Chapter 1488: It’s a long story

There was just something in Penny’s heart that filled it with anxiety, worry, and negativity the moment Hugo’s name escaped Zoren’s lips. For some reason, it reminded her of that time — when Atlas came to visit her in prison for the first and last time.

Aside from their argument, that was the day he delivered the news of Hugo’s death.

And the mere thought of it... terrified her.

Even though some still claimed Hugo might have been alive back then, most believed he had already died. In their first life, he was the only brother who hurt her the least—or perhaps the only one who believed her without a shadow of doubt. The one who never had to say he believed her, because his actions spoke louder. He had worked to clear her name, even at the cost of his own life.

It was a terrifying thought.

One that shook her entire world. So..

SLAP!

"Aw!" Hugo clasped his shoulder and stared at Penny in disbelief. "Penny! Why would you do that?!"

Standing beside the hospital bed were Penny, Atlas, and Zoren, all watching him closely while Hugo’s eyes darted between their faces.

"What?!" he gasped. "What did I do?"

SLAP!

He scoffed when Penny smacked his shoulder again, but lighter this time.

"Penny, what are you—" His words died in his throat as she suddenly plopped down on the side of the bed and hugged him.

Deep lines formed on his forehead as he looked down at his sister, who began to muffle a sniffle against him. Her back and hold trembled, clasping his gown tightly.

"Oh." Slowly, he placed a hand on her trembling back as she quietly sobbed out of frustration. His sister had always been anything but the type to cry. Hence, this caught him off guard and the slaps she did didn’t hurt just as much anymore.

"Hugo, I—" Atlas ran his tongue along his inner cheek, looking down at his brother.

Hugo had clear bruises on his face, scratches on his cheekbone, and a crack on the corner of his mouth. His leg was tightly wrapped in gauze, and his arms bore wounds — both large and small.

When Zoren told them about Hugo, they hadn’t wasted a breath. Penny had only sent Nathaniel back to continue spying on the Information Center. Since Mark had barely scraped together any intel on Hugo’s condition, they had feared the worst.

"What in the world were you thinking, Hugo?" Atlas exhaled, trying to suppress his frustration—and the lingering fear in his chest. "If you were okay, why didn’t you contact us?"

"I did," Hugo replied, his face twisting slightly.

"I didn’t get anything."

"I called Slater," Hugo said with a shallow breath. "Told him what happened... and asked him not to tell anyone."

"Why wouldn’t you tell us?!" Penny suddenly jolted back, tears brimming in her eyes despite the anger on her face. "Second Brother, are you trying to give us a heart attack?! Or are you planning to only tell us what happened after it’s too late?!"

Seeing her tears, Hugo’s expression softened. He reached out to wipe them away, another heavy breath leaving him.

"It’s not like that at all, Penny," he whispered. "I know you told me to be careful, and I was careful."

"If you were, then why are you like this?" Atlas countered, pointing to Hugo’s bandaged leg. "You were shot, Hugo."

"I know, I know."

"Second Brother, what’s going on?" Zoren, ever the calm among the three, asked quietly.

"It’s a long story," Hugo sighed, turning his gaze back to Penny. "But stop crying first, okay? I’m not dead, Penny. I’m alright. And I’m sorry."

Penny hiccuped and wiped the tears from her jaw with the back of her hand. "What happened? How did this happen?"

"Well..." Hugo leaned back against the headboard, studying each of their faces. "It’s Mint."

"What?" Penny whispered, while Atlas and Zoren both furrowed their brows.

"I had some matters to discuss with her," Hugo explained. "So I went to meet her after Grace’s birthday dinner. Our meeting place was a convenience store, but before I even got close, there were already problems. Some men showed up and ambushed her."

The store was in a residential area, so Mint was able to run, but for some reason, they still managed to corner her. It wasn’t until Hugo arrived that he realized they had already drugged her—putting her at a major disadvantage.

Even with Hugo stepping in, the attackers didn’t stop. More of them appeared, leading to a deadly chase.

"They only stopped when I reached the nearest police station," he continued. "Luckily, a few detectives I knew were on duty. They got us here quickly and started investigating."

A heavy silence fell over the room as they all stared at him.

"Mint’s fine," Hugo added. "And I’m fine. We’re alive. But those guys... I don’t think they’ll stop until she’s dead."

Penny pressed her lips into a thin line, exchanging a look with Atlas and Zoren. It was just as Nathaniel had said—the enemies were targeting Mint now. Slowly, all eyes returned to Hugo.

He gave Penny a wry smile and ruffled her hair. "I’m fine, Penny. I’m not dying this lifetime. At least not the way you said I did."

"Second Brother..." Penny exhaled, finally allowing herself a shaky smile as relief flooded her heart. "You scared me, you idiot!"

Once more, she hugged him, tears returning. But this action only made Hugo wince.

"Ouch—Penny, I’ve got a wound there—ah!" He tapped her shoulder in protest, but she just kept hugging him tighter—pressing directly over his wound, clearly on purpose.

"Aw—" he started to complain again, but Atlas cut in.

"Where’s Mint?"

Penny and Hugo both looked up.

"She’s probably here," Hugo replied with a shrug. "But I don’t think you should visit her right now."

"And why not?"

"Let’s just say... I told Slater not to tell anyone, and he wasn’t exactly thrilled with that. I think he’s been trying to change Mint’s mind because it’s dangerous. But Mint is not the type to listen. So he might be planning something to change her mind."

And by that, he meant Slater might have contacted Benjamin.