Chapter 658: Vacation in hell

Days had passed without any conditions for Penny and Zoren, who were overstaying at the Bennet Mansion. Even when Penny repeatedly told her parents she was fine, both Charles and Allison were stubborn and wanted her to stay until she got "their" clean health bill.

"Dad... Uncle Haines... you didn’t have to walk me out like this." Penny let out a deep exhale as she stood in front of her father and uncle outside the front door. "I’m okay. I’ve been okay — better, I mean."

"I know, but I don’t think your father is okay." Haines sighed as the two of them shifted their eyes in Charles’s direction.

"Dad..." Penny walked over to Charles, hugging him sweetly. "Why are you crying? If you want to visit me, my husband’s home is only an hour away. My office is just a little over that time."

Charles dramatically wiped his eyes with his handkerchief. "Don’t mind me, my princess. It’s just that your father is getting old."

"..." Penny pressed her lips together as she smiled, hugging Charles even tighter. Glancing at Haines, the latter simply shook his head mildly.

It wasn’t like Penny wouldn’t come home, and it wasn’t the first time she was leaving. However, Charles was still tearing up. Surely, her father was getting older and a lot more emotional.

"It’s okay, my princess. I’m alright." Charles gently pushed her away, offering her a reassuring nod. "Don’t mind your dad. Just go."

Penny hummed, a little reluctant to leave. She could postpone it. After all, she still had a full day before going back to her office. However, staying longer would only make Charles even sadder. Moreover, he had already cried. So... it was rude to waste her father’s tears, right?

"Alright." Penny nodded as she took a step back, only to stop when Haines spoke.

"Penny," called Haines, waiting for her to look in his direction. "Are you sure you’re not going to wait for your husband to pick you up?"

Penny shook her head. "I am okay now, but Renren still has his health issues. I don’t want to burden him anymore."

"Does he think you’re a burden to him?" Charles grumbled as he frowned, making Penny chuckle.

"I just want him to get better as soon as possible," she quipped. "He’s been taking care of me all this time. So, I want him to rest for now. Besides, I’m really okay! I’m stronger than a cow now!"

"We never doubted that," Haines blurted out, causing him a sudden sense of anxiety. Fortunately, Penny didn’t dwell on it.

"Anyway, you should go," Charles urged. "If you want me and your Uncle Haines to come with you, just ask."

"That’s okay."

Penny idled with her father and Haines for a while, chatting with them until she finally walked toward the service car. Unlike the first time she moved out, she waved goodbye to her father and uncle with a wide smile and a peaceful heart.

Even though she and Zoren had stayed there so Penny could rest and had a lot of people to take care of her, it felt more like a vacation. Zoren just returned to his office today, and to save him the trouble, Penny planned to go home.

Moreover, it would be better if she could go to Zoren’s place early so she could spend the rest of the day resting and preparing to return to her office.

’I was gone for quite some time,’she thought, gazing out the window quietly. ’Even though First Brother had been helping with the operation and Yugi also returned with Uncle Wild, I’m sure I missed a lot of things.’

The corners of her lips hooked up. ’I... kinda miss work.’

*********

An hour later, Penny finally arrived at Skyline Plaza and was welcomed by Mark. She stepped out with a smile, but when she lifted her gaze to him, her smile cracked.

Penny studied Mark’s face before shifting her eyes to the guards standing near him.

"Hehe." Penny let out a shallow laugh as she locked eyes with Mark. "It’s good to see you, Mark."

Mark lowered his head and said, "Welcome back, Young Madam."

"It’s been a while, huh?" Her voice sounded awkward as she walked toward the entrance. "Any interesting news?"

"Not that will pique your interest."

"I see." She nodded, keeping quiet as she didn’t know what to tell him anymore.

Penny and Zoren had a proper talk about their guards. To simplify, they agreed that as long as Mark was under her, any type of punishment and orders would be decided solely by Penny. It would be the same for Zoren with her people.

She was certain Zoren had already told his men about it, and thus, she was trying her best to have these small conversations with Mark. Obviously, she wasn’t used to this yet, or to be precise, she wasn’t that comfortable with these men yet.

As Penny got inside, she casually sat on the couch and glanced at Mark and a few others, who were still following her.

"Heh," she let out another awkward laugh, running her tongue across her inner cheek. "My husband told me that he punished you because of me, so I’m sorry about that."

They didn’t speak and just kept their heads bowed a little as a sign of respect. Seeing their reaction, a deep sigh escaped her. Still, she tried to be cheerful.

"I thought he made you guys run laps again, but it seemed he sent you on vacation," she giggled. "Your tan lines look great!"

Penny laughed, as that was what piqued her interest the moment she saw them. However, when she noticed them slowly lifting their gaze at her, her laughter subsided and her smile faded.

"No?" Her face soured, seeing them shake their heads slightly. "He didn’t send you on vacation?"

Mark pressed his lips together and glanced at his men before setting his attention back to her. "Yes, he did."

"Where?"

"In hell."

"Oh..." Penny’s mouth opened and closed, but then she shook her head. "No wonder you guys were roasted... sorry... my bad?"