Chapter 447: Are we doomed?

The aftermath of Penny and Renny’s duo last night was a disaster. Aside from the broken furniture and the traces of the fight, the men who had participated in the showdown were all injured. Some stayed in the infirmary to recover, while others went to work despite being bandaged or in casts. They were hurt, but nothing could hurt more than their pride and egos.

Zoren sat on the couch, his eyes scanning everyone standing before him. Despite his vision problems, he could tell just how troubled they all appeared. Above all, how hurt their pride must have hurt.

’My men...,’ he thought, his eyes veering off to the other side of the line. ’... and her men.’

They all exuded the same somber mood.

"Sir," Mark finally spoke after a prolonged silence. "Please tell us what’s going to happen now."

They had all gathered before Zoren to discuss last night’s events and what would happen next. After all, Zoren and Penny had gone about their night without another word to them. God knows most of them had barely slept. Those who had been knocked unconscious had it better; at least they got to rest all night—unlike the rest of them.

"Well..." Zoren trailed off as the butler entered the living area, placing a tray of his light breakfast on the coffee table. He waited until the butler left before continuing. "About last night—"

"Good morning!"

Again, Zoren stopped when Penny’s voice echoed through the living area. Everyone instinctively looked up, visibly shaken and on high alert just from hearing that voice. Slowly, they lifted their heads and watched Penny skip down the stairs.

When Penny turned her head in their direction, she stopped, furrowing her brows as she studied their faces. She noticed the casts, the bandages on their foreheads, and the haggard looks in their eyes.

"Oh my God," she gasped, rushing down the stairs.

Penny quickly stood near the couch where Zoren sat, scanning them all up close. She slowly turned to Zoren, horrified.

"Renren, what happened to them? Were they attacked?!"

Everyone: "!!!"

Their eyes widened in disbelief. How could she shamelessly ask that question when she was the culprit behind all of this?!

"Angel?" Penny’s eyes settled on Angel, concern evident in her expression. "Angel, are you okay? You look hurt!"

Angel looked less battered than the others, but considering he was her best man, his condition worried her. It suggested that whoever had attacked them had been vicious.

She could imagine their horror, and Zoren’s!

Angel, however, couldn’t stop his face from twitching. He was well aware of the kind of troublemaker she was. Yet, he would never get used to this. His men gave him a complex look, making Angel avert his eyes.

As for Zoren’s men, they all stared at Penny with judgmental expressions. How dare she?

"Renren!" Penny rushed to Zoren’s side, examining him. "Did someone attack you last night? How come they’re all injured?"

Zoren smiled, earning silent judgment from everyone. "Don’t worry. No one attacked. It was just the result of a friendly brawl."

A friendly brawl?!

Everyone quietly scoffed and snorted, staring at Zoren in disbelief. Now, they didn’t know who to judge more: Penny, for daring to forget last night, or Zoren, for covering up what really happened to protect someone who clearly didn’t need protecting.

"A friendly brawl?" Penny repeated softly, calming down a bit.

Zoren nodded. "Yes, a friendly brawl as a welcoming party for my people." For some reason, he was dawdling, giving it a different meaning to everyone but Penny.

"Oh..." Penny rocked her head, looking at the men apologetically. "It must have been hard on you guys, huh?"

She cast Zoren a look. "Renren, how can you be so cruel to them? They just arrived, and I’m sure they’re very exhausted."

Those listening were flabbergasted, unable to suppress their facial spasms.

"Don’t worry. They didn’t mind. It’s a normal little tradition we have," Zoren reassured with a smile, casting a glance at the men before them. "Right?"

"..."

"Well," Penny shrugged, "okay."

Her eyes then fell on the tray on the coffee table, and an idea crossed her mind.

"Hehe. Don’t mind me," she said, reaching for the toast and jar. "Discuss whatever matters you need to; I’ll just serve you breakfast."

Like a submissive wife, Penny smiled gently, acting modest as she struggled to open the jam jar. Her first attempt deliberately failed.

Determined to make up for whatever silly thing she had done last night—if there was anything—Penny turned to Zoren pitifully. She tried to open the jar again, this time showing Zoren that she couldn’t.

"Oh no..." she muttered loud enough for everyone to hear. "Why is this jar so tight?"

Everyone looked down at her, their faces twitching. The stark contrast between their memories of last night and the scene unfolding before them was almost too much. How could she not open that jar when she could throw grown men across the room?!

"Renren..." Penny pouted, sucking in her cheeks as she fluttered her eyelashes sweetly. "Can you open this for me, please?"

All the men watching this absurd act couldn’t help but scoff.

’Our boss won’t play along with this,’ some thought, confident that their boss wouldn’t fall for such a ridiculous scheme! Much to their dismay, Zoren would rather disappoint them than his wife.

"Give it to me," he said, reaching for the jar. He didn’t even need to try hard; it snapped open instantly.

Everyone: "..."

"Wow..." Penny clapped happily. "Renren, you’re so strong! Have you been working out? How did you do it so coolly and easily? I thought I’d have to break my arms just to open it! Good thing you’re here!"

She poked his biceps, giggling, before taking the jar back and making him a sandwich. Zoren kept his gaze on his happy wife while she meticulously offered him a sandwich. As for everyone else, they pitied Zoren.

"Captain," one of the bodyguards whispered to Mark, "are we doomed?"

Mark glanced at his subordinate before looking at Angel. The latter smiled wryly, prompting Mark to look back at his subordinate and reply quietly,

"It seems that way."