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

Charles's heart at the mere thought of it. If not for Haines finally telling him, he would not have known

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

before.

a wheelchair for the

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

happened a long time

you find out the

but none of 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

"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 was told she wasn't your biological daughter, it pushed her to the edge. Although now that we're older, we realize we could've handled that situation better. I don't think it's necessary to

out of this," Haines

too, huh?

hard on 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

didn't speak for a moment as he held Haines's gaze. "At this point, I can't help but

"That's impossible."

"Haines.

and cares for me, but you'll always be her father. Haines smiled and nodded at him. "Like I said, don't be

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

his head. When the laughter subsided, Haines's expression slowly turned solemn. "But Charles,

Charles's brows rose.

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

honest, I've been thinking about that ever since I found out Penny was swapped.

"Is there anyone?"