Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1298

Chapter 1298: So, we are in trouble?

"Enough!" Nina yelled in frustration, yanking her arm free from Patricia’s grip. Patricia had dragged her to the parking lot, and her hold was starting to hurt.

Rubbing her arm, Nina’s eyes gleamed with dismay. Patricia, on the other hand, turned to face her—only for a sharp slap to land on her cheek.

Slap!

Theo froze at the resounding sound, his eyes widening. He darted his gaze between his sister and Nina before instinctively stepping in when Patricia raised a hand.

"Patricia!" Theo called, grabbing his sister’s arm. He then cast Nina a helpless look, at a loss for words. "Nina, please."

But both women kept their bitter gazes locked on each other.

"Patricia," Nina spat, her heart burning as she clenched her hands into fists. "I told you before—I tried to understand why you always pick on me whenever we cross paths. I put up with it. But hurting the people around me just because they’re with me? That’s something I won’t tolerate—ever again."

"Hah!" Patricia scoffed. "I should’ve slapped you too, considering how well you get along with your fiancé’s ex."

Nina’s breath hitched, her eyes flashing red. If not for years of self-restraint, she would’ve slapped Patricia again. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to stay calm.

"We do get along, Patricia," Nina returned, swallowing the tension in her throat. "I’ve endured you for years because of the mistake I made as a child. Even though I know it was in the past and I didn’t know better back then, I thought that if I let you be, you’d eventually let go of your anger."

She shook her head in disappointment. "But today, I finally realize—nothing I do will ever make you forgive me. So, this is the last time I’m putting up with you. The next time... I won’t just stand by while you hurt the people around me out of spite."

She took a step back, her voice cold. "You’re pathetic, Patricia. I wish I had never met you."

With that, Nina turned on her heel and walked away without looking back.

Patricia weakly scoffed, while Theo stood frozen, watching Nina leave with evident concern.

"Let me go," Patricia muttered, snatching her arm from her brother’s grasp. Clicking her tongue in irritation, she crossed her arms.

"Patricia, what the hell was that?" Theo finally snapped out of his trance, frowning at her. "I told you not to cause trouble for our family, but you were about to slap her!"

"She slapped me first!" Patricia retorted, frustrated. "Of course, I was going to retaliate!"

"Patricia—"

"And it’s not like I was trying to hurt her! I was helping her! Helping her from a snake like that woman—Cassandra!" She huffed, clasping her hands by her sides. "I know a snake when I see one, and that Cassandra is bad news! She’s a fool for believing that woman doesn’t have ulterior motives—especially since Nina is with her ex!"

At that, Theo froze, his shoulders tensing. Deep lines creased his forehead as confusion flickered in his eyes.

"Patricia, what are you—"

"I heard it!" she yelled, grinding her teeth in frustration. Her eyes stung as she glared at her brother, her breath uneven. "I heard how she threatened you earlier. I heard why you begged Mom and Dad to let you study abroad."

Her shoulders slumped as she lowered her gaze. "All these years... I was angry at you. I lashed out at you. I thought you wanted to leave because you couldn’t handle the pressure of the Star Section anymore—that you were running away and dragging me with you. I felt pathetic and furious. I saw my brother as someone who gave up at the slightest inconvenience. But..."