Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1492

Chapter 1492: It never was, was it?

"One of the kids who disappeared a long time ago—he’s dead. He was one of the casualties during that bar raid a while back. Remember the raid on the Information Center?" _{freeweɓnovel.cøm}

A moment of silence fell between Penny and Mint as they stared at each other. Penny’s brows furrowed while Mint gave her a solemn nod.

"It was late when I found out about it. He was one of the guys who tried to get away and ended up in a gunfight. It was a mess," Mint sighed heavily. "There goes our one chance at saving those kids. All we can do now is hope that the other kids who escaped years ago are still out there—and not dead."

Another heavy silence settled over them. Penny didn’t know what to say.

"He was part of the Information Center?" she asked, already knowing the answer, but Mint still nodded. "Have you confirmed if there were others in there?"

"Yes. He was the only one arrested."

"I see..." Penny pressed her lips into a thin line and exhaled deeply.

In that moment, she wondered what the right reaction should be—what the right thing to say was. Innocent children were in danger, and they both knew it. But the orphanage’s records were almost spotless, and the theory they believed in wasn’t enough to open a case.

"The law..." she whispered, running her tongue along the inside of her cheek. "Mint, is there no other way to save those children sooner?"

"Believe it or not, I feel the same impatience and anger as you do," Mint replied. "That’s why... I’ve been working on it."

The case wasn’t within Mint’s jurisdiction. Still, she had gotten herself involved, trying to help her friend build a case to shut down the orphanage. But time was running out. In just a few weeks, another child would be sent off to their "new home"—and they both knew that home was the beginning of a nightmare.

"Mint..." Penny breathed. "Sometimes, I wonder if the law is really meant to protect the innocent... or if it’s just there to help the guilty get away."

Mint opened her mouth, then closed it again. All she could do was shrug, unable to fault Penny for feeling that way. When it came to the law, things were often far from simple.

"Let’s just hope, Penny," Mint said. "I know it might sound naive, but I still believe there are good people out there—and that those who deserve it will eventually face justice."

I want to hope, Mint, Penny thought, but couldn’t bring herself to say it. But... I barely have any hope left in the system.

In her first life, Penny had lived an honest life. She’d never hurt anyone. She’d never acted recklessly—except to live for others’ approval. She had lived with a clear conscience.

And what did she get in return? The brutal side of the law.

In this life, Penny had toed the line more than once. She could still say she was honest, that her conscience was clear—but there were things she’d done that could’ve gotten her punished. Yet here she was, free as a bird.

Why? Because this time, Penny had power—connections, wealth, and influence.

So every time she thought about it... was the law truly made for the innocent? Or just for the privileged?

"If it weren’t for Grace..." Penny whispered, still looking at Mint. "I wouldn’t even have this tiny bit of hope."

"I hope someday Grace won’t be the only one who makes you believe that justice still exists," Mint said gently. "Someday."