Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1358

Chapter 1358: But I’m trying my best

Mildred almost choked on her tea upon hearing what Haines had just told her. Her naturally small eyes widened as she stared at the man across from her in the café.

"What did you just say?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise and disbelief.

Haines let out a shallow breath, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I made a mistake."

"A mistake?" Mildred let out a sharp laugh. "You didn’t just make a mistake—you made a terrible one."

"I can’t take it back."

"What’s done is done." Mildred nodded, composing herself as she mulled over Haines’s confession. A slow smirk curled her lips. "Does this mean I have to go to the Old Pierson Residence and confess?"

Haines peeked at her and sighed. "Would you?"

"You think I would? With that kind of reasoning?" Mildred exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "That poor girl... She’s going to get her heart broken for sure. The mature man she was after doesn’t seem so mature after all—at least, not in this area."

"I would’ve confronted her, but..." Haines trailed off, recalling the look of surprise Grace had worn last night. It wasn’t just surprise—relief had peeked from behind her eyes, too. He hadn’t had the heart to break it—to rub Grace’s condition in her face.

Mildred shook her head again, her gaze fixed on the distressed old man across from her.

"You can be awfully foolish, Haines," she mused. "But then again, you’re not the only one."

She checked her phone before facing him again. "It’s just a month. So why not make the most of it?"

Haines didn’t answer, simply staring at his friend, unsure whether she was supporting him or mocking him.

"You’ve already given this young lady hope. Don’t take it away, Haines," Mildred said, her voice softer. "The moment you brought this up, you should’ve realized—there’s no turning back. To you, this might be fulfilling someone’s dying wish. But to her? She believes you agreed for an entirely different reason."

"Don’t screw it up. She doesn’t have to know, so take it to your grave," she added with a firm nod. "Let her have this month—even if you have to deceive yourself into believing you wanted it, too. Because if you don’t, a strong young woman like her will figure it out. And when she does, she’ll be the one left to pick up the pieces of her heart."

A heavy silence settled between them. Haines had no reply—because he already knew. The moment he had opened his mouth last night—no, the moment he had stepped foot in that condominium again—there had been no turning back.

"Anyway, I have to go." Mildred reached for her bag, offering him a small smile. "Thanks for meeting me today. It makes me feel young, considering I have to use your name every time I go out."

"Where are you headed?" he asked, but the twinkle in Mildred’s eyes already gave him an answer.

He followed her gaze.

Walking into the café was none other than Miss Sandford.

Haines chuckled, shaking his head. "Does she know?"

Mildred glanced back at him. "She doesn’t have to."

---

[PRIME GROUP]

Patricia looked left and right, startled by the number of people coming in and out of the building. The lobby—normally calm—was packed. A festival of suits, smart casuals, and briefcases.

"Uhh..." Patricia hesitated at the front desk, eyeing the bustling crowd. "What’s going on here?"

The receptionist offered her a polite smile. "The company is hiring, Miss Miller."

"Hey!" she shrieked, panic setting in as she struggled against them. "What are you—do you know who I am?!" _{fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com}