PAMPERED

119 Expectation and reality

Penny’s plans for the day were… nothing.

Nina was coming home, and she wanted to give Slater a short break to bond with her. They were the closest, and she didn’t want to be the villain in their story.

‘Mom and Dad too surely missed her, she thought, glancing around the dining table where they were eating breakfast. Everyone seemed serious, and she assumed it was because Nina was coming home.

Were they worried Penny would feel bad if they gave Nina a bit of attention?

‘Should I make an excuse and leave today?‘ she wondered. If I’m not around, they wouldn’t feel awkward, right?”

“That’s it. Suddenly, Charles’s enlightened voice slashed through the still air. “Pennies or peonies.

“Huh?” Penny tilted her head to the side. “Yes, Papa?”

Charles slowly shifted his eyes to Penny and nodded. “That’s what your fans‘ club should be called.” a

“???”

“Penny, I told Dad about your fans‘ club, Hugo explained with a chuckle. “We’ve been thinking of any suggestions as to what to call the fans‘ club.”

Penny was small, but at this moment, she felt smaller. Why, even until now, she would have to hear this fan club? She didn’t want a fan club!

“Please stop with the fans‘ club…” she muttered helplessly, but her father shook his head adamantly.

“The world needs to see how great my daughter is!” Charles declared. “If you need more posters, just tell me! I got it handled:

“Dad, Penny isn’t campaigning for any government position, Atlas frowned, only to feel this intense gaze from Penny. Glancing at her, he arched a brow. Is she rooting for me to stop them?

Atlas pondered about it before the corner of his lips curled up mischievously. “But the club will keep that in mind.” a

‘Does he have a grudge against me?‘ Penny’s face blanked and noticed the mischievous and brief smirk on her first brother.

“We’re just members of the club. So, that decision–making would fall to the leader of the club. Penny, who is that friend who founded this club?” Slater chimed in more calmly than usual. “If she’s your classmate, then we probably know them.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Lily…” she trailed off, gulping as she noticed how all their ears doubled. “Lily Smith.”

“Smith?” Charles’s brows rose. “The daughter of S&S Industries?”

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< 110 Expectation and reality

Penny nodded.

“Good!” Charles grinned excitedly. “Then I’ll give her father a call.”

“Charles.” Allison reached out to her husband. “I’m sure everyone is excited that Penny is having a fan club, but let the children handle this.”

Her husband quickly sulked. “But I want to cheer since I can’t sign up.”

“Just… be happy. I’m sure Penny appreciates that more. Allison cast Penny a look, winking at her.

“Oh, goodness!” Penny almost wept, thankful Allison noticed her distress. But after a brief internal drama, Penny glanced at her mother once more. Did she just notice… me?”

Allison said nothing and just smiled, diverting the topic far away from the fan club so Penny could enjoy her meal without a problem.

After breakfast, Penny was about to go when Slater asked her a question.

“Penny, are we going to meet in the library?”

“Huh?” She blinked, confused. “We’re not going to study today.”

Slater cocked his head to the side. “Why?”

The children were still around the dining table while Charles went to make a call and Allison had to check the kitchen briefly.

“Because Nina is coming home, and I think you might want some time with her,” was Penny’s answer, which should explain her decision. Unfortunately, that didn’t seem to explain it to them, since they all frowned.

Why would they make such an expression?

“I don’t mind studying on the weekends. We barely have time until the final exam. Penny, let’s study!” Slater urged. “There’s no time for me to be playing. I don’t want to end up as a bottom feeder at the end of the year.”

“Penny, I also need to study. Hugo raised a hand to get her attention. “I’ll wait for you in the library. If I get ten points today, Atlas told me he’d treat me somewhere nice. I’ll take you.”

He showed her a thumbs up while a wide grin turned up on Hugo’s face. The side of his teeth even shone, making Atlas furrow his brows.

When did I make that promise?” Atlas wondered, but didn’t dwell on it. He cast Penny a look and said, “Nina is only away during the weekdays and there’s nothing much to anticipat

return. She’d understand we needed to study – she should study too.”

for her

“Oh.” Penny was speechless, scanning their nonchalant fronts. “Well, if that’s what you say,”

******

After over an hour on the road, Nina perked up when she finally caught the gates of the Bennet Mansion. Her excitement, however, was short–lived when she heard the twin’s amazement.

110 Expectation and reality

“Wow… so this is where Penny lives? It’s so huge!” Yuri was in awe as the vehicle slowed down toward the gates. “It’s like a castle. Mom, this neighborhood is so rich. Can we ever live in here?” Jessa smirked. “You kids. Just wait until your mom becomes successful. Even though she wasn’t doing anything else to have a career.

“Wow… this is amazing. Do they even walk here? How do they buy groceries with such a large driveway?” Yugi was also amazed. “We should bring our bikes here next time. I think it’ll be cool to ride a bike here.

As the twins blurted out everything that was in their minds, Nina couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

They kept saying Penny this and Penny that- tch. She crossed her arms grumpily and looked away. Let’s see, once you see how my family dotes on me, you’ll know blood isn’t always thicker

than water.‘ 1

But alas, when the van pulled over in front of the mansion, Nina’s expectations were slapped down the drain by reality. The person she was expecting to be waiting for her eagerly was nowhere in sight. Not her father, not her mother, and not even one of her brothers.

“Welcome to our manor, Mrs. Cortez, Butler Jen politely greeted them. I’m glad to see you again.”

Jessa arched a brow as she looked at Butler Jen up and down. “You’re the old butler who came with her the last time. Where’s my niece?”

“She’s still studying, but I’ve already asked someone to call for her. She didn’t know you were coming today – as per your request.

“Good!” Jessa grinned. “Very well! Kids, get our stuff.”

“I will do it.” Butler Jen offered, but Jessa simply waved a hand.

“It’s alright. This is my kids‘ exercise. Let them be. Moreover, if they spilled the food I prepared for Penny, I could scold them. But I can’t scold you.”

Butler Jen laughed awkwardly and nodded, still he took the initiative to assist them.

Meanwhile, Nina stared out of the entrance blankly. “This isn’t right. Why… didn’t they welcome

me back? a

Where was her grand and heartfelt welcome–back reunion?

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