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

Chapter 869: Nina's trust

"I didn't think you'd even step in," Ray giggled, looking at Dean playfully. "Considering you're the most selfish dude alive, I feel a little bad that I wished you wouldn't come today."

Ray was smiling from ear to ear, but the way he looked at Dean wasn't as friendly as it had been before. Dean was the same. He was smiling, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

"It's good to see you too, Ray," Dean remarked. "I came by your office, but I was told you weren't there."

"I wasn't there."

"That's weird because while I was idling around your building, I saw you come out from the direction of the headmaster's office."

"Hehe." Ray chuckled while Dean remained smiling. However, neither of them liked each other's presence. "That's weird. But if you saw me come out of the headmaster's office, how come you got here before me?"

Dean shrugged nonchalantly. "If you find it weird, then I guess I was kidding."

"Kidding?"

"Why would I check on you, Ray? I don't like you."

"You-"

Dean smirked, watching Ray's face twist into an ugly expression. However, just as

of Dean's attention wasn't entirely on Ray. He glanced

fully looked away from him. Following where Dean was looking with his

between Nina and Dean. "Dean, why did you step in and save her some face? That's unlike you. Was it because

his eyes on Jonathan's back in particular. Ray, on the other

because of certain events, they had grown apart and started disliking each other. After all, they no longer saw eye to eye. Even so, Ray knew Dean so well, and he knew that even if someone died in front of him, Dean wouldn't flinch or say anything to

good friends. But unlike Ray's inner sentiments, Dean was focusing

he thought. 'Is this a coincidence? I knew

Meanwhile...

between Nina and Jonathan as they walked out of the gymnasium, heading toward the pathway leading to the school's oval field. Nina kept her

said..." Her voice was quiet and full of bitterness as she lifted her eyes

ет

stopped as well. "I'm sorry, Mr. Russel. know you stepped in, but I ended up humiliating you because Patricia wasn't entirely wrong. At that time, she was probably the only person willing to side with me. However, I... framed her for doing such a despicable thing. As a result, she was punished unjustly because I stuck to my

say a word, his back still facing her. Nina smiled wryly, fidgeting

out of the project," she added, sighing heavily. "I'm sure you wouldn't want to

a decade ago. Patricia had often caused trouble for Nina, especially when Nina was just starting. So,

"I'm sorry, Mr. Russel."

Jonathan slowly turned around, facing her with a kind smile. "I stepped in and sided with you because that woman was very aggressive. Even if what she said was true, those things are all in the past. I'm judging you based on who you've shown me you are in

brows rose slowly in surprise as she watched him nod

continued. also did something... horrible when I was a kid. Things that I regret, moments that made me think I could've done things better. However, we can't change

Nina's eyes softened as her heart