"Just let those fools fight over who’s going to pay. Here, have a drink."
Penny’s gaze fell on the wineglass Jessa was pouring. She let out a deep breath and smacked her lips.
’Well, I guess I’m no longer an occasional drinker,’ she thought. ’Though I do have something to celebrate today... and something I want to forget.’
"Jessi," Allison sighed, only to receive a sharp look from Jessa.
"Allison, Penny is already a big girl," Jessa argued, sliding the glass of wine in front of Penny. "Here, have a drink. Then, let’s talk about our crush. You little nasty girl. I heard you went on a date."
"Don’t call her nasty," Allison remarked, but Jessa just smirked.
"How could I not? Just look at her!" Jessa intoned, causing Allison to cast a glance at Penny.
Penny pursed her lips, blushing as she heedlessly reached for the wine and chugged it down. As soon as she did, Atlas felt all his senses tingling. Turning his head amidst his debate with Charles, his mouth fell open, eyes wide.
"Penny!" His loud call made everyone flinch and turn toward him. All they saw was Atlas rushing to Penny, but it was too late. Before he could reach her, Penny put the empty wineglass down.
"Hah!" she hissed in satisfaction, raising her brows as she noticed everyone staring at her. Or rather, at someone near her. Following their gaze, her eyes fell on Atlas. "Oh, First Brother—hic!"
Penny hiccuped a couple more times, her vision spinning wildly. "Huh?"
A sound escaped her lips, and before she knew it, everything went blank.
THUD!
All eyes that had been on Atlas immediately moved to Penny. She had passed out, her head hitting the table.
"..."
For a moment, everyone was speechless at the turn of events. Slater even rubbed his eyes to make sure what he’d seen was real. Others simply furrowed their brows in confusion.
"She... she only had one glass, right?" Jessa’s puzzled voice pierced the still air. "I didn’t even fill it all the way. It was only half."
Allison’s mouth fell open, staring at her daughter in disbelief. "She... she’s this much of a lightweight?"
"Is that wine strong?" Slater inquired. "How did she get drunk on one drink?"
Atlas, on the other hand, pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Penny doesn’t drink," Haines explained, glancing at Charles, who gave him a look. "I took care of her while we were abroad."
Charles nodded, approaching his wife. As he did, he picked up the bottle of wine and inspected it.
"This isn’t a light one, but it’s definitely not strong either," he remarked, eyes falling on Penny. "My princess is really adorable! How cute!"
"She hit her head and you think it’s cute?" Jessa snorted while Allison leaned forward worriedly.
"Penny?" Allison called, tilting her daughter’s head to check for any injury. "Penny, are you okay?"
"She’s passed out," Hugo muttered from the corner, still sulking. "She’s going to be okay... I guess?"
Everyone cast Hugo a glance, finding him a bit pitiful. Even Jessa felt sorry for him, considering he had the most dangerous career among them all. Yet even Jessa was richer than him.
"Young man, don’t worry too much," said Jessa. "Just focus on the good things. You have a motorbike — at least something’s in your name."
Hearing her consolation didn’t feel comforting at all. If anything, it made Hugo realize he had no financial literacy. He had spent most of his savings and was running low on allowance.
"I’m going to drive her home," Atlas declared, hands on his hips. "Someone needs to take her motorbike."
"I can," Charles volunteered, then turned to Allison. "You can ride with Haines, Ali. Is that okay?"
"Well..." Allison nodded. "I guess? I only had a bit of wine."
"Let’s drink at your place, Ali," Jessa giggled. "Tomorrow’s our day off, and we need to go to the salon, anyway."
’Why is she so heavy? Are her bones made of iron?’ he thought, giving his younger sister a piggyback ride.
[Bennet Mansion]
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress
Please update....
Please update the story...
Please update this story...