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

Chapter 564: Thank you for being my friend.

[FLASHBACK]

"Penny, you shouldn't let your own family do that to you." Nathaniel reclined, resting his hands on either side of him. He gazed up at the bridge not far from the short slope where they were drinking beer. "Why do you even stick around when you know they wouldn't appreciate you?"

He cocked his head back, snapping his eyes at her. All he saw was her smile as she hissed after chugging down the cold beer.

"You're drinking too much tonight," he pointed out. "I knew it. Something happened tonight, didn't it?"

Penny looked at him and scrunched up her face. "Do I drink when things go south?" she clicked her tongue. "I'm drinking because I feel like celebrating."

"Why? What are you celebrating, huh?"

"Well." Penny shrugged, looking away from him, smiling. "My brother told me I did a good job."

"Huh?"

She smiled, almost as if she was suppressing a giggle. "He even patted me on the head."

"..." Nathaniel crinkled his nose in disbelief at watching her so gleefully after getting a pat on the head. "I can pat your head too, and it wouldn't mean anything to me!"

"Who said it would mean anything to me if you did?"

He frowned at that quick change in her expression. Just moments ago, she had been giggling in happiness after receiving a pat from her brother, but now she was looking at him with disdain.

"This world is unfair!" he expressed angrily, earning a laugh from her. "Goodness. Why do you do that to your brothers, huh? Are they your gods or something? It seems to me you're almost-no, you're legit worshiping them!"

"So what?" she mocked. "Even if I worship them or this beer, does it matter to you?"

course!" he blurted out, making her

would it matter to

watching her blink at him innocently. "Well... ahem! You're my friend-of course, it matters to me! Your

side. After a moment, she shook her head and looked

doesn't abuse me," she answered, smiling. "I abuse

hell is that

looked up. "I love my family even though they do not love me back. I always find myself giving up many times, but I still

Taking advantage of

they need me, I feel like I have purpose." Penny smiled as she faced him squarely, with no trace of anything but innocence

the lack of light in the surroundings, her smile was so bright that one could easily overlook the remnants of exhaustion on her face. Her face was small, and her cheeks were a little hollow. Penny was petite—almost

as he

never said I'm not,"

looking away from

weaknesses. That's why even if people say bad things about me, I don't feel affected that much. Of course, sometimes it gets to me, but

a foolish woman would

leave your family," he said after a long silence, earning a look from her. "You're worrying

frowned. "I just told you that my brother is being nice to

know." Nathaniel slowly looked back at her, meeting her gaze before he added, "But I think you should value yourself first before

"I value myself."

he argued back, peeling his gaze from her. "Do

"Huh?"

her, lowering his

change of mood?" Penny

as he turned to her, opening his mouth to say something. But before he could, he felt his phone vibrate. He fished his

to the side. "Is

He looked up at her and shut his phone, offering her a smile. "Mhm. Everything's okay,