"Sir Atlas?" Butler Jen paused in the living area when he saw Atlas seated on the couch alone.
Atlas lifted his eyes to Butler Jen, noticing that the butler was already in his pajamas, wearing a strange nightcap on his head. Out of courtesy, he didn’t ask about it, knowing Butler Jen’s hair had been thinning, his scalp visible even from a distance.
"Did Penny say she would come home?" Atlas asked calmly. "She told me she’d be home a little later, but it’s already..."
Atlas trailed off as he glanced at his wristwatch. "It’s already two in the morning. No word from her."
"Ahh..." Butler Jen nodded. He glanced at the closed entrance, furrowing his brows. "Well."
"Do you think something happened to her?" Atlas wondered.
"First Young Master, that’s a bit much. Something probably came up. She’s been busy the past few days," Butler Jen replied with a dry laugh. "Why don’t you rest first, First Young Master? I can wait for Miss Penny."
Atlas shook his head. "Thank you, but you’re also tired, Butler Jen. I’ll wait for her to come."
"But, Young Master Atlas, what if Miss Penelope already slept somewhere?"
"And where would that be?"
"The mansion isn’t that far, and if she did, she would’ve told us."
Butler Jen pursed his lips worriedly. Now, he was concerned as well. Not that he believed something had happened to her, but this was out of character for Penny. If she couldn’t make it home, she would’ve made a short call or informed someone in the house.
Penny didn’t like worrying her family, after all.
As the silence settled between the two, they heard a car engine outside. Both of them turned toward the entrance, waiting for someone to come in.
"I’ll get the door," Butler Jen said, hurrying to the entrance. As soon as he opened the door, the person outside flinched in surprise.
"Butler Jen?" Slater gasped mildly, placing a hand on his chest. "Goodness, Butler Jen, it’s already past midnight. Don’t tell me you got up to open the door for me?"
Slater’s eyes softened, touched by his quick assumption. "Butler Jen, you didn’t have to do that. I’m a big guy now, though I know you’re too fond of me."
"Young Master Slater," Butler Jen smiled before looking back at Atlas. The second his eyes met Atlas’s, the latter shook his head and leaned back.
"I’m going to call her again, but if she doesn’t answer, I’m calling the police," Atlas said casually, taking out his phone.
It wasn’t like Penny had a curfew. She was old enough to stay out and capable enough to run her own company. Even so, as her big brothers, they were worried because she hadn’t told them she wouldn’t be coming home.
While Atlas tried to reach her phone, Slater furrowed his brows.
"Butler Jen, what’s going on?" he asked as he cautiously stepped into the mansion.
Butler Jen sighed and smiled. "Miss Penny isn’t home yet, and Young Master Atlas is worried since she didn’t say anything."
"Oh..." Slater furrowed his brows before joining his brother in the living area.
If Atlas was worried, Slater knew he had to assist. Their sister had just recently come home. Atlas wouldn’t be concerned if there wasn’t a reason to be. Now, the three of them stayed in the living area, waiting for Penny, until Hugo’s figure appeared on the staircase.
"What’s going on here?" Hugo asked as he walked down the stairs slowly.
Atlas didn’t pay him any attention, while Slater and Butler Jen gazed in his direction. This time, Slater summarized the situation.
"Oh." Hugo stopped near them. "No wonder Chunchun is still in my room."
"We’re calling her now," Slater said. "First Brother said if she doesn’t pick up in another few minutes, we’ll call the police."
Hugo furrowed his brows, nodding in understanding. "No need to call the police. Is her phone ringing?"
"Yes," Butler Jen quickly answered.
"I’ll call a friend of mine to track its location," Hugo said as he sat beside Slater and, across from Atlas, originally headed for a glass of water.
Slater worriedly stared at his older brother while Hugo’s expression remained stern. Butler Jen, still standing nearby, darted his eyes between the three of them.
’Please, Miss Penny! Answer the phone if you’re safe!’ Butler Jen prayed fervently. ’If you don’t, I’m afraid your brothers will turn Anteca upside down just to find out where you are!’
Butler Jen’s hands began to sweat and turn cold with nerves. He didn’t know what worried him more: the fact that Penny wasn’t answering, or the way the Bennet brothers’ moods continued to plummet.
Ring... Ring... Ring...
A glint flickered across Atlas’s eyes while Hugo bore a sharp look, both appearing ready to use whatever power they held to rescue their sister if necessary. Slater, on the other hand, carried a mix of worry and resolve. If his brothers made a move, he would join them without hesitation.
The three of them had built their careers and established significant networks. If they joined forces, they could find her quickly... and perhaps rescue her if needed.
"One more," Atlas said as he ended the call and quickly redialed Penny’s number. "If she doesn’t answer, Hugo, call your friend and track her down."
Hugo nodded. "I know."
"Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. I can call some of my friends to check the bars, clubs, and other places around the city," Slater proposed, and Atlas nodded in satisfaction.
"We’ll make a move if she doesn’t answer this time," Atlas said sternly, and the other two nodded in agreement.
The three of them listened to the phone ring, as Atlas had put it on speaker. Each ring darkened their expressions further, their eyes growing sharper, and their aura becoming more suffocating.
Just when they thought the ringing would end, the line suddenly connected. However, when Atlas opened his mouth to speak, a man’s voice was heard from the other side of the line.