Chapter 766: Working in the kitchen isn’t all that bad~!

Penny knew many technical details about the Pierson Family—its hierarchy and such. However, talking to Belle broadened her horizons, and she was glad Belle was so willing to share these details with her.

"Don’t worry about that," Penny grinned, reassuring her. "I already have enough big brothers."

Belle smiled in satisfaction. "That’s good to hear. Just remember to be respectful, even if it feels like it shouldn’t be like that. Though the head of the family would surely not mind something so small, it’s still best to be careful." She then stopped and looked toward the glass entrance. "We’re here. Are you coming in?"

"Nope." Penny shook her head. "You should go in."

"I can tell you one more trick," Belle said playfully. "You can skip the tradition altogether."

"How?"

"Leave."

Penny’s smile cracked as Belle laughed happily. "Sister Belle, I didn’t think you could joke."

"I’m kidding... though there’s some truth in that." Belle cleared her throat. "See you around?"

"Mhm. See ya!"

With that, Belle smiled at Penny one last time before carefully turning toward the entrance. Just as she did, the door slowly opened from the inside. Her brows rose as she saw the person holding the door.

"Dean," she called. "Going out now?"

Hearing this, Penny perked up a little before quickly turning around. ’Shoot,’

Dean gazed at Belle and let out a faint huff. "I was going to look for you," he admitted, making Belle smile. "I was harsh, so... never mind. You’re here."

"Don’t worry. What you said was harsh, but it was the truth," Belle replied understandingly, nodding at him. "I didn’t take it to heart, so don’t worry about it."

"Mhm." Dean nodded before catching a figure from the corner of his eye. Shifting his gaze toward Penny, he knitted his brows. "She is...?"

’Oh no, oh no!’Penny panicked, picking up her pace, not wanting to deal with Dean right now. ’Please, Sister Belle, if what we had and shared is really the start of sisterhood, don’t tell him anything!’

Belle, on the other hand, looked to where Dean was staring. When her eyes fell on Penny’s slightly hunched back, as if she was trying to hide, she smiled.

"No one," she said.

"No one?" Dean arched a brow, returning his gaze to Belle.

"Mhm. Just someone from the kitchen."

The corner of Dean’s mouth curved down. "Belle, even if everyone calls you an outsider now, you’re still part of the third branch of the family. Mingling with those in the kitchen... are you that desperate for a friend?"

"Are you scolding me right now? I just told you I didn’t take your previous remarks to heart, but I might take these words seriously now."

"Tsk." Dean clicked his tongue irritably, but then didn’t argue further. "Whatever. Come inside. I found you a seat."

"Zoren already arrived?"

"No."

"Then why is everyone starting dinner without him?" Belle asked curiously as she reached out to Dean’s arm for support. "Did something happen to him?"

Hearing this, Penny’s steps faltered, and she held her breath. Her eyes widened slightly as she waited for whatever Dean would say. But in her heart, she prayed it wasn’t anything serious.

"I don’t know, but Uncle William is already here," Dean replied with an eye-roll. "You know him. Even without the head, he’ll start the party as soon as he arrives."

"Ah, that’s why everyone’s already inside," Belle said with a wry laugh, nodding in understanding. "He’s inside, huh?"

Dean raised an eyebrow. "Is he the one responsible for your return?"

"..." Belle pressed her lips into a thin line. "Let’s just get inside."

This time, Dean didn’t respond and simply nodded. The two of them then quietly went inside.

Meanwhile, Penny heaved a sigh of relief and patted her chest. "Oh goodness. I don’t know if I was more scared of Dean checking who I was or of hearing bad news about my husband," she mumbled, straightening up and glancing back at the entrance.

"But then again, what he said... only shows the discrimination and hierarchy in this family," she whispered, not feeling she had the right to judge. It wasn’t surprising to hear Dean discriminating against someone based on status, since he was the epitome of judgmental behavior.

That was one of the things Penny disliked about Dean.

"Now, I can kind of understand why he’s like that, though," she added under her breath, nodding in comprehension. "Surely, the rumors about the Pierson Family aren’t exaggerated. They’re like a modern-day royal family."

Penny then shrugged before she gracefully turned on her heel. "Well, I guess sneaking out of the kitchen wasn’t so bad after all. I got to meet Sister Belle and some other people."

"What an interesting bunch," she murmured with a grin, amused by what she’d witnessed and heard so far. "Working in the kitchen isn’t all that bad~!"

Initially, Penny wanted to idle somewhere in the historic mansion, but Mark had dropped her off in the kitchen. She hadn’t had much time there before finding herself bossed around as if she’d been a part of the kitchen staff forever.

It irritated her a bit, but she also saw the advantage. After all, being disguised like this was good for listening in on gossip and hushed conversations. It was the reason why, back in the day, kitchens in castles or maids’ quarters were also places of information. If one just listened, they’d know a lot more than they were supposed to.

With that thought in mind, Penny happily returned to the kitchen, hoping everyone had finished and that they could enjoy some of the food they’d prepared.

"I’m a little hungry," she giggled, patting her tummy. "I wonder if the auntie finished the dish she was making? It smelled so good—if only she’d stop slapping my hand away from tasting it."

Penny felt a bit dismayed recalling her kitchen experience, but it was a minor irritation. She figured that now the dinner had started, everyone in the kitchen—including her—could finally take a breather.

If only she knew just how wrong she was, she wouldn’t dare go back in there.