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

279 How did you know me?

"What is he doing here?"

The corners of Penny's lips curved downward, her eyes fixed on the person ahead of her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, louder this time. "Dean, I'm getting annoyed with you.

now e

Dean, who was leaning against the side of the car, peeled himself away from it. He smiled charmingly as he walked toward her.

"Why are you getting annoyed with me? It's not like I'm following you," he quipped, stopping in front of her. "I know where you live and I'm just dropping by."

"Wow... so because of that, you think you can come here anytime?"

"Penny, I felt like our last conversation... it weighed on my heart. His smile faded as he sighed. "I reflected on my actions, and you were right. I should trust you. After all, we've known each other for a long time, and no matter what, we've shared many memories over the past twelve years."

Penny narrowed her eyes slightly, raising her brows. "What did you cat today? You're saying so many strange things."

"Haha. I reflected on my actions and realized that no matter how worried I was about you, I should know you better than anyone," he explained with a smile. "Whatever you need from my uncle, I'm staying out of it."

"Good." She nodded, a bit taken aback by his change in approach.

"Anyway, Penny, there's another reason I came here," he remarked, watching her brows elevate. His lips stretched a little as he took something out of his pocket. "Here."

Penny glanced at the small box-a handful-sized present-and asked, "What is that?"

"A toy fish. He shrugged and jerked his chin toward the cat in her arms. "Happy Birthday,

Chunchun." (

"Oh..." Her lips closed slightly. "You remembered her birthday, huh?"

"I always remember her birthday," he said with a touch of humor. "Did you think even now, with how busy I am with work, I'd forget her birthday?

Penny pursed her lips and drew a deep breath. "Well, thank you."

"Do you have other plans for her birthday?"

"Well, my Second Brother prepared a simple family dinner for it," she said as she accepted the box. "Thanks!"

Dean blinked as if waiting for something. "No invite?"

head, and he frowned. "Haha. It's for your own

<

did

thing Penny wanted.

your brothers, huh?" he chuckled. "How will you date if you're always

bother. Dating is not

always

eyes, a glint flickered in them before she smirked. "Of course. Otherwise, I'd be in trouble. Always ten steps ahead.

his brows creased slightly at the sly look that briefly crossed her face. But Penny was always like that-smart, capable, and sometimes cunning, but in

nodded. "It's what I

her tongue and rolled

walk you home?" he asked meaningfully. "Or is it

pondered this, her eyes brimming with curiosity. "Dean, when have I ever let you walk me

he laughed. "But like they say, try and try until you

head, clicking her tongue

at her with anticipation. "Should I walk you

unlike usual. "You brought Chunchun a present,

once.

His eyes gleamed with

Did

"No... I didn't."

Oh, that's a nice

was something he didn't expect in this lifetime. Penny, after all, had made it her life's mission to oppose him in everything, no matter how

triumphantly. "It was

before letting out

Don't be such a drama

nodding his head as he took

2:4

did

to suppress the smile on his

his side profile. "Dean, can I ask

at her. "This is a first, too. You never ask me questions because you think that's akin

eyes ahead, her steps slow but

question? We're quits now. You answered mine, so I'll answer yours,"

you

stared at her back, watching the

you this before, but

asking now?" he asked

pure curiosity.