Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 1532

Chapter 1532: But something is indeed fishy about this.
Later that day…

Penny and Professor Singh headed to the private lab where he conducted his research. Although there was a larger, fully equipped research facility available, the university had provided the professor with his own lab so he could continue his work while remaining available for lectures.

“Penelope, what is this drug again?” Professor Singh asked, furrowing his thick, white-streaked brows.

Penny, loitering a few steps away, nodded. “It’s the same lethal drug I told you about. My friend, who was investigating it, asked me to look into it. Their experts are having a hard time analyzing its properties.”

“What are its effects, Penny?”

“Basically, once ingested, the victim experiences symptoms similar to a heart attack. The only difference is that this drug is even more lethal. It forces the person into a coma, and once the heart stops, they die. The problem is, once the heart stops beating, the drug becomes undetectable.”

“…” Professor Singh’s heart skipped a beat. “That…”

“It’s classified as a weapon of mass destruction,” she clarified. “I’m just really concerned about its properties.”

Silence fell between them as their eyes met.

Professor Singh understood her concern. The drug’s characteristics were alarmingly similar to the one Penny had been working on for years — the Miracle Drug.

“And it’s being sold on the black market?” he asked, removing his glasses and resting them on his head.

Penny nodded. “For a high price, yes.”

“Penelope, what are you getting yourself into?” he breathed. “This is dangerous.”

“I know, Professor. But if my theory is right, I need to understand the current status of the Miracle Drug.” Penny stepped forward, placing a hand on the counter. “People have already died from this. And more will die — because some people are actually buying it.”

Professor Singh felt a heavy weight settle on his shoulders. “Penelope…”

“Professor.” Her gaze shone with both sincerity and determination. “Please let me rejoin the research team. Even if not full-time — just give me access to the Miracle Drug’s lab.”

Another long silence settled between them.

Her request wasn’t hard to grant. After all, Penny was the original creator of the Miracle Drug. She had led the research, and thanks to her efforts, they’d made major breakthroughs. Even so, the drug was never completed — she had told him herself that it was impossible.

Still, the team hadn’t given up. The Miracle Drug has shown effectiveness in treating other illnesses.

“Penelope, whatever you’re involved in… it doesn’t sound good. It sounds dangerous,” he said, placing a hand over hers on the counter. His eyes were filled with concern and disapproval. “But I’ll allow it — only because this dangerous new substance threatens the integrity of the Miracle Drug.”

Penny felt as if a thorn had been pulled from her throat. “Thank you, Professor.”

“Don’t thank me,” he huffed, clearly displeased. “I hate that you keep putting yourself in danger. Penelope, you and your uncle have already escaped death once. Don’t go chasing it.”

“That’s exactly why I’m doing this, Professor,” she replied. “I want to live.”

She didn’t tell him the whole truth — that the mere existence of the Miracle Drug might be one of the reasons she was being targeted.

Nor did she share the deeper reason she needed access to the lab.

It wasn’t just to track the Miracle Drug’s development or to study the lethal new compound.

She needed to create an antidote.

Because Penny had no idea when this drug might reach someone she loved.

—

Somewhere…

“With all of this in consideration, the Court finds that the defendant poses a flight risk. Therefore, the defendant is ordered held without bail…”

The sound of the gavel striking the block hit Cassandra’s ears like a thunderclap. Behind her, her family winced in disbelief and frustration.

“No,” Mrs. Smith rose from her seat, shaking her head in protest. “No, my daughter is not a flight risk—”

Mr. Smith pulled her into his arms, holding her back. “Stop,” he whispered, his body trembling. “Let’s not cause a scene.”

Senator Smith, seated nearby, closed his eyes as the verdict sank in.

This couldn’t be happening.

They had been expecting an absurdly high bail, something they were more than willing to pay to keep Cassandra out of jail during her trial. But this… this wasn’t part of the plan.

Cassandra stared blankly at the judge. Slowly, she turned to her lawyer, her complexion paling.

He tried to offer her a reassuring smile — and failed.

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head, gripping her lawyer’s arm tightly. “Please…”

“Miss Smith, it’s going to be fine,” the lawyer said quietly, offering what little reassurance he could. “I’ll find a way to appeal the decision.”

“No,” she repeated, her voice rising with fear as two officers approached. Her eyes darted from her lawyer to her family seated behind her.

“Cassy…” her mother whimpered, covering her mouth as she watched the officers cuff her daughter.

Tears streamed down Cassandra’s cheeks as one of the officers gently held her arm and guided her to her feet.

“Mom…!” she cried out, her voice cracking. “Mom, please, help me! I didn’t… It wasn’t me!”

But no one could do anything.

From the corner of the courtroom, Kiara stood frozen, her hand clamped over her mouth. Tears flowed freely down her face as she watched her friend being taken away — held in prison until the trial ended, or until the Smiths’ legal team found a way to change the judge’s ruling.

Until then, Cassandra would remain behind bars.

—

In the same court, Grace was seated in the other corner. Her legs rested leisurely over the other, watching all of this unfold. She had a court hearing today, which she was able to win as the other party agreed to settle.

Hence, when Grace heard that Cassandra was in here, she filled a seat just to see how it would all unfold. After all, Cassandra getting on bail was the most obvious thing her lawyer would try to get. But even with Senator Smith’s presence, the Court didn’t favor them.

It’s not weird, considering how huge this case is.

Grace watched as Cassandra got emotional as she was dragged away.

But something is indeed fishy about this.