Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

243 I've been warned twice now

[Bennet Mansion]+

Charles and Haines sat in the study room, just as they always did, sharing a glass of whiskey while talking about anything and everything.

Charles sighed. "It's almost nighttime, and Penny hasn't come home."

"Haha." Haines couldn't help but laugh. "She's old enough to marry..."

"Never!" Charles harrumphed, glaring daggers at Haines. "Haines, I entrusted my daughter to you. In my eyes, she's still my little princess, and she just returned. How can I let her marry into another man's family?"

"All I'm saying is, get used to it. Your daughter has been grinding her whole life. That's why she became the woman she is now," Haines clarified. "She's an adult, so get used to it."

"How can I get used to it?" Charles felt sour at the thought. "My princess has been working hard all these years-

- even before she turned legal age. Although I'm proud of her, you can't take away my worries. She sacrificed her youth by building her future. All I want for her is to relax." Haines smiled subtly, understanding Charles's inner dilemma as a father.

Penny had left the household when she was only thirteen. Even though Charles and the boys. would visit her, or Penny would come home for a short vacation over the years, it wasn't the same if she had grown up in the household.

But then again, Haines understood Penny better than

anyone.

"Not to mention, all these years while we were just celebrating being together, we were unaware of what she went through... what you went through," Charles added, sighing heavily once more. and I... I had no idea."

"You and Penny went through something so horrific

If not for Haines finally telling him, he would not have known about it, and it wouldn't

latter looked up. "I've been in therapy, and

before.

wheelchair for the first several months

you're fine," said Charles quietly. "You've always been fine no matter what circumstances, and that always worries

happened a

find

them are willing to talk, even now," Haines shrugged. "Though we had some leads at first, they all ended in a dead end. Even Charles let out a shallow breath. "And the motive was because...

"Yes.

a possibility she's not..." Haines pressed his lips into a thin line. "It's not important, is it? Nina turned out to be a woman with morals and a clear conscience. The first time she was told she wasn't your

is out of this," Haines added. "That was

Penny knew about this too, huh? No

is hard to process. But at the end of the day, Penny

he held Haines's gaze. "At this point, I can't help

"That's impossible."

"Haines.

you'll always be her father. Haines smiled and nodded at him. "Like I

helplessly at his cousin. "You never change, Haines. You're

Haines laughed while Charles shook his head. When the laughter subsided, Haines's expression slowly turned

brows rose. "What

a grudge against you or the Bennet

out Penny was swapped. It never left my mind, and when

"Is there anyone?"