Chapter 763: I’ll definitely keep that in mind.

"Oh, no! My apple!" Penny cried dramatically. "It slipped!"

Deep lines appeared on Belle’s forehead as she watched Penny run over like a distressed maiden. Karina and Jenny, who were still nearby, looked back at Penny, furrowing their brows. They all watched as Penny approached them and picked up the apple near Belle’s feet.

"This is my favorite..." Penny frowned, wiping an invisible tear from the corner of her eye with her index finger. "I’ve grown fond of it and treat it like my own. How could it slip like that?"

Slipped?

The three women tilted their heads to the side, not buying a single ounce of Penny’s dramatic sentiment. Riana, the one who had thrown the heel, furrowed her brows, staring at Penny’s back as she joined the group.

’What about the other one?’Riana glanced at the remaining heel in her hand. ’I can’t just throw it now.’

Even though Penny was someone they hadn’t seen before, if she was here, she was likely here under someone’s invitation. It would be too risky to drag her into this, as it could incite further infighting.

"My poor apple..." Penny wept, even forcing out a tear to make her performance more believable. She was convinced she was convincing, but she knew adding a tear would add more impact to her act.

Looking up at the women, Penny noticed the strange expressions on their faces. It didn’t seem like they were buying her "award-winning" performance. How could that be?

"Penny," Belle sighed helplessly. "Why are you back here?"

"I got kicked out of the kitchen," Penny murmured, though in truth, she had just snuck out again.

Earlier, when Penny overheard Karina’s group talking about Belle, she had stopped to think about it for a moment. However, she decided not to get involved. As she’d said, she was here for Zoren, not for anyone else.

Why should she care about other people’s problems?

With that, Penny had resumed her steps toward the kitchen. Even so, she couldn’t stop thinking about Belle and her pregnancy, as well as the ominous feeling she got from Karina and her group.

That’s why Penny was here. Fortunately, she had returned just in time, and she’d casually grabbed an apple to eat and curb her slight hunger. If Penny hadn’t shown up, that heel would have hit Belle’s head.

’It wouldn’t be fatal, but it wouldn’t be good, either,’Penny thought, pursing her lips as she glanced at Karina and the other women. "Hi... sisters?"

Jenny immediately frowned, studying Penny from head to toe. Although Penny looked pretty, she also looked naive. ’What is she thinking, calling us sisters? Does she know her place?’

Karina, on the other hand, merely arched a brow. "Sister?"

"Hehe. I got married into the family, and from what I heard, the Pierson Family is one big happy family!" Penny clasped her hands, beaming, her eyes sparkling. "It’s my first time attending this family gathering, so I’m a little excited."

"Is that so?" Karina snorted, studying Penny from head to toe. Her lips stretched into a friendly smile. "I didn’t know someone got married into the family. I didn’t get an invitation."

"Don’t worry. Even my family didn’t get one," Penny chuckled.

"An intimate wedding?"

"Well... you could say that," Penny smiled sweetly. "Sister, I’ll invite you to my grand wedding once the preparations are done. It’ll be the wedding of the century—that’s what my husband said."

Jenny snorted, earning an elbow nudge from Karina. Penny’s brows rose, noticing the subtle exchange between them.

"What is it?" Penny tilted her head, blinking innocently. "Did I say something funny?"

"Of course not," Karina nodded reassuringly. "It’s nothing, Penny... is it?"

"Yes."

"Then I’ll be waiting for that invitation," she remarked meaningfully. "Anyway, Zoren will be here any moment, so I’ll go in first."

"Okay! See you around~!" Penny cheerfully bid them farewell, watching Karina and Jenny stride off. But after a few more steps, Karina stopped and looked back at Penny.

"By the way, tell your husband that I, Karina Pierson, like you," she said. "I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear that you’re getting along with the family."

The corners of Penny’s mouth stretched into a wide grin until her eyes were squinting, and her teeth fully displayed. "Sure thing!"

With that, Karina nodded and resumed her steps. As they walked away, she cast a look at Riana.

"Riri, let’s go," she called, prompting Riana to jump and toss the other heel aside to follow the group. When she joined Karina, she looked at her in surprise.

"Uh, Big Sis? Who is that?"

"Just... someone." Karina shrugged indifferently. "Probably from a distant branch of the family."

"She seems cheeky. Does she think just because she now carries the Pierson Family name, she is at the same level as Big Sister Karina?" Jenny commented, not pleased with Penny at all. "How dare she think Big Sister Karina would attend just anyone’s wedding? Not to mention, did she actually call it the wedding of the century?"

"Let her be," Karina dismissed nonchalantly. "Someone like her isn’t worth it, but she could come in handy in the future. She seems to like Belle, after all."

Jenny and Riana slowly cast their eyes at Karina, only to smirk as they understood what she meant.

"For now, let’s focus on tonight’s event," Karina added. "Although it’s not confirmed, it’s best if we can impress Zoren’s wife. It’ll be beneficial to all of us."

---

Meanwhile...

"Here." Penny quickly picked up the heel and handed it to Belle.

"Thank you."

Penny nodded at her. "Don’t mention it. I’ll get the other."

"No, it’s okay—" Belle held Penny’s arm, only to receive a reassuring smile from her. "Well, thank you."

Slowly, Belle released Penny’s arm and watched her run to retrieve the other heel Riana had tossed. Belle’s expression softened when Penny waved the heel in the air before sprinting back.

"Thank you," Belle said again as she accepted the heel. "I shouldn’t have thrown it away."

"I told you," Penny winked, making Belle sigh.

Belle stared at Penny’s face and thanked her again. "Thanks."

"Do you thank people repeatedly?"

"I’m thanking you this time for stepping in," Belle clarified with a chuckle, sitting down on the bench to put on her shoes. "If you hadn’t, it would’ve hit me."

Penny pursed her lips, hoping Belle wouldn’t bring that up. She sat down beside Belle and watched her put on her heel, avoiding Belle’s gratitude to prevent further discomfort.

Belle glanced at Penny, quickly understanding that she wasn’t the type to be comfortable with excessive thanks. "How are you going to survive here?" she blurted out.

"Huh?"

"Penny, if you’re part of this family, having someone thank you is a good thing," Belle explained, a bit concerned for her. "After all, having someone indebted to you can come in handy. I’m not saying I might be helpful or have anything to offer, but you get what I mean?"

Penny leaned back, smacking her lips. "Yes, I’ll keep that in mind," she replied, glancing in the direction Karina’s group had gone. "I’ll definitely keep that in mind."