Chapter 797: this family has a future, after all.

For someone with Zoren’s standing, finding him a wife wasn’t easy. No one, not even Old Mrs. Pierson, could actually control him; the best anyone could do was bring up the subject of marriage. Finding a suitable partner was a different challenge, though.

It wasn’t that there weren’t families with good backgrounds and respectable reputations—there were quite a few. But none could truly match Zoren’s standing like Penny.

Penelope Bennet.

Just over a decade ago, the Bennet Family was still part of the upper middle class in the social elite. They weren’t poor, but they weren’t especially influential, either. Although Charles Bennet managed to raise the family’s status, pushing them into the upper echelon, it was Atlas Bennet who took the family business to new heights in the fiercely competitive business world.

"Plus, she has Prime Group under her belt," the young woman in the kitchen felt her strength fading as they all gathered back there, just minutes after Zoren had called it a night following Penny’s introduction. "Prime Group isn’t just any other security firm — it’s trusted by national leaders around the world!"

Silence quickly fell as they all took a moment to process her words. Listlessness flickered in their eyes; no one had the energy to do much of anything, even go home. They needed to digest this first.

"Then, on top of that, she’s the matriarch of the family," the young woman added, her voice unsteady, her eyes glistening with tears. "She’s not going to kill me, is she?"

When she raised her face, panic evident on it, she only saw the same bitter look on everyone else’s faces. Each had had their share of harsh remarks toward Penny, with most saying they couldn’t stand her and didn’t want to see her at the next family gathering.

"Maybe she’ll make that happen," someone said bleakly. "Since we all told her we didn’t want to see her next time, she might erase our names from the invite list."

The thought soured their faces even more as they exchanged glances, all sighing heavily in unison.

"What are we going to do now?" the man who’d lied to his mother looked around helplessly. "My wife was there earlier, and I saw her face when I dragged Penny out! If I tell her I said terrible things to Penelope—the matriarch—I’m dead!"

The man nearly wept, but no one had an answer for him. How could they, when they were all in the same boat?

"I can’t believe... that young woman... is the matriarch of the family," Ashley murmured quietly. "It feels surreal."

No one could blame them for how they had treated Penny, given her carefree demeanor. None of them would have guessed that the matriarch would be someone who would sneak a taste from the pot, only to pout when Mildred slapped her hand away. Despite her disappointment, Penny had still taken out the trash with minimal complaints.

Mildred, seated in a corner, listened to their gloomy conversations and shook her head, thinking about how pathetic they all seemed.

’And yet, they all want to join the family gathering when even a simple scare makes them tremble,’ she thought, knowing that in this family, even the smallest things could start a feud. Sometimes, good intentions result in something terrible.

With a sigh, Mildred slapped the steel table mildly to get everyone’s attention. "Dinner is over, so you should all go home. If you don’t feel like it, then eat something."

"Don’t worry about... the new matriarch. Go home and rest," she added.

"Aunt Mildred, how can we rest when we can’t even wrap our heads around everything that just happened?" someone complained, and the others nodded, all frowning deeply.

"Goodness." Mildred sighed, looking at each of their faces. "If you think the matriarch will take whatever happened in this kitchen to heart, you’re worrying for nothing."

"Aunt Mildred, are you just saying that because it makes you feel better? After all, among us, you bullied her the most."

"That’s true." Mildred nodded, smiling subtly as a memory crossed her mind. ’That’s why I was so terrified when I found out. But...’

Mildred took a deep breath and looked firmly at everyone. "If you want to stay here and lament, go ahead. But if you go home, you might not be able to rest, but at least you’ll be lamenting in the comfort of your own home... not in this kitchen."

"I’m going home," she continued, standing up with Ashley’s help. "Good work, everyone."

With that, Mildred held onto Ashley’s arm, and they walked away. Those remaining in the kitchen frowned, staring after them.

"She has a point," the young woman admitted. "If I’m going to dread for my life, I’d rather do it in my room... or my collection room, surrounded by my bags."

–

Earlier...

"Well, since so much has happened, I think it’s time to call it a night." Zoren slowly rose from his seat, with Penny standing beside him. He held her hand as he faced everyone. "I don’t say this often, but tonight was... surprisingly pleasant. Enjoy the rest of your night."

Without waiting for a reaction, Zoren turned to Penny with a smile. "Shall we?"

"Mhm." Penny nodded with a sweet smile. "Though I’m still hungry."

"I can cook for you at home," he leaned forward to whisper, though everyone heard him.

As they were about to walk away, Mildred suddenly stepped in front of them, her face ashen, eyes wide, lips trembling.

"Mas—"

"It’s alright," Zoren reassured her before she could even start. "There’s no need to apologize. If my wife found you unpleasant, you would know. She would have dealt with you herself, not me."

Penny giggled, leaning forward to give Mildred a warm smile. "Auntie, next time, let’s eat the dish you made tonight. It was really delicious~"

Zoren chuckled and guided his wife away. They didn’t linger, leaving Mildred standing there, watching them leave, wondering to herself,

’That’s it?’Mildred asked herself this question over and over. ’She’s not going to hold a grudge and just told me to forget about it?’

What a strange young madam of the Pierson Family. And yet, as realization set in, Mildred smiled, a subtle but genuine smile.

’I guess... this family has a future, after all.’