Chapter 516: Then you’ll keep owing me

Since Penny had been out of the office under the guise of recovering from her injured hand, she decided to visit her mother first. So, she went to Mama for brunch. When Allison arrived, they quickly dropped their previous conversation. Fortunately, Jessa didn’t expose her to her mother.

The conversation soon turned to a variety of topics, though it mostly centered around Old Mrs. Pierson’s offer. Jessa and Allison were still reconsidering, and since Penny was a businesswoman herself, running a large security firm, she offered her insights on the matter.

After finishing her meal, Penny bid her mother and aunt goodbye.

Seated in the driver’s seat, Penny adjusted the rearview mirror to look at herself.

"I didn’t know it’d take this long for them to fade," she murmured, adjusting her scarf around her neck. "I shouldn’t have made out with him so much."

The hickeys had faded but were still noticeable on her fair skin. While there were more hidden beneath her clothes, her neck was the most visible. To avoid unwanted stares, she made sure to cover them.

Satisfied with her appearance, Penny smiled and stepped out of the car, heading straight to the underground parking elevator. Everything seemed normal as she reached her floor and saw her employees at work.

Unlike the previous week, there were more people in the building.

"Good afternoon, Miss Bennet," some employees greeted her, to which she responded with a polite nod.

Everything felt peaceful as she made her way to her office. Things were back to normal, and although she had been away for a few days, she was ready to dive into work, finish as much task as she could, and head home to Zoren. She had already visited her mother, and while it was a shame that Charles was on another fishing trip with Haines, she knew she could visit anytime.

However, the peacefulness evaporated the moment she reached her office.

"I should get an assistant," she muttered, running her tongue across her inner cheek as she stepped inside. Penny closed the door behind her, her eyes locking on the figure sitting on the couch. "So next time, I’ll know who to expect waiting in my office."

"Dean, what do you want this time?" she added, her voice distant and cold.

Dean was casually seated on the couch, one leg draped over the other, reading a magazine. He looked up slowly as he heard the door open, watching her deliver her cold remarks.

"You didn’t want me approaching you in the parking lot, and now you’re complaining when I visit you here," he quipped, watching her move toward her desk and place her handbag down. "Just where do I stand?"

Dean set the magazine aside and rose to his feet, striding toward her. "Penny—" he stopped when she turned to face him, her hand raised and pressed against his shoulder.

"I don’t know where you should stand, but not this close," she replied in the same cold tone. "What do you want, Dean?"

Her brow arched as she noticed the cast around his arm. "What’s that?" she asked, her sharp gaze snapping up to meet his.

Dean didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stared at her, carefully peeling her hand off his shoulder to inspect her palm.

"I heard about what happened at your brother’s mall show," he whispered, narrowing his eyes at the healing stitches on her hand. "I’ve been trying to reach you. I was worried."

Penny took a deep breath and pulled her hand away. "It’s nothing. Did you come here just for that?"

"No, I came because I missed you," he shrugged, almost laughing. "We used to spend day and night together, and not seeing you for a week or so makes me... sad."

"Well, you’ve seen me now, so off you go," Penny replied, jerking her chin toward the door.

She turned away, signaling her disinterest, and moved toward her chair. As she glanced at his cast again, she resisted the urge to ask about it, knowing she’d find out eventually. With that, she focused on starting her work, not bothering to wait for him to leave.

"You know I like you, right?" he spoke just as she placed her hand on her chair. "You know that, right, Penny?"

"No." Penny looked back at him, shaking her head mildly. "You don’t."

"I do."

Penny let out a mocking chuckle. "Is that why you’re here? To declare your insincere feelings?"

"It’s not—" he trailed off, running his tongue along his teeth. "Why don’t you believe me?"

"Because I know you approached me with a motive. Even back when we were under Professor Singh, everything you did had a calculated purpose," she stated without hesitation. "I’ve always known, and you’ve always known that I knew. It didn’t work before, so what makes you think this insincerity will work now?"

His lips curled into a twisted smirk, and he rocked his head slightly. "Well, I didn’t think it would be a problem now."

"And how is it supposed to be a problem?"

"Because I love you." Dean took a step closer, his gaze intense. "I’ve been in love with you, Penny. I never thought your denial would be an issue, but now it is because you’re involved with the Piersons. I told you — anyone but him."

"Anyone but him?" she echoed, letting out a shallow laugh. "Why is it okay for me to be with anyone else, but not him? Is it because you think you’re better than everyone else — except him?"

"Penny—"

"What if I don’t want anyone else but him?" she interrupted, raising her chin defiantly, her eyes locking onto his. "What are you going to do about it, Dean Pierson?"

Silence fell between them as they stared each other down, neither willing to back down.

"Then... you’re going to keep owing me," he finally breathed, leaning in slightly. "Penny, I don’t want you owing me, but if that’s the only way to keep you away from him and the Pierson family, then you’ll keep owing me. And I’ll make sure you’ll do."