Chapter 162: She looked almost like an angel

Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, everyone searched frantically for Penelope.

Jenny had checked every playground, every bench, and every nearby path, but there was still no sign of the little girl.

Her heart sank with every passing minute.

Finally, she stopped walking and took a shaky breath.

"I... I think we should report her missing."

Her voice trembled as she spoke.

The mere thought of something happening to Penelope made her chest tighten with fear.

Sky lowered her head, guilt written all over her face.

"It’s my fault."

Jenny looked at her.

"I should never have taken my eyes off her," Sky said, blaming herself. "I only looked away for a moment... I didn’t think she’d run off."

She clenched her fists.

"If I’d stayed by her side, none of this would’ve happened."

Jenny sighed softly.

She wanted to comfort Sky, but the truth was they were both blaming themselves.

Neither of them had expected Penelope to disappear so suddenly.

Just then, a small voice interrupted their thoughts.

"Big Sister Jenny..."

Both women turned around.

Jake stood there with his head lowered, nervously fidgeting with the candy in his hands.

His eyes were filled with guilt.

"Is Penelope angry because... I took her only candy?"

The innocent question instantly broke both women’s hearts.

Jake had always been mischievous, but he had never wanted to make Penelope upset.

Slowly, he stretched out his tiny hand.

"I’ll give it back to her."

He still hadn’t eaten it.

The candy remained tightly wrapped in his little palm.

Jenny blinked rapidly, forcing back the tears threatening to spill.

She couldn’t afford to cry. Not when the children were looking at her.

She knelt in front of Jake and smiled gently. "No, Jake."

She softly pinched his cheek. "Penelope would never be angry with you."

Jake looked up uncertainly. "Really?"

Jenny nodded. "You know her. If she thought you’d done something wrong, she wouldn’t get revenge." A small laugh escaped her. "She’d probably pray to heaven and ask the gods to punish you instead."

Jake’s eyes widened. "...Like making all my teeth fall out?"

Sky chuckled. "Exactly."

"And making sure they never grow back," Jenny added.

Jake immediately covered his mouth with both hands. "...That’s terrifying."

Despite her worry, Jenny couldn’t help smiling. That was exactly how Penelope thought.

She never believed in getting even. Instead, she’d come up with the strangest heavenly punishments imaginable.

Seeing Jake still looking anxious, Sky gently ruffled his hair.

"Don’t worry," she smiled reassuringly. "We’ll bring Penelope back."

Jake hesitated before extending his little finger.

"Promise?"

Jenny and Sky exchanged a glance before hooking their fingers around his.

"Pinky promise." Just as they finally decided to head to the police station—a familiar little voice echoed across the park.

"Big Sister Jenny!"

"Big Sister Sky!"

Everyone froze.

Slowly... almost afraid they were imagining it... they turned toward the sound.

There, standing a short distance away, was Penelope. She happily waved her tiny hand at them.

Beside her stood a beautiful young woman holding her hand.

For a brief second, no one moved. Then—

"Penelope!"

Jenny and Sky ran toward her as fast as they could.

The moment they reached her, Jenny dropped to her knees and pulled Penelope into a tight embrace.

"Oh my God..." Her voice cracked. "You scared us to death."

She hugged the little girl so tightly, as though she were afraid Penelope would disappear again if she let go.

"We searched everywhere for you. I thought..."

Jenny couldn’t finish her sentence. She had imagined every horrible possibility.

What if Penelope had been kidnapped? What if she’d been hurt? What if they had never found her again?

The fear she’d been suppressing finally poured out. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she buried her face against Penelope’s shoulder.

"You almost gave me a heart attack, silly girl."

Penelope blinked in surprise before gently patting Jenny’s back with her tiny hand.

"I’m sorry, Big Sister. I just wanted to help the puppy find his mommy."

She looked up innocently. "I didn’t mean to make everyone worry."

Jenny let out a helpless laugh through her tears.

"You little troublemaker..." She gently pinched Penelope’s nose. "Next time, tell us before you go saving the world."

"Okay?"

Penelope nodded obediently. "Okay."

It was only then that Jenny finally noticed the young woman standing beside Penelope.

She was breathtakingly beautiful. With her calm smile and gentle eyes, she looked almost like an angel.

Penelope noticed Jenny’s gaze and immediately tugged on Clara’s hand.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you, Big Sister Jenny."

She pointed at Clara with a bright smile. "This big sister brought me here."

Everyone turned to look at Clara.

"She’s really nice. She bought me cookies..." Penelope continued happily before pointing at the puppy. "...and she even promised to help him find his mommy."

Clara couldn’t help but smile. It seemed the little girl had taken quite a liking to her.

Jenny and Sky exchanged a grateful glance before bowing sincerely.

"Thank you so much, Miss," Jenny said. "We were terrified that Penelope had gotten lost somewhere unfamiliar."

Sky nodded in agreement. "We can’t thank you enough for bringing her back safely."

Clara smiled warmly and waved her hand dismissively.

"It was nothing. I only did what anyone else would have done."

Seeing Penelope safely reunited with her family filled Clara with relief. At least now she could leave without worrying.

She glanced at the time on her phone. The smile on her face instantly disappeared.

"...Goodness!" Her eyes widened. "I’m running late!"

She muttered the last part under her breath before hurriedly slipping her phone back into her pocket.

"I should get going."

Jenny and Sky exchanged another look. After a moment’s hesitation, Sky stepped forward.

"Excuse me, Miss..."

Clara turned toward her.

"Are you heading somewhere?"

"Yes." Clara nodded. "I have to attend the Pristine Group event."

The moment those words left her mouth, realization flashed across Jenny’s face.

"So are we!" She smiled brightly. "We’re taking the children from the orphanage there. If you don’t mind..." she continued politely, "...we’d be happy to give you a ride."

Clara looked at the children gathered around them. Only then did everything click into place.

So that’s it... they’re the children from the orphanage attending today’s event.

A smile slowly spread across her face. What a coincidence.

"Then I’d be happy to join you."

Jenny and Sky visibly relaxed.

"Wonderful!" Sky said with a smile. "It’ll save you the trouble of finding transportation."

A few minutes later, everyone boarded the bus together.

The children happily chatted among themselves while Penelope sat quietly beside Clara, still holding her hand as though afraid they might get separated again.

As the bus pulled away from the park, it headed straight toward the venue where the Pristine Group event was about to begin.