Chapter 537: That Mr. Pierson… is Zoren Pierson.

"Mr. Pierson says he’s sending you another dress. Should we send it to the same address?"

Patricia felt as though a bucket of ice had been poured over her, staring at the clerk with wide eyes. Why did he have to say it like that? Why in front of Penny? What would she do if Penny found out that the Mr. Pierson the clerk mentioned was Zoren Pierson?

A torrent of thoughts surged through Patricia’s mind as she stared at the black card in horror. The pride she usually felt when using it was now gone. All that was left was the crippling anxiety.

Nina, on the other hand, held her breath, her eyes widening as she looked at the clerk. She glanced over at Penny, hoping she had caught on. To her dismay, Penny’s expression remained unchanged.

"Haha! My daughter can be so forgetful! Thank you," Mrs. Miller smirked proudly, taking the card for Patricia while casting a smug glance at Penny and Nina. She even flashed the black card, as if to show them something they could only dream of having. "Daughter, you’ve been so absent-minded lately. Goodness."

Patricia forced herself to glance up at her mother, then subtly looked toward Penny. When she saw the neutral expression on Penny’s face, she mentally sighed in relief.

"Mhm," Patricia hummed meekly, throwing the clerk a quick look. "Thank you."

"You’re welcome, Miss Miller."

"Send it to the same address."

"Alright. Have a good day, Miss Miller, Mrs. Miller." The clerk smiled politely as he ushered them toward the entrance and held the door open.

Penny watched them leave, her face still neutral, but then she noticed Nina staring at her intently. Turning to her, Penny raised an eyebrow.

"What’s wrong, Nina?" she asked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Nina pursed her lips, huffing as she dropped the dress she was holding. "I can’t take this anymore. Penny, I need to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"It’s..." Nina swallowed nervously and took another deep breath, her voice trembling. "Not here. Let’s go somewhere else. But Penny, what I’m about to say might... might hurt you."

Nina’s trembling hand grasped Penny’s arm. Penny glanced down, feeling how cold Nina’s fingers were. Her heart began to race as her mind drifted to the worst possible scenarios.

* * *

Nina had originally gone out with Penny to dig up some information about her husband, but she had failed miserably. She had taken Penny to shop for a dress—despite not needing one—hoping they’d encounter Mrs. Miller and Patricia gloating. Instead, it had only put Penny in an awkward situation with the two of them.

In conclusion, Nina realized she was terrible at playing the investigator. She couldn’t keep holding onto this information, especially when it was causing more harm than good. Although telling her suspicions without any proofs might be just as destructive, Nina figured Penny was the only one capable of catching Zoren.

After all, Penny was the only one who could come close to Zoren and trace his activities. All she could hope was for Penny not to be upset with her.

Seated at the restaurant, Nina took a deep breath, exhaling sharply. Penny watched her worriedly, her curiosity growing.

"Nina, can you tell me what’s wrong now?" Penny asked, her voice gentle but firm. "What is it that might hurt me?"

"Penny, before I say anything, can I ask you a few questions?" Nina asked hesitantly.

Penny’s brows furrowed. "What are they?"

"First," Nina cleared her throat, closing her eyes momentarily before opening them again. "Penny, do you love your husband?"

"Huh?" Penny was caught off guard. She had assumed Nina’s worries were about work or family matters, and she was ready to help. But this question completely surprised her.

"Nina, what kind of question is that?" Penny chuckled lightly but paused when she saw the intense seriousness in Nina’s eyes, the corners of which were slightly red.

Penny relaxed her shoulders and answered calmly. "Of course, I love him. I wouldn’t have married him in secret otherwise. We did it to avoid objections, right?"

"I see," Nina nodded slowly. "How much do you love him?"

"Uh... a lot?"

"Would you feel like you couldn’t go on if he wasn’t in your life?"

"Huh?"

"Would you die, is what I’m saying." Nina leaned forward, gripping Penny’s hands tightly. "Please answer. It’s really important."

Penny was speechless, unsure of where this conversation was heading. But with Nina’s determination, she sighed and responded. "No, of course not. I lived without him before, and while things wouldn’t be the same if he were gone, I’d manage."

At least, that was how she felt at the moment. She had never really considered Zoren leaving, especially since he seemed to hate being apart from her, even for a moment.

"Are you sure?" Nina asked, her shoulders slumping as she began to relax slightly. "You’re really sure about that?"

"Of course." Penny smiled softly. "But Nina, why are you asking me these questions all of a sudden?"

Nina bit her lower lip nervously. "Penny," she began, watching Penny’s eyebrows lift, "I didn’t really need a dress. I already have one."

"I know," Penny replied, her smile widening slightly.

"What?"

"Nina, you’re not the type to drag me shopping just because you forgot to buy a dress," Penny explained knowingly. "And since you’re going to an event with your fiancé, I’m sure he’s already sent you one."

"Then... why did you come with me?"

"Because I could tell something was bothering you," Penny shrugged, leaning forward to gently squeeze Nina’s hand. "I knew it. You can tell me anything, Nina. You know me. Whatever it is, I’ll be fine."

Nina sighed in defeat, squeezing Penny’s hand tighter. She was still hesitant, but she knew it was better to come clean. Even if Penny didn’t believe her immediately, at least she’d be aware. This was about her husband, after all.

"Penny, did you hear what the clerk said to Patricia earlier?" Nina started, only to see Penny tilt her head in slight confusion. "That Mr. Pierson he mentioned... is Zoren Pierson."