Chapter 545: “... didn’t you say you know T. Mouse?”

Mr. Ito almost jumped back the moment he recognized the stunning woman beside him. His eyes widened as he watched Penny straighten her back, a beautiful smile gracing her face. For a moment, he had to question himself if the person he was looking at the moment was even the person he had been wishing to meet for a long time.

"It’s been a while, Mr. Ito," she said, her voice akin to a melody created by angels. "I didn’t expect to bump into you tonight. How are you? You seem to be doing well, considering... you have a lot of energy to chat."

Everyone furrowed their brows as their gaze fell on the beautiful woman standing near Mr. Ito. Some men couldn’t help but part their lips, mesmerized by her beauty. She wore a simple long dress with lace sleeves that reached her wrists, showing barely any skin, yet all the men couldn’t take their eyes off her stunning appearance.

"Wow..." Theo whispered, his eyes sparkling as he wondered who she was, what her name was, and whether she was single.

It wasn’t just Theo who had these thoughts. Even those who already had their dates found themselves curious. Tonight’s event wasn’t filled with superstars and celebrities, but many of the attendees knew celebrities personally. However, the woman standing at the center simply mesmerized them.

"What are you doing here?" Sven, who was displeased by everything unfolding, blurted out. He turned to Atlas and sighed. "Cousin, you know Ito Motors would be here tonight. It’s bad enough that we’re meeting under these circumstances and that Mr. Ito was disrespected, but for you to invite Penny here—when she’s the person who ruined everything—is rubbing salt in the wound!"

"Huh?" Theo furrowed his brows as he turned to Sven. "Did you just say... Penny?"

He then shifted his gaze to the beautiful woman before him, recalling the image of Penny in his mind. All he could remember was a little piglet with a strange and unattractive style. As far as he could remember, he had seen her not long ago—when she was still in her mid-teens.

’Wasn’t she still fat then?’ Theo wondered, the lines between his brows deepening. ’How did she become this beautiful without all that fat?!’

Strange regret and bitterness swelled in Theo’s heart. All this time, he had believed it would be Nina who would grow into a fine lady. After all, Nina had a gentle beauty that could melt a man’s heart.

But Penny...

"She’s like a goddess..." someone in the crowd commented in a daze.

"That’s Atlas’s sister? Wow. She’s so pretty."

"I thought for a second she was a celebrity."

"So pretty... but I heard she married a nobody."

"What?"

"Oh, right? The marriage between the Ito Family and the Bennet Family. Oh! That’s her?"

"Tsk tsk. That’s... a shame. She ruined her future so young."

"Ruined her future? Hah. Divorce is always an option. I heard she married young, and people who marry early have a higher rate of divorce. Once her horizons broaden, she’ll surely wake up and see there are plenty more capable men who can provide for her."

Sven sighed as he listened to the hushed comments from the sidelines. Shaking his head, he turned to Atlas with a frown. But when he did, he caught sight of Dean once more.

"Heh... Director Pierson, please don’t see it as anything else. My cousin really adores his sister, so he probably invited her here to show her that there’s more to life than what she chose," Sven explained, thinking he was doing himself and everyone a favor by clarifying the situation to Dean.

In hindsight, bringing Penny to an event where Ito Motors would attend could be devastating for both parties. After all, the failed marriage and the failed business ties had all started because Penny had married. If she hadn’t, things wouldn’t have soured so easily between the Bennets and the Ito Family.

"What is this clown talking about?" Penny murmured, but even in her low voice, Sven heard her loud and clear.

"Penny!" Sven hissed in frustration, looking at everyone in a panic. He clicked his tongue and marched toward her, clasping her arm to drag her away from the scene. But just before he could reach her, someone grabbed his arm with enough force to almost break it.

"Where do you think this hand is going?"

"Ack—!" Sven’s breath hitched, almost biting his tongue as he heard the low growl in the man’s voice. Turning his head, his face twisted as he met those dark olive eyes looking down at him, reflecting the levels of hell from which he could choose.

"C-Cousin Hugo?"

Hugo’s face darkened, gripping Sven’s arm even tighter as if contemplating whether to crush it or not. But when he heard Atlas call him, he quickly released his cousin’s arm and smiled.

"Sven, it seems you’ve been playing a lot tonight. How many drinks did you have?" Hugo played it off with a concerned joke, snapping his eyes at Penny.

Penny arched a brow, glancing at him from head to toe, noting that he was in full uniform, with all his badges nearly covering his chest.

"Second Brother," she said with a chuckle. "I didn’t know you’d be coming tonight."

Hugo smiled back. "I didn’t know either, but I’m glad I did."

"Hello~! I’m also here~!" Suddenly, Slater’s head popped out from behind Hugo. "Penny, I heard you didn’t bring a date tonight, so I came out of the goodness of my heart. I’m so glad I did because..."

His eyes lit up as he turned to Sven, already burning him alive with just his intense gaze. "... people tend to forget their place just because of the leniency of the First Brother."

Penny glanced at Slater, rendered speechless as she hadn’t anticipated their presence tonight. Although she knew Atlas would come, she hadn’t come here as his muse. But rather...

"You..." Mr. Ito’s shaky voice broke the tension, earning everyone’s attention as he pointed a finger at Sven. "... didn’t you say you know T. Mouse?"

"Huh?" Sven furrowed his brows. "Yes, of course, I know him! Mr. Ito, why are you bringing up Prime Group now?"

Mr. Ito’s face turned even redder at Sven’s remarks, making his entire body tremble with anger. "Then, if you know her... why didn’t you tell me she’s your cousin?!"