Chapter 501: Gifts

All it took for Slater to completely change his attitude toward today’s event was an access card to chocolate. Since then, he has actively participated in the meetings with both families. Old Mrs. Pierson happily indulged with him. At her insistence, she urged the rest of the family to check out their gifts as well.

Normally, they wouldn’t open gifts in front of the person who gave them, but Old Mrs. Pierson wanted to see their reactions. She had more in store if they didn’t like them.

’I am old...’Old Mrs. Pierson smiled happily, watching everyone open their gifts. ’... at least, in this way, even if the inevitable happens, I know someone will look after my Renren. And that he won’t be sad.’

Her wrinkly face creased even more as she smiled brightly. Considering Zoren’s father — the only person who was a parent to him — passed away so soon, leaving his son all alone. As for Zoren’s mother, Old Mrs. Pierson didn’t even want to think about that selfish woman.

Old Mrs. Pierson was all Zoren had — she was the only parent who had raised him until now. But as he grew older, Old Mrs. Pierson was also growing older. Knowing she wouldn’t be there for him terrified her; it scared her more than anything in this world. Because that only meant Zoren would be left alone.

’I might not be able to choose our relatives and control their greed, but I am hopeful that with this... he would have a family he could lean on,’ she thought, her heart full. ’I don’t mind giving away all the wealth under my name if that means they would accept him.’

Since Penny’s arrival in their lives, Old Mrs. Pierson had been less scared and anxious. But meeting her family for the first time and getting the gist of their character made her feel reassured. She felt at peace. Even Slater’s initial grumpiness didn’t feel irritating to her, knowing where the brothers were coming from.

"This is..." Charles’s mouth parted, his jaw almost hitting the floor as he took out a limited-edition watch that had once been one of his dreams to own. There were only three of these in the world.

Atlas and Haines glanced at Charles before their eyes fell on the watch in his trembling hand.

"Is that... the Le Blanc...?" Haines trailed off in disbelief, fully aware of how Charles used to cry about it.

"Isn’t there only three in the world, with one of them in a museum and the other owned by a member of the royal family in Swech?" Atlas blurted out in surprise. "The last time I heard about this, it was at an auction. The starting bid was... 700 million."

If Atlas remembered correctly, it had sold for ten billion.

Old Mrs. Pierson chuckled, watching the three men look at her with wide eyes. "Hehe. Renren said you had a collection of watches, so he suggested this one. I hope you like it."

"What!?" Charles couldn’t contain himself as he suddenly rose from his seat, his wide eyes still on Old Mrs. Pierson. "But Madam... this... this is... I can’t accept it."

Haines and Atlas furrowed their brows, assessing Charles. There was sincerity in Charles’s shocked face, but also reluctance lingering beneath his eyes. Thus, the two didn’t know whether to criticize him or not. Even so, they agreed this watch was a little too much.

’Moreover, how did he know Dad has a collection of watches?’ wondered Atlas, glancing in Zoren and Penny’s direction. ’Did she tell them all our preferences?’

Little did Atlas know, Penny had the same question as she looked at Zoren. She leaned to his side, whispering in his ear.

"How did you know?" she asked, leaning back a little to watch him smile.

Zoren leaned closer this time and whispered in her ear, "I noticed." His answer, however, only made her brows furrow.

Starting from the time Zoren picked up Penny, he noticed that Charles wore a watch that was of a different color and design when Zoren came by the other night. Even during the time they visited the hospital, Charles had worn a different watch.

Fortunately, Zoren’s father had the same interest, and this particular watch had been offered to Zoren before. He kept a collection of watches to commemorate his father. Therefore, it only took him one call, and it arrived right on time.

"It’s not too much!" Old Mrs. Pierson argued, waving for Charles to sit down. "Just take it. I would’ve given you my dead son’s collection, but I thought it would be rude to gift a dead person’s items. Moreover, it’s rude not to accept it."

Charles opened and closed his mouth in shock as he tried to sit down. He glanced at the watch in disbelief. Aside from its value and rarity, he was speechless at how the Pierson family showed their sincerity. He looked at Old Mrs. Pierson with appreciation.

"Old Madam, I’ll be sure to take care of it," he said with a lowered head. "Thank you."

Old Mrs. Pierson smiled in satisfaction. "That’s what I wanted to hear. You’re welcome, Charles."

Allison smiled happily at her husband, knowing he had always sulked when he wanted to get this watch and couldn’t. Aside from the hassle, it costs too much. They could afford it, but at the same time, they would be on a diet for a long time.

"Wow..." Hugo exclaimed, taking out a collar from his gift and earning everyone’s attention. "Am I getting a pet?"

"Haha!" Old Mrs. Pierson chuckled. "I don’t know what kind of friend you’d like, so I contacted some of the people I know who work in the wild. Since you’re out of the combat zone, I’m certain it’s hard for you to kill time. There are rescue shelters and some stores on the list. You may visit them and see if you find your child in there."

The corners of Hugo’s lips stretched from ear to ear, his eyes on Old Mrs. Pierson. "This is perfect! Thank you, Old Madam."

"You’re welcome."

"This is...?" Haines trailed off, confused about what he had received. Not that he was expecting anything; he hadn’t even thought he would get a gift today.

"It’s a list of eligible women who are still looking for love — including younger ones who prefer older men," Old Mrs. Pierson giggled. "If you’d like, I can call for a matchmaker."

"Pfftt —!"