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

Chapter 1659: Do you... smoke?

When Slater stepped out, he spotted Penny already reaching the living area. He quickened his pace and caught up just as she reached the front door.

"Whoops!" Slater reached out and opened the door with a grin. "Let me get that."

Penny glanced at him but said nothing as she stepped outside. Slater held the door for her, then followed.

He took a small leap forward to walk beside her and cast a sideways glance.

"You okay?" he asked, his tone cautious.

Penny smiled and returned the look. "Why wouldn't I be?" She faced forward and shrugged. "We got clearance. Most of our questions were answered. I'm not over the moon, obviously. What we found out is... a lot. Bigger than I am, Third Brother."

She paused and gave him a wry smile. "I wasn't supposed to make it out of prison back then. But here I am. So, it's still something."

"We'll start small." Slater gave her a gentle pat on the back, making her glance back at him with a smile. "Compared to before, this is a much better place to start, don't you think?"

"Mhm." Penny nodded. "You're right."

A moment of silence passed as Slater continued observing her side profile. His brow furrowed slightly as he tilted his head.

"Penny," he said, earning a quiet hum from her. "Why do you look like... I don't know how to say it. Did she hurt your feelings or something?"

"What?" She stopped walking, her brows drawing together. "No. She didn't." "Then why do you look like that?"

She raised her brows, clearly confused. Slater sighed and shrugged.

"Never mind," he muttered. "Maybe it's just in my head. I guess... I was expecting something more?"

"More?" Penny snorted and resumed walking, Slater falling in step beside her. "Third Brother, we've both lived two lifetimes. Compared to before, our lives now are far better. Sure, the ghosts of our past still haunt us, still remind us of what we went through..."

She lifted her head and drew in a deep breath. Looking up at the sky, the corners of her lips lifted faintly.

"I'm not thankful for the things I had to endure. But at the same time, I can't help but think... if I hadn't gone through all that, I wouldn't be the Penny I am today." She turned to him with a gentle smile. "If you're wondering what was on my mind... I was just curious."

He raised a brow. "Curious about what?"

"Where was she all those years?" Penny shrugged. "That's all."

pressed his lips together. The reaction didn't go

knew what happened to her,

expression growing

"Oh?"

admitted. "But from what I heard, it

"With her, it was never

a fleeting curiosity — one Penny allowed herself to

they had

it was true Priscilla had died in their first life... the

--- freewebnøvel.com

[Short Flashback]

groan echoed in the dimly lit

Strands of hair clung to her face, her

blinking open her swollen

tried to move - but her body didn't respond.

she gasped, eyes

plastic covered the floor. Nearby was a thin metal can with unused charcoal inside. Her panic

was muffled behind the

eventually toppled over, crashing to the floor with a

Her entire

battered. The

the pain, sharp

gasped as her lungs fought for air

-

her chest

she clenched her jaw and endured. Her

spinning.

noticed the second chair, just a few feet

eyes barely lifted before she heard footsteps approaching. Her heart pounded in her ears. She spotted polished black shoes moving toward

man sat down in the

Priscilla's breathing quickened. She

her chair back upright They didn't speak. They

worst of the pain dulled, she forced

eyes stared back, devoid

him, but his presence was