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.

out of frustration. His sister had always been anything but the type to cry. Hence, this caught him

I—" Atlas ran his tongue along his inner cheek, looking down

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

a 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

exhaled, trying to suppress his frustration—and the lingering fear in his chest. "If you were okay, why

replied, his face twisting

"I didn't get anything."

breath. "Told him what happened... and asked

face. "Second Brother, are you trying to give us a heart attack?! Or are you planning to only tell us what happened

tears, Hugo's expression softened. He reached out to wipe them away, another heavy

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

Atlas countered, pointing to Hugo's bandaged leg.

"I know, I know."

Brother, what's going on?" Zoren, ever the calm

"But stop crying first, okay? I'm not

the back of her

Hugo leaned back against the headboard, studying

while Atlas and Zoren both

meeting place was a convenience store, but before Reven got

for some reason, they still managed to corner her. It

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

nearest police station," he continued. "Luckily, a few detectives I knew were

heavy silence fell over the room as

fine," Hugo added. "And I'm fine. We're alive. But those guys...

into a thin line, exchanging a look with Atlas and Zoren. It was just as Nathaniel had said—the enemies were targeting Mint now. Slowly, all eyes returned

Penny a wry smile and ruffled her hair. "I'm fine, Penny. I'm not dying this lifetime. At least not the way