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.

while Theo stood frozen, watching

me go," Patricia muttered, snatching her arm from her brother's grasp. Clicking her tongue in

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

first!" Patricia retorted, frustrated. "Of course,

"Patricia-"

it's not like I was trying to hurt her! I 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

Deep lines creased his forehead as confusion

"Patricia, what are you-"

as she glared at her brother, her breath uneven. "I heard how she threatened you

Mom and

thought you wanted to leave because you couldn't handle the pressure of the Star Section anymore—that you were running away and dragging me with you. I felt pathetic and furious. I

whispered, tears welling in her eyes. Yet, beneath them,

201

me that woman was scheming so L could've pulled her hair

her voice echoed through the parking lot, he let out

protecting you!" he yelled, tightening his embrace to stop her. "And... it doesn't matter anymore. What happened

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

I never wanted you to find

and certainly not now-when she was trying to turn over a

old wounds reopen. They had both been

calmed down, Theo offered to drive her home. It was her day off, so she

her lingering tears. Hesitation flickered in her eyes as she turned

it?"