PAMPERED

248 Registered five years ago

“I’m not getting married. O

Atlas raised his brows and glanced at his sister, who hadn’t waited for anyone to settle in before dropping the bombshell. However, he didn’t stop her and merely shrugged, as he would have done the same if he were in her shoes.

Old Mrs. Bennet frowned deeply. “What is the meaning of this? Penelope Bennet, do you even understand the gravity of what you’re saying?”

“Atlas, did you gather all of us here to tell us that Penelope isn’t getting married?” another uncle spoke in displeasure. “Didn’t you say you’d come here with Penny to discuss the arrangement we had?”

“Cousin,” Sven chuckled mildly. “Did you tell Penny about the situation with the Ito Family?”

Sven flashed Penny a kind smile. “Penny, if your First Brother hasn’t told you yet, let me summarize it for you.”

After observing Penny for a moment, Sven jumped to the conclusion that she was all appearance and no substance. She had been clinging to Atlas, and someone like that typically needed protection from someone stronger. Moreover, aside from securing an internship under a renowned professor, there was nothing noteworthy about her.

All they knew was that she was studying under this professor.

But, alas, anyone could claim they were studying under a renowned professor to deceive others. After all, Penny was swapped as a baby. Her parents might have wanted to conceal the fact that their real daughter was a failure or a troublemaker.

“That is why our elders are eager to fulfill this marriage, Sven explained with a kind smile. “Do you understand now, Penny?” 2

With Sven’s gentle approach, the elders calmed down.

“I know Atlas might have missed some important details, but this union is crucial, Sven–added kindly, not forgetting to drag Atlas’s name into it. “We all know Atlas is very fond of you, and he’s been resisting this agreement ever since it was brought up. However, no one can blame him. He’s just trying to protect his little sister, after all.”

Penny tilted her head to the side. “Ito Family of Ito Motors?”

“Yes, Penny. Sven nodded gently. “I’m sure you know them even if you’re not involved in the business.

‘Yes, I know them very well,‘ Penny almost laughed to herself. After all, they’ve been begging me to look after them for years since they had a conflict with an organized group.

“I see. Penny nodded.

Sven glanced proudly at the elders before shifting his attention back to Penny. “So, with this, we

can now…”

“Cousin, you did mention some details my brother didn’t tell me. However, I still can’t marry.” Penny flashed them a smile while everyone else frowned.

“Penny.” Sven was displeased. “Did you listen to what I said? It’s Ito Motors and-”

“It’s not that I don’t want to marry,” Penny interrupted him mid–sentence before he could make himself look good again. “It’s just that I can’t marry twice. I’m already married!”

“Impossible!” Sven scoffed. “How can you be married?!”

“What nonsense are you talking about now?!” Sven’s father barked as well. “Atlas, what does she mean by that?”

“Atlas, were you keeping secrets from us?!” their grandmother expressed her dismay. “What is going on here? After Sven’s efforts to make this arrangement as peaceful as possible, why are you only revealing this now?”

“Are you both trying to deceive us?!” another relative chimed in. “How can you be married all of a sudden?!”

“I’m not lying, Uncle.” Penny took out her marriage certificate and slid it to the middle of the table. “You can check my marriage certificate, registered… five years ago.”

“What?!”

Penny jerked her chin at her marriage license, watching her uncle reach out to check it. But before he could open it, a loud noise caught everyone’s attention.

Chairman Bennet pounded his fist against the table. “Atlas, what’s the meaning of this? Explain. before I decide to call my lawyer to draft my will.”

“Grandpa, Grandma, Uncles, don’t be angry at my First Brother,” Penny pouted adorably, fluttering her eyelashes at her brother. “To be fair, First Brother didn’t know about this until I came back. So, he couldn’t have told you carlier.

Atlas cast Penny a sidelong glance, thinking his sister truly knew how to tease people. ‘She never changed, he thought. Still mischievous as ever.”

“That’s true. I wasn’t aware of this either, but once I found out, I immediately called for a family meeting. That’s why we’re all here.” Atlas broke his silence, taking charge of the situation so Penny wouldn’t have to save him again. “Since this is unprecedented, and it’s my fault for not telling Penny about the engagement earlier, I take full responsibility for Ito Motors.”

Chairman Bennet waved dismissively. “It doesn’t matter anymore. If Penelope is married, then we can’t agree to the arrangement our ancestors made. His lips curved downward even more deeply, knowing they would now have to make amends. “Atlas, I am so disappointed in you.”

“I’ll handle the negotiations, Atlas reassured.

“No need. The Chairman waved his hand. “Let Sven do it”

This time, Atlas’s stoic expression changed. “Why him?”

“Sven has been a crucial part of the company even before your father handed it over to you. I terms of experience, he has a lot of it.”

In

248 Registered five years ago

‘But in terms of achievements?‘ Penny bit her tongue from saying it, knowing this was her brother’s fight, and she didn’t need to step in.

“He’s been acquainted with Ito Motors, and if they find out Penny is married, they’ll likely want us to make amends. Sven will try to get them to agree with our offer. After all, Sven is also the person who brought Prime Group into the country and kept us on their priority list,” said the chairman, making Sven and his father smile proudly. This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

However, when Atlas and Penny heard that, they squinted.

Prime Group? 2

Wasn’t that Penny’s company?

Atlas intuitively cast Penny a judgmental look, and she shook her head profusely.

“That’s not me! I didn’t do it!‘ her eyes seemed to tell him. He must be lying!

Atlas then cast Sven a look, his lips opening and closing, but he held back. “Fine,” Atlas nodded before a glint flickered across his eyes. “Sven, if Grandpa trusts you, then I trust his judgment. I hope you success dealing with Ito Motors and… the Prime Group.” When he mentioned Penny’s company, Atlas cast Penny a look.

‘Ahem!‘ Penny cleared her throat. I know, I know! You don’t have to look at me like that as if I wronged you!‘

“Of course, Cousin.” Sven smiled, satisfied. “Grandpa, don’t worry about the negotiations with Ito Motors. I’ll make sure they agree to our proposal and won’t cut us big for their shipments. And the Prime Group will definitely be on our side.””

Atlas leaned back, choosing to watch this unfold. As for Penny, she pursed her lips while staring at the shameless Sven.

“Why is he bragging about my company as if he had control over it?‘ she wondered but chose to let his lie linger so it would bite him more harshly later. I should’ve known it was Ito Motors. I could’ve just asked them to dissolve the engagement themselves. But oh well, I wouldn’t have known I was married if not for this!‘

In a way, her problem with the engagement was resolved easily. But Penny hadn’t yet heaved a sigh of relief because a bigger problem awaited her–one involving the marriage certificate in her possession.