Chapter 502: Now I feel more reassured.

"Pfftt—!" Charles covered his mouth to stop himself from bursting out in laughter. He couldn’t contain himself, laughing not because he thought Haines got less than him, but because he thought it was the perfect gift for Haines.

Haines, on the other hand, just looked at it and sighed. "Thank you, Old Madam. But I’m fine on my own."

"I know you are content living alone, but you should at least try!" Old Mrs. Pierson bit her tongue when she sensed that she was about to start nagging. "It’s alright if you don’t like it. I have something else prepared for you!"

"Old Madam, this is?" At the same time, Allison received a list. Confusion quickly settled in her eyes.

Old Mrs. Pierson grinned. "It’s a list of people interested in your business. Just like Mr. Haines, you may or may not accept it, for I have more for you!"

She then went on to explain the list to Allison, who gently argued that it was too much. Although her restaurant was generating plenty of money, going international was a little overwhelming for her, especially at her age.

"There’s no age limit to success, my dearest Allison," Old Mrs. Pierson said, tapping Allison’s hand. "Being a woman alone back in the day was hard. While it may not be as tough in today’s age, it still has its challenges. But this is merely a suggestion. I just want you to know I’ll support you for as long as I can!"

"Old Madam..." Allison’s eyes softened, moved to tears because everyone knew how much criticism she’d received from her own family—especially her mother—when she had this plan with Jessa.

As for Atlas, he gazed down at his present and furrowed his brows slightly. The side of his lips curled up, but he didn’t take it out, instead focusing on the events unfolding around the table.

And just like that, the meeting between both families proceeded as planned, with Allison and Charles offering gifts to the Piersons. While they might not have been as extravagant as the ones the Piersons gave, Old Mrs. Pierson and Zoren were very pleased with them.

For the Piersons, although Penny had married into their family, they felt like they were the ones being absorbed by the Bennet family. The Bennets were filling the spaces in their hearts that their own family had left empty.

However, no one realized that it wasn’t just one-sided. The arrival of the Piersons was also filling the gaps in the Bennet family’s hearts that their own relatives had left. For example, Allison and Charles couldn’t provide their children with loving grandparents, as they didn’t have supportive parents themselves.

With Old Mrs. Pierson and Zoren in their lives, the Bennets now had something akin to a complete family. No one realized it yet, but time would reveal that the greatest gift they all received today was each other.

Today marked the beginning of these two families’ union, and their ties would only grow stronger and deeper.

*

*

*

The Piersons and the Bennets hadn’t planned to extend their stay after the formalities, but because they enjoyed each other’s company, they stayed for more conversation and snacks. While the children spent time in the garden, the elders gathered on the outdoor patio.

"Aren’t they lovely?" Old Mrs. Pierson mused, watching the young adults talk. "Raising children who grow up to have such good relationships shows good parenting."

Charles shook his head. "Old Madam, they don’t always have a good relationship. They sometimes fight—especially Slater."

"But they still make up, and that’s what matters most." Old Mrs. Pierson chuckled. "My family... how I wish they were as warm as yours."

"Old Madam, our family isn’t as perfect as it seems," Allison replied with a smile. "No one’s perfect. Even now, Charles and I are unsure if we did a good job raising them. Honestly, we still don’t know much about life in general."

Old Mrs. Pierson giggled. "Who does?" she quipped. "Even at this age, I don’t know much about life. All I know as a parent is that I want my child to be happy."

Her eyes slowly shifted to Zoren and Penny, who was playfully hiding behind Zoren for protection from her third brother. Old Mrs. Pierson’s face softened.

"Zoren, that boy... please take care of him." Old Mrs. Pierson peeled her gaze from Zoren and looked at the couple, then at Haines. She rested her hands on her cane and smiled subtly at them. "I know it’s shameful of me to ask this when our family should be the ones taking care of Penelope, but I’m old. Renren lost his father at a young age, and his mother... well, she’s not a good person."

"He’s been a constant worry of mine ever since," she continued. "Renren’s condition started when he lost his father, and he’s only just started getting better. You might think I’m saying this to seek your pity... and I am."

"I’m his only family, but we never know what life has in store for us. So, even though it’s shameful to ask this, especially at our first meeting, I’m asking you to look after him," she added with a wry smile. "He still needs a lot of guidance, and sometimes he’s stubborn. He’s not perfect, but I can say with certainty that he would never hurt your Penelope. I know this not just because he’s my grandson, but because that’s the kind of person he is."

"Well..." Charles sighed heavily but smiled. "Old Madam, there’s really nothing we can do, can we? He’s family now."

Allison chuckled. "That’s right. Zoren is part of our family now, so it’s not shameful at all to ask that, Old Madam."

"Moreover, Penny is smart. We believe this marriage wasn’t simply a spur-of-the-moment decision," Haines added. "Don’t worry, Old Madam. Penny is an important part of our family, and with Zoren by her side, they are now one. He’s not just a member of this family, but a valued one as well."

"Haha. I’m glad..." Old Mrs. Pierson trailed off, turning her gaze to Haines. "Penny?"

Throughout the family meeting, everyone had called her Penelope for the sake of formality, but Haines felt comfortable enough to slip and use her nickname.

"Oh..." Haines smiled awkwardly. "I’m sorry. I got too relaxed and called Penelope by her nickname."

"It’s alright." Old Mrs. Pierson furrowed her brows, casting a look around the group. "I’m just surprised because Renren had a friend when he was a child. Her name was Penny, too. They used to meet every Thursday... around this area."

For a moment, silence fell over them as they all exchanged glances, realizing the connection.

"That’s... him?" Charles blurted out. "The young benefactor Penny used to meet every Thursday?"

With that, everyone’s eyes shifted to Zoren and Penny. Now they understood how the two had fallen in love so easily.

"It seems... fate brought them back together, and they didn’t want to let go this time," Old Mrs. Pierson whispered. "Now I feel more reassured. Thank goodness!"