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

thought of it. If not for Haines finally telling him, he would not have known about it, and it

the latter looked up. "I've been in therapy, and even now, I still

before.

wheelchair for the first several months

quietly. "You've always been fine

a long time

you find out

Haines shrugged. "Though we had some leads at first, they all ended in a dead end. Even

"Yes.

Charles's expression turned solemn. "About Nina... is there 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

out of this," Haines added. "That was also Penny's

about this too, huh? No wonder she

yourself. I know as a father, this is hard to process. But at the end of the day, Penny made her choices for herself. Even though she knew you and Allison wouldn't mind if she chose a normal life, this decision made

as he held Haines's gaze. "At this point, I can't help but think you've become more of a father to her

"That's impossible."

"Haines.

loves me and cares for me, but you'll always be her father. Haines smiled and nodded

his cousin. "You never change, Haines. You're always

shook his head. When the laughter subsided, Haines's expression slowly turned solemn. "But Charles, I need you to answer

Charles's brows rose. "What

you know anyone who holds a grudge against you or the Bennet Family? Someone who would

honest, I've been thinking about that ever since I found out Penny was swapped. It never left my mind, and when you told me about the incident, it's always been on my

"Is there anyone?"