Chapter 807: Never-ending cycle

"Sister Belle!"

Belle’s thoughts halted as her attention snapped when Penny’s voice reached her ears. Perking up, she quickly rose to her feet as Penny closed the door behind her.

"You came here sooner than I expected," Penny quipped, placing her bag down on the desk before joining Belle on the set of couches. "Sister Belle, you don’t have to get up. Please, sit down."

Belle smiled awkwardly. "I’m sorry I came here without any notice."

"It’s alright. It saved me a lot of trouble visiting you." Penny nodded at her, winking. "Anyway, have you had coffee? Tea? Oh right, preggy. Some juice, perhaps?"

"I’m alright, Penny."

"Juice it is." Penny quickly walked back to her desk, pressing a button to request some organic juice for Belle. Once she placed her order, she joined Belle again. "Sit down, Sister Belle."

"Thank you." Belle politely nodded, sitting down on the long couch while Penny settled into the one-seat chair. "You mentioned just now that you wanted to visit me?"

"Yep." Penny grinned. "I was planning to do so in the future, but now is also alright."

Belle’s brows rose curiously, tempted to ask Penny the reason. However, she thought it wasn’t very polite to ask more questions, especially when she had come to visit Penny without prior notice.

"Well, thanks for letting me in to see you," Belle broke the ice in the same polite manner. "Last night was a shock, and honestly, I feel like I owe you an apology."

"Huh? For what?"

"For telling you some things," she replied vaguely, but more like she wanted to apologize to Penny for underestimating her. In her mind, last night, Penny was just another distant family member who was reaping the benefits of carrying the Pierson Family name.

After all, those who benefited most from the Pierson Family name were distant relatives who were irrelevant to the power strife of the three primary branches. As long as they didn’t do anything grand that would hurt the family’s reputation, they lived a good life.

"You thought I was joking last night, didn’t you?" Penny returned playfully, making Belle purse her lips. "It’s alright. Even I thought I was a joke last night."

"It’s not like that, Penny."

"I know." Penny nodded reassuringly. "Sister Belle, you don’t have to be so restrained in front of me. What I told you last night still stands. I got you."

Belle’s eyes softened as a thin layer of tears glistened in her eyes. "Thank you, Penny," she breathed out.

She already appreciated Penny’s promise last night, but she hadn’t thought much of it because she didn’t want Penny to trouble herself. Moreover, in her mind, Penny would just find herself in a tricky situation if she were as powerless as Belle.

Belle didn’t want Penny to get crushed by the giants in the Pierson Family. Who would have thought that Penny turned out to be one of the giants?

"No biggie." Penny flashed Belle a smile. "My husband told me you’re one of the very few people in the Pierson Family he truly supports in this life. He has a lot of good things to say about you."

"He said that?" Belle’s brows rose in surprise, making Penny tilt her head. Seeing the curiosity and confusion in Penny’s eyes, Belle let out a defeated sigh. "I’ve always thought he hated me."

"Renren?"

"You call him that?" Belle chuckled. "I’m sorry. I’m just surprised since no one calls him that except the chairwoman. But even though she calls him that, he openly told her not to call him that again."

"Oh." Penny rocked her head, realizing that Old Mrs. Pierson used to call Zoren by his real name in front of others. This was before Penny and Zoren’s relationship developed romantically. "That explains it."

Penny hadn’t even thought about it until now, but it was still eye-opening to make such a discovery accidentally.

"You’re his wife, so it’s normal for you to call him endearments, only you can," Belle chuckled, watching Penny return the remark with a smile. Now that the air between them had relaxed, Belle heaved a heavy sigh. "Ahem. Anyway, Penny, I came here because... even if it’s a little shameful, I want to ask for a favor."

Penny tilted her head to the side, watching as shame shone brightly in Belle’s eyes. It was understandable since Belle didn’t seem like the type to ask for favors, especially from someone she felt she owed.

"I know I owe you for saving me last night from those three," Belle continued, lifting her eyes back to Penny with a wry smile. "But I need your help."

"I know." Penny nodded. "Although my lawyer doesn’t specialize in your husband’s case, she can recommend someone who will raise your husband’s chances of winning."

Belle smiled in defeat but shook her head. "Thank you for thinking of that, but that isn’t the favor I meant."

"Huh?" Penny furrowed her brows. "It’s not that?"

"No." Belle sighed once more, placing a hand on her baby bump. "My husband... I believe he is innocent. He’s lived an honest life and would continue to do so until the end. However, even if I hire the best lawyers in the world, we’re already losing and will continue to lose if this continues. If he wins this case, another case will be filed against him. It’s a never-ending cycle we’re trapped in. Just not long ago, he was accused of malpractice and abuse of power."

"When he proved his innocence, another case was filed against him. Then another, and now this one," she continued. "My husband and I can only fight so much, but all these attacks hit us, not just financially and emotionally, but mentally and physically. His reputation is also taking a lot of hits."

"What I’m saying is, they’re draining us dry, and they will continue to do so until there’s nothing left," she added, smiling wryly. "It won’t stop until I give them what they want from me."

Penny rocked her head. "Your shares?"

"Yes." Belle nodded. "The shares I inherited from my dad before he passed. They aren’t much, and I honestly don’t want them, but I held onto them even after marrying my husband because my dad cared for the family. He cared for the company and poured his entire life into supporting the head of the family."

Belle pressed her lips, studying Penny. "I don’t want to hand over the shares to the person who drove him to his death." She paused again, taking a deep breath as if to muster her courage. "Please buy my shares, Penny."