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

Chapter 1764: It’s better this way

"Ask me if I’d cross the line for my people. I’d even cross Satan if he messed with me—or my people. You are one of them... aren’t you? Or are you not?"

Between Penny and Shawn, who was the real idiot?

Or rather, who was the bigger idiot?

The one who had already gotten away but was now walking back into trouble? Or the one who had finally achieved what he’d been working toward for the past decade... only to falter at the last second?

Another tear rolled down Shawn’s cheek as he looked at the woman calling him an idiot. He hadn’t even realized he was crying until his vision started to blur.

Thud!

Shawn slammed his hands against the floor, bowing his head low as it struck the ground.

"I’m sorry," he pleaded, voice trembling with suppressed tears. "Miss Penny, I... please... forgive me. I’m sorry!"

Penny’s shoulders slumped as she stared down at the towering man now kowtowing before her. She dragged her fingers through her hair, ruffling it as her head throbbed faintly.

This situation had just revealed two things:

First, whoever sent Shawn was already making their move.

Second, Penny and her team weren’t ahead of the enemy—they were neck and neck in a marathon, sprinting the final leg.

"I’m sorry!" Shawn cried. "I— I didn’t want to betray you, but I... I’m sorry."

He didn’t make excuses. He didn’t say, "I had no choice." He simply asked for forgiveness—and that was enough to tell Penny that he knew his share of the blame.

She exhaled hard and ran a hand down her face.

"Get up," she muttered.

He didn’t move.

With an irritated sigh, she marched to him and grabbed his shoulder. When he straightened up, her palm smacked across his cheek before another apology could escape his lips.

Shawn froze. His head turned from the blow, eyes wide and tearful. Slowly, he looked back at her.

"I said get up," she repeated through gritted teeth. "And get yourself together. This is just the beginning of our nightmare if you don’t realize that yet."

his shoulder and looked around her office. "Is there anything else in here?" she asked, already

right away, still touching the cheek she’d just slapped. But when Penny shot him a sharp glare,

no," he replied.

"Where?"

and pointed at

hand into the water.

The light blinked red.

this connected now?" she asked, turning back to

daze, prompting

said keep it together! Do I need to keep repeating

to his senses, Shawn nodded

and Hugo, Shawn had been dealing with the article mess, but in one ear, he wore a hidden earpiece. A habit he’d shown everyone, so they

I was sure the code was in your possession," he clarified, voice

nothing else in

more would’ve raised alarms. But I think other parts of the company have surveillance devices. I saw someone I recognized the other day,

After a second, she

gun and

"But—"

to do this either. But if I don’t, you and I both

staring at her. He knew she was right, but he

won’t be spilled. They’ll

she wanted was for her family, friends—or any of her

she said firmly. "At least now, I can maintain some control. So pick

he did as she asked. He picked up the gun and the

upright, Penny had already marched over. She stopped just a step in front of him and pressed a

coward so well that even I believed it," she said. "So act like you mean to kill me this

with her. After a moment, he wiped his face with

they’ll kill you," he whispered. "I’m supposed to bring you with me to ensure

"We?"

take you with us. If

to keep you long. Knowing them, they’ll probably ditch you once we’re

mode of

"A chopper."

looking away briefly

"Then let’s do it."