Chapter 549: I’m bringing a display.

[Earlier that day...]

"Penny," Atlas spoke on the phone, leaning back comfortably. "Are you coming tonight to the Giving Gala?"

Penny smiled from ear to ear, cupping her face. "Yep."

"The Ito Motors and the Millers will be there," he remarked, raising his brows. "Those two have been living life as they should. Should we kill them?"

"Hmm," she hummed, rubbing her chin as she pondered it. "Brother Atlas, you’re talking as if you’re planning their murder."

"Murder?" Atlas cocked his head back. "Well, it wouldn’t be any different after tonight."

"Hehe. Got any plans?"

"I have one," he said. "But somehow, I came up with another after Allen walked in and told me about the Ito and Miller families."

A short, mischievous giggle echoed from Penny’s line. "Can I hear the new idea?"

"Aren’t you curious about the other one?"

"No, because I know I’m not involved in it."

"Haha." Atlas let out a shallow laugh. "My second plan isn’t as complicated. It’s simply like the stepping stone method."

Her brows rose. "Stepping stone method?"

"The Ito family rarely attends gatherings in Anteca that are as big as the Giving Gala. I’m certain they’re attending for one reason: me," said Atlas. "Sven has been acting suspicious for some time now, and knowing how resilient that man is, I’m certain he’s planning something again."

"Oh..." Penny nodded thoughtfully. "So, what’s the plan?"

"Use them as our stage." The corner of Atlas’s lips curled up. "The Ito Motors have been bold enough to run their mouths, and Sven will be attending tonight to watch whatever show they put on. I’ll be their willing victim."

A willing victim... to them wasn’t as bad as it sounded.

It only meant that Atlas planned to let Ito Motors run their mouths until the time was ripe.

"Zoren Pierson and his grandmother may not say this, but I’m certain a part of them wants the Bennets to stand as a figure on their own without having to live in the huge shadow of the Pierson family," Atlas continued to explain, even though he was sure Penny had already noticed.

During the family meeting, Old Mrs. Pierson had given the rest of the family their preferences. However, she had specifically handed Allison a list of people who could help Mama reach new heights. Allison showed Atlas the list; the Pierson Corporation or any of its associates weren’t on that list. It would be foolish to assume the Pierson Corporation wasn’t interested.

But having the Piersons directly involved in any of the Bennet family affairs would easily give the illusion that the Piersons were helping them. Old Mrs. Pierson didn’t say it directly, but that wise woman still knew what she was doing.

"I will show everyone why Zoren Pierson and I have made acquaintance while standing on the bodies of the Millers and the Itos," he remarked sternly, his eyes glinting. "Although this isn’t the direction I wanted, nor did it start purely as a business, it is something I must embrace and live up to."

Penny smiled proudly, nodding at her first brother. "Thank you, First Brother."

"I’m not doing this for you."

"Yes, you are," she teased. "Otherwise, you wouldn’t even be interested in associating with the Pierson family, because they’re a complicated bunch."

Atlas opened his mouth but decided not to say anything. He just smiled subtly. Many years ago, he promised his siblings that he would be the person to make their wishes come true. Of course, he didn’t mean they didn’t have to work hard for it. What he meant was that whatever his siblings wanted to do in life, they knew they had a big brother they could rely on.

To simplify, he promised to be their backup plan.

"Are you in?" he asked, tilting his head slightly to the side. "The Giving Gala is the best place for you to establish your footing."

Penny smirked. "Of course I’m in!" she exclaimed. "This is going to be fun. Let’s have fun!"

"Mhm."

"I’m not coming as your date, okay?"

"I didn’t ask you to be one."

Penny arched a brow. "If you didn’t plan to, then are you bringing a date?"

"No, I am not." Atlas shrugged before smirking. "I’m bringing a display."

******

[PRESENT TIME]

Penny and Atlas exchanged glances, their eyes smiling as they deemed this a mission success. They had let the Ito family, Sven, and even the Millers off for far too long. And thus, they dealt with them ruthlessly.

All these individuals had done many things that earned them the Bennets’ ruthlessness. Thus, despite the merciless act, both Atlas and Penny felt no shame in it. After all, in a world full of greedy people, if they didn’t take a stand, they would end up as someone else’s next meal.

Atlas was able to demonstrate that whether it was because of Penny or not, he was worthy of standing on the same ground as the Piersons. As for Penny, she had certainly established her footing in the elite world as the CEO of Prime Group.

’I’m so proud of them,’ Zoren thought with satisfaction, nodding approvingly.

"Sir." Benjamin, who was with Zoren tonight, quietly offered a hand sanitizer. "Please disinfect; it seems you’ve touched a very dirty person."

Zoren quietly said, "Thank you," as he accepted the hand sanitizer, pouring it into his hands before wiping the area where Sven had hit him.

Benjamin, on the other hand, cast Sven a glare. ’I knew it! This guy is bad news—how dare you put Thursday Girl’s brothers in trouble, huh?!’

"Mr. Sven Bennet, you are lucky you are a Bennet!" Benjamin exclaimed, not forgiving enough to let this guy off without hammering the last nail into his coffin. "Otherwise, you would have faced serious consequences for tarnishing the good relationship between the Pierson family and the Bennet family! You were there when I, Benjamin Vitt, Zoren Pierson’s executive assistant, handed over the golden invitation that no one else could have given Mr. Atlas Bennet. Yet, you still concocted a wicked lie!"

Benjamin huffed as he raised his chin, looking at everyone proudly. "If any of you are still questioning that, just to let you know, Mr. Zoren Pierson is here as Mr. Atlas Bennet’s plus one!"

Everyone: "..."

Penny glared at her first brother. ’He’s the display First Brother is talking about?! My husband is more than just a display, but the main attraction!’

Hugo: [Claps slowly]

Atlas, eyes on Hugo: "What is that fool clapping about?"