Chapter 481: I’ll be back before you know it.

Penny watched Slater and Zoren talk until her eyes grew heavy. She knew she’d had plenty of sleep the previous night, and when she woke up, she felt ready to tackle a lot of tasks. However, while idling and listening to how Zoren smoothly deflected Slater’s constant verbal attacks, she started feeling drowsy.

’Perhaps it’s the medicine they gave me,’she thought, glancing at her palm. ’Damn. It’s deep.’

She drew a deep breath and tried to stay awake as much as possible, but before she knew it, she eventually fell asleep.

"Do you understand now how insulting it is to be compared to that creep?" Slater grumbled, watching Zoren nod.

"My bad," said Zoren flatly. "You’re right. After talking to you, I can see Ray’s more silly than you are."

"Hah—" Slater stopped as his breath caught in his throat. His brows rose as he turned his head to Penny. The moment he saw her sleeping, he zipped his mouth and glared at Zoren again. "In case you didn’t notice, my sister’s asleep. So, you better be quiet or I’ll kick you out of here."

Slater’s voice was quiet, but the intensity of his threat remained. Zoren smiled subtly and nodded in understanding, shifting his gaze to her.

Again, Zoren squinted just to make sure she was really asleep. After all, Penny had fallen asleep facing them.

For a while, neither of them spoke as they kept their attention on her. They knew Penny’s cut was deep, but getting admitted seemed a bit much. Even so, Slater was worried—paranoid, even. He would only feel at ease knowing she was surrounded by medical professionals in case she needed them.

The longer the silence lasted, the more somber Slater’s mood became. He even forgot about his displeasure toward Zoren as his mind kept replaying what had happened earlier.

"You should get checked as well," Zoren’s voice eventually broke the silence.

Slater scrunched up his nose and glared at him. "I’m not asking for your advice. Even if you’re nice to me, I won’t like you—ever."

"I’m not saying this because I want you to like me." Slowly, Zoren glanced at his brother-in-law. "Though I’m not pleased that my wife had to get hurt just to save you, I understand she would be in more pain if you were the one who got hurt."

He paused for a moment, keeping his calm and composed demeanor as he continued. "All I’m saying is, even if you think you’re fine, there’s no harm in making sure. Keeping a healthy mind — keeping your mental state calm — is important. Otherwise, you might end up like me."

Deep lines formed between Slater’s brows as he studied the sincerity in Zoren’s expression. "Just... like you?"

"My main problem was my brain—or rather, my mind," Zoren said, carefully shifting his gaze back to Penny. "It’s psychological. But our minds are so powerful that if we believe something, it can alter how our bodies and organs function. It can literally change your fate and turn your thoughts into reality. For instance, my mind believed I was sick and should be dead, so my body started failing because of it."

He continued, speaking quietly but sincerely. "It deteriorated even when I tried not to think about it. I’m not telling you this because I care about you. My reason is her. She took that knife for you. The least you can do is make sure that’s the last thing that hurts her."

This time, Zoren looked directly at Slater again. Slater opened his mouth, but then closed it. As much as he hated hearing Zoren’s remarks, they were nothing but the truth.

Slater lowered his gaze, his jaw tightening. "You don’t have to tell me. I’ve already scheduled an appointment."

"Oh?"

"You think I’m not concerned about my mental health?" Slater hissed, his voice lowering after it began to rise. "I raise public awareness about bullying, alright? Not taking care of myself would be like bullying—bullying myself."

"Is that so?" Zoren smiled subtly as he nodded. "I guess your sister is right."

"Right about what?"

"That you might act like a fool sometimes, but you’re also very perceptive."

"Heh." Slater rubbed the tip of his nose, pleased to know Penny had been praising him behind his back. If only he knew she’d said that after badmouthing him nonstop. "Of course, I’m smart."

Zoren chuckled before another wave of silence settled over them. To be fair, Zoren hadn’t been at all pleased when he heard about what had happened. A part of him wanted to scold Penny or Slater, but he wasn’t in a position to do so.

It would be hypocritical for Zoren to say he understood her completely. If it had been him, he wouldn’t have put himself in harm’s way to take a knife or bullet for anyone... until she came into his life. In a way, he understood her reasoning.

"Hey," Slater called, making Zoren to raise his brows. "How did you get in here so fast? Did my brother call you?"

The corners of Zoren’s lips curled. "Your First Brother would never tell me about it. In fact, I’m certain he would’ve tried to stop the news from reaching me."

"Then how did you know what happened and where we are?" Slater squinted suspiciously. "Don’t tell me you’re stalking her."

"Stalking is a bad term for it. Rather, I’d say I have men assigned to protect her," Zoren explained, making a mental note to tell his men to stay closer next time. His men were keeping their distance because Penny would surely notice if they got too close.

"Why would you plant spies on my sister? Are you afraid someone will snatch her away?"

"That hadn’t crossed my mind before, but I’m reconsidering it now," Zoren replied, feeling as though his perspective had just broadened. "Anyway, don’t worry about your sister. I can stay here and look after her. You should go for your check-up."

"Hah! As if I’d leave her alone with you."

"Would you rather leave us alone when she’s awake?"

"Huh?"

Zoren blinked slowly. "If Penny’s sleeping, you could come back before she wakes up. But if you wait and leave later, she might wake up, and I’ll have her all to myself..."

He trailed off as Slater suddenly jumped up from his chair.

"You better not do anything to my sister while she’s asleep!" Slater warned quietly. "I’ll be back before you know it."

Zoren couldn’t even respond before Slater bolted out of the room as if the world was about to end in a few minutes.