Chapter 840: Cry of happiness

"Actually, when we found out that you were the matriarch of the family, we couldn’t believe it!" the young woman exclaimed excitedly. "It took me an entire night for everything to sink in—it was amazing!"

"Who would have thought that we’ve been spending time with the wife of the head of the family?" the depressed guy added with equal enthusiasm. "It’s such an honor."

"Penny, my wife was thrilled that we’ve made the acquaintance of the matriarch," the other man giggled. "She told me that if I could invite you to our home for dinner sometime... it would be amazing. Of course, I told her that you’re a busy woman! You have to run the Prime Group in addition to being a wife yourself! So, if you’re free... maybe we could arrange it."

"Amir, please don’t pressure the young madam," Ashley intervened with a shallow breath. "You already mentioned that the young madam has a lot to do. Even the head of the family doesn’t bother her with family affairs."

Penny smiled at Ashley with appreciation, but in her mind, she thought, ’So, this is Amir, huh? I knew the name, but I hadn’t memorized the faces of all the Pierson family members yet.’

"That’s right, Amir," the young woman nodded. "How can you pressure the matriarch of the family to visit your home? Even if your wife is the CEO of a subsidiary of the Pierson Corporation, you can’t just do that."

Amir (the guy who had lied to his mother) looked at the young woman with disdain. "Harper, I’m not pressuring her. I even said we know she’s busy, so anytime works for us."

’Ah... that’s Harper,’Penny thought, rocking her head. She had seen the name before while studying the Pierson family tree. Penny remembered it because she specifically focused on the most recent members of the family.

According to her intel, Harper was a young heiress, pampered by her family as an only child. She had married into the Pierson family at a young age because of an obsessive love for her husband. Now, her husband ran their family business, which had been absorbed by the Pierson Corporation.

’Thinking that the Pierson family had absorbed such a business and yet she was still stuck in the kitchen...’Penny’s thoughts trailed off as she looked at the young woman, who wore a graceful smile.

Before Penny could think about other people’s marriages, she snapped her eyes to the former depressed guy. Although he didn’t look depressed anymore, instead overly relaxed as if just happy to be there, Penny tilted her head to the side.

"You," Penny called, stopping Harper and Amir’s banter. "What’s your name?"

"Huh?" The smile on the "former" depressed guy faded. His face fell, showing that Penny’s question had sent his heart sinking. "Penny, you don’t... remember me?"

Penny’s smile twitched. "I remember you, but I’m just not sure if I remember your name."

"Miss—I mean, young madam, I’m sorry for enjoying my time here without realizing I was being rude," the former depressed guy said, rising to his feet and stepping back. "It’s I, Noah Pierson, the current head of the JJ Mall legal team. My wife is the CEO of JJ Mall and is your husband’s distant cousin on his father’s side."

"Ah..." Penny nodded, a little surprised to finally know his name. It wasn’t like Penny didn’t know anyone in the Pierson family—she knew their names.

The Pierson family registry was simply too vast to memorize in a day. Moreover, the three of them were recent additions to the family and had changed their last names. They weren’t involved in the power plays, nor did they support anyone.

All three of them came from neutral households that had stayed away from the family’s power struggles. This explained why Penny didn’t recognize their faces but had heard their names and a little bit about them before.

"I see." Penny smiled, signaling Noah to take a seat. "I’m sorry for forgetting your name."

"You don’t have to apologize, young madam," Noah said, shaking his head profusely to reassure her. "It’s I who should apologize for not leaving a lasting impression."

Noah, whom Penny had mentally labeled the Depressed Guy, slowly returned to his gloomy state. Harper and Amir smiled in satisfaction, sure that Penny remembered them. If only they knew the only reason Penny didn’t ask for their names was because they’d already been mentioned.

"Don’t be sad about it," Penny sighed heavily. "I appreciate your enthusiasm. I may have forgotten your name, but I’ll never forget our time in the kitchen. I’ll never forget how we all united to save one of us."

She nodded slowly at them, emphasizing her final words to make a point. "Don’t worry. In the future, I’ll host a small party for all of us to catch up and get to know each other. Expect an invitation from me soon."

"Really!?" Harper clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. "Then, I’ll be waiting! Oh my God, my husband will be so happy if he hears this."

Amir almost looked like he might cry, his face full of joy. "I’ll wait for the invitation, young madam. If you need any help, just call me. I’ll gladly offer assistance."

"Me too." Noah nodded with a shallow smile, his complexion still pale as if Penny’s words had just brought him back to life.

Ashley pursed her lips, keeping quiet because she couldn’t really say anything with the three of them there. However, she couldn’t help but smile at the three, seeing their reaction.

’Ever since joining the family, the farthest they’ve reached is the kitchen at the family gathering,’ Ashley thought, glancing at Penny. Her eyes shone with appreciation, thinking that if Penny was the one hosting, neither she nor Mildred would need to feel uneasy. ’A small gathering hosted by the matriarch of the family might not be as grand as the family gathering, but it’s just as important.’

Thus, Ashley and Penny weren’t surprised that the three of them almost looked like they were about to cry out of happiness. Receiving an invitation from Penny was akin to receiving an invitation from the empress.

It was that big of a deal.