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

Chapter 1488: It's a long story

There was just something in Penny's heart that filled it with anxiety, worry, and negativity the moment Hugo's name escaped Zoren's lips. For some reason, it reminded her of that time - when Atlas came to visit her in prison for the first and last time.

Aside from their argument, that was the day he delivered the news of Hugo's death.

And the mere thought of it... terrified her.

Even though some still claimed Hugo might have been alive back then, most believed he had already died. In their first life, he was the only brother who hurt her the least-or perhaps the only one who believed her without a shadow of doubt. The one who never had to say he believed her, because his actions spoke louder. He had worked to clear her name, even at the cost of his own life.

It was a terrifying thought.

One that shook her entire world. So..

SLAP!

"Aw!" Hugo clasped his shoulder and stared at Penny in disbelief. "Penny! Why would you do that?!"

Standing beside the hospital bed were Penny, Atlas, and Zoren, all watching him closely while Hugo's eyes darted between their faces.

"What?!" he gasped. "What did I do?"

SLAP!

He scoffed when Penny smacked his shoulder again, but lighter this time.

"Penny, what are you" His words died in his throat as she suddenly plopped down on the side of the bed and hugged him.

Deep lines formed on his forehead as he looked down at his sister, who began to muffle a sniffle against him. Her back and hold trembled, clasping his gown tightly.

sister had always been anything but the type to

his tongue along his inner cheek, looking down

cheekbone, and a crack on the corner of his mouth. His leg was tightly wrapped in gauze, and his arms bore wounds — both large

breath. Penny had only sent Nathaniel back to continue spying on the Information Center. Since Mark had barely scraped together any intel on Hugo's condition, they

Atlas exhaled, trying to suppress his frustration—and the lingering

Hugo replied, his face

"I didn't get anything."

Slater," Hugo said with a shallow breath. "Told

are you trying to give us a

expression softened. He reached out to

Penny," he whispered. "I know you told

like this?" Atlas

"I know, I know."

Zoren, ever the calm among the three, asked

sighed, turning his gaze back to Penny. "But

wiped the tears from her jaw with the

back against the headboard, studying each of

and Zoren both furrowed their

to meet her after Grace's birthday dinner. Our meeting place

a residential area, so Mint was able to run, but for some reason, they still managed to

attackers didn't stop. More of them appeared, leading to a deadly

only stopped when I reached the nearest police station," he continued. "Luckily, a few detectives I knew

silence fell over the room as they all stared

"And I'm fine. We're alive. But those

into a thin line, exchanging a look with Atlas and Zoren. It was just as Nathaniel had said—the enemies

hair. "I'm fine, Penny. I'm not dying this lifetime. At least not the way you said