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

Chapter 1440: Who wants to be alone

Everyone ate in silence, but surprisingly, the cake was gone in an instant. This shouldn't have been surprising, especially with Penny and Hugo at the table. However, even Haines and Atlas, who weren't really into sweets, ate heartily.

'I know the cake is good, but not that good for those two to want another' slice, Penny thought, staring at the now-empty cake holder.

"Penny."

Penny's thoughts halted as Haines called her, making her perk up. The second she met his eyes, she nodded.

"Right," she said as she rose from her seat.

At the same time, Haines stood and set his eyes on Zoren. "Zoren, thank you for the dinner."

"We didn't even eat," Zoren replied as he got up from his seat as well.

"But I was full," Haines said with a subtle smile. "And thank you for your time. I'm going home now since it's getting late."

Zoren nodded, casting his wife a brief look as she spoke.

"I'll walk Uncle Haines out..." Penny trailed off as Zoren looked away, frowning. Pursing her lips, she forced a smile at Haines. "Uncle, I'll walk you out."

Confronting Zoren-or rather, begging him for forgiveness-could come later. After all, she didn't want to do it in front of her brothers and uncle. She could coax Zoren later, but for now, she had to accompany Haines.

Her uncle, after all, had come here because he wanted to discuss something important with her.

On their way out, Penny glanced at Haines's side profile curiously. She waited for him to say something, but he remained silent until they reached the porch.

"Penny." The moment Haines stopped, he turned to face her. He loosened his tie a bit, feeling stifled as his entire body continued to heat up. Fortunately, the night breeze brought some relief.

Looking Penny in the eye, his mouth parted.

'Grace has cancer.'

'She might be dying.'

for a reason you

in Haines's mind, tempting him to say all of them. After all, Grace wasn't just Penny's friend-she was also

those words

Haines?" Penny called again, tilting her head to the side. "What is it that you want to discuss

felt hot in his nostrils, and he

other hand, blinked and waited

he said,

come here on your own if what you wanted

Penny pointed out. "What is it?

head again.

"Uncle."

"It's about Grace."

up, her eyes rounding. "What

Haines's tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek as he thought of whatever

difference between harassment and showing interest," Penny frowned. "Grace and I

"Tell her to stop." "Grace is my legal advisor, not my

shallow breath escaped Haines, and before he knew it, the words had already left his mouth. "What would you think if your uncle and

Penny blinked. Then blinked again. "Practice

"What?"

I tried matching you with every wonderful, most gorgeous woman your age while growing up," Penny explained with an innocent tone. "Yet you spoiled all of them. Worse, you even scared them

thinking about it, Penny couldn't help

you end up seeing someone at this age-as long as

en

not welcome her into the family with open arms?" Penny answered truthfully. "But if I'm being honest, it would be weird if you

of her mouth lifted as her eyes twinkled. "Just like how you always wished for my happiness, I

thing Penny hadn't changed in this life,

match Haines with someone. In her first life, Haines

it.

not need it, and he might have been happy alone,