Chapter 740: For old time’s sake

"I don’t think it’s even a coincidence at all."

Silence fell in the drawing room where Atlas, Penny, and Zoren were enjoying their tea. The couple stared at Atlas as he held their gaze sternly.

According to people who knew the family — the man who owned the dashcam footage — they had lived in the neighborhood for over a decade. It was a surprise that they moved out so suddenly, especially when the neighbors who got along with them hadn’t heard any plans that they were moving.

All of this happened the same night Atlas got the footage and Sven was caught.

"I don’t feel good about this," Atlas broke his momentary silence. "I’ll keep looking into it. The only reason I came to tell you is because I think you should know about it as well."

He then shifted his eyes to Penny. "Especially you."

"Me?" Penny blinked. "Why me?"

"You’re nosy, and I don’t want you meddling with this. I believe Sven is capable of the crime he committed, but he didn’t do it alone," Atlas continued with certainty. "He’s smart, but not quite smart enough. Someone definitely fueled his twisted plans and motivated him to act."

In other words, Atlas was only telling them to make Penny step back. Knowing her, she would poke her nose into other people’s business even when she already had plenty on her plate. Atlas didn’t want his little sister meddling.

"I’ll ask for help when I need it," he added, locking eyes with Penny. "Until then, focus on yourself. You too, Zoren. Focus on your affairs."

Zoren and Penny kept their mouths in a thin line, feeling as though they were being scolded. Although Atlas’s voice was calm, he spoke as if he were reading them like an open book.

"I’m the big brother," Atlas announced coolly. "Don’t worry about me. If anything, worry about Slater."

"Slater?" Penny frowned. "What about him?"

"Slater is too bored for his own good. He’s so bored that he started looking into Allen’s case," Atlas remarked. "Even though I told him to stop, you know how stubborn he can be. I just hope that catching Sven is enough for him to quit whatever game he’s playing."

Penny clicked her tongue while Zoren furrowed his brows.

"How did you know he’s playing detective?" Zoren asked out of pure curiosity.

"The owner of the dashcam footage told me," Atlas replied, leaning back and sighing. "He beat me to it."

"That..." Zoren pressed his mouth together, keeping his comment to himself. ’That’s surprising. Does that mean Slater found out about it before First Brother did?’

"I’ll keep him busy," Penny volunteered. "Though I doubt he’ll keep looking into it now that Sven’s been caught."

"I hope so, but just to be sure."

Penny nodded at Atlas’s reply. "Don’t worry, but you have to promise to call for backup when you need it."

"I will," Atlas answered, though he kept the rest of his answer in his mind. ’If the authorities exhaust all their resources, I will.’

Unlike Penny, Atlas trusted the authorities and felt it was right and necessary to involve them first, before anyone else. If he weren’t under pressure and feeling that time was against him, Atlas would have let the authorities handle the entire investigation. He was simply helping to speed things up — a second pair of eyes wouldn’t hurt.

*

*

*

Outside the room, Slater flinched when he heard Mark’s voice from behind him.

"What are you doing?" Mark approached, stopping a few steps from Slater. "You shouldn’t be doing that."

Slater closed his eyes and huffed, patting his chest before looking back. He raised a finger to his mouth, shushing Mark.

"Stay quiet, okay?" Slater hissed. "I’m trying to eavesdrop."

Mark cocked his head to the side, resting his hands on his hips. Meanwhile, Slater pressed his ear to the door, trying to listen to the conversation inside.

"Stop it," Mark sighed. "You won’t hear a word from here unless you open the door. Even if you did, I’m sure they’re talking very quietly. This place is soundproof — each room is."

Slater frowned as he looked back. "No wonder I can’t hear anything, no matter how hard I press my ear. Damn it!"

"If you weren’t a former classmate and Miss Penny’s brother, I’d have dragged you away by now."

"Why would you do that?" Slater scowled, turning to face Mark squarely. "My First Brother, my sister, and my brother-in-law are gathered in this room. They didn’t even invite me! Who knows if they’re planning to prank me or something? I’m being left out!"

"..." Mark kept his mouth in a thin line, shaking his head as he told himself that Slater hadn’t changed a bit.

If it had been someone else, Mark would have already yanked them away. But Slater was harmless. They had known each other for years, and Slater was likely just trying to eavesdrop because he felt a little left out. Slater said so himself.

’I don’t even know if I should feel bad for him,’ Mark thought. ’But ignorance is bliss. A lot is already happening, and I understand why his siblings would rather keep him in the dark.’

Slater was too innocent and happy-go-lucky. It wasn’t that his siblings couldn’t trust him, but they didn’t want serious, dangerous matters to ruin his bliss.

"Let’s just go." Mark tilted his head back. "If Miss Penny or your First Brother see you, I’m sure they won’t let you off easily."

"What are they going to do about it?"

"I don’t know. Only you can answer that."

"..." Slater pressed his mouth shut and cleared his throat, looking up as he thought of the things Penny and Atlas could do to him if they found out he was being nosy. "Mark, for old time’s sake, don’t tell them about this, alright?"

Mark nodded. "For old time’s sake, sure."

With that, Slater reluctantly walked away from the door while Mark waited for him. After a few steps, Slater looked back at the door and let out a shallow breath. When he peeled his gaze from it, he flashed Mark a smile, and the two of them strode off together.