Chapter 741: my duty

Atlas stayed until he finished his tea. Though it was early and everyone had plenty of time, he eventually bid the couple goodbye.

"You don’t have to walk me out," said Atlas as he turned to face the couple by the front door. "Thanks for having me—and for the lovely breakfast."

Penny smiled. "You’re welcome."

"Come by anytime," Zoren suggested. "It would be nice to have you here more often."

"I’ll try," Atlas replied, though they all knew that was unlikely. "By the way, I haven’t seen Hugo all morning. Wasn’t he supposed to be staying here with you two?"

For a moment, Zoren and Penny exchanged a glance, knowing Hugo was still snoring in a ward after facing a life-and-death situation.

"He went out to play some games," Penny blurted out, making Atlas raise a brow.

"Play some games?"

"Mhm. Basketball with his friends."

"Basketball with his friends?" Atlas repeated, which made Penny a little nervous. "On the day of Zoren’s family meeting? He went out to play?"

Atlas’s eyes darted between Penny and Zoren, sensing something was up. But before he could question them further, Zoren spoke.

"He’ll meet me at the office," said Zoren, covering for his wife and his brother-in-law. "Second Brother has been helping me with everything. And the family meeting is in the evening, so it’s alright for him to warm up with some basketball."

’Wow...’

Zoren cast her a wide, sidelong glance. ’The food is the only thing I haven’t been honest about. Please don’t misunderstand, my love.’

"I see," Atlas nodded, seeming to accept the explanation. "Considering he’s like Slater, who can’t sit still, I guess this isn’t surprising."

Penny and Zoren sighed in relief, smiling back at Atlas.

"Well then, I’m off," Atlas added before turning his back on them and heading down the steps toward his car.

As he walked away, Penny turned to Zoren.

"I’ll just see him off," she said with a smile. "You can go back inside; I think Benjamin has been wanting to discuss business with you."

Zoren studied her face, brushing the back of his hand across her cheek. "Alright," he agreed, understanding that Penny wanted a private moment with her brother.

With that, Zoren went inside while Penny quickly caught up to Atlas. Just as he reached his car, he stopped and glanced back.

"What?" he asked, tilting his head. "Did I forget something?"

Penny smiled, clasping her hands behind her. "A kiss on the cheek?"

"Get out of here," he replied, shaking his head, thinking Penny was at it again. Walking around the car’s bumper, he added casually, "Don’t tease me, Penny. Like I said, I’ve got a lot on my plate. You, too—focus on your husband’s family meeting."

"I’m not going." Penny pouted, looking at him over the hood of the car. "Renren doesn’t want me to come. He said I don’t need to."

Atlas arched a brow, squinting at her. "And?"

"And what? I’m a submissive wife, so I’ll listen to him."

Atlas chuckled, nodding, which made Penny frown. "Fine. Whatever you say. I’ll pretend to believe that."

"You should because I’m telling the truth." She clicked her tongue while he chuckled, opening the driver’s door as Penny stayed put. "First Brother."

"Hmm?"

Penny watched him duck his head, adjusting things in the car. "Thank you."

"Huh?" Atlas raised an eyebrow, slowly straightening up as he looked at his sister over the car’s hood. "Thank you? What for?"

"Well..." she shrugged, running her tongue over her inner cheek. "For believing Allen."

"Why would you thank me for that? Of course, I’d believe him. He can’t defend himself right now, after all."

"Would you believe him if he wasn’t in a coma?"

"Of course. Why are you asking the obvious?"

’Because how could you believe Allen and not me in the past?’she wondered before flashing him a smile. "Just wondering. I feel like you trust Allen so much, and it’s good you proved he didn’t do it."

Atlas rested his arm over the open door, eyes on his sister. "Is something bothering you about this, Penny? It seems like there is."

"Well, I don’t know." She pursed her lips. "I just think it’s poetic that you could believe Allen and fight for him without a shadow of a doubt. Would you do the same for me?"

"Is that even a question?"

"I just want to know."

"Penny." Atlas straightened, leaning on the car’s hood between them. "If I can do this for others, I’d do even more for my family—for you. I’d fight... even harder."

"Is that so?" Penny rocked her head, humming before she grinned. "Then, that’s a promise."

"It’s not a promise; it’s a duty. Unless, of course, you did it."

"What?"

Atlas shrugged. "If you actually did something despicable, then it’s only right that you pay for it. Tolerating someone’s bad behavior doesn’t help them at all."

"Goodness."

"Penny, I believed Allen because I’m sure he wouldn’t do it. But if he turned out to be guilty, I’d have to let him face the consequences," Atlas clarified. "And I’m sure you wouldn’t do anything where I’d have to question the truth."

"But if that time ever comes, believe me if I say I didn’t do it."

"Huh?"

"It’s not gonna happen, but..." Penny pressed her lips. "Will you?"

"..." Atlas was momentarily speechless, holding his sister’s gaze, which swirled with a mix of emotions. "Of course. I’ll believe you. It’s not a promise, it’s my duty."

"Then, I’m counting on that." Her smile softened, her eyes gentle. "I’ll hold on to that."

*****

Not far away, Slater watched the two, listening to their conversation. It wasn’t like they were speaking quietly, so anyone nearby could overhear them.

’Penny...’ Slater pressed his lips together, looking at her with guilt, understanding the depths of her words. ’If only First Brother knew where you were coming from, I don’t think he’d have the courage to look you in the eye after fighting for someone while leaving his sister to fend for herself. It’s... hypocritical. I don’t even think he’d want to live.’