Meanwhile, in the drawing room of the Bennet Mansion, Charles sat in a single leather wingback chair. To his right was Haines, with Atlas next to him, and on his left sat Zoren Pierson.
Tension hung in the air, thick and palpable. No one spoke for a moment. Their expressions were grim, especially Atlas. Zoren, however, maintained a dignified and composed demeanor.
The current issues on the table were: Penny’s marriage, the story behind the dissolution of her engagement with the Ito family, Penny’s drunken antics, and Zoren’s request to take her home with him.
It was a lot to process, and Charles and Haines didn’t know where to start. They weren’t even sure what emotion should dominate their hearts, given that everything had been thrown at them all at once.
"I apologize for how the engagement was dissolved," Atlas finally broke the silence after several long minutes. "I won’t make excuses. I take full responsibility."
’That’s not something he should apologize for,’ Zoren thought, but he kept his opinion to himself. After all, Zoren and Penny wouldn’t have even known they were married if it hadn’t been for Penny’s idea to resolve the situation.
"You cheeky—" Charles touched his nape, clenching his teeth as he tried to keep his cool. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before snapping them open to glare first at Atlas, then at Zoren.
His gaze was filled with bitterness as he assessed the well-groomed, dignified man sitting on the couch. Charles was still reeling from the fact that his baby girl had gone on a date — an actual date with a man!
And now, this brat, just after their first date, was saying he wanted to take his daughter home?! The nerve!
Charles scoffed. "Atlas, get my shotgun."
"I do not wish to be an accessory to murder," Atlas replied in his usual plain tone. "However, being a witness shouldn’t land me in too much trouble."
Haines secretly chuckled at Atlas’s response. However, he also thought that if not for his limp, he would’ve gotten that shotgun ready beforehand.
"Tch." Charles hissed at his eldest son. "Once I’m done with him, you and I will have a talk."
Despite all that had unraveled tonight, Zoren’s request took priority. Charles strategically postponed scolding Atlas to address the matter at hand. After all, this young man seemed to take advantage of the situation and wanted to have it easy.
"Zoren Pierson," Charles began, waiting for Zoren to meet his gaze. "You’ve got a lot of nerve, don’t you? Have you not considered that you’re nearly the same age as my eldest son? It’s like my eldest marrying my youngest child!"
"No, sir. I didn’t consider that."
Charles’ face twisted at Zoren’s quick, honest response. Dealing with Atlas was already stressful enough — this family didn’t need another version of him.
"Hmph!" Charles leaned back, trying to keep his temper in check and avoid a heart attack. "I understand that you and Penny are technically married now, and that neither of you would’ve known if it hadn’t been for Atlas and Penny’s ridiculous solution to dissolve that pathetic engagement. But this marriage isn’t valid — it might be legal, but it’s only on paper."
Pointing a finger at Zoren, Charles shook his finger. "There are no shortcuts to marriage, young man. I don’t care what family you come from — you could be a demigod for all I care — but you’re not taking the easy route when it comes to my Penny!"
A subtle smile tugged at Zoren’s lips. In a way, he had expected this reaction from Penny’s father. After all, where would Penny and Atlas get their stubbornness from if their father was a pushover?
"I agree with him," Haines chimed in, his tone less mocking but firm. "I’ve been with Penny for the past twelve years, and I’ve never seen her drunk — at least, not on her own volition."
Atlas frowned, sensing that Haines was indirectly blaming him.
"However," Haines continued, "even if it’s true that alcohol brings out a different side of her, letting her stay with a stranger isn’t the best idea. You said it yourself, young Mr. Pierson — Penny orchestrated this marriage while you were on the brink of death. I’m not saying this to be one-sided, but it’s for the best — for her and for you."
Though Haines spoke calmly, there was no doubt he was being somewhat one-sided. Zoren’s well-being wasn’t his primary concern — they were strangers, after all. But Penny’s involvement required Charles and Haines to strategize quickly. Thus, playing the good and bad cop.
Atlas nodded slightly, staying focused on the situation without revealing his uncle’s bias. "I agree," he said. "It’s not that I don’t believe you, but I think it’s too rash to have you both under the same roof."
"Hmph! Do you think my little Penny is that easy?" Charles harrumphed, unaware that his daughter would gladly throw herself at Zoren if given the chance. "I appreciate you coming to me and informing me of the situation, but my answer is a firm NO. You two have barely dated. How could I let my daughter jump into marriage without proper preparation?"
Charles paused, huffing again before continuing. "Love marriages are hard enough, young man. What do you think will happen in this surprise marriage between two people, who made this decision, in their most unstable state?"
Haines and Atlas both nodded in agreement, keeping things logical and calm. As a family, they were struggling to fully grasp the gravity of the marriage, but their opposition wasn’t solely emotional — it was grounded in reason.
Zoren nodded in understanding before locking eyes with Charles. Despite his vision problems, he looked his father-in-law squarely in the eye and said, "I’m not asking to take her home for a shortcut, sir. Penny deserves more, and I would never disrespect her in that way or any other."
His tone was calm and sincere as he added, "The reason I reached out is because... I believe my wife is in danger. To protect her — and myself — I need to keep her close."