Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress novel Chapter 869

Chapter 869: Nina’s trust

"I didn’t think you’d even step in," Ray giggled, looking at Dean playfully. "Considering you’re the most selfish dude alive, I feel a little bad that I wished you wouldn’t come today."

Ray was smiling from ear to ear, but the way he looked at Dean wasn’t as friendly as it had been before. Dean was the same. He was smiling, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

"It’s good to see you too, Ray," Dean remarked. "I came by your office, but I was told you weren’t there."

"I wasn’t there."

"That’s weird because while I was idling around your building, I saw you come out from the direction of the headmaster’s office."

"Hehe." Ray chuckled while Dean remained smiling. However, neither of them liked each other’s presence. "That’s weird. But if you saw me come out of the headmaster’s office, how come you got here before me?"

Dean shrugged nonchalantly. "If you find it weird, then I guess I was kidding."

"Kidding?"

"Why would I check on you, Ray? I don’t like you."

"You—"

Dean smirked, watching Ray’s face twist into an ugly expression. However, just as the two expressed their dislike for each other, half of Dean’s attention wasn’t entirely on Ray. He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Nina and Jonathan leaving together.

"Hey, are you listening?" Ray asked, tilting his head to the side when Dean fully looked away from him. Following where Dean was looking with his gaze, Ray furrowed his brows when his eyes landed on Nina and then on the other guy with her.

"Hmm?" Ray hummed, darting his eyes between Nina and Dean. "Dean, why did you step in and save her some face? That’s unlike you. Was it because of Finn?"

Dean didn’t answer, keeping his eyes on Jonathan’s back in particular. Ray, on the other hand, frowned deeply.

The two of them used to be good friends. However, because of certain events, they had grown apart and started disliking each other. After all, they no longer saw eye to eye. Even so, Ray knew Dean so well, and he knew that even if someone died in front of him, Dean wouldn’t flinch or say anything to help. So, seeing Dean step in and help Nina brought back some memories from the past.

The past when Ray and Dean had been good friends. But unlike Ray’s inner sentiments, Dean was focusing on other things.

’Jonathan Russel,’ he thought. ’Is this a coincidence? I knew Cassandra would be here, but not you.’

---

Meanwhile...

"I don’t judge you for what you’ve done in the past. Besides, it has nothing to do with the talent and skills you have for the project you’re working on," he added. "So, please don’t apologize. And I hope you see that you’ve been forgiven. So forgive yourself as well. Don’t let that woman bully you again, Miss Reed."

Nina pursed her lips and smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Russel."

"I’m just telling the truth and my opinion, but you are very welcome, Miss Reed." Jonathan nodded at her approvingly. "Well, anyway, since we’re already here, you should show me around."

"Of course!" Nina happily skipped a step until she was beside him. "What do you want to see?"

"Hmm... surprise me."

She chuckled, nodding in understanding, leading him toward the pathway to the oval. They still had time, and honestly, Nina just wanted to step out and walk around until she felt calm enough. A little company wouldn’t be so bad, right?

Unlike her usual restraint around Jonathan, her gratefulness and appreciation for him overtook everything. As a result, Nina felt more free and comfortable with him now than she ever had before... just as he had planned.

As Nina talked, Jonathan kept his gaze on her. A slight smirk turned up on his face as he followed her leisurely, knowing he had gotten what he wanted today.

That was... Nina’s trust.