Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1856

1856 /1859

Chapter 1856: Zoren’s Beloved Wife.

One reason Penny hid from the public eye was not simply because she wanted to stay anonymous. It was because she didn’t like the spotlight. And by that, she meant she hated being surrounded by media people with their cameras pointed at her.

She didn’t have a good memory of such attention. The last time her face was broadcast for everyone to see was when she had to beg and cry for help.

Although over the years, she’d managed to handle some level of media attention and cameras on her, all those times had been under the condition of Penny being aware of it.

Deep lines appeared on Penny’s brows as she reached the main entrance of the building.

"What is going on..." As she approached the entrance, people from the media perked up.

Like zombies, they rushed toward the entrance, only to be stopped by the line of bodyguards outside the premises.

The moment Penny stepped outside, accompanied by her just-as-confused assistants, the commotion outside finally reached her ears.

"Miss Penelope, is it true that you and CEO Pierson are having an affair?"

"Aren’t you ashamed to be hooking up with a married man?!"

"Since when has this relationship been going on?!"

The reporters tried to push the bodyguards, their arms outstretched, mics thrusting toward Penny.

Penny paused for a second, scanning the crowd of reporters trying to get a word from her about the alleged affair with her husband. If not for the bodyguards set up outside, she would have easily been overwhelmed. But right now, all she could think about was how these reporters were getting out of hand.

Well, she didn’t know it yet, but now, everyone had proof.

Back then, it was simply speculation with "blurred" photos. But in reality, the photos taken were of low quality. Now, however, was a different story. The photo circulating on the internet was a clear shot of her and Zoren.

"Does your family know about this?"

"Have they spoken to you yet? What did Slater say about this behavior?"

"Miss Penny, aren’t you afraid this will affect your brother’s career?"

Penny pressed her lips into a thin line before hearing Mark’s voice beside her.

"Miss Penny, please go back inside," Mark said, gently holding her arm. "We’ll deal with them at once."

"That’s right, Miss Penny," Hayley, seeing the growing crowd, felt her heart clench. "Let’s go inside."

Teddy and Shawn nodded in agreement, about to assist Penny when she sighed.

"I suppose I should really clear this up once and for all," she muttered, thinking they all had a point.

Even though Penny preferred a very private life—a life where it was just Zoren and her in their quiet little world—some people were affected by her decision. So, she thought a public statement would suffice.

Penny drew a deep breath and raised her hand, facing the reporters past the bodyguards.

"Please, no pushing," she said. "The people you’re pressuring are just that—people, not barricades. I’ll talk, but please..."

The reporters paused and exchanged looks for half a breath. Just as she said, they took one step back, their arms still outstretched, mics and recorders in hand.

As everyone focused on Penny’s statement, a few cars pulled into the driveway. Those in the back turned their heads and quickly spotted the people walking out of the cars. Their eyes widened the moment they saw a man step out of the backseat of one of the vehicles.

"Hey, hey!" One cameraman slapped his colleague’s shoulder, who was busy setting up a device. "Hey!"

"What?!" The colleague glared at him angrily, only to see the latter staring at someone in horror. Curious, the colleague turned his head, and his mouth dropped open.

Meanwhile, Penny smacked her lips and faced the crowd.

’It’s a good thing I practiced speaking in front of a crowd,’ she sighed in relief. "One article came to my attention just this morning—"

FLASH!

Just as Penny began her impromptu public statement, a blinding flash from a camera beamed at her. The flash was so bright it momentarily blinded her.

Instead of squinting, Penny’s mind blanked as her eyes remained wide. All the years of practice, meant to help her stand in front of people, felt like they had gone down the drain with that one single blinding flash.

In that brief moment of light, everything from that bitter past replayed in her mind. The incessant questions that sounded more like accusations, the chorus of voices, and the pressure in the air from the crowd surrounding her.