Chapter 1298: So, we are in trouble?

"Enough!" Nina yelled in frustration, yanking her arm free from Patricia’s grip. Patricia had dragged her to the parking lot, and her hold was starting to hurt.

Rubbing her arm, Nina’s eyes gleamed with dismay. Patricia, on the other hand, turned to face her—only for a sharp slap to land on her cheek.

Slap!

Theo froze at the resounding sound, his eyes widening. He darted his gaze between his sister and Nina before instinctively stepping in when Patricia raised a hand.

"Patricia!" Theo called, grabbing his sister’s arm. He then cast Nina a helpless look, at a loss for words. "Nina, please."

But both women kept their bitter gazes locked on each other.

"Patricia," Nina spat, her heart burning as she clenched her hands into fists. "I told you before—I tried to understand why you always pick on me whenever we cross paths. I put up with it. But hurting the people around me just because they’re with me? That’s something I won’t tolerate—ever again."

"Hah!" Patricia scoffed. "I should’ve slapped you too, considering how well you get along with your fiancé’s ex."

Nina’s breath hitched, her eyes flashing red. If not for years of self-restraint, she would’ve slapped Patricia again. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to stay calm.

"We do get along, Patricia," Nina returned, swallowing the tension in her throat. "I’ve endured you for years because of the mistake I made as a child. Even though I know it was in the past and I didn’t know better back then, I thought that if I let you be, you’d eventually let go of your anger."

She shook her head in disappointment. "But today, I finally realize—nothing I do will ever make you forgive me. So, this is the last time I’m putting up with you. The next time... I won’t just stand by while you hurt the people around me out of spite."

She took a step back, her voice cold. "You’re pathetic, Patricia. I wish I had never met you."

With that, Nina turned on her heel and walked away without looking back.

Patricia weakly scoffed, while Theo stood frozen, watching Nina leave with evident concern.

"Let me go," Patricia muttered, snatching her arm from her brother’s grasp. Clicking her tongue in irritation, she crossed her arms.

"Patricia, what the hell was that?" Theo finally snapped out of his trance, frowning at her. "I told you not to cause trouble for our family, but you were about to slap her!"

"She slapped me first!" Patricia retorted, frustrated. "Of course, I was going to retaliate!"

"Patricia—"

"And it’s not like I was trying to hurt her! I was helping her! Helping her from a snake like that woman—Cassandra!" She huffed, clasping her hands by her sides. "I know a snake when I see one, and that Cassandra is bad news! She’s a fool for believing that woman doesn’t have ulterior motives—especially since Nina is with her ex!"

At that, Theo froze, his shoulders tensing. Deep lines creased his forehead as confusion flickered in his eyes.

"Patricia, what are you—"

"I heard it!" she yelled, grinding her teeth in frustration. Her eyes stung as she glared at her brother, her breath uneven. "I heard how she threatened you earlier. I heard why you begged Mom and Dad to let you study abroad."

Her shoulders slumped as she lowered her gaze. "All these years... I was angry at you. I lashed out at you. I thought you wanted to leave because you couldn’t handle the pressure of the Star Section anymore—that you were running away and dragging me with you. I felt pathetic and furious. I saw my brother as someone who gave up at the slightest inconvenience. But..."

"...You did it because of me," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. Yet, beneath them, the anger remained. "So of course, I’m upset!"

She raised a hand and lightly slapped his shoulder. "Why didn’t you tell me?! You should’ve told me that woman was scheming so I could’ve pulled her hair out for you! You don’t hit women, but I do! I don’t care! Why didn’t you explain it to me?! Am I that unreliable to you?!"

Patricia kept slapping his shoulder in frustration, and Theo took it without resistance. As her voice echoed through the parking lot, he let out a huff before pulling her into his arms.

"Because I’m the older brother. I should be the one protecting you!" he yelled, tightening his embrace to stop her. "And... it doesn’t matter anymore. What happened in the past doesn’t matter."

His heart pounded as he panted. "A lot happened back then, and if I’m being honest... I was ashamed of being kicked out of the Star Section. So, no—it wasn’t just for you. It wasn’t just because that woman threatened me. I also left because I knew I didn’t belong there. I wasn’t special. They just let me in."

His voice softened. "Patricia, I’m sorry. I never wanted you to find out like this."

In fact, he never wanted her to find out at all. Not when she had been throwing tantrums back then, and certainly not now—when she was trying to turn over a new leaf. He didn’t want to burden her with this.

Patricia sobbed in his arms, feeling old wounds reopen. They had both been so foolish.

—

Once Patricia had calmed down, Theo offered to drive her home. It was her day off, so she had no reason to go to the office.

"Brother Theo." Patricia cleared her throat, still wiping her lingering tears. Hesitation flickered in her eyes as she turned to him.

"What is it?" he asked.

She pursed her lips. "Are we in trouble?"

"What?" He glanced at her. "If you’re asking about Nina, I’ll talk to her. Maybe even to Sir Charles or Penny. It’s best if I let them know what happened."

"Not that." Patricia clicked her tongue. "I’m talking about that snake."

"Cassandra?" Theo furrowed his brows, but Patricia stayed silent. When he stole another glance at her, he instinctively pulled the car over and faced her, his heart suddenly pounding. "Patricia... what did you do?"

"Well..." She fidgeted with her fingers, lowering her head as she meekly confessed. "I was so upset when I overheard your conversation. I was planning to confront her, but when I saw that arrogant smile on her face, I... I ended up slapping her."

Theo gasped, his face paling. "Patricia!"

"I’m sorry, okay?" she sighed. "So... are we in trouble? Their family is rich, but I don’t know how rich."

"Oh my god." Theo gripped the steering wheel and pressed his forehead against it.

Seeing his distress, Patricia frowned. "Are they that rich?"

"Rich?" He scoffed, looking at her in disbelief. "Forget about rich! She’s the granddaughter of a senator. And from what I heard, he’s planning to run for president!"

"..." Patricia opened and closed her mouth before blurting out in horror, "So... we’re in trouble?"

Could Penny fix this?!