Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 410

Chapter 410: Fate is such a funny thing

"Penny!"

Zoren’s ears slightly perked up when he heard Ray’s voice outside the private dining room. He arched a brow, listening to Ray talking to someone.

"Penny?" he whispered, narrowing his eyes, a strange premonition settling over him. When he finally heard Penny’s voice, Zoren leaned back as realization struck him.

"I don’t think it’s fate, Ray. It’s definitely bad luck."

’So, the woman he’s been wooing so shamelessly...’ Zoren ran his tongue along his inner cheek, tapping his fingertip on the table. No one could tell what was going through his mind as he eavesdropped on the conversation in the hall.

Ray sounded like a desperate salesman, trying to convince a customer to buy something they didn’t want or need. It was clear why Ray had become a professor instead of a businessman—he would’ve been terrible at it. Penny didn’t sound even slightly interested. In fact, her lack of response made it clear she wasn’t.

This realization brought a satisfied smile to Zoren’s face.

After a moment, their voices grew closer as they stopped outside the private dining room.

"He’s going to cry a river," Zoren muttered, shaking his head as he flipped through the catalog in front of him. Now, he was more interested in browsing the catalog, wondering if there was anything he could buy for his wife.

"Sure."

A smirk tugged at his lips when he heard Penny’s voice. ’She’s a troublemaker,’ he mused.

The sound of the sliding door opening didn’t faze Zoren. He remained as still as a lake, his attention fixed on the catalog. When he felt his cousin and Penny step into the room, he finally glanced up at them.

"Cousin!" Ray hurried over to Zoren’s side, tugging at his arm. Zoren looked down at Ray’s hand on his arm before lifting his gaze to him. "Cousin, this is the woman I was talking about. I invited her to join us for lunch. That’s alright with you, right?"

Zoren shifted his gaze to Penny. Though he didn’t see clearly, she winked.

"Sure," Zoren replied, offering her a flirtatious smirk. "Why wouldn’t it be okay?"

"Hehe." Ray, seemingly forgetting his cousin’s wife was also supposed to attend, quickly turned to Penny. "Penny, come sit, sit. Anyway, this is my cousin, Zoren Pierson. Ren—Zoren, this is the woman I was telling you about. Her name’s Penelope Bennet. Penny for short."

’That guy is bad luck, but this one... this is fate,’ Penny thought, smiling at Zoren. "I know him."

Zoren rocked his head and gave Ray a look. "I know her as well."

"Great!" Ray clapped happily, almost leaping over to pull out a chair for Penny, but she was quick to do it herself. He chuckled awkwardly, promising himself he’d be faster next time.

He cleared his throat and smiled. "Shall we order?"

Penny and Zoren both nodded.

’Secret crush?’ Penny and Zoren both thought, wondering what part of Ray’s admiration had ever been a secret.

’Hehe. I’m sure she’s grateful to me. Not everyone gets to share a meal with my cousin. Even I, his cousin, have to set an appointment just to eat with him,’ Ray thought, grinning proudly, his tooth gleaming in the light.