Chapter 737: I didn’t know you could cook.

It was the first time everyone had seen Atlas — at least in this setting. Some of them were familiar with him, having occasionally seen him with Zoren outside. They didn’t have much of an opinion of Atlas, but when Slater rushed to him for help, they were all reminded of one thing.

According to the Second Brother, there were only two things Penny was afraid of: one was starving, and the other was Atlas Bennet. Penny wasn’t scared of her parents; her mother was understanding, and Charles saw his daughter as the most precious being in the world.

But Atlas... the First Brother... they’d heard he scared her because he wouldn’t usually take any of Penny’s nonsense. He would discipline her if necessary; at least, that was the word going around. So, their eyes slowly brightened with hope, and before they knew it, they were all flocking to Atlas.

"First Brother, please stop Miss Penny from her wicked plan!" one of the bodyguards begged.

"Yes, yes! It’s terrible — we can’t take it anymore."

"If this goes on, we’ll all end up dead!"

"Please... I’ve been good." Among them was Nathaniel, still traumatized by last night’s dinner. "First Brother, if you stop her and convince her not to do this again, I swear I’ll be loyal to you."

Atlas was rendered speechless, glancing over at their pitiful faces. "Is she beating someone?"

"No!" they replied in unison, then lowered their voices. "First Brother, just see and taste that poison. You’ll understand. Since you’re here, I’m sure she’ll invite you to breakfast — don’t let that happen."

Slater nodded vigorously. "First Brother, please make her stop. I’m scared of her now."

"???" Atlas’s thought bubble turned into a large question mark, unable to grasp their dilemma. "Is she drunk?"

"No!" they all answered at once. "It’s worse than that."

’Is there anything worse than when she’s drunk?’ Atlas wondered to himself, nodding. "I’ll see what I can do."

Everyone’s eyes sparkled with hope, looking at him as if he were an angel — a hero come to save the day. They all scurried to the side, making way for Atlas. Seeing this, Atlas’s face twitched slightly, but he didn’t falter.

"We’re counting on you, First Brother~"

"We’re keeping her away from the alcohol~"

"First Brother, fighting~"

Atlas scrunched his nose, glancing back at them as they cheered him on in hushed tones. He shook his head, finding them all ridiculous.

’Slater’s only been here overnight, and it seems he’s already infected everyone with his antics,’ Atlas thought, slowing down as he entered the kitchen.

He stopped, his eyes landing on his sister, who was happily dancing around the kitchen as she prepared breakfast. She wore an apron, and it seemed she hadn’t yet changed into her usual work attire.

"I didn’t know cooking is something you’d enjoy," he remarked, resuming his steps. Penny looked up at him, surprised. When Atlas stopped by the kitchen counter, he glanced at the food in the pot. "It looks good. It smells good too."

Penny grinned from ear to ear. "Renren has a family meeting today, so I wanted to make him something to boost his energy. And since he told me you were coming, I wanted to make something for you, too."

"Ah..." Atlas nodded, glancing at the entrance, where he could see some bodyguards peeking in. "Penny, any idea why those guys are crowding the entrance?"

"Huh?" Penny followed his gaze, spotting a few bodyguards hiding. She smirked proudly at Atlas. "They’re probably excited."

"Excited about what?"

"Renren and I invited them to dinner last night, and they couldn’t stop praising my cooking," she said, smirking. "That’s why I’m adding more portions since they loved it."

Atlas studied his little sister, recalling all the comments he’d heard and the traumatized looks on their faces. "That doesn’t seem right," he murmured. "Are you sure that’s the case?"

"Of course!" Penny nodded cluelessly. "Why else would they wait outside and watch me if they didn’t like it?"

"..." Once again, Atlas was speechless. He glanced back at the entrance, only to see Slater and some bodyguards peeking in and silently cheering him on.

’Is it really that bad?’he wondered, looking down at the pot. "Can I have a taste?"

"Hmm?"

"It looks good, but I don’t want to upset my stomach if it’s not to my taste."

"Goodness... look at him." Penny pouted and crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at her brother. "First Brother, in case you didn’t know, I’m a good cook, okay? I’ve learned to live on more than canned goods and instant noodles."

"I’m just saying."

"Fine." Penny sighed, turning to grab a spoon from the drawer. She marched over to the stove, scooped some food with a ladle, and poured it onto the spoon, then held it out for Atlas.

Atlas glanced at the entrance, noticing the same people staring back at him in horror. It looked like they were trying to warn him.

"Why don’t you taste it first?" he asked, taking a step closer to her.

Penny snorted. "First Brother, do you think I don’t taste what I cook?"

"Well, makes sense." Atlas nodded, leaning in to taste from the spoon she was holding. Those watching gasped in horror, with Slater even covering his mouth in pity.

Atlas was done.

He’d be poisoned for sure.

Considering how everyone had spent the night running to the bathroom, it would be the same for Atlas. All they could hope for now was for Atlas to tell Penny it was terrible. After all, none of them had the heart to shatter her enthusiasm after seeing her so happy preparing dinner last night.

Much to their dismay, Atlas’s reaction was far from what they expected.

Atlas looked at Penny, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. "I didn’t know you could cook."

"Hehe." Penny winked and smirked. "I told you. I’m a whole package."

"Wow." Atlas rocked his head, glancing back at the food she was cooking. "I’ll have breakfast here."

"Sure thing."

Meanwhile, those who were watching couldn’t believe their eyes.

"What the — what the hell is going on?!"