Chapter 462: Because we’re married, third brother.

Another wave of silence filled the air as Zoren lowered his squinting eyes. He had come here to update the Bennet men on the situation, but it seemed Charles had a lot more to explain. Although this wasn’t what Zoren expected — especially for his first official meeting with his in-laws — he was grateful to have heard it.

Now, he had a better understanding of the situation. It also explained the threat in Penny’s life, relieved that this didn’t involve his family.

’An eye for an eye...’ he thought, fully aware of the implications of that saying. ’If my father-in-law caused another man’s daughter’s death, it would be no surprise if they’re targeting Penny to get back at him.’

Zoren propped his elbow on the armrest, pressing a finger against his temple. But just as he was processing the situation, Atlas’s quiet yet furious voice cut through the air.

"You’ve known all of this all along and didn’t tell me?" Atlas lifted his gaze to his father, eyes filled with disappointment and disbelief. "My younger sister is being targeted, and thank God she’s still alive. Yet, you didn’t tell me? Or at least, you should’ve told Penny."

He then cast a glance at Haines. "Uncle, you knew all along? Who else knows about this? Everyone except Hugo and I? Don’t tell me Slater also knew about this?"

"Your father didn’t know until recently," Haines replied calmly, meeting Atlas’s gaze. "He only found out when I told him about what happened to my leg."

The lines on Atlas’s forehead deepened. "So, I was right?" he scoffed. "That leg... It’s not just a bad leg?"

"No, it’s not just a bad leg," Haines repeated. "I got it from an incident a few years ago."

Since much had already been revealed, Haines gave a simplified version of the incident involving himself and Penny. The expressions on Atlas, Hugo, and Zoren’s faces were indescribable as Haines finished his explanation.

"So, don’t blame your father for not telling you earlier," Haines continued. "Charles didn’t know until recently. Besides, you were all children when it happened. There wasn’t much you could have done."

Atlas clenched his fists, teeth grinding as he struggled to contain his emotions. All this time, he had thought their family was open with one another. Now, it was clear that each of them had been keeping secrets.

Haines had concealed the incident with Penny. Charles had never spoken of his time in service. And Hugo’s "vacation" wasn’t fully a vacation but a mission.

What else were they hiding?

Slater being a super spy — living a double life of a superstar and a spy?

"Did you... at least tell her?" Atlas asked, trying to remain calm. His stern eyes fixed on his father. "Even if you didn’t know until Uncle Haines told you, did you at least tell her about the situation?"

At the end of the day, Penny was the one in danger, and she needed to know.

"I’d be very disappointed if you didn’t," Atlas muttered under his breath. "Because if you haven’t, she might as well live with this guy."

Charles frowned but understood where Atlas was coming from. With a sigh, he glanced at Hugo, then Zoren, before locking eyes with his eldest son again.

"Penny knows."

Atlas’s anger faded slightly, his brows knitting together. "She knew?"

"Yes," Charles nodded. "She came to me the morning before the Prime Group’s first day of operation."

Once again, silence reigned as they processed this. Atlas and Hugo exchanged puzzled glances.

If Penny knew, why hadn’t she said anything? She hadn’t acted any differently. In fact, she seemed the same as always.

"Does she like keeping secrets?" Hugo muttered, frowning. "She could’ve at least told me."

Unlike Atlas, Hugo had spent more time with Penny, engaging in personal conversations. He recalled a time when she saw him wrestling with someone on the street, and when he confronted her about any reason she might be targeted, she had denied knowing anything.

Then, a memory clicked.

[Is my connection with the military being questioned, Second Brother?]

Initially, Hugo had thought that question came from her quick intuition. But now, thinking back to when Penny said, "If you say so," it felt different. It was as if she had chosen to drop the subject because she already knew the truth.

"Regardless of how we feel about this, the matter at hand remains," Haines spoke up after a long pause, drawing everyone’s attention. He turned to Zoren, signaling it was his turn to speak.

"I’ll take care of her," Zoren said, sensing the weight of their stares. He could feel their displeasure but responded with a subtle smile. "Taking her away will inevitably divert their attention from you. This will give my brothers more room to act, especially my Second Brother."

Hugo’s face deadpanned. "Hey, aren’t you jumping a little fast, calling me your brother?"

"Call me ’first brother,’ and maybe we’ll forget this conversation ever happened," Atlas added coldly.

"Just testing the waters," Zoren chuckled faintly, unfazed by Hugo’s glare. He then turned to Charles and Haines, lowering his head slightly. "I know this isn’t how you planned our first meeting — it is not how I planned it or wish for it to play out as well, but I appreciate your trust in letting me hear this."

"Hah!" Charles snorted. "You think I told you this because I trust you? I told you because now you have no choice but to protect her. We’re all in the same boat now."

"It’s alright." Zoren’s approving smile didn’t falter. "Father."

"You—" Charles nearly choked on his breath, reaching out to grab the young man. How could Zoren become so easily comfortable with them just because of this? But before he could act, Haines calmly placed a hand on his shoulder, holding him back.

Haines smiled, squeezing Charles’s shoulder as he locked eyes with Zoren. "Even if you’ve gained our approval, and we’re the least of your worries, you’ll still have to convince her to come live with you..." temporarily.

Before Haines could finish, the door creaked open, and Slater’s voice interrupted.

"Live with him?" Slater gasped, looking around at the men in the room. "Why would Penny live with him?"

Charles and Haines pressed their mouths together, while Atlas and Hugo scrambled for a response. But before they could answer, Zoren spoke.

"Because we’re married, Third Brother."