THE ALGORITHM

12.

Bert dropped down on the floor and let out a high-pitched groan. He grabbed his knee, trying his best to soothe himself. Blood poured from his wound rapidly.

Now Bert was able to understand.

###

The Lawsons held important meetings at the mansion twice a month. It was important for them to get together and have dinner. It also allowed Bilal to catch up with his father and grandfather. There were a few issues Bilal wanted to discuss with them. Penny somehow fell into their web of darkness, and now they had to worry about the police bothering her due to Luis's unexpected death. Bilal wasn't sure how they would take the news of her living at the mansion.

Penny decided to tell Bilal everything he needed to know. She made sure he was informed about Bert coaxing her to go on a date with Luis. That was it, nothing more and nothing less. Bilal was a little skeptical of her story, but eventually accepted it after realizing Bert had sent her numerous text messages about the date with Luis and had called her several times—the date aligned with Penny's statement.

Bilal was disgusted to hear what Bert persuaded Penny to do. He not only tried to manipulate Penny, but he also sold her to Luis in exchange for an investment that he was never going to get.

A few workers carried chairs from the truck. Bilal kept his eyes trained on the men. He had to replace the table in the main dining room after Penny damaged the original one. Bilal still held it against her and had plans to make her pay for it.

He neared the dining room and took in the sight of the new table. There was a thick slab of tempered glass that rested on black marble, cabrioles. Dark leather seats surrounded the table, beautifully enhancing the surface. He nodded in satisfaction, content with the furniture.

Bilal felt warmth against his shoulder. He looked over and pinpointed the person touching him. Cecil cleared his throat as he parted his lips to speak. "They're here."

"Alright," Bilal stated before glancing at his housekeepers. "Don't set any decorations down. I want this table cleaned to perfection."

The staff nodded as confirmation and began to scramble around the mansion. They found their assigned pails and immediately went to work. While they were washing away the impurities, Bilal found Penny in the kitchen. She was sitting at the table with her legs crossed at the ankles. Penny had a bowl of freshly shelled peas sitting to her right. She grabbed a handful and wasted no time tossing them in the nearby trash can. He glanced at the guard who was surveying the area. He was obviously allowing her childish behavior.

Bilal stood at the archway, waiting for her to stand up and greet him. Most of his staff members jumped to their feet just to acknowledge his presence. Penny, on the other hand, didn't seem to care. She glanced his way and immediately tossed another pea into the trash.

"This is what you're wasting your time doing?"

"Might as well..." She trailed off, tossing another pea. "There's nothing to do in here."

Bilal stepped closer to the girl and pulled her from the table. His eyes were narrowed into slits, and his mouth formed into a pinch. "You will watch your language in this house. You don't get to say what you want."

"Oh, really?" Penny challenged him sarcastically.

"You keep on, and I'll destroy your phone and your laptop. If you keep on behaving this way, you'll never get it back." Bilal threatened her. Penny locked eyes with him and immediately mirrored his expression. She knew her laptop and phone were in his possession. Penny didn't want him destroying her items since most of her good memories were on them.