Chapter 478: Be it your siblings or husband

"Hic! Penny..." Slater hiccupped, watching his sister get stitched up because of him. "Huhuhu! Why would you do that?! Do you know how dangerous that was?!"

Penny chuckled as her brother dramatically cried his heart out. She glanced at the doctor, who was busy stitching her cut.

"All done," said the doctor with a sigh, noting Penny’s nonchalant reaction. "Miss, I’ll prescribe you some pain relievers and medicine. Are you sure you’re okay?"

Penny nodded. "I’m fine," she said, turning her gaze back to Slater. "I’m relieved."

The doctor looked between the two of them, then smiled meekly before bowing slightly. "I’ll be back," she said before leaving the room.

The moment the doctor left, Slater and James rushed to Penny’s side. Slater took the stool the doctor had sat on while James stood by the bed.

"Huhuhu!" Slater cried, staring at her palm. "It looks horrible and painful!"

"I’m fine." Penny chuckled as if she hadn’t just gotten stitches. "Third Brother, you’re not the one who got stitched, so stop crying."

"How can I? It should’ve been me, not you! Why would you stop the knife with your bare hand? Do you think you’re some kind of superhero?!" he huffed, his face red from crying and the overwhelming worry swelling in his chest. "I’m the big brother! You didn’t have to do all that!!"

Penny sighed, watching him with a gentle smile. She reached out and patted his arm.

"Third Brother, if it had been anyone else, I wouldn’t have jumped into action," she said softly. "But it was you, and I’m glad I did. This cut isn’t nearly as painful as it would’ve been to see you hurt."

Slater hiccupped, his tears streaming down his face.

"I’m just relieved we’re both okay," she added, but Slater immediately launched into another lecture.

"’Both okay’?! We’re both alive, sure, but you’re definitely not okay!" he cried before suddenly hugging her, using her clothes as a tissue. But then he noticed the bloodstains on her clothes, and his crying intensified.

"Waah! Penny! You’ve lost so much blood! I think you need a blood transfusion!"

Penny sighed and patted his back, already used to her brother turning into a sobbing mess and using her as a comfort pillow. As she patted him, she cast a glance at James.

"Penny, I’m glad you were able to stop the worst from happening, but please don’t do that next time," James said, his tone filled with concern. "It’s too dangerous."

"It was my brother."

"I know." James lowered his head, unable to argue. After all, if not for Penny, Slater would’ve been the one stabbed. And Slater wouldn’t have just needed a few stitches if that knife had reached him.

The attacker had aimed for Slater’s neck. Just the thought of it made James shudder.

"I’m fine now," Penny’s voice brought James back to the present. "You should go, James. I know you have a lot to handle because of this incident."

"It’s okay. Your First Brother is already on it."

"Huh?" Both Slater and Penny furrowed their brows, and Slater turned to James.

Seeing their confused faces, James hesitated, unsure if he had done the right thing. "I told him what happened, and he said to make sure you’re both fine," James explained, hoping they wouldn’t think they were in trouble. "So I’m staying here to make sure you’re both okay. Your First Brother could arrive any time now."

"James, why would you tell my First Brother?!" Slater exclaimed. "He’ll definitely kill me for putting Penny in danger."

"Don’t worry. He’s not coming here," Penny said, shaking her head, and earning a look from Slater.

James was confused as well. "How can you be sure?"

"Because... he’ll be at the station by now," she said with a small smile. "If Slater and I are fine, he’ll deal with the perpetrator."

As she explained, Penny sighed softly.

"Why are you sighing?" Slater asked. "Don’t tell me you actually want First Brother to come here and console you?"

"No, I was just thinking that First Brother will probably call Second Brother," she sighed again. "At this point, I can only hope Second Brother gives the suspect a chance to explain before beating him up."

"You can’t beat someone up while interrogating them. That’s not how it works," James pointed out, but Penny simply shrugged.

"Anyway, Manager James, aren’t you going to handle my discharge? It’s taking so long. I want to stop by the station and see what the guy’s reasons were."

"You’re not getting discharged," Slater interjected with a pout. "You’ll be staying here for the night."

"But it’s just a cut."

"Just a cut?!" Slater’s face scrunched up. "Penny, you were sick not too long ago. Do you know you could get a fever because of this? Or worse, an infection? Who knows what might happen? You’re staying here until you’re fully recovered!"

"Slater’s right," James nodded in agreement. "It’s better to make sure you’re okay."

Penny wrinkled her nose in dismay. She had never heard of anyone being admitted to the hospital for a cut. Sure, it was deep enough for stitches, but it wasn’t life-threatening. However, no matter what she said, Slater and James remained firm.

Before she knew it, she was being wheeled to a private ward.

"I didn’t break my leg," she stressed, eyeing her brother and then James, who walked beside them. "I don’t need a wheelchair."

"Penny, stop complaining," Slater grumbled. "Next time, don’t put yourself in danger for others—even for me! Why are you so ungrateful?"

"That’s right, just stop complaining," James echoed as they reached the private room. "Next time, don’t risk yourself for others, even for your brothers."

At this point, Penny wasn’t sure who was more ungrateful: her or them. As she pondered, they finally reached the private room. James quickly slid the door open, and Slater wheeled her inside, only for all of them to stop when they saw someone casually seated in the room.

"Goodness, you two..." Penny trailed off, glancing from Slater to the figure in the room. When she met a pair of dark eyes, her expression froze.

"That’s right," Zoren said, propping his temple against his knuckles as he stared at Penny in the wheelchair. "Don’t hurt yourself trying to protect others. Even if that person is your brother... or your husband."