Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 1559

Chapter 1559: The noodle thief

Kiara gazed at the selection of noodles at the convenience store near her place. Since her go-to quick dinner wasn’t available, she scanned through the other options. Her brand loyalty compelled her to pick another flavor from the same company.

It had been another long day of work. On top of that, Kiara had spent most of it making phone calls, trying to find help for Cassandra’s case. Once again, she felt completely drained.

I did my best today, she thought, watching the hot water pour into her cup noodles. It’s alright. I’ll try again tomorrow.

Forcing a smile and shaking off the exhaustion crawling down her spine, she picked up the noodles and set them on a tray. Since this was going to be her dinner tonight, she didn’t bother bringing it home. Instead, she took a seat outside the convenience store, at one of the small tables set up under the awning.

“Good thing no one is here,” she muttered, waiting for the noodles to soften so she could eat.

Her stomach growled. The scent rising from the cup reminded her she’d skipped lunch and barely had a bun because she was so busy all day.

“Who should I call next?” she wondered aloud, propping her chin on her palm as she scrolled through her contacts. Most were already people she had asked for a favor.

Many had wanted to help, but all were reluctant. They gave her the same excuses: the case was too complicated, or the Smiths should handle it.

How can I let the Smiths handle it when it’s obvious they don’t care?

Kiara sighed deeply, setting her phone down to give her brain a break and fill her stomach. But just as she was about to reach for her dinner, a hand suddenly snatched the cup of noodles.

Her eyes followed it, landing on the noodle thief now seated across from her.

Slowly, she looked up—and froze. Hugo Bennet was already stirring the noodles with the chopsticks like they belonged to him.

“…”

Her mouth opened, then closed. Words got stuck in her throat as he slurped the first mouthful.

That… that’s mine.

Kiara frowned as she studied him. Of course, she recognized him. Who wouldn’t recognize a Bennet? Each of them was distinct in their own way.

“This is not bad,” he said after swallowing. “But I still prefer the other flavor—the classic one this brand used to have.”

“I know,” she muttered with a weak sigh, watching as he continued to eat her dinner without even asking. “Is it delicious, though?”

“Of course.”

“I see.” She nodded slowly, still unsure how to react to this bizarre turn of events.

“Do you want some?” he asked.

Of course I want some—it’s my dinner!

But Kiara kept that thought to herself. She was already too exhausted to get angry. She cupped her face in her hands, watching him quietly before turning her gaze elsewhere. She could argue or get another one. But even arguing felt like a chore.

Still, her eyes drifted back to him.

“Do you…” she began, pausing as he froze mid-slurp, noodles dangling. “…know me?”

Hugo blinked. Instead of answering, he slurped the rest of the noodles until his mouth was full. He nodded slightly as he chewed.

“Why do you think I’m here if I don’t? I don’t just take a stranger’s food.”

“But you did just take it,” she said, incredulous. They weren’t friends. She wouldn’t even call them acquaintances.

They had attended the same school—Summit School of Excellence—but she didn’t recall ever exchanging words with him. Maybe they passed each other a few times. That was it.

“Taking this as a fee,” he said casually, finishing the noodles without mercy. When he set the cup down, it was empty. Spotless.

Kiara stared at the now-empty cup, then back at him.

“God…” she groaned, burying her face in her palms. “Why is this happening to me?”

First, her best friend was being framed. Then Stephen told her he couldn’t help—though she appreciated his effort, it was still a blow. Everyone she contacted could only offer apologies and empty reassurances.

And now, her only meal of the day had been eaten by someone else.

Talk about bad luck.

Hugo raised an eyebrow, watching her as she mumbled into her hands. “Hey, are you crying?”

“Crying?” Kiara scoffed, looking up at him and grinding her teeth. “No, I’m not. Even if I feel like I should. But I’m just so tired that crying feels like a chore, okay? That was my dinner.”

“I was hungry,” Hugo said with a shrug.

“You…” Kiara waved a hand, massaging her temple as she took a deep breath. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t get worked up about something you wouldn’t usually get worked up about. You’re just tired. And really, venting at him isn’t the right thing to do.”

A part of her believed she had every right to be frustrated. He had taken her food. But she was right—normally, something like this wouldn’t faze her. It was just the last straw on a very long day.

Hugo, meanwhile, stayed silent, listening to her self-pep talk.

When Kiara finished “resetting” herself, she looked over at him and offered a tired smile.

“I’ll just get another one,” she said, pushing herself up from the chair.

But just as she walked past him, he said, “I also want another one, please.”

She stopped in her tracks, turning her head slowly to look at him, face twitching in disbelief.

Isn’t he being a little too comfortable for someone who barely knows me?

Bitterness curled at her lips, but she turned back and resumed walking toward the store.

Despite her exhaustion, despite everything, she found herself buying another cup of noodles for herself and him. And some extra buns — just in case that wasn’t enough to fill him.

Fortunately, she did. Because she felt that if she didn’t, he would be eyeing her food because he finished his in the blink of an eye.