Chapter 450: A memory he’d pay a fortune to forget

Meanwhile, in a small, private café located in the heart of the city, Atlas sat in a cozy seat, waiting for Zoren. It was too late for breakfast but too early for lunch. However, Atlas couldn’t wait or delay this meeting any longer.

He had told Benjamin that he would call Zoren and invite him for lunch. But calling Zoren today had never been in his plans—until he woke up underneath the bed. He was worried.

’The only good thing I’m a little grateful for is that she shoved me under the bed this time,’ he thought, unable to enjoy the aroma of the coffee hovering in front of him. ’Compared to five years ago, I’m relieved it was just under the bed.’

Thinking about what happened five years ago, his face twisted with disgust, and he nearly jumped from his seat in an attempt to shrug off the intense shame that came with the memory.

*****

Five years ago...

"What are we celebrating?" she asked, watching him approach her desk from behind it.

Atlas placed a bottle of wine on the desk, smiling. "If I don’t come to see you, I’m afraid I’ll never see you again." He then glanced around her small office. "Your office isn’t bad."

"Compared to your corner office, I’m sure it is."

"But I didn’t have to start from scratch," he replied meaningfully. "Not that I’m saying it was easy."

Penny pressed her lips together as her tense shoulders relaxed. She hadn’t been getting enough sleep or proper rest since her company was just starting out. She knew if she wanted to reach her goals, extra work was necessary. So, seeing Atlas arrive with a bottle of wine made her feel like relaxing for a moment with her brother.

"It’s been a while since I’ve seen you," she pointed out, leaning back in her chair as Atlas moved to a corner where there were glasses, coffee, and a coffee machine—everything she needed to stay awake.

"I know," Atlas replied indifferently, searching for wine glasses. "I told you I was coming, didn’t I?"

"You did?"

Atlas picked up a coffee cup and turned to face her again. "You even replied to my email."

"What did I say?"

"That you’d get back to me in three business days," he shrugged, now standing across from her. "You don’t keep wine glasses in your office?"

"Why would I keep wine glasses in the office—for what?"

Atlas chuckled. "They come in handy," he quipped. "Though I don’t use wine glasses in my office because I prepare whiskey."

"First Brother, are you slowly becoming a drunkard?"

"I’m close, but Sven’s antics and my determination to keep him in my shadow stop me from spiraling in that direction."

Penny chuckled as she watched her brother coolly pour wine into coffee cups. It had been a while since Atlas started working at Global Prime Logistics under Charles’s guidance. After all, Charles was preparing to retire and pass the reins to Atlas.

Charles had worked hard during his tenure, taking the family business to new heights. He had done so because their father wanted to retire early and focus on Allison—something Charles had been saying for a long time.

"Here’s yours." Atlas slid the coffee cup to her and picked up his. "Cheers?"

"Wine in a coffee cup?" she chuckled, standing up with the cup in hand. "Cheers."

Penny lifted the cup and tilted her head slightly before the two of them took a sip. While Atlas drank a mouthful, Penny only took a small sip.

"My office is small and a bit cramped with all these papers, so I apologize if I can’t offer you a proper seat to enjoy this wine in a cup," she joked as she moved to the small couch in her office.

Atlas laughed and followed, sitting beside her since there was only one couch. He placed the bottle on the small round table, then looked at her.

"Is this where you eat?" he asked, half-guessing.

Penny smirked. "That’s not where I eat—it’s at my desk," she said, nodding toward it.

Atlas squinted slightly as he glanced at her desk. "Penny, when it’s time to eat, you should eat. You already work tirelessly, so give yourself a break. Even if it’s just for a short time, make it your own private moment. Don’t let work occupy it too."

"I know that, but I can’t help it. Right now, twenty-four hours doesn’t feel long enough to finish everything I have to do."

"I get it, but taking a few minutes to enjoy a meal won’t hurt your productivity." He raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look.

Penny pressed her lips together and sighed faintly but didn’t argue. "I’ll try," she said with a nod. "Though I can’t promise anything, I’ll definitely try."

Although she tried, that habit didn’t completely go away. But thanks to Atlas, Penny became more mindful of her routines.

"Anyway, why are you here?" she asked. "You didn’t just fly here to see me, did you?"

"I did, actually," he clarified, making her eyebrows furrow. Atlas chuckled, smiling at her. "I won the vote and was appointed the new CEO of Global Prime Logistics. There was a grand party thrown by the Bennet family to celebrate—where I got this wine—but I wanted to celebrate with you."

Surprise washed over her face as she took in Atlas’s proud yet sincere expression. Her heart warmed at the gesture. Now, this wine and his visit truly felt like something worth celebrating.

"First Brother, congrats," she said, lifting her cup. Her eyes softened, but the pride in them was unmistakable. "I’ve always known you could do it, but I’m still elated to hear it. And to have you tell me yourself—how could I not be excited?"

Atlas chuckled, lifting his cup. "Let me know if you ever need help."

"I will, but definitely not now or anytime soon," she joked. "Though, I’ll tell you this—in a few more years, I’ll be reaching out to you as the CEO of one of the leading companies in my field."

"Then I should give you my business card. I’ll be waiting for that call."

They both laughed, clinking their cups together before taking another drink. This time, Penny gulped down the entire cup of wine. Atlas raised his eyebrows, impressed.

"Wow," he mused. "I didn’t know you could drink like that..."

Thud!

Atlas blinked, wondering if he had just seen his sister pass out. After another second, he laughed and finished his drink.

"I guess she’s not used to drinking," he muttered with a chuckle, continuing to enjoy his wine.

While Atlas savored his drink, he didn’t notice Penny had already sat back up, staring at him with sharp, deadly eyes. When he finally realized, Penny simply smiled and punched him square in the face, knocking him out cold.

Oh, how he wished the story had ended there—but it was only the beginning of the most unforgettable memory of his life. A memory he would pay a fortune to forget.