Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 429

Chapter 429: Found yourself in a pickle, Tantan?
“I… would be a great asset to this group, sir, boss, or master! Please let me in. If I fail, I accept death as a consequence.”

It would be a lie to say Zoren wasn’t impressed. Until now, no one had ever figured out who was behind the Phantom Circle. No one had even come close.

Who would connect Zoren to the Phantom Circle?

From another person’s perspective, Zoren had it all. Wealth, power, influence. Why else would a man like him dare step foot in such a complex world when he already — almost — had everything one would want and need?

But Nathaniel had managed to follow his men’s trails and had sharp judgment. His determination to uncover the identity of the big boss was admirable. Most impressive, though, was how he turned this night into a job interview, showcasing his skills in a way that earned Zoren’s attention.

However, Zoren wasn’t one to trust so easily, even if his instincts told him Nathaniel was serious and dedicated.

“Why…” Zoren drawled, propping his chin against his knuckles while playing with the lighter in his other hand. “Why spend that long trying to get my attention when you could’ve joined other groups? After all, regardless of your talents, what you had done would only earn you a small chance of getting into my circle.”

He blinked slowly at Nathaniel. “What makes us so worthy of your admiration, Nathaniel?”

Who would believe all the flattery Nathaniel had poured out? No one would spend years of effort and exhaust all their resources out of mere admiration. Zoren might understand it if it was something like his connection with young Penny — they had a bond so sweet and heartwarming that he wouldn’t mind spending the rest of his life searching for her.

“My life’s in danger, sir,” Nathaniel confessed, sensing his chance to convince him. “While I do admire the Phantom Circle and how sophisticated your operations are, I also need your help.”

“You think we can protect you?”

“My skills alone are enough to help you with anything. But they only allow me to avoid the dangers of my life. Avoiding it isn’t the same as protecting myself; it’s just delaying the inevitable.” Nathaniel sighed heavily. “I don’t want to be hunted anymore.”

Zoren tilted his head. “You think joining us will stop them from coming after you?”

“They might still come… but they wouldn’t be so bold.”

Zoren smirked, amused by the man’s honesty. Nathaniel should know that even with his skills, the problems following him like a shadow would still linger. Who would want to take on such trouble just because of one guy?

“And you’re telling me this because?”

“Because I need you to trust me,” Nathaniel replied. “I know you won’t trust me right away, so I have to take the first step. If I tell you the truth and come clean, it might extend my life. Perhaps change your mind and take me.”

“An extension of life…” Zoren chuckled. “… If that’s what you wanted, you should’ve stayed away from this kind of life.”

Nathaniel lowered his gaze, pressing his lips into a thin line. He didn’t answer, but the complexity in his eyes revealed thousands of unspoken thoughts.

“Was that your reason for founding the Circle, sir?” he asked softly, his voice barely a whisper, yet it reached Zoren clearly.

“You could say that,” Zoren shrugged, but he didn’t elaborate. Instead, he stayed quiet, studying Nathaniel. He could sense the shift in the man’s mood but chose not to point it out.

Silence fell between them for a while. After a minute, Nathaniel spoke again.

“Please, let me in,” he repeated sincerely, almost as if he were begging with dignity. “I have no one else to turn to but you. Save my life… just like how you saved thousands of lives during the war in Zhyran a few years ago. In return, I’ll help you save more — more people, children, animals, anyone.”

Otherwise, Nathaniel would end up dead. If not here, then once he was released.

Zoren understood the dilemma, feeling it deep in his bones. Nathaniel was sincere, desperate, and willing to be part of the circle. Given the man’s capabilities, it wouldn’t be a bad trade.

However…

‘I actually called Mark back because I want to retire early,’ Zoren thought, considering the life he now wanted. ‘Penny’s safety is my priority.’

With Penny back in his life, Zoren couldn’t help but think of leaving behind the world he created during his darkest moments. He just wanted to rest and enjoy her presence. If retirement was too soon, he wanted to disband the circle and live peacefully.

‘Taking him in means postponing that,’ Zoren thought, assuming Nathaniel’s enemies were on the same level as the Phantom Circle.

While Zoren was lost in thought, his brows raised as he heard a faint gunfire before another wave of commotion outside. He turned his head toward the entrance, and Nathaniel instinctively did the same, his brows furrowing.

They stared at the door for minutes.

“Uh…” Nathaniel let out a long sound. “… I think someone’s coming—”

BAM!

As soon as the words left his mouth, the double doors flew open. Nathaniel’s breath hitched as a massive black panther forced its way inside the mansion.

“Hey!”

“Renny!”

“Ouch — fuuu—!”

“Boss, watch out!”

Zoren tilted his head, unfazed by his pet’s chaotic entrance. But what he heard next left him confused.

“Above you!”

Before they could react, Renny leaped toward Zoren and Nathaniel. Nathaniel’s mouth fell open as he looked up, tracking Renny’s movement. But then, they both saw another figure leap from the mezzanine of the second floor, using Renny’s back as a stepping stone before vaulting off the panther.

THUD!

Nathaniel, still stunned by the panther, snapped back to reality when the back of his head slammed into the floor. A weight pressed down on him, making his eyes pop open just as a butcher knife landed inches from his face, embedding itself in the carpet.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” A beautiful yet haunting voice cooed. Nathaniel’s shaky, dilated eyes shifted toward the figure above him. “Found yourself in a pickle, Tantan?”