Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1488

Chapter 1488: It’s a long story

There was just something in Penny’s heart that filled it with anxiety, worry, and negativity the moment Hugo’s name escaped Zoren’s lips. For some reason, it reminded her of that time — when Atlas came to visit her in prison for the first and last time.

Aside from their argument, that was the day he delivered the news of Hugo’s death.

And the mere thought of it... terrified her.

Even though some still claimed Hugo might have been alive back then, most believed he had already died. In their first life, he was the only brother who hurt her the least—or perhaps the only one who believed her without a shadow of doubt. The one who never had to say he believed her, because his actions spoke louder. He had worked to clear her name, even at the cost of his own life.

It was a terrifying thought.

One that shook her entire world. So..

SLAP!

"Aw!" Hugo clasped his shoulder and stared at Penny in disbelief. "Penny! Why would you do that?!"

Standing beside the hospital bed were Penny, Atlas, and Zoren, all watching him closely while Hugo’s eyes darted between their faces.

"What?!" he gasped. "What did I do?"

SLAP!

He scoffed when Penny smacked his shoulder again, but lighter this time.

"Penny, what are you—" His words died in his throat as she suddenly plopped down on the side of the bed and hugged him.

Deep lines formed on his forehead as he looked down at his sister, who began to muffle a sniffle against him. Her back and hold trembled, clasping his gown tightly.

"Oh." Slowly, he placed a hand on her trembling back as she quietly sobbed out of frustration. His sister had always been anything but the type to cry. Hence, this caught him off guard and the slaps she did didn’t hurt just as much anymore.

"Hugo, I—" Atlas ran his tongue along his inner cheek, looking down at his brother.

Hugo had clear bruises on his face, scratches on his cheekbone, and a crack on the corner of his mouth. His leg was tightly wrapped in gauze, and his arms bore wounds — both large and small.

When Zoren told them about Hugo, they hadn’t wasted a breath. Penny had only sent Nathaniel back to continue spying on the Information Center. Since Mark had barely scraped together any intel on Hugo’s condition, they had feared the worst.

"What in the world were you thinking, Hugo?" Atlas exhaled, trying to suppress his frustration—and the lingering fear in his chest. "If you were okay, why didn’t you contact us?"

"I did," Hugo replied, his face twisting slightly.

"I didn’t get anything."

"I called Slater," Hugo said with a shallow breath. "Told him what happened... and asked him not to tell anyone."

"Why wouldn’t you tell us?!" Penny suddenly jolted back, tears brimming in her eyes despite the anger on her face. "Second Brother, are you trying to give us a heart attack?! Or are you planning to only tell us what happened after it’s too late?!"

Seeing her tears, Hugo’s expression softened. He reached out to wipe them away, another heavy breath leaving him.