Chapter 772: He had lost count

"Can’t you see? I’m throwing trash. Why don’t you help? I really need a hand here."

Some gasped while others just stared at Penny in horror. They understood that some people were naturally bold and adventurous, while others simply believed they had nine lives to spare.

They believed Penny was the latter.

Surely, newcomers like her thought too lightly of the Pierson family hierarchy. If Dean was another distant relative, there wouldn’t be a problem. But Dean—he was from the first branch of the family!

’This brat! What is she doing?!’Mildred clasped her chest, afraid she might have a heart attack because of Penny. ’All these years protecting everyone who enters the family... and she’s going to ruin herself with one stupid move!’

Those in Penny’s group shook their heads, with the guy (who had lied to his mother) making a chopping motion in front of his neck to warn Penny.

"I’m not here," the depressed guy mumbled to himself. "I don’t know her."

"Same here," the young woman nodded to herself.

Earlier, they had felt sorry for Penny for taking out the trash and getting "special" treatment from Mildred. But now, they just didn’t want to be involved. Not because they hated her, but because they had to survive too. After all, the wrath of the primary branches of the family extended to the other members of the offender’s family. The three of them had children, with one even having a small infant.

Penny was doomed.

"Ah!" Mildred yelped, recovering from her shock, and rushed to salvage the situation. She hurried to Penny’s side, holding her arm down, and smiled at Dean. "Young Master Dean, I apologize on her behalf. She’s new here, so she doesn’t yet understand the rules fully."

"What—"

Mildred shot Penny a glare when the latter pouted. "I’ll teach her well, Young Master Dean. I’m really sorry for what she did, but I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm."

No one knew exactly what Penny had done to offend Dean, but everyone was certain that whatever it was, it couldn’t have been good. So, Mildred was quick to apologize, hoping it would save Penny from the inevitable.

As for Penny, her mouth parted as she prepared to slam Dean like always. However, seeing the effort Mildred was putting into this made her smile in appreciation.

’I knew it. This auntie isn’t as bad as I thought,’

"She’s... new here?" Dean repeated, his scoff of ridicule saying more than any words could. He slowly shifted his eyes to Penny, who puffed her cheeks and mischievously shrugged. ’She’s doing this on purpose, isn’t she?’

Penny’s demeanor was no different than when she was trying to aggravate someone, only to say, ’What are you going to do about it?’ Dean and Penny had spent years together, and the majority of that time was Penny pushing him away.

Therefore, no matter how strange it sounded, Dean had already memorized the different levels of Penny’s mischief.

’Did she come here because her security team isn’t enough for Zoren? Isn’t she going overboard for just one client, especially when she has other important clients?’ Dean hissed, not pleased at all. ’This girl... she really knows how to make me angry’—and worry too.

Seeing Penny in the company every once in a while was already annoying. However, this was a family gathering. There was no one here except family members and the other servants serving the feast. In other words, Penny would easily stand out here, compared to the always-busy Pierson Corporation.

"Yes, she’s new here," Mildred repeated, in case Dean hadn’t heard her the first time because he didn’t react. "She doesn’t know much about the traditions, so she’ll make mistakes here and there."

Dean glanced at Mildred and coldly said, "And I don’t think the security here is as tight as it used to be."

"What?"

"How can you not—" Dean abruptly halted when Penny widened her eyes at him.

’Say another word and you’re dead!’her widened eyes seemed to warn him.

The corner of his lips curled into a smirk. "Fine," he said. "I’ll let the way you lashed out at me and called me dumb slide."

What did he say Penny called him?

Everyone gasped once more, looking at Penny in horror. Penny’s face contorted as she saw the look on everyone’s faces—a mix of worry, pity, dismay. It was as though even though Dean was letting her offense slide, she was still doomed.

’This jerk

Dean shrugged nonchalantly. His gesture answered, ’Many times.’

And he wasn’t lying. Penny might not have said it directly, but all the roundabout ways she argued with him often translated to that insult. She had done this so many times; he had lost count.

"I might let this slide now because you don’t know your place," Dean warned, playing along to keep up her disguise, "but I won’t do it next time. Do you understand?"

’No, I don’t need to understand. I know my place and I can—’Penny’s thoughts stopped when Mildred pulled her arm down.

"Yes, she understands, Young Master Dean," Mildred said, pulling Penny’s arm further until Penny was bending over a little. Penny cast Mildred a look of disbelief, only to see Mildred smiling and laughing in relief.

’Tch!’Penny clenched her teeth, displeased by this. However, since Mildred was so happy with the outcome, she reluctantly looked away and puffed her cheeks.

Dean rocked his head, darting his eyes between Mildred and Penny. When Penny peeked at him with eyes full of murderous intent, he smirked.

’You owe me again for not telling them you’re not supposed to be here,’ he mentally said, which Penny didn’t miss, since it was clear in his eyes. ’You’re welcome.’

’This jerk!’

When Penny straightened her back, Dean scoffed and casually turned his back on her. He strode off with a triumphant smirk on his face, while Penny’s face turned red.

Surely, Penny’s plan to make a grand entrance as the matriarch of the Pierson Family was spiraling out of control.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go!