to bombard Penny with information that she wasn’t quite prepared for. Even so, Penny chuckled and rubbed her friend’s back.

"Ginnie," she said, pulling slightly away. "Why would they do that out of spite?"

"Because I keep punishing them," Ginnie grumbled before her face brightened up at the sight of Hugo. "Senior Brother!"

Hugo smiled and nodded at Ginnie. "Good to see you, Ginnie. Where’s the soon-to-be groom?"

"They’re in the pool. Let’s go over there," Ginnie giggled, glancing at Penny. "Oh, Penny! I’m so happy you came. I told Lily you’d be here, but her flight was delayed, so she couldn’t make it."

Penny chuckled as Ginnie hooked her arm around hers.

"Continue your talk once we greet the groom-to-be," said Hugo, tipping his head toward the entrance of the rooftop pool. "Let’s go."

"Okay~!" Ginnie grinned from ear to ear, dragging Penny by the arm as they followed Hugo to the pool.

Penny simply smiled back at Ginnie softly. Her friendship with Lily and Ginnie hadn’t stopped, even when she left Anteca and lived abroad. They constantly communicated through messages and calls, and even during their university days, they kept in touch.

Although Ginnie’s chosen career surprised everyone.

Ginnie graduated in engineering, but instead of applying to any engineering firms, she chose to work as a sports analyst. Her reason was that ever since she helped the basketball team with their game against Max, it had become a passion for her. Even after that game, it was no secret that Ginnie continued to assist the basketball team until she graduated.

Now, Ginnie was a manager for one of the biggest teams in the major league. She managed the groom’s basketball team and all the players.

"Hugo!"

Before Hugo and the two ladies behind him reached a group in the corner of the pool, they heard a call. Everyone in the group turned their heads, greeting Hugo and cheering happily at the sight of him.

"Hey, Hugo! We thought you’d ditched us, man!"

"Come on, he prepared all of this for Captain!"

"Hugo, I was shocked when I heard you actually prepared everything, man! I thought you knew nothing about parties, but wow! You really did it this time for the captain!"

"Haha. He even split the expenses," another man laughed. "I can’t believe he would do all this for the captain."

"It’s not for me, but for Penny," the big guy in the group, wearing a fitted tux with buttons that barely held together, rose from the group. "Hugo simply didn’t want his sister attending Ray’s oath ceremony."

The man then faced Hugo and smiled. "Hugo, we all thought you’d ditched us," he said, raising his fist. Hugo bumped his fist against it. "This party is dope. Where’s Penny? Is she still as cute as ever?"

Hugo smiled proudly, and at the mention of Penny, everyone on the team perked up. Half of them were from the basketball team from Summit School of Excellence, while the other half were just their teams. Even so, they had heard enough about Penny from Hugo—Hugo had been their acquaintance as well over the years.

Moreover, some of them had met Penny during her last visit. She was still chubby then, so they were expecting the cute princess from the Bennet family.

"She’s here! Hello?!" Ginnie casually waved a hand to get everyone’s attention. Hugo was too tall for her and Penny, and he was blocking them.

Slowly, everyone’s eyes moved to Ginnie and then to the woman she was linking arms with. Deep lines appeared between their brows as their lips slightly fell open.

"Ehh, haha," someone in the group laughed. "You’re kidding."

Hugo raised a brow, Ginnie frowned, and Penny rolled her eyes.

"No way?" another person gasped, standing up from his seat. His eyes went up and down at Penny, waving a hand. "Ginnie, move a little. You’re ruining the scene—"

Before he could finish, Hugo stepped in front of Penny again and turned his back on them.

"I changed my mind," said Hugo, facing his little sister, hands on her shoulders. "Let’s just go to Ray’s oath ceremony. It’s easier to straighten him up since we’re not friends."

"..."