Chapter 514: Is she really that important to you?

[SUNRISE MEDICAL CENTER]

[To: Penny

Where are you?]

Seated on the hospital bed, Dean held his phone on his lap, staring at the message he had sent to Penny. His brows raised slightly when he saw the message marked as "read." However, there was no indication of her typing or responding. He waited five minutes, but nothing came.

She was ignoring him.

Dean clenched his teeth, grinding them as his grip on the phone tightened, his hand trembling. His jaw set as he took a deep breath, trying to suppress the urge to throw the phone. But in the end...

Clang!

The phone broke into three pieces, the screen shattering against the wall. Dean gazed at the broken device, unfazed, as someone rushed into the room to check on the noise.

"Director," his assistant called, glancing at the shattered phone on the floor. She adjusted her glasses, shifting her gaze back to him. "I’ll get you a new one today."

"Where is she?" he muttered under his breath. "I’ve been trying to contact her, and she hasn’t responded once."

The assistant kept her eyes down. "Director, I don’t think you should be focusing on Miss Penelope right now. William Pierson is making his move. He’s targeting Zoren Pierson this time."

"I don’t care about him."

"But he’s the reason for your accident last night," the assistant said quietly, lifting her gaze. "It’s time to choose a side."

The corner of Dean’s lips curled into a smirk as he shifted his eyes to her. "You think I’m the one who needs to pick a side?" His remark made the assistant lower her gaze again.

It was no secret that the members of the Pierson family were constantly at odds with one another. Although Dean had strong support and was the leading competitor against Zoren, he had yet to make any significant moves. Even if he did, they were too minor to create much impact. Dean had been preoccupied with other matters.

Zoren, on the other hand, remained as still as a lake. He was like a king seated on a throne, waiting for someone to challenge him or rebel against him.

Everyone knew that once Dean made his move, Zoren would undoubtedly take notice. Dean was probably the only person capable of making Zoren act rather than passively observe. However, with Dean doing little more than provoking Zoren, others had already begun to place their bets elsewhere.

That person was William Pierson.

Currently, William was the one causing significant disruptions within the Pierson family’s internal affairs. He was not only aiming to dethrone Zoren but also to eliminate anyone who posed a threat—Dean included. That was why Dean found himself in the hospital after someone deliberately crashed into his car.

"If you don’t want to take a side, then create your own," the assistant said, her tone polite but firm. "Otherwise, you’ll see more incidents like this."

Dean didn’t respond, his eyes still fixed on the broken phone.

[Touch him, and I won’t owe you my life anymore.]

Penny’s voice and her last words to him from their previous meeting echoed in his mind. He clenched his fist, his other hand in a cast due to the accident. Fortunately, he had been on the opposite side of the car during the crash, escaping with just a broken arm.

"Director," the assistant called again, "what’s holding you back?"

Once more, Dean remained silent.

"Is it Miss Penelope Bennet?" she pressed. "Is she really that important to you?"

Dean’s jaw tightened, his burning eyes snapping from the broken phone to her. "Stop asking questions," he growled. "Get out."

The assistant bowed her head and, without another word, left the room. As soon as the door clicked shut, Dean exhaled deeply.

"Penny..." he whispered, leaning back and closing his eyes. He rested his casted arm over his forehead, trying to calm his breathing. "What’s going on with you?"

The assistant had been right—Penny was the reason for his hesitation. She had taken Zoren Pierson under her wing, and because of that, Dean was treading carefully.

If anyone knew Penny best, it was Dean.

After all, if Penny considered Zoren someone worth protecting, she would protect him fiercely. And if Dean hurt Zoren, it would be the last time Penny would allow herself to owe him anything. Dean understood that Penny only allowed him to stay in her life because of a debt she felt obligated to repay. He didn’t want her to see it as a debt, but it was the only thing tying them together. As long as she owed him, there was a connection.

"She..." Dean opened his eyes, staring at the ceiling. "...never fails to make me feel so pathetic."

His teeth clenched, his fist trembling with suppressed rage. The anger wasn’t directed at Penny—it was aimed at himself. Of all the people he could have fallen for, why did it have to be her?

Knock knock.

The door creaked open, but Dean didn’t bother looking up until he heard Finn’s voice beside him.

"Wow... they really got you this time," Finn quipped, sitting on the stool next to the bed. "Did it hurt?"

Dean shot him a fiery glare, making Finn raise an eyebrow.

"I didn’t do that," Finn said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I’m still on your side."

"And I know you’re on my side until I’m no longer useful to you."

Finn smirked, not denying it. "Come on, Dean. I haven’t betrayed you yet. If I ever do, I’ll let you know ahead of time. That’s how much I respect our friendship."

"Hah," Dean scoffed, running his tongue along the inside of his cheek.

"So?" Finn tilted his head, studying Dean’s expression. "What’s the plan now? William Pierson made it clear he’s acting alone and doesn’t need you. Are you finally going to make a move? Or is it true that you’re no longer interested in family affairs?"

"No," Dean exhaled deeply, closing his eyes briefly. When he reopened them, he shifted his gaze to Finn. "Send Zoren Pierson’s medical file to William Pierson. A gift for what he did to me."