Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62: I have to

Charles and Allison’s plan to break the news about Nina to their children halted at Hugo’s remarks. _{freёwebnovel.com}

"Oh, Atlas, I put my bet on you."

"Huh?" question marks filled the couple’s thought bubble as they gazed at Hugo. "Hugo, what do you mean, a bet?"

Hugo smiled as he happily explained. "There’s a betting pool in the school now. All students are putting their bets on whether Atlas will make it to the star section this semester or not."

"What?" Allison and Charles gasped in unison as they instinctively gazed at Atlas.

"Atlas, is this true?" Charles blurted out.

Atlas glanced at them and nodded before he ate a spoonful. While the couple processed this, Hugo continued in the same enthusiastic tone.

"Slater’s in the bet too!" he exclaimed, making Slater freeze. "He declared that he wouldn’t be at the bottom of his class anymore. I bet on him, and the entire team also placed their bets on Atlas just to spite Max."

The couple was momentarily stunned. Atlas’s goal was surprising, but Slater too? Above all, they were most surprised that Hugo was putting on bets.

Penny also looked at Hugo incredulously. She heard about Max, who jumped from the 7th place in the star section to the 5th rank. She didn’t know Hugo knew him that much.

’Also, what did he mean, the team bet on Atlas just to spite someone? How did he make that sound less... vicious?’

"Hugo, how come there’s a betting pool in your school? Isn’t that another form of gambling? The school allows this?" Allison asked, worried their son would get caught by participating in such things.

’That’s right, Second Brother. How can you join the betting pool?’ was what Penny wanted to say, but then, she wasn’t in the right place because she was the only one who anonymously started the betting pool.

"Don’t worry," Hugo reassured. "The betting system found loopholes in the school policy and is legal. So even if the teachers already got wind of it, they can’t do anything. Moreover, they can’t put all students in disciplinary action. It’s a harmless betting and it will keep the students motivated."

The couple was still uncomfortable with it, but then Hugo spoke enthusiastically.

"Say, First Brother, do you think you can be a star student?"

Atlas ate his food elegantly before he said, "I have to."

"Atlas." Allison sighed before Charles followed. "Atlas, your mom and I are always proud of you. So, you don’t have to say you have to —"

"Penny’s monthly allowance on me, so I have to."

Penny choked on her food when she heard Atlas’s reason, pounding her chest with her fist while reaching for a glass of water. She was quiet when Hugo mentioned the betting because she didn’t want to get dragged into this conversation. Was this Atlas’s way of returning the favor because she roped him in the bet?

"Penny, did what?" Charles gasped.

"Penny placed her entire monthly allowance on me, so I have to enter the star section no matter what," Atlas clarified emotionlessly. "She’ll starve if I don’t."

Allison’s and Charles’s mouths fell open while Hugo grinned from ear to ear.

"Now, you really have to kick those guys from their high horses," Hugo chuckled happily before his bright expression turned solemn — almost deadly. "I’m serious. Penny’s allowance is on the line here."

Charles suddenly pounded the bottom of his fist against the table, making Penny jolt from her seat.

’Is he angry with me now?!’

"Atlas..." Charles’s face darkened as he slowly shifted his glinting eyes to his eldest son. "Go get them! Tear the entire star section apart! Our Penny’s money’s on you! Don’t disappoint her!"

’I don’t think the headmaster will tolerate that...’ Penny sported a conflicted look as this conversation was getting out of hand!

Seeing this, Penny scoots away a little. Her father and her two brothers looked a little devious. ’Oh, gracious god. Please don’t let them cross the dark side!’