Chapter 801
801 Chapter 800
As the two of them left, Jenkins turned to Peter.
Peter frowned. "So… is what my sister said true?"
Jenkins paused. "Which part?"
"All of it!" Peter's tone was a mix of curiosity and exasperation.
Jenkins laughed softly. "Well, most of it's on the mark. Your sister's no innocent bunny—she's as sly as a fox."
Peter beamed with pride. "Of course. Nobody in the Olsen family is dumb."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Peter looked at her, confused. "Absolutely. Intelligence runs high in our family—my parents are both geniuses."
Jenkins raised an eyebrow. "Ever heard of the balancing theory?"
Peter tilted his head. "What theory?"
"That two smart people together can only produce an average child," Jenkins explained with a smirk. "It's nature's way of keeping things in check. Sometimes, I feel like Earth itself is just one big prison, and we're all under a very strict watch. Ever wonder why South family kids have such a hard time?"
Peter blinked, taken aback. "Uh… wait, what? Is that really a thing?"
Jenkins gave him a wry look. "Have you met your niece Amy? You should keep a close eye on her. The South family's lineage has been thinning out. They used to have hundreds fighting over the inheritance; now, there's barely nine. And all the women in the family? Trained since childhood, taking all sorts of hits to their bodies… It's a wonder they can even have children. Trust me, Amy's more valuable than you think."
Peter looked at Jenkins, then let his gaze drift down to her stomach.
Jenkins stepped back quickly. "What are you doing?"
"Just thinking… No wonder there's been no 'accidents.' Guess that's nature's way of birth control."
Jenkins's face went bright red. She glared at him, flustered. "What… what is wrong with you?"
Peter shrugged. "What? Just stating the obvious. For someone who lies as much as you do, you sure don't take well to honesty. Fine, I'll keep my mouth shut." He threw her a teasing grin and walked off.
Jenkins was left fuming.
She stomped forward, only to notice that Peter had doubled back, standing just a few steps away, still not looking at her directly. "Before I go… what my sister said about you having feelings for me, and just pretending otherwise to avoid putting me in a tough spot. Is that true?"
Jenkins froze, looking at him.
Peter's face was slightly flushed, and though he wouldn't meet her gaze, his fingers fidgeted as if betraying his nerves.
Jenkins chuckled softly. "Yes. It's true."
"Oh." Peter looked everywhere but at her. "Guess I'll have to think about forgiving you, then."
"Sure." Jenkins kept her tone light.
Peter cleared his throat. "And I might not forgive you. After all, you lied to me."
"I understand."
A hint of a smile crossed Peter's face as he turned to go, but after a few steps, he paused again, looking back. "In the meantime… stay in the guest room. You don't need to leave just yet."
Jenkins shrugged. "Not like I have a choice. You think your sister and Erin are going to let me walk out freely?"
Peter nodded. "Good. If anyone in the household disrespects you, let me know."
"Got it."
He hesitated a moment longer.
"Something else?" she asked, amused.
"No." Peter tossed back a simple answer and finally walked off for real.
Watching him go, Jenkins couldn't help but smile to herself.
Keira and Erin were already in the dining room, helping themselves to breakfast.
As Jenkins and Peter came in from the kitchen, Jenkins nodded at Keira. "After breakfast, let's talk."
"Sounds good."
Peter immediately picked up his breakfast and headed for the door. "You can talk here at the table. I'll give you two some privacy."
The dining room was large and quiet—just the right place for a conversation out of earshot of others.
Jenkins took a bite of toast before turning to Keira. "The person who got me kicked out of Oceanion? They go by the alias 'Clownfish.'"
Keira paused mid-bite, her eyebrows lifting. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Erin nearly choked, spitting her coffee out in surprise. "Wait, her?"
Jenkins shot Erin a look.
"Do you know her?" Keira asked.
Erin shook her head. "Not personally, but I remember the nickname—it's odd enough that it stuck with me. We went to preschool together, but it's not like anyone kept track of her after that. But that Clownfish's personality… oh, I remember it."
"Personality?" Keira asked, curious.
"Oh yeah." Erin nodded. "No one else was like her. Even back then, she'd stir up trouble, sitting back and watching as we all fought, like she thrived on chaos. She was a real snake."
Jenkins nodded. "Right? Everyone in the class despised her… though…" She gave Keira a thoughtful once-over. "Keera, don't you remember her at all?"