Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 480

Chapter 480: tough cookie
Aside from the constant glares Slater kept shooting in Zoren’s direction, nothing had been said until they all settled down. Penny darted her eyes between her brothers, aware that Zoren had dropped the bomb on her family.

‘I haven’t even asked his reason behind it,’ she thought, knowing Zoren wouldn’t act without telling her if there wasn’t a good reason. Things had been overwhelming lately, and Penny was giving herself some time to breathe. Obviously, that plan wasn’t being exercised because everything was happening one after another.

“Pe—” Zoren’s voice caught in his throat when he felt Slater’s murderous gaze on his side.

Seeing this, Penny let out a shallow breath. She wanted to scold her third brother for being rude to Zoren. Even if this reaction from Slater was expected — considering how he reacted when he found out that Penny was his sister and not Nina — she still wanted to call him out. However, she also understood Zoren’s reason for stopping her.

If Penny scolded Slater in front of him, Slater would only blame Zoren for it. With Slater’s personality, it wouldn’t be surprising if he assumed Zoren was putting a wedge between him and his sister.

‘Who would have thought in-laws are so complicated?’ she wondered, reminded of Allison’s relationship with the Bennet family. ‘No wonder Mom was like that with her in-laws. I thought Dad simply distanced himself because he didn’t get along with his father, but it seems he was just protecting Mom from his own family.’

This situation, however, was different.

Penny cast another glance between her brother and Zoren. Zoren maintained an expressionless look while Slater glared at him. It didn’t seem like Zoren was affected by these vicious glares.

“Ren—” Penny bit her tongue when she received the same glare from Slater. She forced a smile and laughed. “Third Brother, did you get checked? What happened might’ve shocked you since it was dangerous.”

Slater shook his head, pleased that Penny’s attention was on him first. “I’m alright, my baby sister.”

‘Baby sister? Since when did he start calling me that?’ Her face twisted upon hearing that, but Slater continued.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m not the one who got hurt! I know you care for me, but you should think of your own well-being!” Slater intoned dramatically. “Penny, your third big brother is here, so you don’t have to worry anymore. You can rest as long as you like — I’ll watch over you.”

Slater ended his award-winning act with a wink, while her expression turned blank. He could have easily said all that without so much effort. Why did he have to sound so affectionate? It was almost creepy.

“I’ll be okay.” Regardless of her thoughts, Penny still offered him a reassuring smile. “I mean, I’m already okay. So, you don’t have to exert so much effort. You have a lot of work to do, after all.”

Slater shook his head. “Because of this incident, James canceled all my appointments for the next month.” His lips stretched from ear to ear. “In other words, we’ve got a ton of time together! I’m free!”

Uh-oh.

For a second, Penny held her breath as a look of horror spread across her face. Slater, with work, still had plenty of time to bother her. But without work? Penny could only imagine the worst.

“Third Brother, you sound like you’re glad the incident happened because it gave you a reason to ditch your work,” she blurted out, only to see him frown.

“Penny, what are you saying? Why would I be glad that incident happened? You got hurt, and that will never make me happy!” He clicked his tongue and sighed. “Why do you keep saying nonsense? Just go ahead and sleep, okay?”

Penny grumpily crossed her arms and leaned back, adjusting to a more comfortable position. Glancing at Zoren, she caught the brief smile on his face. She wanted to ask him how he got here so quickly, but Slater clearly wanted the attention on himself first.

Once silence fell in the room again, Slater smirked proudly at Zoren. Even if Zoren couldn’t see, he could feel it. Hence, he couldn’t help but smirk and chuckle.

“What are you laughing about?” Slater grumbled, clearly not pleased with him.

Zoren slowly fluttered his eyelashes and faced him. “It’s just that you remind me of my cousin.”

“Hah! I’m sure he’s not as good-looking as I am!” Slater snorted. “Or as talented. Duh!”

Zoren and Penny couldn’t help but glance as they thought of Ray. Ray might be silly, but he was good-looking. He wouldn’t have a fan club if he were average. In fact, Ray could easily switch careers and become a model. He was also talented, having taken many lessons since childhood.

“I think you know him since you went to the same school,” Zoren remarked, hoping this would give him and Slater a bridge to connect. “His name is Ray. Do you know him?”

“Ray, as in… that shameless clown?!”

“That’s right.”

Slater gasped in disbelief. “That creep is your cousin?”

“Yes.”

“Ew!” Slater gagged dramatically. “And I remind you of him? The nerve! That guy can’t even hold a candle to me! He might be smart, but it’s not being used the right way. Ah, no! How could you cousins both pursue my sister?!”

Zoren pressed his lips into a thin line. ‘I guess Ray isn’t the bridge, but rather the fuel to burn one with her brothers.’

A shallow breath slipped past Zoren as he realized this a little too late. Penny, on the other hand, smiled wryly at her husband.

‘He’s trying,’ she thought, and thus, she didn’t want to interfere anymore. Instead, she settled comfortably in the bed, just watching Slater and Zoren talk to each other. They were like fire and water, with Zoren as still as a lake and Slater like a furnace.

‘Well, it took me a while to tame this guy,’ she thought, offering Zoren a smile when he glanced at her. ‘Good luck, Renren~! He’s a tough cookie, but I know you can do it.’