Chapter 133: Priorities~

SLAP!

Just as Nina’s hand touched Penny’s leg, a hand aggressively slapped her hand away. Nina froze in surprise and everyone in the room.

Slowly, everyone lifted their eyes to the person who slapped Nina’s hand away. Much to everyone’s surprise, the person who swatted Nina’s hand wasn’t the person everyone expected. Even Penny was stupefied.

"Third Brother... why did you... did Penny tell you something?" Nina’s meek voice echoed.

Most of the time, Slater would carry an incredulous and clueless look. Now, he was glaring at her as if he were looking at his most hated nemesis.

"Penny didn’t need to tell me anything because I just know what you did." Slater balled his hands into a tight fist, his heart thudded against his chest. "Nina, do you think begging will help? Dad already decided and begging only looks like you’re challenging him. Weren’t we taught about begging?"

It was why, even when Slater was being bullied, he never begged his bullies. At least, he would still try to talk back, even if he knew he would just get beaten up. But from what he heard from Hugo, Slater couldn’t see Nina the same way.

"Dad, I want to visit Grandma and Grandpa next week." Slater faced his father innocently. "I’m taking Penny with me. Can Nina stay in the Cortez Household next week?"

"Third brother!"

"Nina, just accept what everyone already accepted," this time, Atlas spoke up coldly. "If what you said earlier is true, then you should do it now. After all, before, you didn’t know that you and Penny were swapped. So, you lived your life as a Bennet lavishly. But now that you know the truth, you should do what you said previously to make amends."

Penny’s eyes widened even more. Without thinking, she quickly extended her short limbs to cover Atlas and Slater’s mouths. Good thing they were sandwiching her.

Didn’t they say they’d bury Ray alive?! Why were they burying Nina too!? They should do it not in front of her!

"Ha ha!" she laughed nervously. "I’m... sorry. Just checking their temperatures, but I have short arms. Can’t reach their foreheads. Ha! Ha! Ha!"

Hugo pressed his lips to hold back his laughter. ’My sister is silly sometimes.’

Slater and Atlas frowned, but they didn’t bother taking her little hands from their mouths.

"Boys, that is not nice." Despite her confusion about her sons’ remarks, Allison shook her head. "Nina was in the wrong this time, but please, do understand her."

"We’re trying, that’s why we’re only saying this," Hugo, whose mouth was free, spoke calmly and politely. "We’re just reminding Nina that we learned that begging and throwing tantrums won’t gonna change the situation. If anything, it’ll only make things worse. Isn’t that right, Mom?"

Allison was rendered speechless because that was true. They never let their children get whatever they want, even if they throw a tantrum. Although that was mostly applied to Slater when they were young.

Charles glanced at his son and understood they were all united. Although he was curious about what made Slater get this angry at Nina.

"Nina, your brothers are right." Charles nodded. "Moreover, we’re not abandoning you. Mom and I will still see you and we’ll still support you with the best we can."

Nina’s heart sank as her complexion paled. She decided today that she would make Penny leave the household. If not, then she would make sure to discredit Penny. But not only the entire family was siding with Penny, but they were sending her away this time.

Her quivering lips opened and closed, but in the end, she could only hang her head low.

It would be a lie if Charles said he didn’t feel bad about her. He felt sorry for Nina, especially now. But he knew this was the right thing to do, not just for Penny, but also for Nina. Nina should understand that no matter what she does, Penny will always be the real daughter of the Bennet Family. Hopefully, if Nina understood this, it would be best if, instead of stirring trouble for Penny, they could be friends.

Having said that, Butler Jen offered to take Nina to the car. Nina didn’t say anything after that as she just automatically followed Butler Jen with a heavy heart. Allison also followed because she didn’t want to send Nina off all on her own.

When they left, Charles was about to leave as well when Atlas spoke.

"Dad, we want to tell you something." Penny’s hand already left his mouth when this family meeting concluded.

Charles arched a brow while Penny looked at Atlas worriedly. Sensing the look Penny was giving him, Atlas nodded at her reassuringly.

"Don’t worry. Dad should know about this so he knows what’s coming to him tomorrow," said Atlas to her.

"What is coming to me tomorrow, Atlas?" Charles knitted his brows, casting Haines a look. But Haines was just as clueless as him.

Both men stared at the boys and Penny, watching the children look at each other. Penny seemed a little reluctant, but she didn’t stop her big brothers. After all, she understood that Charles had to know because what Nina did was huge.

It was best if Charles was prepared for it.

Atlas took a deep breath and, as the big brother, he took the initiative to tell his father and uncle the horrible thing Nina had done to Penny. The more Charles and Haines listened, the more horrified they were. They even felt their skin crawl.

Although the boys spared them the pranks at Penny’s request, the news involving Nina was enough to shake them to the core. Haines even forgot to breathe and blink, his jaw tightening. Charles, on the other hand, simply blanked out.

"That’s why we didn’t have a problem if she wouldn’t come in here," said Atlas. "But I don’t think Penny is still safe since they’re classmates. I’m worried about her."

Charles’s face darkened. As much as possible, he didn’t want to hate or see Nina differently. But after hearing this, it deeply angered him.

"I’ll handle it," Haines volunteered, making everyone look in his direction.

Charles frowned. "Haines, I can handle it."

"I know you can and you would, but it’s something I’d like to do. Moreover, if I did it, it’s not something you and Allison would have to argue about," Haines explained, giving everyone a reassuring look. "Let me do it."

Penny pursed her lips because the tension in the family room turned even more stifling than before Nina left. But for some reason, the devil on her shoulder whispered in her ear, and she randomly blurted out;

"Uncle, my homeroom teacher’s name is Miss Vivian Sandford."

The devil on Penny’s shoulder: "Priorities~"