Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 1422

Chapter 1422: We are both in trouble
Haines had no idea how he got back into his car, still in a daze. He only realized he was already on the road when someone honked at him. Jolting slightly, he blinked, finally aware that he was heading home.

“Haines,” he muttered, shaking his head. “You’re going to kill yourself at this rate.”

Letting out a deep sigh, he refocused on the road. At the very least, driving gave him something to occupy his mind. But when he finally reached the Bennet mansion and pulled over, he remained seated inside, making no move to step out.

Slowly, he touched his cheek, still feeling the lingering warmth and softness Grace had left there. Even her scent clung to him. Or was it his clothes that smelled like her? Frowning, he glanced down at his suit, catching a faint whiff of her perfume.

“…” Pressing his lips into a thin line, he closed his eyes with another sigh. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel before he let his forehead rest against it.

Little did he know, Butler Jen had been standing on the porch, observing him with a furrowed brow. He caught sight of Haines, watching as the man bumped his head lightly against the wheel.

“What is Sir Haines doing?” Butler Jen murmured to himself. “He seems… a little distressed.”

Just as those words left his lips, he noticed headlights approaching. Narrowing his eyes, he quickly recognized the sleek sports car pulling into the driveway.

Slater’s car.

Butler Jen remained silent, watching as Slater’s vehicle rolled to a stop. Since fate seemed to have placed him outside at this exact moment, he figured he might as well wait for him today. Slater could be a little dramatic, but he was hardworking. And if his presence could ease some of the young master’s worries, then Butler Jen didn’t mind waiting.

As soon as Slater stepped out, he snapped his gaze toward the front door and grinned. He quickly jogged up the steps, a proud smile stretching across his face.

“Butler Jen, I came home as early as I could because I knew you’d be waiting for me,” Slater declared, as if that should earn him praise.

“Welcome back, Third Young Master,” Butler Jen replied with a nod. “Shall I prepare you something?”

Slater shook his head. “I ate a lot on the way home, so you don’t have to bother! Hehe!”

“Is that so?”

“Yep! Let’s go inside, Butler Jen. Do you want soup? This time, I’ll make you some myself.”

Butler Jen chuckled. “Thank you, Third Young Master, but…”

“But?” Slater’s brows furrowed as he noticed Butler Jen’s gaze shift toward something. Curious, he followed his line of sight.

There, parked right in front of his own car, was Haines’s vehicle. And inside, Haines still sat in the driver’s seat, resting his head against the wheel.

“What is Uncle Haines doing?” Slater asked, glancing at Butler Jen. “Did he fall asleep in his car?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be worried,” Butler Jen sighed. “Sir Haines has been acting a little strange lately.”

“Huh?” Slater shot him a look. “What do you mean?”

“He’s been coming home late, and he hasn’t been tagging along with Sir Charles as much,” Butler Jen pointed out. “Even Sir Charles is a bit concerned.”

Butler Jen bit his tongue to stop himself from saying more. He’d almost slipped and mentioned that Charles was also worried about his wife, Allison. Apparently, she had been acting strangely as well. But that wasn’t something Slater needed to worry about.

“Now that you mention it, Uncle Haines normally doesn’t drive his car,” Slater mumbled. “But lately, I’ve been seeing it in the driveway instead of the garage.”

Just then, Haines finally straightened up and stepped out of the car. The moment he did, he caught sight of the two figures standing on the porch. He paused briefly before resuming his steps, stopping in front of them.

“It’s late,” he said. “Why are you still awake, Butler Jen?”

“He’s worried about me,” Slater answered before Butler Jen could. “You know Butler Jen can’t sleep knowing I’ll be coming home without anyone to tend to me.”

Butler Jen smiled, nodding slightly. “Just as the Third Young Master said.”

“…” Haines wasn’t convinced. No matter how consistent Butler Jen was, Slater had an unpredictable schedule. No one could guess when he’d be coming home—if he even came home at all. But for the sake of preserving this small happiness Slater found in the lie, Haines nodded.

“I see,” he said simply. “Then, I’m heading to bed. It was a long day.”

With that, he walked past them. But just as he did, Slater sniffed the air and frowned.

“Uncle Haines, did you change perfumes?”

Haines halted. “What?”

“You smell different.”

Blinking, Haines quickly thought of an excuse. “I was testing some perfumes earlier today to buy as a gift.”

“Oh.”

“Good night.” Haines forced a small smile before resuming his steps—this time, quickening his pace, even if it made his limp more noticeable. He was afraid Slater would keep asking questions.

And he was right.

“Uncle Haines! Where’s this perfume shop?! I want to buy one for Penny!”

Haines winced, pretending not to hear him.

Slater pouted. “Is he gatekeeping? Or… is he buying it for Penny?”

Butler Jen chuckled. “Third Young Master, how about we go inside?”

“Fine…” Slater huffed, dragging his feet toward the entrance, still displeased at the idea that Haines might be buying Penny gifts again.

Butler Jen, however, simply shook his head.

Haines had come up with a terrible lie.

Because this was the second time he had come home smelling like a woman.

******

The Next Day…

“You’re screwed, Haines,” Mildred said, shaking her head. Though the corner of her lips curled up. “We both are in trouble.”

Haines sighed, snapping his gaze to the woman across from him. “What do you mean we both are?”

“You’re starting to like her,” she said simply. “And I… the same.”

They locked eyes, Mildred smiling despite the weight of her words, while Haines exhaled heavily.