Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 532

Chapter 532: I thought you kept him around for laughs

Hugo wasn’t the first person to question Benjamin’s position in Zoren’s life. Others had questioned him in the past, and some even went as far as to humiliate and degrade Benjamin, saying he didn’t deserve the position.

But Benjamin was still working for Zoren even after all of that. He wasn’t there just because Zoren protected him or kept him around, but because, despite the criticism, Benjamin had proven himself to Zoren countless times.

"He may not be as perfect as others who do the same work. He’s grumpy, speaks out of turn, and exaggerates. He’s easily riled up and emotional, too," Zoren continued, voicing the thoughts in Hugo’s mind. "But he’s also a kind person — a good person, who isn’t afraid to take accountability for his mistakes and correct them."

Zoren paused and offered Hugo a smile. "Above all, Benjamin never changed for the worse. Despite working with me for so long and in this environment, he never let it change him. You, of all people, know how our environment can change people, having been to war yourself."

Hugo nodded, pleased with Zoren’s explanation of why he kept Benjamin by his side.

"In other words, you keep him around to keep you grounded, huh?" Hugo muttered, and Zoren nodded slightly. "Yeah, I know how environments can change people."

One could easily say: [While fighting monsters, hope that you don’t become one yourself.]

As someone who had been to war, Hugo had seen how it changes people. He had witnessed the eyes that once shone with life grow dim. He’d seen those who used to be so brave almost succumb to the battles in their minds left by the war. There were many stories of how environments change people.

Although Zoren wasn’t on a literal battlefield, there were some similarities. Instead of guns and grenades, he faced conspiracies and schemes. Worse, he was fighting with his own family. Zoren needed someone like Benjamin to help him avoid becoming like those who had come before him.

"I thought you kept him around for laughs, but it seems I’m the shallow one," Hugo quipped. "I like you."

Zoren smiled in satisfaction but didn’t say anything more. He returned to listening to the voice in his earplugs, continuing his work. As he did so, he noticed his phone light up nearby.

---

[Mama]

"So Penny is married, huh?" Nina said in awe, eating lunch with Allison and Jessa. "I didn’t know she was married."

"None of us did, so don’t take it to heart," Jessa replied. "That sneaky girl... tsk tsk tsk. I haven’t seen her husband. Ali, is he how you described him?"

Allison nodded. "He’s a good man, for sure."

"Penny wouldn’t have married him secretly if he wasn’t," Nina said with a smile. "She always acts like she knows nothing about relationships, but she’s been married all along. That girl... she’s really secretive at times."

"I told you, don’t take it to heart."

"Aunty, I’m not, but I still feel sad that I wasn’t invited to her wedding."

"Even I wasn’t invited, but I’m sure they’ll have a big wedding once everything is settled," Allison reassured her.

Nina studied Allison’s smile before asking, "Mom, are you okay?"

"Do you think she’s okay?" Jessa arched a brow. "I’m not even her mother, but I’m disappointed. Then again, Penny’s always been like this. Sometimes I wonder if she’s... abnormal."

"She’s married to Zoren Pierson?" Nina asked, almost dropping her fork. "That Zoren Pierson?"

Nina hadn’t seen Zoren in person, but she’d heard about him. ’But didn’t Patricia and her mom keep bragging about her relationship with him?’