Ch. 281..290
Chapter 281 Do Not Keep Me Waiting For Too Long
Benjamin’s eyes darkened. “Are you going to retaliate?”
Arissa responded with a smile. “Of course not.”
He’s the boss. Of course, I’m not that stupid to step on his toes.
Instead of offending him, Arissa wanted to take this opportunity to cling to him.
Looking at the changes in her facial expression, Benjamin smirked. “Go and prepare a meal for me then!”
Arissa looked around and realized they had reached home.
She put on a smile and opened the car door while carrying things in her hands.
She then ran over to Benjamin’s side and opened the door for him. “Watch your step, Mr. Graham.”
After taking a glance at her smiling face, Benjamin tidied his shirt, stepped out of the car, and entered the house.
Arissa puckered her lips. This man must have gotten used to people serving him.
“Don’t keep me waiting for too long!”
Upon hearing that, Arissa who was deep in thought then caught up with him. “The butler has prepared lunch for you, hasn’t he? I can cook dinner for you later!”
Benjamin narrowed his eyes and tilted his head aside. “I thought you said you’d do what I want? I want you to cook something for me right now!”
Arissa pressed her lips and responded, “Okay!”
He’s just gonna ignore the lunch the butler prepared for him? What a waste.
“Mr. Graham, Ms. York, welcome home!”
“Carry these for me, will you?” Arissa handed the documents and luggage over to Edwin.
She then turned around and ran toward the kitchen.
“Are you feeling better, Mr. Graham?” Edwin studied Benjamin from head to toe and thought he looked all right.
“Yes, I’m fine!” After taking a glance at the butler, he walked toward the living hall.
“Lunch is ready. Shall I invite Ms. York over?”
“Don’t worry. We’re not in a hurry.” Benjamin sat down on the couch.
Edwin then looked in Arissa’s direction. What is Mr. Graham doing here when Ms. York is heading to the dining hall?
Edwin did not know Arissa was actually running to the kitchen.
After putting the things in one corner, Edwin went to the kitchen.
He got confused when he saw Arissa busy cooking. “What are you preparing? Lunch’s ready.”
“Mr. Graham wants me to cook something for him!” Arissa looked at Edwin and answered him with a grin.
Edwin finally understood what was going on between the two. He smirked and said, “Let me help you, Ms. York!”
“It’s all right. I can handle it myself. I’ll whip up something simple. Go and take a rest.” Arissa smiled.
“And please stop calling me Ms. York anymore. Call me Arissa or Issa!”
Edwin narrowed his eyes and teased, “I wish I could call you Mrs. Graham!”
His remark rendered Arissa speechless. “Please watch your words. Mr. Graham might blame you for uttering nonsense.”
I don’t want people to assume that I made him call me Mrs. Graham.
“Mr. Graham wouldn’t mind. You’re the mother to the children, so technically speaking, it’s not wrong for me to call you Mrs. Graham!” Edwin had grown fond of Arissa.
Arissa had given Mr. Graham five sons. No one else deserves the title more than her.
“Please, just call me Issa!”
Arissa responded with an awkward smile while continuing to prepare food for that bossy pants.
Since Benjamin had just recovered from an allergic reaction, Arissa avoided ingredients that were high in protein. Instead, she made baked beef strips and mushroom soup.
Edwin, who was lending her a hand in the kitchen, was pleased to witness her culinary skills. “They smell great. Do you cook all the time?”
Arissa looked at Edwin and nodded. “I’ll try to cook dinner if I get home early. Take-outs are not healthy for the kids.”
Edwin grinned and nodded. “You must have taken good care of the kids.”
Edwin then brought the food to the dining table and removed the thermos covers from the other dishes.
Arissa too brought the soup out of the kitchen after turning off the stove.
“Careful, Ms. York. Put it down. I’ll carry the soup for you.”
“It’s fine. I’ll do it.” Arissa then placed the soup on the table.
The dishes filled the entire dining table. Arissa wondered if the two of them could finish them all.
“Lunch is ready!”
Chapter 282 I Will Just Eat What She Cooked
“Lunch is ready, Mr. Graham!” Arissa tried to get the man’s attention by calling him out loud.
She then filled two empty bowls with mushroom soup.
The mushroom soup tasted great because she managed to use all the available fresh ingredients.
Upon noticing Benjamin was on a call, Edwin turned to Arissa and said, “I’ll get him!”
“He must have heard me.”
When Arissa was trying to see where Benjamin was in the living hall, the man walked right into the dining area.
“Wash your hands and join me.” Benjamin glanced at her.
He then looked at the dishes on the table and questioned her, “How did you manage to cook all these in just a short time?”
Arissa could not help but frown upon hearing that.
Edwin stepped in and smiled. “She prepared the baked beef strips and mushroom soup!”
Benjamin took a closer at the set. Ehm. They look kind of delectable.
After washing his hands at the sink, he walked back to the dining table.
Arissa quickly went up and drew out the chair for him to sit.
“Here, have some soup first!”
Benjamin tried the mushroom soup. It’s delicious, but I don’t think she made it.
Arissa then sat down and took a sip of the soup. “It’s good!”
She even licked the corner of her lips to express her satisfaction.
A cold glint flashed across Benjamin’s eyes. He sneered, “You didn’t make this, did you?”
Did she really whip up these two dishes in less than ten minutes? I don’t think so.
Arissa gave him a smile. “Edwin made the soup, but I added some special ingredients to enhance the flavor.”
Benjamin responded with a snort.
“Try the baked beef strips. I made them. Edwin was the one who prepared the rest of the dishes. There’s so much food on the table. We can’t finish them by ourselves anyway.”
She added, “I’ll prepare dinner tonight. I’ll cook anything you want!”
She took a slice of baked beef strips and placed it next to the man’s mouth.
Edwin’s eyes widened upon noticing their interaction.
The butler became even more flabbergasted when Benjamin opened his mouth and ate the bread.
How did they become this intimate in just one night? In the past, a hygiene freak like Mr. Graham would never eat food like this!
But he seems to enjoy being fed by Ms. York!
“How is it? Nice?”
Arissa looked at him with anticipation.
Benjamin ran his tongue over his teeth to savor every last bit of garlic bits in his mouth.
He responded with a grunt to express his satisfaction.
Arissa was pleased with his reaction. “Eat more then!”
Baked beef strips had become one of her signature dishes ever since she had learned it from an experienced hotel chef.
Benjamin glanced at her and asked, “Where did you learn this from?”
While she was stuffing food into her mouth, she explained, “At first, I tried to improve the recipe by experimenting with various ingredients. When I was working in a hotel, I learned it from an experienced chef and eventually mastered the skills of preparing this dish.”
“The kids are a big fan of this dish!” Arissa was proud of her achievement.
“Ah, that’s why Ms. York is such a good cook!” Edwin smiled.
How he wished he could also get a taste of the beef strips. Too bad the dish is made specifically for Mr. Graham only.
Arissa chuckled. “I love the dishes you made too, Edwin!”
That remark instantly put him on cloud nine.
“Do you want more soup?” Arissa asked after noticing Benjamin had finished it.
“I want more beef!” Benjamin exclaimed. Clearly, he was a big fan of this dish too.
Arissa put down her cutlery and added more beef strips to his plate.
Benjamin kept eating the beef strips with potato salad. He did not bother to touch the other dishes.
“Are you not going to try the other dishes?” Arissa asked, even though she was delighted to see how much she enjoyed her food.
In the blink of an eye, the man had almost finished the baked beef strips.
“You eat some too!” Benjamin ordered. He then put his cutlery down.
Chapter 283 Did You Call Me Weak
“You’re done eating?” Arissa, who had just had a bowl of soup, looked at him and asked.
“I’m full!” Benjamin had eaten quite a lot.
“How about another bowl of mushroom soup? It’s good for you since you are weak.”
All of a sudden, the man shot a sullen glare at Arissa.
She wondered why he gave her that look. “What’s with that look? Come, another bowl of soup for you. Eat more! Be a man!”
She took over his bowl and filled it with soup.
Edwin, who was still observing them from a distance, turned around and giggled.
“Be a man? Do you mean I’m not a man?” Benjamin’s expression turned grim. “And did you just call me weak?”
What a humiliating way to doubt a man.
Arissa finally realized why he got mad. She immediately opened her mouth to defend herself. “Come on, don’t be so sensitive. It was just a casual remark. Don’t take it to heart.”
She continued, “I didn’t mean to say you’re weak. You were admitted to the hospital and given an injection, weren’t you? I only want you to drink more soup so that you can boost your system with nutrients, that’s all. It’s up to you if you still want another bowl.”
Arissa noticed the man still had a grim expression on his face. Instead of clarifying what she said earlier, she swallowed the fluid lodged in her throat, lowered her head, and continued with her lunch.
Yum! Edwin is such a good cook. I’ll not let these dishes go to waste!
Benjamin looked away and continued drinking the mushroom soup.
Arissa peeked at him and could not help but chuckle in her heart.
Didn’t he say he is full?
After finishing the bowl of soup, Benjamin said, “Enjoy your lunch!”
He then stood up, left the dining area, and went upstairs.
“Mr. Graham has never eaten so much in his life! He usually eats a small portion, and that’s it,” Edwin said with a grin.
Arissa was surprised to learn that. “Just a small plate?”
He seems to eat more than a plate in front of me though.
“Yeah. Maybe your presence here had whetted his appetite?”
Upon hearing that, Arissa instantly blushed. “Stop teasing me, Edwin.”
“Gavin also eats a lot when he’s with you, right?” Edwin smiled.
“Have you taken your lunch? If not, come and join me. I can’t finish these all by myself.” Arissa tried to divert his attention.
“Don’t worry about me. I ate something just now.” Edwin then went to the kitchen to clean things up.
Arissa grinned. I wonder if the kids had had their lunch.
She gave Gavin a video call, but he did not answer.
Is he having his afternoon nap?
She immediately ended the call.
Arissa then continued with her lunch while scrolling her phone.
Meanwhile, Benjamin, who had just taken his bath, came downstairs and noticed she was still eating.
He called, “Arissa!”
Arissa turned around and froze for a moment when their gaze met.
“Stop playing with your phone. Finish your food, quick!” Benjamin reprimanded her before entering the study.
At first, she wanted to defend herself but eventually gave in. She put down her phone and focused on finishing the food on her plate.
What’s wrong with me playing with my phone? There’s no one around me to talk to anyway!
What a domineering man!
Edwin chuckled from a distance. It looks like Mr. Graham had started behaving like an ordinary man now.
It took Arissa another thirty minutes to settle her lunch.
She had finished a big portion of the dishes on the dining table. “Thanks for the meal! It’s delicious!”
Edwin smiled at her and said, “Go and take a rest. I’ll clean these up later.”
“Let me help you!”
When she was about to pick up one of the plates from the table, Edwin went up to stop her. “Don’t worry about it. You still have to cook for Mr. Graham tonight. Go and get some rest!”
Edwin cleaned up the table as quickly as possible, as he did not want Arissa to help him.
“Thanks, Edwin.”
Edwin responded, “You’re welcome, Ms. York.”
Arissa then left the dining area. As she was walking by the study, she peeped into the room and asked, “Aren’t you gonna take a break?”
Benjamin lifted his head to look at her. “I’m still busy!”
Arissa nodded. “Have you taken your medicine?”
Chapter 284 Wait For One More Day
Benjamin glanced at her before lowering his head and continuing with his work.
Arissa’s lips curled into a smile. So he hasn’t eaten the medicine yet.
Without delay, she went to take his medicine and poured a glass of water.
Then, she walked into Benjamin’s study. “Here. Eat this first before you continue your work.”
Benjamin furrowed his brows. “Just put it there. I’ll eat it later.”
Seeing that he was reluctant to eat the medicine, Arissa persuaded gently, “If you don’t eat the medicine now, you won’t recover fast. The kids will be worried seeing you like this.”
Benjamin lifted his head and stared at Arissa. She handed the medicine and the glass of water to him.
“Will the kids worry about me?”
Maybe Gavin will, but that brat is ignoring me even now.
“Of course! If the kids find out about this, Gavin will definitely be the one who worries about you the most!”
Even though they said they didn’t like him, I bet they’ll be concerned if they find out that he’s sick.
“Really? I doubt so.” Benjamin scoffed. Regardless, he still took the medicine and ate it.
Arissa smiled and asked, “Are you picking them up tonight?”
Seeing her eagerness to see the kids, Benjamin pursed his lip slightly, “No. I’m fetching them back tomorrow.”
“Why?”
Arissa could not wrap her head around it. Didn’t he promise his father that he would pick up the kids tonight if possible? Why did he change his mind again? Since we’re already back, we can get them anytime.
“Dad seldom has the chance to hang out with them. Let them stay there with him for a while more.”
Benjamin spoke his mind before returning to look through his work.
Arissa bit her lip and turned around to go out.
“You should rest early,” she reminded before heading back upstairs.
She changed into her pajamas, getting ready to take a nap.
Just then, Gavin’s call came in.
Arissa immediately sat upright and answered the video call.
“Sweetheart!”
Her heart melted the instant she saw her son’s face.
“Mommy, did you call me just now?”
Gavin rubbed his eyes lazily, seemingly just woken up.
“Yes. Were you sleeping?”
Arissa flashed a gentle smile. At that moment, she felt like hugging Gavin so much.
“Yes, I’ve just woken up. I was so happy when I saw that you’ve called me!”
Gavin’s lips split into a wide grin.
Right then, Zachary came over as well and exclaimed, “Mommy!”
“Hello!” Arissa beamed from ear to ear.
Oliver and Jasper had woken up too. They immediately leaned forward when they saw their brothers having a video call with Arissa.
“Mommy!”
“Are you all up?”
They all look so cute with their messy hair.
“Yeah, only Jesse is still sleeping!” Jasper yawned.
“Mommy, when are you coming to pick us up?” Oliver stared earnestly at Arissa.
“Maybe tomorrow?”
Arissa figured she should not go fetch the kids herself.
Benjamin had said that he would pick the kids up tomorrow.
“What? We still need to wait until tomorrow? Mommy, where are you now? What are you busy with? Are you on a business trip?”
Zachary was somehow unhappy. Even though it was fun at his grandfather’s place, he missed his mother dearly.
Gavin glanced at Arissa’s background, and his eyes lit up. “Mommy, are you at home?”
Arissa did not expect Gavin to notice that. “Yes, I am.”
The four of them got overwhelmed with excitement at that.
“Mommy, we’ll go back to look for you then!”
Arissa blinked slightly. That works.
“But aren’t you guys going to accompany Grandpa anymore?”
“We can accompany him any other time. Today is the weekend. We want to be with you, Mommy!”
Upon saying that, Gavin jumped right off the bed, getting ready to freshen up.
“Mommy, wait for us! We’ll see you in a while!”
With that, Zachary headed toward the bathroom as well.
“Mommy, we’ll go wash our faces. Bye!” Oliver followed behind his brothers.
“Mommy, please wake Jesse! I’ll go wash my face too!”
Jasper giggled as he placed the phone facing Jesse.
Arissa was amused to see Jesse’s face at such a close distance.
Chapter 285 Rushed Home
“Sweetheart…” Arissa called out to Jesse a few times, yet the latter simply rolled her body and continued to sleep.
“Sweetheart, wake up. Your brothers are coming home to find me later. Don’t you want to see me?”
Arissa kept speaking into the phone, but she was unsure if Jesse heard her.
A while later, Gavin was the one who woke Jesse.
“Jesse! Wake up. We’re going home. Mommy’s home!”
Gavin shook his sister’s hand slightly.
Just then, Jesse opened her eyes groggily. “Mommy? Where’s Mommy?”
“Mommy’s at home! We are going back now!”
Gavin used his fingers to run through Jesse’s bed hair gently.
“Is Mommy back?” Jesse was rejuvenated at once.
Gavin nodded.
Upon seeing that, Jesse rushed to freshen up.
The rest of the kids had also come back to the room and got changed.
Without hesitation, they packed their bags before helping Jesse pack hers.
Then, they got all ready to leave the house.
Darius was still taking his nap when the kids were leaving. The butler saw them but failed to stop them.
“We’re going home. Please tell Grandpa after he wakes up. We’ll come to find him again when we’re free!” Gavin told the butler.
“Gavin, can’t you guys wait until Old Mr. Graham wakes up? You can go back after dinner!”
The butler tried to make them stay longer.
The quintuplets shook their head in unison. “We miss Mommy already!”
Seeing their persistence, the butler sighed slightly. “Let me send you guys back then.”
“It’s all right. We can go back ourselves. Please wait here for Grandpa to wake up.”
Zachary waved his hands right away.
In the end, the butler had no choice but to arrange for a car to send the kids back to Yaleview.
Just when they were about to leave, Kingsley came back.
“Isn’t that Mr. Watts’ car?”
Jesse glanced at the car.
“Yes, it’s Mr. Watts’!” Gavin nodded upon seeing that.
A moment later, Kingsley got out of the car.
He smiled after seeing the five kids standing at the door with the butler, carrying their bags. “Are you guys going to school? Isn’t it a holiday today?”
“No. We’re going home!” Jasper responded with a smile.
“Going home? But your parents aren’t there. So why are you going home?”
Kingsley smiled as he stared at them.
“Mommy’s back!” Gavin said.
Kingsley raised his brow upon hearing that. After he left the hospital that morning, he went right back home. After that, he came directly to the Old Manor to find the kids. Hence, he had no idea what happened at the hospital.
Could it be that Benjamin has gotten discharged from the hospital already?
“I asked them to stay here longer, but they refused to,” the butler told Kingsley.
Kingsley smiled again. “Well, since they want to go home, let me send them!”
“Thanks, Uncle Kingsley!”
The five of them thanked him simultaneously. Then, they all hopped into his car without delay.
Kingsley was amused as he turned to the butler. “Let me send them back. Please tell Mr. Graham about this.”
“Okay. Please drive slowly. And let me know after you’ve reached,” the butler reminded while sending them away.
Kingsley sat on the driver’s seat and reminded the kids, “All right, before we go, you guys need to fasten your seat belt!”
“Uncle Kingsley, we’ve fastened our belts. Please drive now!” Oliver urged him anxiously, fearing Darius might wake up and stop them.
Kingsley flashed the boy a smile before he started the car and drove off.
“It’s a holiday. Don’t you think it’d be better to accompany Grandpa longer?”
“But Mommy’s not here!”
Jesse was the one who missed Arissa the most. She had not seen her mother for almost two days, and it felt like ages to her.
Chapter 286 Your Daddy Is Sick
Kingsley glanced at Jesse and was bewildered to notice the latter almost crying.
“Please don’t cry. I’m sending you guys back right now.”
“I’m not crying!”
Jesse tried hard to hold back her tears.
“Jesse, hold on, okay? We’ll be seeing Mommy real soon!” Gavin caressed Jesse’s head lovingly.
Jasper cut a glare at his sister. “You don’t want Mommy to see you crying, do you? That’s embarrassing!”
Zachary said, “I bet you will be the same too if we wait one more day.”
Jasper pursed his lips in dismay.
Oliver teased, “But Jesse’s been itching to cry since this morning!”
Zachary cut an angry look at the two of them. They always like to bully Jesse.
Right then, he stretched out his hand to stroke Jesse’s head too. “We’re going to see Mommy now.”
“Okay!”
Jesse nodded obediently.
Kingsley scanned them from the rearview mirror.
“Are you guys sure your mommy’s at home?”
“Yes. She called us just now. She’s home,” Gavin responded firmly.
Mommy’s definitely at home.
Kingsley asked curiously, “How about you daddy? Is he at home too?”
“That we don’t know!” Gavin snorted with displeasure.
Kingsley glanced at the boy and teased, “Don’t you care about your daddy?”
“He doesn’t need my care.”
Gavin’s tone was full of resentment.
Kingsley smiled. “Who told you that? He needs it the most right now.”
Gavin furrowed his brows as he sensed Kingsley had something to say.
Zachary and Oliver shifted their gazes toward Kingsley as well.
“Uncle Kingsley, what are you trying to say?” Jasper asked.
Kingsley smiled again. “It looks like you’re the one who cares about your daddy the most, huh?”
“Nope. I don’t care about him at all!” Jasper responded arrogantly.
Kingsley uttered casually, “Oh, is that so? Then I guess you won’t care that your daddy is sick, huh?”
“Daddy’s sick?” Gavin’s frown deepened.
How could Daddy be sick? Isn’t he healthy all this while?
Seeing Gavin’s worried look, Kingsley somewhat felt happy for Benjamin.
This little kid keeps saying that he hates his daddy, but he just can’t help worrying about him.
Feeling puzzled, Zachary asked Kingsley, “Uncle Kingsley, what sickness does he have?”
Could it be that Mommy was busy last night because of him?
Oliver and Jasper also stared closely at Kingsley.
“Uncle Kingsley, is it serious?”
Meanwhile, Jesse started to worry too.
Kingsley cleared his throat and uttered sternly, “Of course it’s serious. He was even hospitalized last night.”
The kids’ expression all darkened at that.
“Why did he stay in the hospital?” Gavin asked, anxious.
“He had an anaphylactic shock. He almost died!”
Kingsley gazed at the five children’s bewildered faces.
Gavin also had a food allergy, and he suffered a lot when it was severe.
As such, he was utterly worried when he knew Benjamin was on the verge of passing out.
“That serious?” Zachary was startled.
“Yeah. Mr. Bailey received a call yesterday afternoon and left right after that. It was about your Daddy!”
Kingsley let out a sigh.
“Then how is he now?”
Oliver frowned deeply as he stared intently at Kingsley.
Kingsley started comforting them as he could not bear to tease them anymore.
“They managed to save him. He looked better when I saw him this morning.”
Hearing that, Gavin heaved a sigh of relief, but his face still showed that he was worried.
He grumbled, “Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”
In response, Kingsley sighed. “We didn’t want you guys to worry. Besides, your mommy has been taking care of him. So he’ll be fine.”
The kids exchanged glances. “Was Mommy with him all the time?”
Chapter 287 Mrs Graham
“Yes, she had been taking care of him for the whole day,” Kingsley said with a smile.
The five kids recalled Arissa following Benjamin back to the Old Manor for dinner yesterday. It was only now that they found out Benjamin had been hospitalized.
No wonder Mommy said she couldn’t get home. She was taking care of Daddy at the hospital.
“Why did he have an allergic reaction?”
Gavin felt strange because he had never known Benjamin to have this problem before.
Kingsley smiled in response. “You’ll have to ask your mommy about that.”
The kids looked at each other, puzzled.
“Does his sickness have something to do with Mommy?”
Oliver’s eyes lit up as he made a guess.
Kingsley nodded slightly.
He’s Benjamin’s child all right. He’s indeed a smart boy.
“Uncle Kingsley, please stop talking and drive faster!” Zachary urged.
At the same time, Gavin pursed his lips as he couldn’t stop worrying about his father’s condition.
Kingsley stepped harder on the accelerator and drove faster.
The moment the car came to a stop in front of the house, the five kids immediately opened the door and rush inside.
“Please slow down!”
By the time Kingsley got out of his car, the kids had disappeared from his sight.
“Gavin, you’re back?”
Edwin saw the kids were back, and he welcomed them with a genuine smile.
“Mr. Whitley, where is Mommy?”
Gavin was the first one to ask.
Edwin smiled. “She’s resting upstairs.”
Gavin hesitated and asked again, “How about him?”
Edwin was stunned momentarily, failing to understand Gavin’s question.
Just then, Zachary questioned too, “Is Benjamin home too?”
Edwin regained his senses and nodded. “Yes, Mr. Graham is busy in his study!”
The five kids exchanged glances and headed toward the study simultaneously.
Gavin showed the most concern and walked in the front.
The others followed him closely.
Edwin was greatly relieved to see the kids caring about Benjamin right after they reached home.
“Edwin, do you have any nice food? Please serve them to me.”
Meanwhile, Kingsley went and sat on the couch, treating the place like his own home.
Edwin was amused. “Mr. Watts, isn’t there some fruits and snacks on the table? What else do you want to eat? Mrs. Graham is resting, and Mr. Graham is busy working. So please keep your voice down.”
Kingsley grinned at Edwin. “Mrs. Graham? Since when there’s a Mrs. Graham in this house?”
Edwin chuckled and whispered to him, “Isn’t Gavin’s mother Mrs. Graham? She is so close with Mr. Graham now.”
Kingsley’s eyes lit up as he glanced at the study. “Does Mr. Graham agree for you to call her that?”
Edwin sounded utterly pleased when he said, “Well, he didn’t get mad when I called her that!”
Kingsley rested his chin on his hand. It looks like Boss has fallen for Arissa.
“Do you want to know how they got together? Are you curious about how they spent the night yesterday?” Kingsley asked.
Edwin’s curiosity was piqued as he stared at Kingsley’s mysterious expression.
“Of course!”
He was eager to find out as he had never seen Benjamin being so close to any woman.
In response, Kingsley narrowed his eyes. “Well, if you want to know, please make some food for me. I have just woken up and have not had my lunch yet.”
Edwin stared at him. “Mr. Watts, are you here for a free lunch?”
Kingsley responded pridefully, “I was the one who sent the kids back. Shouldn’t I get some reward? Besides, I have a secret to share with you.”
Amused, Edwin said, “All right, give me a minute then. Let me see what I can get for you.”
Chapter 288 Came Home To Visit You
Gavin entered the study and hesitated. After that, he walked to Benjamin’s side.
Sensing that someone had come in, Benjamin lifted his head only to see Gavin.
“You’re back?”
His gaze then fell on the other four kids standing at the door.
“Well? Come on in.”
Zachary, Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse stepped toward them slowly upon hearing that.
“Hello, Mr. Graham!”
Benjamin was rendered speechless by that greeting.
Gavin scanned Benjamin from top to bottom but did not notice any peculiarity on the latter.
“We heard that you’re sick.”
“Benjamin was stunned momentarily before he reached out to stroke Gavin’s head.
“I’m fine.”
“It’s not like I care if you’re fine or not.” Gavin snorted.
“Yes, I know,” Benjamin responded.
Gavin pursed his lips. “Anyway, you look fine to me!”
Benjamin glanced at the boy. “Do you want me not to be fine?”
Gavin bit his lip tightly.
A moment later, Benjamin shifted his gaze toward the other four kids. “Come over to Daddy’s side.”
Even though he was the one who said that he did not want to pick them up earlier, he was still happy to see them.
“Did you get sick because of Mommy?” Zachary asked after he brought his other siblings and approached Benjamin.
Mr. Watts said that Benjamin had an anaphylactic shock. But there doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with him. Did he recover so fast?
“Who told you that?”
Benjamin furrowed his brows.
However, deep down, he was secretly elated that the kids came back to visit him.
“Mr. Watts.”
Oliver locked his eyes at Benjamin.
The kids scanned his entire body and failed to notice any difference.
“It was indeed because of your mommy. But I don’t blame her.”
Benjamin’s heart melted as he looked at the kids.
“Did you come back by yourselves? Or did someone send you here?”
“We wanted to come back ourselves. But Mr. Watts was there, so he sent us here.”
Jasper was curious. “How did Mommy make you sick?”
“The food your mommy cooked was not suitable for me, so I got an allergic reaction from it,” Benjamin explained gently.
Gavin glanced at him. “What did you eat? How come I’ve never seen you having an allergic reaction before? Did you do it on purpose?”
Benjamin raised his brow and looked back at Gavin with a complicated look.
“I ate natto. Have you seen me eat it before?”
Even if I did it on purpose, I wouldn’t eat so much. No one would risk their life like this.
Gavin was stunned momentarily. What exactly is natto?
Zachary and the rest knew what it was, and they had all eaten it before.
“What a shame. Mommy is good in cooking that.”
Zachary was somehow delighted. “Well, since Mr. Graham is fine, let’s go find Mommy now!”
He waved his hand, and right away, Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse followed him.
Gavin wanted to go too, but Benjamin grabbed his sleeve.
He then turned toward the other four kids and uttered, “Your mommy’s resting. Please don’t wake her.”
The four kids turned around. “Got it!”
Gavin struggled while growling, “Let go of me!”
Benjamin scooped Gavin up and placed the boy on his thigh.
They looked into each others’ eyes.
“Are you still mad at me?”
Benjamin’s tone was gentle as his heart ached while staring at the stubborn kid before him.
“Hmph!” Gavin evaded his gaze.
Benjamin patted his head fondly while uttering in a soft tone, “You’re the big brother now. So please set a good example. You don’t want to become a joke to your siblings now, do you?”
Chapter 289 You Matter Most
Gavin turned around and shot him a glare. “They won’t!”
Benjamin nodded, feeling relieved that the five kids were getting along well despite their many years of separation.
“I’ve asked Mr. Pattterson to take handle the court case against Danna. He’ll try to get her the heaviest sentence possible.”
Gavin’s eyes lit up when he heard that.
Mr. Pattterson is amazing! With him working on the case, that woman is bound to get punished!
“Don’t think this is enough for me to forgive you, though. You’re always going against your word. I know you still care about her!”
Benjamin frowned as he eyed his son from head to toe. This kid sure has severely misunderstood me.
“Would I have forced her into such a situation if I cared about her? A woman’s reputation is ruined forever once she goes to prison. That’s not a place for normal people, you know?”
Gavin’s guard loosened up a little. “But you carried her to safety back then! You were afraid that she would die!”
Benjamin paused. Oh, now I see what this kid is going on about.
“Next time, do not take such matters into your own hands. Let me know if someone bullies you, and I’ll make them pay. You’re still very young, Gavin. If Danna were to die in this accident, you’ll have her blood on your hands for the rest of your life. People might even find ways to threaten you with it in the future. I’m sure your mommy wouldn’t want you to do such a thing either. I saved Danna because her life was at stake. I can’t just sit by and watch if someone I know is in danger, but that doesn’t mean I have feelings for her.”
Benjamin softened his tone as he continued, “It’s my fault for not looking after you well enough. I’m sorry I didn’t notice the signs of you being abused by her.”
I didn’t even notice that my son was being abused right under my nose. It’s no wonder he doesn’t have any confidence in a terrible father like me.
“Look, no one matters more to me than you do.”
That was the first time Benjamin had said something so affectionate.
Gavin felt a warm sensation in his heart and asked with a pout, “What about Zachary and the others?”
“They matter too, but you’re different!” Benjamin replied while patting him on the head.
As he had raised Gavin himself, it was only natural that he had a stronger bond with him.
Of course, he loved the other four kids just as much, but he also felt a sense of guilt toward them.
Gavin felt a lot better after hearing that, but maintained a frown on his face as he said, “No playing favorites, okay? You must treat my siblings better than me!”
Benjamin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry in response to that.
He really loves his siblings, huh? That’s good to know.
“You ask me not to play favorites, but you want me to treat them better than you? Isn’t that playing favorites too?”
“Hmph!” Gavin snorted.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be stricter on you than I am with them. You’re the big brother, so you need to play the role of a leader. If any one of you does something wrong, I will punish all of you together!” Benjamin told him sternly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t let you have the chance to do that! I’ll be a good big brother!”
Gavin then hopped off his leg and ran outside.
“Keep an eye on your brothers! Don’t let them disturb your mommy from resting!” Benjamin called out to him.
“Got it!” Gavin shouted and ran upstairs.
Arissa figured the kids were on their way back when she got off the phone with them.
She had wanted to wait for them to arrive, but ended up falling asleep without even realizing it.
Zachary, Oliver, Jasper, and Jesse made sure to be very quiet when they opened the door.
Noticing that she was fast asleep on the bed, they tried their best to not make a sound as they slowly crept over to the bed.
Chapter 290 Daddy Never Lies
The four of them then knelt down beside Arissa and stared at her face as she slept.
It had been almost two days since they last saw their mommy, so simply looking at her without saying anything was enough to fill their hearts with joy.
Gavin, who was passing by the room, came over and joined them beside the bed when he saw them.
The four of them exchanged glances with Gavin, who flashed them a smile as he whispered, “Let’s all go outside so we don’t wake Mommy up, okay?”
As they had all taken a nap earlier in the afternoon, they weren’t feeling sleepy at all.
Zachary nodded and motioned for the rest of them to leave the room.
The five of them then crept out of the room, closed the door, and headed toward their bedroom.
“All right, let’s unpack our stuff!” Gavin said as he placed his bag down, prompting the other four to start unpacking their stuff as well.
“Gavin, what did Mr. Graham tell you just now?” Jasper asked curiously.
“He explained why he saved Danna,” Gavin replied.
Zachary glanced at Gavin. “What did he say?”
Gavin then told them all about his conversation with Benjamin earlier.
Oliver pouted as he found Benjamin’s explanation to be rather reasonable.
“But why was he able to rush over there so quickly?”
Gavin pursed his lips. “Danna must’ve given him a call.”
Jasper stroked his chin as he gave it some thought. “That means he still cares about her, then. All that stuff about saving her life because he knows her is probably nonsense. Shouldn’t he let someone else do the saving? Why did he have to go charging in all by himself?”
“He has bodyguards with him, so why not let them save her instead? Doesn’t he know that people are going to get the wrong idea if he saves her? It’s obvious that he still cares about her!”
Zachary didn’t like how Benjamin handled the situation.
Gavin tried to defend Benjamin by saying, “Maybe it’s just a habit of his.”
Zachary shot him a glance as he sat down on the bed. “Gavin, you said they weren’t on good terms throughout the past five years. Even if he did like Danna five years ago, those habits of his should have changed by now, right?”
Gavin found that strange too. “But Daddy didn’t seem to be lying when he told me he didn’t care about Danna.”
“How would you know?” Oliver asked with a pout.
Gavin knew they were thinking like that because they didn’t spend enough time around him. “Daddy never lies!”
“What about that time he told Grandpa he was out socializing, then? He was clearly at the hospital at the time, and yet he lied to Grandpa!” Jasper snapped back at him with a chuckle.
Gavin fell silent when he heard that.
Jesse continued unpacking her stuff as she said, “Lying is bad!”
“Yeah! See, even Jesse knows it’s bad to tell lies!” Jasper said while giving her a kiss on the top of her head.
Jesse smiled happily in response. “If Mommy doesn’t like him, then I won’t like him either. If Mommy likes him, then I’ll learn to forgive him.”
Naturally, Oliver couldn’t resist the urge to taunt her for saying that.
“Of course you’d say that. You’re silly and don’t have any principles of your own!”
Being the top fan of her mommy, Jesse was determined to defend her. “Mommy is right in everything she does!”
The four brothers exchanged smiles when they heard that.
“Yeah! Mommy is always right, so we’ll all do as she says!”
Being the eldest of the siblings, Gavin agreed with her statement.
Jesse grinned at him like a fangirl who had just met her idol. “You’re the best, Gavin!
Zachary, Oliver, and Jasper fell silent and sat down on the side of the room.
“What kind of expression is that?” Gavin asked when he saw the looks on their faces.
“An expression of speechlessness!” Jasper replied with a giggle.
Kingsley came into the room when he saw the five kids packing their stuff.
“Did you kids go see your mommy and daddy yet?”
The kids turned to look at him in unison.