Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167: Was it a lie?

The next day rolled in and, as planned, everyone went to their meeting place, which was the square of District 10. Students from the Summit Excellence Academy and also members of Penny’s fan club arrived on time.

Not just the students, but some of the willing teachers decided to attend as well to keep everything in order and for the safety of their students. Some of the parents and guardians also came as support and also for safety.

Everything was going well, and it was almost perfect.

The only jarring thing about all of this was... this banner.

Penny stood in front of the huge banner with her face on it. Her face twisting in spite the more she looked at this banner.

Who put a banner in here with her face on it?!

"Oh, gosh..." she pinched the bridge of her nose, recalling she already asked Lily not to put any more banners or posters with her face. But alas, some of them still brought packages with Penny’s stickers on them.

The intention was good, but at the same time, embarrassing.

"Hah." She huffed and gazed up again. "Well, as long as the help is delivered. I guess this embarrassment is a small price to pay."

Another deep sigh escaped her, turning on her heel to help out in the square. But the moment Penny turned, she stopped. Deep lines appeared between her brows as she slowly met a person’s figure standing at her side.

’Grace?’

Grace was standing in front of the banner and stared at it quietly. Her expression didn’t show any type of anything for anyone to read her thoughts.

’She looks so cute...’ she thought. "Why is her picture a picture of herself eating, though?"

Penny’s face twitched. "I know, right?"

"Hmm?" Grace turned to the owner of the voice, tilting her head a little as she studied Penny’s face. She then gazed at the banner and back to her. Her eyes darted a couple of times before she pointed at the banner. "That’s you?"

"He he..."

"It doesn’t look like you," said Grace. "You’re much smaller in person."

Because that photo was zoomed in!

Penny’s face died as heavy gray clouds formed over her little head. ’Although I’m glad to meet her, Grace never failed to hit me where it hurts.’

"I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad," Grace expressed sincerely. "Are you giving out relief goods?"

"Huh?"

"Over there."

’Back then, Grace didn’t detail a lot of her personal life. But from the snippets of what she said, I knew she had a terrible childhood,’ she reminded herself, but now, she couldn’t help but wonder if Grace even told her the truth.

Was it a lie?

’So why?’ she wondered. ’Why did she kill her father and live on the wrong path since?’

Seeing this habit of hers, Penny drew back slightly away. ’This is the face she makes before she attacks! Is she gonna pick a fight with innocent neighbors? Or is she angry at us, rich people?’

"Never mind." Grace sighed and turned to face Penny once more. "Anyway, keep up the good work."

Having said that, Grace strode off while swaying the plastic bag in her hand. Penny kept her gaze on the girl’s back, her lips parting, but her voice was rolling back in her throat.

Penny pressed her lips together, eyes fixated on Grace’s retreating figure. "I chose this area because she once told me there were times she starved out in the street of District 10," she whispered, frowning. "Or did I act too early?"

For a moment, Penny was conflicted about what to do next. She chose this area because of Grace in particular. After all, Grace ended up in prison because of the sad reality of life and the justice system. There were many more in prison who were actually innocent, locked behind bars. Some were just too trapped in their situation that committing a crime was their only way out. Though not condoned, it was understandable.

Grace fell on the latter. Although Grace never said it, Penny thought if Grace had been saved early, she wouldn’t have to go through what she went through.

Penny glanced at everyone in the square and, since they were busy, she quietly snuck away and followed Grace. Fortunately, Grace’s gait was slow. Hence, Penny was able to follow her tracks to a small alley-like, hiding behind the post when Grace stopped in front of a small house.

"Huh?" Penny furrowed her brows when she saw the look on Grace’s face. "Why is she —"

The rest of Penny’s words rolled back into her throat when someone came right up behind her. She jolted and almost bit her tongue as she looked back, only to see Hugo’s smiling face.

"Second Brother?"

"I saw you sneaking away. What are you doing here?" Hugo glanced in the direction she was looking previously.

Penny also turned, but Grace was gone.