Chapter 38: Midnight snacks

Even at dinner, the family’s topic was mainly what they would name Penny’s new pet.

"You still haven’t thought of a name?" Atlas asked out of pure curiosity.

Allison shook her head. "Penny hadn’t decided."

"How can she decide when the list is longer than our carpet?" Charles sighed.

"I believe Penny can choose eventually," said Haines with a chuckle. "No rush, Penny."

Penny smiled as she ate another spoonful. Getting a new pet today wasn’t what she expected, but it was nice. Her new pet was cute, and it also seemed well-behaved. Having additional companions wasn’t all that bad.

The family dined peacefully without any events.

"I’m finished!" Slater announced, finishing his meal early. "Mom, Dad, I forgot I have an assignment to do. I’ll do it now!"

After saying his piece, Slater dashed away like a bolt of lightning.

Charles and Allison looked at each other with slight surprise before they cast their eyes back to where Slater had left. However, no one suspected that something was wrong except Allison.

When the dinner came to an end, Allison went straight to Slater’s room.

"Slater?" Allison peeked her head in the door, only to see Slater doing some projects on the floor. She smiled gently and walked into his room.

"Mom?" Slater smiled, watching his mother squat near him. "Why are you here?"

"Nothing, honey. I’m just... a little worried." Allison maintained a smile while looking at Slater. "You hadn’t been eating like usual and even finished quickly."

"Hehe. I’m just trying to do well in school."

Allison’s eyes softened. "Should I help you?"

"I’m okay." Slater shook his head. "I can do this on my own."

"Oh." Allison sighed faintly and watched him resume his activity.

Usually, Slater would go to her or his big brothers for help in school. After all, Slater’s grades weren’t that high. It wasn’t like the couple ever pressured their children to have good grades, except Hugo. As long as they passed their year, the couple was fine with it.

Now Slater wasn’t asking for their help anymore. Moreover, he wasn’t arguing with Penny so much. Though he hadn’t opened up, she knew Slater had the biggest heart. It was only a matter of time.

"Mom?" Slater suddenly looked up at her. "Can I..."

"Yes, honey?"

Slater smiled and shook his head. "Nothing. Mom, I need to focus on my project so, please close the door once you leave."

"Oh, sorry. I didn’t think I might be disturbing you." Allison cleared her throat and reluctantly rose from her spot. "I’ll leave you then."

Having said that, Allison left the room as quietly as possible.

When the door shut closed, Slated quickly sat up. He rushed to the door and locked it. Walking back to his bed, he grabbed his uniform underneath it.

The uniform was crumpled, and dirty, with some shoe print and egg yolk residue on it. His grip tightened, causing more creases on the dirty uniform. Last year, Slater secretly bought a spare uniform that he wore every day, only to change before going home not to raise suspicion.

Sniff.

Slater wiped his eyes with his arm, unable to stop his tears from falling. He cried without a sound and when he recovered, he quickly checked himself in the mirror. If his parents saw his eyes, they would worry. Allison, especially, would definitely think something was wrong and would ask the school.

Fortunately, his eyes didn’t look that swollen and he could just tell them he rubbed them.

"Ouch..." Slater winced as he felt a sudden pain in his side. Pulling up his shirt, he clicked his tongue at the bruise on his side and abdomen. "Why did I even try to fight back? It’s three against one."

A deep sigh escaped him as he put down his shirt, looking at himself in the mirror. Before he could even think of any pathetic words to describe himself, he picked up the dirty uniform. He protectively hugged them and cautiously snuck out of his room.

Every single night in the past year, Slater would secretly wash his uniform. There were times he wouldn’t have to because his bullies wouldn’t physically harm him. But tonight, their shoe prints were almost imprinted on the uniform. He had to get rid of them. Hence, he went out early to wash them than usual.

The laundry area was just right next to the dirty kitchen. Slater had to pass through the dirty kitchen first. He hadn’t seen anyone so far, so he felt rather relaxed. But before he could leave the dirty kitchen, the fridge suddenly closed.

Slater flinched and instinctively turned his head to the fridge.

"Slater?" Penny blinked innocently before she quickly hid something behind her back.

Slater’s face twitched. "Didn’t you eat already?"

"Midnight snacks," was all she said, earning a hiss from him. "I usually feel hungry in the middle of the night when I’m sleeping."

"You’re a monster," he blurted out in horror. She was only in the household for one season and he could tell she had already gained a hundred kilos!

"Glutton! Mhmp!" Slater snubbed her and resumed his steps.

"Are you going to do your laundry?" Suddenly, Penny asked, making Slater pause. "I never knew you wash your own uniform. Third brother is very diligent!"

Slater intuitively crumpled the uniform even more, almost hiding it from her line of sight. "If you’re done, leave me alone. Tch. Just go and bring your snacks to your room — I’ll keep it a secret."

"I’m not keeping it a secret." Penny blinked. "I asked Butler Jen’s permission, Mom and Dad’s permission, and even asked my guardian angel."

"You asked everyone except the dietician?"

"She’ll say I shouldn’t." Penny shrugged, her chin doubling as she did. "Third brother, do you need help with the laundry? I’m really good at it."

"No need!" Slater quickly dismissed her. "Just don’t mind me and go."

Penny tilted her head as Slater resumed his steps. He hugged his uniform so securely as if they were his hidden treasure.

"Did he manage to get those chocolates?" she wondered and pouted. "Stingy. It’s not like I’ll eat them again." — maybe just one.

Penny turned her back to mind her own business, but then stopped. She arched a brow and looked back, thinking Slater was finding a new hiding spot for his chocolates. It wasn’t like Penny would eat them because she promised Hugo, but she was curious.

Who knew? She might need some hiding spots too.

With that thought in mind, Penny secretly followed Slater to the laundry area. But much to her dismay, when Slater relaxed and spread his uniform, there weren’t any chocolates hidden inside.

What Penny saw were shoe prints, egg yolk, egg shells clinging to it, and some white substance like flour. The inner dress was white, so it was easy to spot them.

Penny’s mischievous expression immediately turned sour and dark.