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

Chapter 1614: [For you, always.] [Yours, always.]

"But somehow, yesterday, they discovered she was the same woman who became a casualty during your father's final operation before his discharge."

The lines between Atlas's brows deepened as he processed the details of Butler Jen's concern.

He knew Butler Jen wouldn't come without good reason. But this? This wasn't something Atlas had even considered.

He hadn't expected it at all.

"Uncle Haines had a fiancée... who ghosted him on the day he was planning to propose?" Atlas repeated, seeking clarity as he watched Butler Jen nod. "And after decades, he found out that his ex and the woman who died in my father's last operation are the same person?"

"Yes."

"The same woman whose death nearly destroyed my father?"

Butler Jen paused, then nodded. "Yes."

"What kind of coincidence is that?" Atlas asked, disbelief lacing his voice.

Atlas didn't believe in coincidences. Not really. So this struck him as strange. Of all the people—it had to be her?

He wasn't the only one asking that question.

"How did they find out?" Atlas asked, wondering if this all started with Penny-or if one of his elders had uncovered it during their own investigation.

"It all started with a photo."

"A photo?"

"Yes." Butler Jen huffed. "The Third Young Master had this woman's portrait tucked away among his things. While we were packing to help him move, the photo fell out. Sir Charles saw it. If I'm right, he probably showed it to Sir Haines."

"..." Atlas stayed quiet, already aware of Slater's ties to Homeland Security and his undercover work.

Since Homeland Security had been investigating a lethal drug, he hadn't been surprised Slater had a photo like that. He assumed it was just part of a profile- something cropped from a dossier.

didn't get that photo from the Homeland

it from Old Mrs. Pierson's

hoping you could speak with your father and Sir Haines.

Butler Jen,

can't make them talk if I don't

about where Haines might be. "I'll try my best, Butler

Jen felt a wave of relief.

Allen had served him. But even after he left, Atlas remained in the armchair, lost

tapped his fingertip against the armrest, letting the steady rhythm

coincidence," he whispered, still not fully convinced. "Does Penny

soft knock pulled him from his reverie. Looking up, he saw Finn

a brow. "I'm

stepping in," Finn replied, keeping his head in the doorway while his feet remained outside. "Just

he's free," Atlas said. "Don't

"I don't bother him.

his head back and closed the door. He just wanted to check on Atlas. If Atlas wasn't in a destructive mood, then Zoren would be safe to approach-which mattered, considering what Einn needed to talk to

vet

clicked his tongue and shook his head, pulling his

pocket to call Penny.

you

tried again. Still the

being busy

staring at his screen. "This could give us more insight into what happened to

tried contacting Slater

being unavailable wasn't surprising either, considering he

when I actually need to talk to them, I

Meanwhile...

everyone else worried about Haines's relationship with Charles,

played

the

be his last day. So when Charles didn't show up, Haines had assumed it was deliberate-a petty move

didn't bother going to the