Chapter 174: It’s quite artistic

The event continued, with donations pouring in one after another. The atmosphere remained lively as guests moved around the venue, contributing generously to the cause.

However, one particular person seemed to be growing increasingly bored.

"Just what kind of work has Mark gotten himself involved in?" Hannah muttered, staring at her phone.

She had tried calling him several times, but all she had received was a brief text informing her that he was busy with a task assigned by his boss—her very own brother.

And yet, despite all the time that had passed, Mark still hadn’t sent her another message.

Hannah narrowed her eyes at the screen.

*How difficult is it to send a simple text?*

She was just about to confront Dominic and ask why he had come to the event alone instead of bringing Mark along when something caught her attention.

Across the venue, Julianna was quietly making her way toward the exit.

Hannah blinked.

"Huh? Where is she going all of a sudden?"

She wasn’t particularly interested in Julianna. In fact, under normal circumstances, she would have been more than happy to stay far away from her. But knowing the kind of woman Julianna was—especially when Clara was involved—Hannah’s instincts refused to let the matter go.

Julianna had already shown enough questionable behavior to make anyone suspicious. And the fact that she was sneaking away from the event only made Hannah more curious.

Hannah glanced once at her phone, then back at Julianna’s retreating figure.

Mark could wait.

With a small sigh, she slipped her phone into her purse and followed Julianna, determined to find out what the woman was up to.

***

After leaving Vincent, Adrian and Logan spent some time meeting the guests. While some people spoke about the charity event and praised its organization, others took the opportunity to approach Adrian with business proposals.

Adrian listened politely, but with every passing minute, his patience—and his energy—began to run thin. His stomach also growled, reminding him that he had yet to satisfy his craving for dessert.

*How much longer do I have to endure this?*

Just when Adrian thought he had reached his limit, a small figure appeared in front of him.

He paused and looked down at the little girl standing before him.

"Are you Mr. Adrian?" Penelope asked, gazing up at him with curious eyes.

Jenny, who stood beside her, smiled politely.

"Good evening, Mr. Adrian. We’re from Daffodil Orphanage."

Adrian studied them for a moment before recognition dawned on his face.

"Oh, yes. I remember you now." His expression softened. "I hope you’re all enjoying the event."

"We are," Jenny replied. Then she glanced at Penelope. "However, Penelope has something she wants to give you."

Adrian followed her gaze and looked at the little girl.

"She’s the child you helped six years ago," Jenny explained.

Adrian’s eyes widened slightly as the memory returned.

Six years ago, when he had been overseas, Logan had been handling the company’s affairs back home. One day, Logan had approached him with a request concerning a baby who had been abandoned by her parents.

The child had been born prematurely and suffered from a serious heart condition. Her parents had left her behind, unable—or unwilling—to take responsibility for her medical needs.

Adrian had never been able to ignore a child in such circumstances. Though he had handled the matter quietly, ensuring that the baby received the treatment and care she needed, he had never expected to meet her again.

And now, that same child was standing before him.

Adrian’s expression softened as he looked at Penelope. Despite the years that had passed, he could still remember the details of the case. The little girl had been so fragile that even the doctors had been uncertain about her chances of survival.

He had immediately arranged for the necessary medical treatment and ensured that the hospital expenses were covered. Later, he had instructed Logan to find a suitable orphanage where the child could receive proper care and grow up in a safe environment.

At the time, Adrian had considered it nothing more than something he could do to help. He had never expected the child to remember him, much less seek him out at a charity event six years later.

"You’re the little girl I helped back then?" Adrian asked gently.

Penelope nodded. "Yes, Mr. Adrian."

"You’ve grown so much.’" A faint smile appeared on his face. "How have you been?"

"I’m doing well," Penelope replied with complete seriousness. "I eat properly, sleep properly, and I’m very good at finding people."

Jenny’s lips twitched. "That last part is debatable," she muttered.

Penelope turned toward her and frowned. "I found Sister Clara."

"After getting lost twice," Jenny reminded her.

"But I still found her."

Adrian raised his eyebrows, amused by their exchange.

"Sister Clara?"

"Yes," Penelope said brightly. "She gave me cookies. They were very delicious. She also helped me find Jenny and Sky."

Adrian glanced at Jenny, who nodded.

"Penelope met Miss Clara earlier this evening. She was very kind to her."

Adrian’s smile deepened slightly.

"That sounds like her."

He had heard enough about Clara to know that kindness was one of the qualities she rarely displayed for show. If she helped someone, she usually did it without expecting recognition or praise.

Penelope suddenly remembered the item in her hands and held it out toward him.

"I brought this for you."

Adrian looked down at the small, carefully wrapped package.

"For me?"

"Yes." Penelope nodded earnestly. "Because you saved me when I was a baby."

Adrian’s expression changed. For a moment, he simply stared at the gift.

"Who told you about that?"

"Jenny told me," Penelope answered. "She said I should thank you properly."

Jenny smiled apologetically.

"Penelope learned about your help a few months ago. She has been insisting on meeting you ever since. When we heard you would be attending tonight’s event, she was determined to come."

"Of course I was," Penelope added proudly. "I even practiced what I was going to say."

Adrian crouched slightly so he was closer to her eye level.

"And what were you going to say?"

Penelope straightened her little shoulders and spoke with great importance.

"Thank you for saving me, Mr. Adrian. I’m alive because of you, and I’m very happy to be alive."

The words struck Adrian more deeply than he expected.

For someone who had spent years making decisions that affected businesses, employees, and countless strangers, he had grown accustomed to viewing his actions through numbers and results. But hearing those words from the child herself reminded him that sometimes, one small decision could change an entire life.

He accepted the package carefully.

"Thank you, Penelope. This means a lot to me."

"You can open it."

Adrian glanced at Jenny, who gave him an encouraging nod.

He slowly unwrapped the package and found a small handmade card inside. The front was decorated with uneven flowers, glitter, and several crooked hearts. In the center, written in colorful crayon, were the words:

Thank you, Mr. Adrian.

Adrian stared at it for a moment. Logan leaned closer, examining the card.

"It’s quite artistic," he said politely.

Penelope beamed. "I made it myself."

"That explains the glitter," Logan replied.

Adrian shot him a look. Logan immediately straightened. "I mean, it’s beautiful."

Penelope narrowed her eyes at him. "You don’t sound like you mean it."

"I assure you, I do."

"Then you should smile more."

Logan forced a smile so exaggerated that Penelope giggled.

Adrian looked at the card again, his expression growing warmer.

"It’s a wonderful gift. I’ll keep it safe."

"Really?"

"Really."

Penelope seemed satisfied. Then she tilted her head and asked, "Does that mean I can visit you again?"

"Of course you can."

"Can I bring Sister Clara?"

Adrian paused. Logan’s eyes immediately flickered toward him.

Penelope continued before either man could respond.

"She makes the best cookies. If I visit you, she can bring cookies, and you can give me cake."

"..."