Chapter 1741
Chapter 1741: It's not another problem-it's a condition
Penny discussed further details with Yugi and Wild regarding some matters that had occurred while she was gone. After all, this was the first time Penny was stepping away from the Prime Group's affairs in a long while. Yet she showed no shred of hesitation-this wasn't just about her husband.
This was also about Penny herself.
About the Penelope Bennet, who had been imprisoned and executed unjustly.
This was her closure.
Once Wild and Yugi left, Penny remained with Zoren, Mint, and Hugo.
They glanced at the door before exchanging looks.
"So, here's the plan," Mint began immediately, placing a folder on the table. "Hugo and I went over the idea of letting everyone in on the plan. Obviously, everyone agreed - after a long morning of arguing, of course."
She rolled her eyes, recalling the debate that had dragged her mental state through the gutter... only to be revived afterward.
"I instructed them on the skeletal strategy, just as we discussed," Hugo said, backing her up while Penny and Zoren picked up the folders. "It's a large-scale operation, practically at war level. But with the rising threat, we convinced them to agree. We were given time, so once we leave this place, Mint and I will be busy on the strategy."
"Even so, we still need something more concrete than what we've got now," Mint added, giving Zoren a look. "Hey, you said you went to retrieve the code this morning. How is it?"
"About that." Penny sat straighter, crossing one leg over the other in a relaxed manner. "I don't think we should make that our first move."
Mint and Hugo blinked, shifting their attention from Penny to Zoren.
"Why not?" Mint deadpanned. "Don't tell me you lied to me earlier? Were you just trying to impress Penny then?"
"No." Zoren leaned back, meeting their gazes squarely. "I retrieved the code. But I haven't mentioned everything about it. One detail is that using the code means taking on a lifetime role."
Mint and Hugo frowned, curiosity deepening in their expressions.
"The Zorken Family and their secret army weren't just an employer and employees. The code is a promise an agreement made between brothers a long time ago," Zoren explained. "It's not just tradition; it's a culture. The head of the secret army and the head of the family recognize each other through the code."
He paused, letting that settle.
"So?" Mint cocked her head. "We already know the Zorken Family would've been forced to choose an heir if they hadn't resorted to all that experimentation to have children."
"That's the point, Mint," Penny said. "The late Mr. Zorken knew the bloodline wasn't required to uphold the promise. They wanted their own children to lead the family, yes but the other party doesn't see it the same way."
"I'm getting confused," Hugo muttered, rubbing his chin. "I mean, this isn't really our problem. We're not here for the Zorken Family. We're here for their private army-those who don't have a stake in this and can't be bought by Nathalie Zorken."
They already suspected Nathalie's web reached the deepest and highest layers of Anteca. If that was the case, then they needed a force that wouldn't compromise their plan.
"Hugo's right," Mint agreed with a nod. "The only thing we want from the Zorken Family is for them to be behind bars. Especially Nathalie Zorken. Even if we can't tie her to the secret society, we're after her as the head of one of the largest crime organizations."
Penny and Zoren exchanged glances before turning their focus to the two.
"The thing is without Nathalie, without the Zorken Family—there's no one binding this army to anything," Penny explained. "They need the Zorken Family for their own reasons, just like the Zorken Family needs them."
"To sum it up: the person who uses the code must become the head of the Zorken Family," Zoren added simply.
Mint frowned, and Hugo leaned back, his expression blank.
"And by doing that," Penny added knowingly, "they'll have to continue the Zorken legacy. Otherwise, things will go south. Not just for the family or the secret society-but for everyone responsible for what's happened."
"And what if the person who uses the code refuses?" Hugo asked, purely curious.
"They'll kill you," Mint answered, leaning forward, resting her arms on her legs. "And maybe everyone around you... assuming they're still that kind of group."
Zoren nodded her assumption was correct. He knew because he'd used the code once and unleashed that kind of power.
"Mint, how about you use the code?" Hugo teased. "I don't want to live in a secret society, but you could. You're meant to be hidden, I think."
"No way." Mint clicked her tongue and glared. "Aren't we allies?"
Hugo smiled, aware that both Zoren and Penny were present. He wasn't about to
risk his life by declaring that he was rooting for Mint.
"Nope," he said, slapping the armrest. "So, the code is something we keep as a
last resort?"
He rocked his head. "That's fine by me."
"We still need someone to take over the Zorken Family," Penny cut in, making
both Mint and Hugo groan.
"What?" they echoed, displeased. "More problems?"
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"It's not another problem-it's a
condition," Penny clarified. "We mentioned someone needs to inherit the family. If the current head dies without an heir or the code being invoked, we don't know what that other group would do. Renren and I still aren't clear on their protocol in that case." The content is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest chapter there!
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"However, if the head is
killed-murdered,
Com
assassinated-that's a different
story," she added. "An eye for an
eye... or so my husband said." The content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
Zoren nodded, turning to Mint and Hugo. "If the family head dies under those
terms, the culprit pays. And so do the generations after them."
"Shit...?" Mint muttered in disbelief. "What kind of archaic law is this?"
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"They're a secret society," Hugo said
with a shrug. "Of course, they have twisted beliefs. Bottom line: who the hell do we put in charge of the Zorken
Family so our families don't get obliterated?" The content is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest chapter there!