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

Chapter 1245: Nina, hello?

"Nina. Nina? Nina, hello? You there?"

Nina flinched, snapping out of her trance. Her eyes shook slightly, darting between the two women looking at her curiously.

"Nina, are you okay?" Penny furrowed her brows and reached out. "You seem a little out of it. Is everything okay?"

Lily nodded. "Did your client bully you or something? Tell me who it was. I'm going to teach them a lesson and let them know the customer isn't always right."

"Haha." A soft, defeated laugh escaped Nina as she gazed at their concerned expressions. "Lily, it's not like that. This isn't school anymore. So no bullying."

"Bullying happens at all ages, and it's not just exclusive to school," Lily replied knowingly. "You're too lenient, after all. Sometimes, I wish you were a little more like the vile kid you used to be."

"Pfft-" Penny pursed her lips, trying to stop herself from laughing. It was funny to her because, at one point, she also thought Nina should carry some of her bad traits into adulthood. Nina had changed... to the extreme.

If not for Finn, they might all start to think she was about to enter a convent.

"It's not funny," Nina frowned at the two of them, sighing. "I just couldn't help but think about my meeting with my client. But it's not like you're thinking. Also, even if my clients treat me badly, I might sit through it, but I'm not going to work for them. It's not like they're the only clients in the world."

She might've said that, but Nina rarely rejected a project. By "rare," she meant she'd only done it once when it was Jonathan's request. Even though she did reject the project, Jonathan hadn't done anything to offend her. It was a decision she made, not because of Jonathan's actions, but because she felt a bit uncomfortable.

Nina wanted to believe the discomfort stemmed from Jonathan being Cassandra's lover. It was her heart telling her to stay away from any potential drama. Besides, Finn had also told her he didn't like Jonathan, which gave Nina even more reason to drop the client.

Still, the personal conversation she'd had with Cassandra lingered in her mind.

[Short Flashback]

Besides, I don't like being lied to. So, I'm curious

the reunion party. According to Jonathan, Cassandra wouldn't make it because of an

the time, Nina hadn't thought much of it,

been there from the beginning. "We're not exactly close, but

"Pierson."

"Huh?"

he's part of the Pierson

brow furrowing. She

the late Enzo's son from another woman," Cassandra shrugged. "Didn't Penny tell

doesn't tell anyone

guess she's still

I asked, she would tell me without

eyebrow, slightly surprised by the firmness in Nina's tone. "I see," she nodded. "So, you don't mind if people say something insensitive to you, but not to Penny?

this is a formal meeting, so I'd appreciate it if you refrained from making comments about my

I apologize for forgetting the purpose of this meeting," Cassandra nodded.

know," Nina continued. "After all, if this

you protect them even without their knowledge." "They're my family," Nina emphasized. "It's only natural for me to do that, and I know they'd do

of silence fell over them, and Nina's smile faded. Meanwhile, Cassandra maintained a small smile, trying to figure out how to describe

Do you have anything to say

said, I don't know Mr. Russel... Pierson, on a deeper personal level. But I

did you