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.

hand on her trembling back as she quietly sobbed out of frustration. His sister had always been anything but the type to cry. Hence,

his tongue along his inner cheek, looking down

corner of his mouth. His leg

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

thinking, Hugo?" Atlas exhaled, trying to suppress his frustration—and the lingering fear in his chest. "If you were

did," Hugo replied, his face

"I didn't get anything."

a shallow breath. "Told him what happened... and

Brother, are you trying to

He reached out to wipe them away, another heavy breath

at all, Penny," he whispered. "I know you told me to be

Atlas

"I know, I know."

ever the calm among the three, asked

his gaze back to Penny. "But stop crying first,

and wiped the tears from her jaw with the back of

against the headboard, studying each of

while Atlas and Zoren

Hugo explained. "So I went to meet her after Grace's birthday dinner. Our meeting place was a convenience store, but before Reven got close, there were already problems. Some men showed up and ambushed

able to run, but for some reason, they still managed to corner her. It wasn't until Hugo. arrived that he realized they had already drugged her-putting

stop. More of them appeared, leading to

police station," he continued. "Luckily, a few detectives I knew were on duty. They got us

over the room as they all

But those guys... I don't

exchanging a look with Atlas and Zoren. It was

her hair. "I'm fine, Penny. I'm not