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

Chapter 1298: So, we are in trouble?

"Enough!" Nina yelled in frustration, yanking her arm free from Patricia's grip. Patricia had dragged her to the parking lot, and her hold was starting to hurt.

Rubbing her arm, Nina's eyes gleamed with dismay. Patricia, on the other hand, turned to face her-only for a sharp slap to land on her cheek.

Slap!

Theo froze at the resounding sound, his eyes widening. He darted his gaze between his sister and Nina before instinctively stepping in when Patricia raised a hand.

"Patricia!" Theo called, grabbing his sister's arm. He then cast Nina a helpless look, at a loss for words. "Nina, please."

But both women kept their bitter gazes locked on each other.

"Patricia," Nina spat, her heart burning as she clenched her hands into fists. "I told you before I tried to understand why you always pick on me whenever we cross paths. I put up with it. But hurting the people around me just because they're with me? That's something I won't tolerate-ever again."

"Hah!" Patricia scoffed. "I should've slapped you too, considering how well you get along with your fiancé's ex."

Nina's breath hitched, her eyes flashing red. If not for years of self-restraint, she would've slapped Patricia again. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to stay calm.

"We do get along, Patricia," Nina returned, swallowing the tension in her throat. "I've endured you for years because of the mistake I made as a child. Even though I know it was in the past and I didn't know better back then, I thought that if I let you be, you'd eventually let go of your anger."

She shook her head in disappointment. "But today, I finally realize—nothing I do will ever make you forgive me. So, this is the last time I'm putting up with you. The next time... I won't just stand by while you hurt the people around me out of spite."

She took a step back, her voice cold. "You're pathetic, Patricia. I wish I had never met you."

With that, Nina turned on her heel and walked away without looking back.

weakly scoffed, while Theo stood frozen, watching Nina

muttered, snatching her arm from her brother's grasp. Clicking her tongue in

"I told you not to cause trouble for our family, but you were about to slap

frustrated. "Of course, I

"Patricia-"

was helping her! Helping her from a snake like that woman-Cassandra!" She huffed, clasping her hands by her sides. "I know a snake when I see one, and that Cassandra is bad news! She's a fool for believing that woman doesn't have ulterior motives-especially

tensing. Deep lines creased his forehead as confusion flickered in his

"Patricia, what are you-"

teeth in frustration. Her eyes stung as she glared at

and Dad

pressure of the Star Section anymore—that you were running away and dragging me with you. I felt pathetic

she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. Yet, beneath them, the anger remained.

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woman was scheming so L could've pulled her hair out for you! You don't hit women, but I do I don't care! Why didn't you explain it

in frustration, and Theo took it without resistance. As her voice

older brother. I should be the one protecting you!" he yelled, tightening his embrace to stop her. "And... it doesn't matter anymore. What happened in the past doesn't

as he panted. "A lot happened back then, and if I'm being honest... I was ashamed of being kicked out of the Star Section. So, no it wasn't just for you. не wasn't just because that woman threatened me. I also left because I knew

sorry. I never wanted

he never wanted her to find out at all. Not when she had been throwing tantrums back then, and certainly not now-when she was trying to turn over a new

his arms, feeling old wounds reopen.

to drive her home. It was her

cleared her throat, still wiping her lingering tears. Hesitation flickered in her eyes as she turned to

is it?" he