Chapter 418: It’s best for all of us.

"Just let those fools fight over who’s going to pay. Here, have a drink."

Penny’s gaze fell on the wineglass Jessa was pouring. She let out a deep breath and smacked her lips.

’Well, I guess I’m no longer an occasional drinker,’ she thought. ’Though I do have something to celebrate today... and something I want to forget.’

"Jessi," Allison sighed, only to receive a sharp look from Jessa.

"Allison, Penny is already a big girl," Jessa argued, sliding the glass of wine in front of Penny. "Here, have a drink. Then, let’s talk about our crush. You little nasty girl. I heard you went on a date."

"Don’t call her nasty," Allison remarked, but Jessa just smirked.

"How could I not? Just look at her!" Jessa intoned, causing Allison to cast a glance at Penny.

Penny pursed her lips, blushing as she heedlessly reached for the wine and chugged it down. As soon as she did, Atlas felt all his senses tingling. Turning his head amidst his debate with Charles, his mouth fell open, eyes wide.

"Penny!" His loud call made everyone flinch and turn toward him. All they saw was Atlas rushing to Penny, but it was too late. Before he could reach her, Penny put the empty wineglass down.

"Hah!" she hissed in satisfaction, raising her brows as she noticed everyone staring at her. Or rather, at someone near her. Following their gaze, her eyes fell on Atlas. "Oh, First Brother—hic!"

Penny hiccuped a couple more times, her vision spinning wildly. "Huh?"

A sound escaped her lips, and before she knew it, everything went blank.

THUD!

All eyes that had been on Atlas immediately moved to Penny. She had passed out, her head hitting the table.

"..."

For a moment, everyone was speechless at the turn of events. Slater even rubbed his eyes to make sure what he’d seen was real. Others simply furrowed their brows in confusion.

"She... she only had one glass, right?" Jessa’s puzzled voice pierced the still air. "I didn’t even fill it all the way. It was only half."

Allison’s mouth fell open, staring at her daughter in disbelief. "She... she’s this much of a lightweight?"

"Is that wine strong?" Slater inquired. "How did she get drunk on one drink?"

Atlas, on the other hand, pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Penny doesn’t drink," Haines explained, glancing at Charles, who gave him a look. "I took care of her while we were abroad."

Charles nodded, approaching his wife. As he did, he picked up the bottle of wine and inspected it.

"This isn’t a light one, but it’s definitely not strong either," he remarked, eyes falling on Penny. "My princess is really adorable! How cute!"

"She hit her head and you think it’s cute?" Jessa snorted while Allison leaned forward worriedly.

"Penny?" Allison called, tilting her daughter’s head to check for any injury. "Penny, are you okay?"

"She’s passed out," Hugo muttered from the corner, still sulking. "She’s going to be okay... I guess?"

Everyone cast Hugo a glance, finding him a bit pitiful. Even Jessa felt sorry for him, considering he had the most dangerous career among them all. Yet even Jessa was richer than him.

"Young man, don’t worry too much," said Jessa. "Just focus on the good things. You have a motorbike — at least something’s in your name."

Hearing her consolation didn’t feel comforting at all. If anything, it made Hugo realize he had no financial literacy. He had spent most of his savings and was running low on allowance.

"I’m going to drive her home," Atlas declared, hands on his hips. "Someone needs to take her motorbike."

"I can," Charles volunteered, then turned to Allison. "You can ride with Haines, Ali. Is that okay?"

"Well..." Allison nodded. "I guess? I only had a bit of wine."

"Let’s drink at your place, Ali," Jessa giggled. "Tomorrow’s our day off, and we need to go to the salon, anyway."

Allison’s eyes lit up. "You’re staying over?"

Charles didn’t look pleased. He knew his wife would spend the night chatting with Jessa, which meant no quality time for him.

"I’ll take her now," Atlas remarked and cast his father a look. "Thanks for the treat, Dad."

Everyone watched as Atlas struggled to carry Penny. Fortunately, he led an active lifestyle; otherwise, it would have been embarrassing.

’Why is she so heavy? Are her bones made of iron?’ he thought, giving his younger sister a piggyback ride.

As everyone watched Atlas, they initially felt sorry for him until...

"Is he trying to sneak away, so he doesn’t have to help clean up?" Slater blurted out, and everyone glanced at the table.

"I paid," Charles remarked, his eyes narrowing toward the corner where his poorest son had been. To his dismay, Hugo had already disappeared. "That sneaky brat! I knew it! He was sulking not because of his mood, but because he was planning his escape!"

********

[Bennet Mansion]

Atlas was panting by the time he reached Penny’s room. He threw her onto the bed and slowly straightened his back, hands on his hips.

"First Young Master, what happened to Miss Penny?" Butler Jen asked, standing beside Atlas.

Atlas glanced at him, noticing the glass of water Butler Jen was offering.

"Thank you," Atlas said, taking the glass and chugging it down.

Watching him drink so fast made Butler Jen think Atlas’s exercise regimen was pointless. If only he knew how heavy Penny was — it was ridiculous!

"Hah!" Atlas sighed in satisfaction, flashing Butler Jen a smile. "She had a glass of wine. Aunt Jessa gave it to her."

"Just one glass?" Butler Jen repeated, watching Atlas nod.

"She’s a lightweight, and a troublemaker when drunk. Butler Jen, do you have some chains?"

"Chains?"

"It’s for all our safety."

Butler Jen smiled wryly, already familiar with Penny’s antics when drunk. She was cute—expressive even.

"First Young Master, we don’t have chains in the house," Butler Jen said. "But I don’t think Miss Penny will wake up anytime soon, so I doubt she’ll sneak around."

Atlas shook his head. "I can’t be sure, Butler Jen. I’ll stay in her room just in case."

"Shall I bring you an extra mattress or foam?"

"It’s alright. I’ll sleep..." Atlas looked around the room, spotting a small beanbag in the corner. "I’ll sleep on that."

"Are you sure?"

Atlas flashed a smile. "It’s okay. Don’t worry."

Though he found it strange, Butler Jen didn’t argue. He simply brought Atlas some extra pillows and blankets.

*

*

An hour later, Atlas sat in the corner of Penny’s room, idling on the beanbag. It was a bit small for him, but he didn’t mind. To kill time, he read some books. After about an hour, he started yawning.

"I don’t want to sleep," he told himself, snapping his eyes at the bed. "She might wake up. I can’t be sure at all unless I see her awake, sober."

Atlas refocused on the book. However, before he knew it, he had nodded off.

At the time the clock struck midnight, Penny’s finger twitched. Slowly, she opened her eyes, the corner of her lips curling into a wicked smirk. Though she looked more sober, the look on her face was different.