PAMPERED

265 splinter in my throat.

“See you at lunch” a

Benjamin’s heart thudded upon hearing Penny’s remark. That sounded more like a threat–hadn’t she said she would stay away?! He opened his mouth to call her out, but at the same time, came into view.

He furrowed his brows as he watched Dean approach the strange woman.

Dean glanced at Benjamin briefly before stopping in front of Penny.

“Why are you here?” Penny frowned, only to receive a smile from Dean.

“I was worried.

“Oh.” She nodded and nonchalantly strutted off.

Dean

Dean sighed faintly, glancing back at the deadly glare Benjamin was throwing in his direction. He returned it with a smile before following Penny.

In the elevator, Penny stood motionless beside him. NôvelDrama.Org owns all © content.

“Don’t follow me next time,” she said after a full minute of silence. “You know how much I hate

that.”

Dean cast her a sidelong glance. “I can’t help it. Sometimes following you helps, doesn’t it?”

Penny didn’t answer but finally gave him a sharp look. “Still with that?”

“Penny, I told you to stay away from him.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s dangerous.”

“No.” Penny shook her head once. “That’s not the reason.”

Dean’s jaw tightened as he held her sharp gaze, which she reserved only for him. “Because I’m Jealous,” he breathed out. “We’re not together, and I don’t mind if we will never be. But, Penny, date anyone else, but not him.”

“Why?” She blinked, her expression unchanged.

“He’s my enemy,” he answered quietly but solemnly.

Penny ran her tongue across her inner check while studying his eyes. She nodded and huffed.

“I said don’t worry,” she clicked her tongue and looked away. “I’m not trying to get his attention. because I’m interested in him. I just need something from him.”

“What is it?”

She paused before replying, “None of your concern.”

“Penny.”

“Dean. Penny took a deep breath and faced him squarely, looking him straight in the eye. “I will

<

265 splinter in my throat.

never forget how you saved me and Uncle Haines from that incident. But that doesn’t mean you get a say in everything I do.”

She stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them, her eyes even sharper and more intimidating.

“I’m not interested in your family drama. I have my own to deal with. I gave you my word, and I’ll keep it,” she stressed, her tone decisive and cold. “Whatever I need from Zoren Pierson is none of your concern, but rest assured, I won’t sell you out to him.”

“Do you understand?‘ she asked, raising her brows and humming.

Dean assessed the look in her eyes before he nodded. “If you say so,” he raised a hand in surrender. “Then I trust you.”

“Good”

With that, Penny stepped back and faced the elevator door. When the lift reached the ground floor, she quickly stepped out without sparing Dean another second of her time.

Dean tried to follow her but stopped in his tracks. Watching her retreating figure, a shallow breath slipped past his nostrils.

[FLASHBACK]

Penny’s head throbbed painfully, causing her eyes to flicker beneath her eyelids. She instinctively touched her head before slowly opening her eyes. The brightness of the room made her squint until her vision adjusted to the light.

“Penny…”

Despite the confusion in her mind, Penny turned to the side of the hospital bed.

There, leaning on the edge of the bed, was a pair of worried eyes. The corners of his eyes were red, and a thin layer of tears made them shine. The dark circles under his eyes were evident, and he looked like he hadn’t slept for days or had a proper shower.

“Dean?” she called, her brows furrowing.

“Penny, you’re finally awake!” Dean smiled in relief, pressing a button to call the hospital staff. “God… I thought… you… thank God.”

Penny’s already furrowed brows creased even more before a painful headache struck her again. Along with the pain came a flood of memories from before she woke up in this bed. Her mouth fell open, and her heart began to race.

The last memory she had was of Wild standing by the entrance of the abandoned warehouse.

“My Uncle Haines-”

Dean clasped her hand and nodded reassuringly. “Uncle Haines is fine.”

“Huh?”

“Penny” He pressed his line together and forced a smile as he sighed “Uncle Haines is fine He

11:42

<

265 splinter in my throat.

woke up

last night.“

Penny studied his face, searching for any trace of deception in his eyes. When she found none, she finally heaved a sigh of relief.

“He is fine?” she asked once more, as if that would bring her more comfort.

Dean nodded and quietly sat down on the edge of the bed. “Uncle Wild and I took turns watching over you and Uncle Haines. Uncle Haines was also worried about you and wanted to take care of you when he heard you hadn’t regained consciousness…

Dean explained everything to Penny in a kind and gentle tone, almost lulling her back to sleep. He told her everything every little detail, except for one.

The person who found their (Penny and Haines) location was Dean.

Dean had used his family’s connections to locate where their abductors had taken them. After all, Dean had been at the scene when it happened and quickly called for help. When he heard back from his family, he immediately informed Wild about Penny and Haines’s location before sending the information to the police.

That’s how Wild managed to get there in time and saved Penny and Haines.

It was also why Penny felt indebted to Dean from then on until the present.

It was why, even though Penny didn’t like Dean and found him annoying most of the time, she tolerated him. She even helped him in some business affairs and supported him in ways she could.

Penny owed her life to Wild, but also to Dean.

And everything she was doing for Dean was merely a repayment of that enormous debt that didn’t seem to shrink, no matter how much she did. 0

[PRESENT TIME]

“It feels like a splinter in my throat.”