CHAPTER 504: QUITE IGNORANT

Slater’s laughter echoed across the manor as he slapped the table. The twins giggled beside him, covering their lips with their tiny hands—hands that did absolutely nothing to muffle their gleeful chuckles.

As for Lola, her face was as red as an apple. She drew a deep breath, swallowing her embarrassment like a hard pill.

I wish... this ground would open up now and swallow me, she winced inwardly, touching her head.

Her eyes drifted to where Atlas sat, only to catch the black panther resting near his feet. And sitting atop the panther’s back—like some sort of tiny overlord—was the white cat.

"Mommy is so cute," Chacha giggled, making Lola turn to her. "When you threw that dummy, it was so pathetic... but cute."

Second chuckled beside her. "Mommy, it’s okay. You didn’t know it was Renny."

"Sis, you should’ve—ha! Ha! Ha!" Slater wheezed, unable to finish his sentence as he practically died from laughter.

Lola deadpanned, frowning as her eyes teared up. She turned to her husband, hoping he would shut the trio down. But Atlas only looked at her... and smirked.

"That was cute," he uttered lowly, completely unaware that Lola mentally wept right then and there.

"Kids, you shouldn’t be like that to your mother." Suddenly, Allen’s voice rang out.

Everyone turned to him as he joined them, taking a seat in the empty chair.

"Although, Miss Lola, I was curious..." he hummed, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What made you think throwing that dummy would save the master?"

"Pfft—" The twins and Slater stifled a laugh, earning a sharp glare from her.

"Atlas!" Lola snapped at her husband. This time, Atlas glanced at his children and Slater.

He didn’t have to say a word. The twins immediately cleared their throats and straightened up. Slater had to look away and cover his mouth to suppress the rest of his laughter.

"Tsk." Lola clicked her tongue and sighed. "I didn’t know Renny was actually a black panther. I heard of a black cat in the family, but I didn’t think it was actually a black panther!"

Besides, who in the world keeps a black panther as a pet?! Who, in their right minds, really?!

And this black panther could kill someone without even using its teeth!

"Now that I think about it, you were in Anteca," Allen mused as he served himself a plate. "Miss Lola, how come you never met Renny?"

"Renny was in the Old Pierson Residence," Atlas explained. "She never visited that place."

Allen’s mouth formed an o-shape. "Ohh, that’s why..."

"Besides, I was busy with everyone," Lola added. "It was never in the itinerary to meet Penny and Zoren’s first child."

She paused, turning to the white cat. "Or rather, second child."

Another deep exhale escaped her as she shook her head. Even now, her knees trembled. Even if she had experience fighting people, she would never wrestle with panthers, tigers, lions, or anything like that. She wasn’t immortal—or insane.

"Now that I think about it..." she hummed, changing the topic as a thought crossed her mind. She looked at Renny and Chunchun, brows knitting. "Why are these two here?"

Of course she had been told that Renny needed some peace, and that the quadruplets were fighting over her. But Lola knew that wasn’t the only reason.

"Chunchun is old," Atlas said quietly, his eyes shifting to the white cat perched on top of Renny. "She’s lived through all these years since Penny was a kid."

In fact, as hard as it was to say, Chunchun should’ve passed a long time ago. The years she had lived had already far exceeded a cat’s normal lifespan.

"Oh..." Lola murmured, her mouth forming an o-shape as she sensed the shift in the dining room’s mood. Even Allen frowned softly as he looked at the white cat.

"Miss Penny was hopeful that the Order could help," Allen added, and the others nodded. "She said she’s not ready to let her go."

Even though they all knew Penny had to eventually let her go peacefully.

"I see." Lola let out a shallow breath, forcing a small smile when she noticed her twins sniffing, their eyes glistening. Her own gaze softened, drifting to Atlas, and she caught him still staring at the black panther and the white cat with concern.

*****

Everyone tried not to dwell on Chunchun’s condition. After dinner, Atlas, Allen, and Slater took the black panther and the white cat with them—likely to get them checked.

As for Lola, she took the twins to their room, helped them shower, and tucked them into bed.

"Mommy?" Second called out, making Lola shift her attention to him. "Is Chunchun going to be fine?"

Chacha’s eyes gleamed with worry as she stared at her.

Lola pressed her lips into a thin line. She wasn’t an expert, but considering how long the cat had lived, she knew the truth. Penny and the family would have to let go soon. Still, Lola had never owned a pet.

So who was she to speak?

"Aunt Penny sent Chunchun and Renny here," she hummed gently, stroking the twins’ heads. "But I’m sure Chunchun was happy... and loved by everyone."

That much she was sure of.

The twins exchanged a small smile, still unsure how to feel.

"But if I were Chunchun," Lola continued, noticing her earlier words weren’t enough to cheer them up, "I’d want a peaceful environment filled with love and happiness. So while Renny and Chunchun are here, let’s give them lots of love and make as many memories as we can, okay?"

The twins studied her for a moment and then nodded, smiling a little wider this time.

"Now, let’s sleep," Lola urged. "Lullaby?"

"Mhm~!"

With that, Lola hummed a soft tune and gently patted the blanket. The twins fell asleep quickly, not surprising at all.

Once their breaths deepened, Lola exhaled softly and stared at them. She stroked their cheeks, her mind drifting back to the pets’ condition.

"I don’t know where to stand here," she murmured, glancing at the children before sighing again.

After making sure the twins were tucked in securely, Lola stepped out of the room. It was still early, but around this time, everything here was always calm. Even so, she worried about her children. So she headed downstairs to find Atlas and ask about Chunchun and Renny.

But the moment Lola reached the first floor, she froze as a voice echoed through the space.

"I don’t know if I’m amazed or not, but you are quite ignorant, aren’t you?"

Slowly, Lola turned her head. And there, seated on one of the sofas, was Scarlet.