Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 1558

Chapter 1558: I don’t know who else to ask

Lucky.

Perhaps Hugo was right.

Stephen was, indeed, lucky.

Lucky to survive the abuse of his deadbeat father and be raised by Chairman Bennet, where he had to live a life of luxury and endless opportunities. And even when his son was sent to prison, Charles and his children still protected him from what had seemed like a no-escape situation.

Today, Stephen would’ve died along with a suicidal man who was willing to take them both. Coincidentally, Hugo had shown up and saved the day. Not only did he rescue Stephen, but he also devised a plan to give both Stephen and the other man a way out.

Following Hugo’s plan, Stephen sat in the living area, shivering. But unlike what one might expect, his tremors weren’t faked. His body shook uncontrollably as he kept replaying how close he’d come to death.

"Sir Bennet?"

Stephen snapped out of his thoughts, looking up at the detective who had arrived at the scene. After the explosion, the house helpers had immediately called for help. Stephen had already briefed them on what could happen, and so they acted according to the plan he and Hugo had prepared.

"Huh?" Stephen blinked. "What is it again?"

The detective studied the middle-aged man and sighed, understanding his reaction. Anyone would be shaken if their car exploded just minutes after arriving home. Had Stephen idled even for a moment longer, he would’ve died on the spot.

"Our team is already investigating, but it seems someone deliberately rigged an improvised explosive—"

As the detective continued, his voice grew distant in Stephen’s ears.

Stephen just sat on the couch, feeling like everyone around him was moving in a different world. He glanced at the faces—some familiar, some not. Somehow, he felt like a background character, just sitting there, watching everything unfold without being truly present.

---

After the long questioning with the detective, they offered Stephen several options. One of them aligned perfectly with Hugo’s plan: police protection until the investigation was complete. They asked him a few more questions, but didn’t push further, noting his fragile state of mind.

When they finally left, Stephen dragged himself back to his study.

Inside, Hugo lounged on the couch, idly tossing a small tennis ball into the air and catching it again.

What an irony, Stephen thought. I’m still trying to make sense of everything, and he’s just there... playing with a ball.

But then again, Hugo was a soldier. On the battlefield, every day could be their last. He had likely seen things far worse than a car explosion.

"Oh, Uncle?" Hugo glanced over. "Did the police leave?"

Stephen closed the door quietly behind him. "A few of them stayed. They said they’d be around for a while. They also advised me to hire some bodyguards."

"You should," Hugo said, watching him take a seat. "Just don’t think about hiring Penny’s men. She’ll rip you off, and besides, we’re supposed to hate each other."

Stephen exhaled, catching his breath as he sat. "Don’t we?"

"Hmm?"

Stephen didn’t reply. _{frёewebnoѵēl.com}

"That young lady... Kiara. Will you help her?" Stephen asked softly. "I know it’s a lot to ask, but that young woman is suffering more than any of us."

"You mean the one you’ve been visiting a lot lately?"

"Yes," Stephen nodded. "She’s a friend of Cassandra Smith—the one being accused of running a human trafficking ring. I know this might be out of your control, but if you can... please."

Hugo didn’t answer right away. He studied his uncle for a moment, then turned fully to face him.

"Uncle, let me ask you something. Why do you want to help her?"

Stephen shrugged weakly. "Honestly, I’m not sure. Maybe I thought I wanted to help her as closure, because I couldn’t help my son. But the more I think about it... I believe it’s because she deserves help. Cassandra Smith might be guilty, but that young lady believes her friend is innocent."

"I just want her to know the truth," he said quietly. "To find out if everything she’s done was worth it or not."

"I see..." Hugo tilted his head, then turned again toward the door. "I’ll think about it."

And just like that, Hugo left, while Stephen remained seated, eyes on the door.

"If he doesn’t help..." Stephen murmured with a sigh. "I don’t know who else to ask."

Because, at this point, Hugo was his last resort.

And it was up to fate whether Hugo would help alone or convince his siblings to help too.