Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 229

Chapter 229: Penny’s departure
Weeks had passed and Penny had already finished the countless exams she had to take. After the exams, she only had to wait for a few more weeks. While waiting, Penny would come to support Jessa in her competition with Allison.

“Timer starts… now!”

As soon as the judge of the show announced, every contestant in the show quickly went to the ingredients at the back to get whatever they would need for their dish.

Today was the first filming of the first episode of the show. Jessa managed to get in after winning all the previous rounds to be an official candidate.

On the sidelines, Penny and Allison watched intently. But unlike Allison, who was at the edge of her seat, Penny couldn’t help but smile.

‘The world is actually round, huh?’ Penny thought while watching Jessa start preparing fiercely. ‘Not long ago, it was Aunt Jessa, who is on the sidelines while I compete. But now… the roles are reversed.’

In her previous life, Jessa’s only habit was gambling and making Penny’s life hard.

Jessa changed and continued to do so even without Penny in the household.

Turning her head, Penny smiled subtly upon seeing the nervous look on Allison’s face. ‘And I hope Mom will also change. Although she’s already a good person, I hope she does something for herself.’

After all, Allison had poured her heart and soul into her children. No one would point it out because Allison came from a well-off family and her husband was a wise businessman. However, no one knew that as an individual, Allison didn’t have a life outside of her children.

Penny hoped that with Jessa’s change, Allison would also want to achieve something as an individual. Of course, that was only Penny’s opinion. But if her mother was already happy being the way she was, it was also alright.

Allison was already perfect as a housewife. She may be imperfect as an individual, but she was trying her best to be the mother her children needed.

‘Although I might not be able to see the finals… my heart is at ease.’ Her smile stretched as she set her eyes on the set again. ‘I’m not leaving with a heavy heart.’

And right now, the strange feeling she carried when asked if she was ready was gone.

This time, Penny was certain she was ready to close this chapter of her life and start anew.

By the end of this round of the master chef, Jessa was able to get in the next round… in style.

*

*

*

More time had passed without anyone realizing and before they knew it, the day for Penny’s departure rolled in.

Standing in the airport, Haines and Penny faced the family.

“Penny.” Allison squatted down, teary-eyed. She stroked Penny’s cheeks with the back of her hand, smiling even though her eyes wanted to shed tears. “You take care of there, okay? If you need anything, just tell Uncle Haines. Or better yet, call Mom, hmm?”

Penny smiled from ear to ear. “I’ll call Mom every day so don’t be sad, Mama~!”

“I’m… trying,” Allison’s voice broke as a traitorous tear escaped her eyes. “Mommy will miss you.”

Allison carefully pulled her beloved daughter into her embrace, patting Penny’s back. She was trying to console Penny with her actions, but it was more like it was her who needed to be comforted. When Allison let her go, she stared at Penny’s wide and adorable face.

“Dad and Mom will visit you every so often,” she said. “Don’t worry about anything anymore for now, okay?”

Penny nodded, snapping her eyes to Allison’s side as Charles squatted down.

“Penny, be good there, okay!?” Charles reached out and ruffled her hair. “Mom said it. We will always visit you and call! Every day! Call Mom and Dad, okay!?”

“Yes~” Penny’s lips stretched, chuckling at the repeated nagging from the two.

After Charles nagged, a thin layer of tears coated his eyes. “Can you hug Daddy, Penny? I’m so sad…!”

“Hehe!” Penny didn’t hesitate to leap, locking her arms around his neck.

Charles’s face softened as he slowly placed his hand on her back. “My princess, take care when you’re there, okay? Don’t get sick and when you’re sad, you can always call us. We’ll stay on the call all day for you.”

He still nagged her, but his voice was more gentle with a tinge of reluctance. Even so, neither Allison nor Charles stopped her.

When Charles and Penny parted, she glanced at the approaching Slater.

“Penny.” Slater stood a step from her, a look of hesitation clear in his eyes. “Call, okay!? You better call!”

Penny flickered when he suddenly started shouting. “Third brother, what’s wrong with you? Are you angry?”

“No!” Slater cleared his throat, his lips quivering. “I’m just… I’m just…”

Before Slater could say anything, he turned around and blocked his eyes with his arms. Hugo smiled subtly and placed a hand on top of Slater’s head.

“Penny, during vacation, we’ll visit you,” Hugo smiled, wanting to send his sister off with a smile. “Slater is just a little sad and has been crying since last night.”

“Don’t forget to call, just like what Mom and Dad said,” Atlas chimed in; he wasn’t smiling like Hugo or crying like Slater. “Don’t joke about that.”

Penny sighed, but smiled. “Yes, First Brother. I will call.” When she moved her attention to Slater’s back, another deep exhale slipped past her lips. She approached and tapped his back. “Third Brother, I’m not dying. You can always call me.”

“Huhuhu!” Slater hiccuped as he faced her. “Penny! I don’t want you to go! I’ll miss you very very much! And the house will never be the same without you and your pets!”

As Slater expressed his heart and hugged his little sister, Allison and Charles could not help but tear up as well. As for Hugo, his smile faded a little. Atlas didn’t react — classic.

What Slater said was true.

Once they came home after this, they knew the house would never feel the same. It would surely feel a lot bigger than it was supposed to. Despite the sadness that was going to strike them, they didn’t dare stop her, just like Slater.

Penny’s eyes softened in Slater’s embrace, tapping his back mildly. She glanced up at her family and even though there was sadness in their eyes, they still smiled back at her.

“Penny?” after some time, Haines called and watched her turn to him. “Time to go.”

Her lips stretched from ear to ear and faced her family. “A group hug?” she suggested. “Please send me off like that.”

“Oh, Penny, you don’t have to ask!” Charles intoned, and without further ado, the parents hugged Slater and Penny.

Hugo chuckled and intuitively dragged Atlas, hugging him with them, so Atlas didn’t have any choice. They hugged each other for a good minute before letting Penny go, for she had a plane to catch.

Watching her walk away with Haines, they waved when Penny looked back at them.

“Are you okay, Penny?” Haines inquired, making her look up at him.

Her smile broadened as she nodded. “Yes, Uncle.” And she reached out for his hand, walking to the boarding area hand in hand.

— End of Volume 1 —