Chapter 460: I caused someone’s death

Initially, what drove Zoren to want to take Penny home was her distress from the previous night. Although he knew Penny had been drunk and likely speaking half-heartedly, he listened to her pain and heard her cry for help. He believed in the depth of her heartache and wanted to protect her. Even if it means taking her away from her family.

Her family might have loved and adored her, but they could have hurt her deeply without realizing it. Who knows? One can love another and still hurt them — Zoren was all too familiar with that dynamic.

However, after meeting Atlas today, Zoren’s resolve wavered.

In his mind, he thought, ’Maybe I was wrong’, and ’Perhaps I should learn more about why she was in so much pain last night.’

But hearing Mark’s report reignited his initial plan. Until he discovered who issued the anonymous order targeting Penny, Zoren wouldn’t be at ease. That’s why he quickly decided to inform the men of the Bennet family and deal with it as soon as possible. Wasting a second could cost them her life.

"As I told Atlas, I wanted to confirm the story she told me about our marriage. After all, even if I trust her blindly, having reassurance wouldn’t hurt. But I ended up learning far more than I expected," Zoren explained after summarizing the situation. "I understand your concerns about my family, and I agree that there is reason to be cautious about the Piersons. But compared to that, this matter is more pressing to me."

He paused and let out a shallow breath. "I don’t mean any offense, but I believe I can offer her better protection. Of course, that depends on her decision."

In other words, Zoren expected Penny to oppose the idea, given her lifestyle and independence. She was a capable woman, running the leading security film internationally. So, she would surely use those arguments to make a point. That’s why he reached out to her family for backup.

He didn’t need to say it outright; the men in the room understood.

"A target on her back?" Atlas furrowed his brows, deep in thought. "Why?"

Was this a result of the drunken Penny’s action? At this point, Atlas could only see his sister in such a light.

Charles and Haines exchanged grim looks. They weren’t sure, but they guessed that the story behind the peaceful surface of the Bennet Family might’ve been connected with all of this one way or the other.

’With this now brought up, everything changes,’ Charles thought, and Haines quickly guessed his cousin’s train of thought.

’This is not a good sign, Charles.’

Although Zoren couldn’t see it, he sensed the shift in Charles and Haines’s demeanor. Both men were talking telepathically.

’They probably have an idea,’ Zoren mused, trying to gauge Atlas’s reaction. ’And he seems unaware of it.’

Charles tapped his fingers on the armrest, shifting his gaze to Zoren. "Are you sure about this? Did you get it from a reliable source?"

Zoren’s mouth opened, but before he could respond, another voice interrupted.

"I believe him." Everyone turned toward the door, watching as Hugo entered and closed the door behind him. He joined the group, standing at the edge of where the men were gathered. "He doesn’t need to be sure — it’s true."

Frowns deepened on their faces. Hugo had just walked in with such certainty, catching everyone off guard.

"Hugo, what are you talking about?" Atlas asked, frowning. "You just came in. How can you be so sure when you’ve barely heard the entire context of this discussion?"

Hugo had missed only the first half of the conversation, but he was certain that part had been spent on his father trying to scare off Zoren. He’d caught the rest of it.

His expression solemn, Hugo sat on the couch beside Zoren, keeping a respectful distance from him. Leaning forward with his arms resting on his knees, he began.

"I wasn’t on vacation," Hugo confessed, not caring if Zoren heard. The latter was already involved, and if Penny’s safety was the priority, Zoren needed to be on the same page. With this, Zoren wouldn’t easily dispose of or betray Penny.

"Actually, I left the base because I’m investigating something," he continued, withholding classified details. "Although this matter isn’t directly related to Penny, her name unexpectedly appeared on a list of people we needed to keep an eye on."

"What do you mean, Hugo?" Atlas’s alarm bells in his mind grew as he realized the situation was more complex than he thought. Penny may have had dealings with the military, but having them suspicious of her was an entirely different issue.

Hugo pressed his lips together and sighed, turning to Charles. Though they didn’t exchange words, the look in Hugo’s eyes conveyed that he knew things Charles hadn’t shared yet.

"Hugo, is Penny in trouble with the military?" Haines asked, snapping Hugo’s attention away from Charles. "Are they suspicious of her?"

Hugo shook his head. "Penny isn’t in trouble with the military, but her name showing up on that list has made them wary. My job isn’t to investigate her, but to make sure she’s safe."

Given everything Hugo was dealing with, he wouldn’t mind help. Not that he doubted Charles or Atlas, but Zoren seemed better suited as a shield—or, more precisely, as a scapegoat.

"Charles," Haines finally spoke after another moment of silence. "I don’t think you should keep this information to yourself, especially since things are escalating whether or not you talk."

"Uncle Haines, what does that mean?" Atlas’s frown deepened, taken aback by the unexpected turn in the conversation. "Dad, is there something you haven’t told me?"

Charles had shared many things with Atlas about the family business — how to run it, the tricks of the trade—almost everything. But not this.

Charles exhaled deeply, glancing over at everyone’s faces. He didn’t want to reveal this in front of Zoren, but at this point, Zoren was being considered as part of the family. Even if he was a "fake" son-in-law, the truth couldn’t be hidden any longer.

"I... caused someone’s death."