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

265 splinter in my throat.

"See you at lunch" a

Benjamin's heart thudded upon hearing Penny's remark. That sounded more like a threat-hadn't she said she would stay away?! He opened his mouth to call her out, but at the same time, came into view.

He furrowed his brows as he watched Dean approach the strange woman.

Dean glanced at Benjamin briefly before stopping in front of Penny.

"Why are you here?" Penny frowned, only to receive a smile from Dean.

"I was worried.

"Oh." She nodded and nonchalantly strutted off.

Dean

Dean sighed faintly, glancing back at the deadly glare Benjamin was throwing in his direction. He returned it with a smile before following Penny.

In the elevator, Penny stood motionless beside him.

"Don't follow me next time," she said after a full minute of silence. "You know how much I hate

that."

Dean cast her a sidelong glance. "I can't help it. Sometimes following you helps, doesn't it?"

Penny didn't answer but finally gave him a sharp look. "Still with that?"

"Penny, I told you to stay away from him."

"Why?"

"Because he's dangerous."

shook her head once. "That's

as he held her sharp gaze, which she reserved only for him. "Because I'm Jealous," he breathed out. "We're not together, and I don't

my enemy," he answered

her tongue across her inner check while studying

she clicked her tongue and looked away. "I'm not trying to get his attention. because I'm interested in him. I just need

"What is it?"

before replying, "None of your

"Penny."

a deep breath and faced him squarely, looking him straight in the eye. "I

<

in

that incident. But that doesn't mean you

stepped closer, narrowing the distance between them, her eyes

have my own to deal with. I gave you my word, and I'll keep it," she stressed, her tone decisive and cold. "Whatever I need from Zoren Pierson is none of your concern, but rest assured, I won't sell you out to him."

in her eyes before he nodded. "If you say so,"

"Good"

faced the elevator door. When the lift reached the ground floor, she quickly stepped out without sparing Dean another second of her

to follow her but stopped in his tracks. Watching her

[FLASHBACK]

before slowly opening her eyes. The brightness of the room made her squint until her vision

turned to

his eyes were red, and a thin layer of tears made them shine. The dark circles under his eyes

a button to call the hospital staff. "God... I

a painful headache struck her again. Along with the pain came flood of memories from before she woke up in this bed. Her mouth fell open, and her heart

memory she had was of Wild standing by the entrance of the abandoned

"My Uncle Haines-"

clasped her hand and nodded reassuringly. "Uncle Haines