Chapter 492: Don’t know, don’t care.

For the rest of their day, Penny and her family (Zoren included) stayed in the hospital for her last check-up. Once the doctor had fulfilled the family’s request and ensured that Penny would be alright, they all headed home.

However, one might think that was the end of it.

It was far from over because once they reached the mansion, the family gathered once again in the living room, with Penny and Zoren seated together.

"Even though you both are already married, we still need to do it formally," Charles brought up sternly, eyeing his daughter and her ’husband.’ "Starting with the meeting of both families as part of your engagement, an engagement party, and then the wedding of the century."

Unless, of course, his daughter wanted to divorce him now; then Charles would happily drop the subject.

Hearing this, Allison and Haines nodded. As for the brothers, Slater was the only one who seemed very displeased about this; Hugo was missing in action.

"Dad, about the meeting..."

"I have no objection, sir," Zoren spoke before Penny could finish her sentence, sitting upright with his hands on his legs. "Penny and I will do it the right way this time."

Charles’s expression soured as he cast Penny a look, in case she needed help. Much to his dismay, Penny simply shot Zoren an appreciative smile.

’My daughter, my princess...’he mentally wept. ’She’s really grown and is now fancying a man.’

If not for how Penny looked at Zoren and the situation at hand, Charles would have wanted to be selfish one last time. Letting go of his boys was as easy as breathing. When Atlas moved out, Charles waved him off dismissively. Although there was some reluctance when Hugo was enlisted, he sent him off like a man. As for Slater, Charles didn’t care much since, even if he didn’t want to, he would always see his son on television, hear his voice on the radio, and see Slater’s pictures all over the city.

But Penny was different.

She was his princess, his beloved daughter. He cried for days when he sent her off at the airport twelve years ago. And every time she would leave after her vacation with the family, he never got used to it. Just when everyone thought Penny would stay with them until she got married, she returned married.

’If not for her safety, I would’ve fought for her more,’ he told himself, sneaking a look at Zoren. ’Well.’

"I’ll be requesting a formal meeting in a few days," Zoren broke the brief silence. "My grandmother would be very happy about this as well."

Charles nodded, not expecting much from this family meeting. He simply wanted to make it official so his daughter wouldn’t look so bad.

"Penny, are you moving out today?" Slater inquired somberly. "But you just got home from the hospital!" Moreover, today was the start of Slater’s long vacation! He wanted to spend some time with her.

Zoren smiled and cast Penny a look. At the same time, Penny smiled back before they both redirected their gaze to Slater.

"No," she said. "Renren and I agreed that I’d move out slowly. We all need time to adjust, and honestly, I am not ready to move out completely yet."

Everyone’s brows rose a bit as their eyes widened.

"Renren also thinks the same, so I’ll be spending some time at his place and then here." Penny giggled at their shocked reactions.

Haines smiled in satisfaction while Charles bit his tongue. He was tempted to ask if it was possible for her not to move out at all, but that would be too much.

’At least now, I don’t have to tell Zoren that her weekends should be spent here,’he thought.

"Really?" Slater’s face lit up. "Are you saying you’d stay here five days a week and then two days at this guy’s home?"

"Slater, that’s not ’this guy,’" Allison corrected. "Zoren has a name and it is a beautiful one."

Allison’s eyes then fell on Zoren. "Zoren, why not come here with her? That way, we can also build a bond."

"Thank you for the invitation," Zoren said, lowering his head. "If I can, I will."

But in truth, he could always do that. He just thought of Penny and her family; having him around during their family time might make things awkward.

"Just don’t go," Slater quickly shook his head, but his words fell on deaf ears when Allison spoke.

"Please do," Allison smiled warmly. "You’re always welcome here. After all, now we’re family as well."

She then reached out to Charles and clasped his hand tighter than she should have. "Right, honey?"

"..." For a second, Charles didn’t respond. He knew his wife well enough to know this wasn’t just a simple question. It was a question that would determine his nightly duties. So, reluctantly, Charles forced a smile. It wasn’t like he could stop his daughter from this marriage or prevent the inevitable. He might as well avoid more trouble because of his stubbornness.

"Yes," Charles nodded, earning a gasp from Slater. "My wife is right."

"Aww. Dad." Penny smiled appreciatively, a reward that no one else could give him.

Seeing that smile on Penny, Charles felt relieved he sided with Allison. As for Haines and Atlas, they remained quiet, but the judgmental looks in their eyes while gazing at Charles were unmistakable.

"For now, why don’t we have a proper dinner together, hmm?" Allison clapped, turning to the corner where Butler Jen stood. "Butler Jen, is everything ready?"

Butler Jen, as usual, offered them a warm smile. "Yes, Madam."

"Great!" Allison cast everyone a look. "Shall we dine together?"

With that, the family rose from their seats to have their first formal dinner together. Things had been crazy lately, but it wasn’t too late for this. On their way to the dining area, Penny sneakily scooted to Atlas’s side.

Atlas arched a brow when she suddenly appeared next to him. "What now?" he asked quietly, only to hear her ask, "First Brother, where’s Second Brother?"

Hugo? Well... Atlas didn’t want to talk about it. Thus, all he said in a cold, flat tone was, "I don’t know, and I don’t care. Don’t ask me."