Ch. 301..310

Chapter 301 Grandpa Likes Mommy

“Mommy has come down!” the children exclaimed in delight when they saw Arissa.

“Mommy, this is Grandpa! He is here to see you!”

Arissa smiled and approached Darius greet him.

“Old Mr. Graham, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Arissa York.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

Darius’ eyes lit up when he saw Arissa.

She’s a wonderful child indeed, filled with poise and grace. Upon seeing me, she is neither fearful nor sycophantic.

When she sensed that she was being scrutinized, Arissa felt slightly nervous, especially due to her awkward identity.

Meanwhile, Benjamin walked up to her side and greeted, “Dad!”

“Mmm-hmm.”

Even though Darius’ expression became slightly more serious, he maintained his warm gaze at Arissa.

When he saw them standing side by side, he felt that they were a match made in heaven.

Darius nodded in approval as he continued to observe her.

When Arissa looked at Benjamin, he shot her a glance but said nothing.

As a result, Arissa squirmed her lips. Is he going to let me entertain Old Mr. Graham alone?

“Old Mr. Graham, have you had your dinner? If you haven’t, you’re welcome to join us.”

“That’s great, as I haven’t eaten yet. Looks like I came at the perfect time!”

Smiling, Darius added, “There’s no need to feel nervous. I’m here to visit them.”

Darius pointed at the quintuplets.

“Grandpa, didn’t you just say that you were here to see Mommy?”

Jasper narrowed his gaze mischievously.

Darius cleared his throat. “I’m here to see everyone!”

“Grandpa, what do you think about Mommy?”

Jesse held Darius’ hand and shook it.

She was so cute that it was impossible for anyone to resist.

Given how Darius doted on her specifically, he couldn’t resist pinching her nose.

“Your mommy is beautiful, and I like her.”

When the children heard Darius’ words, they were filled with elation.

Turning to Arissa, they exclaimed, “Mommy, Grandpa says that he likes you!”

Arissa smiled awkwardly. “Mmm-hmm. I heard it too.”

When she looked at Darius, she remembered hearing rumors of him being a stern old man, to the extent his family members would be nervous in front of him.

After all, he was a general who had spent most of his time in the army. Hence, it wasn’t a surprise people fear him naturally.

Even though he had retired for a few years, the gravitas he emitted hardly diminished at all, causing everyone to respect him.

When Arissa scrutinized Darius in return, she felt that his compliments were sincere and not just meant to humor the children. Consequently, her mind was put at ease.

Regardless of whether she ended up with Benjamin in the end, to be able to gain Darius’ approval was something to be proud of.

Furthermore, the children would also be delighted that their grandfather approved of their mother.

“Come, let’s have dinner first.” Darius led the children to the dining hall.

As for Kingsley, he followed them with a smile.

Meanwhile, the butler from Darius’ residence had also brought some food over.

“You outdid yourself just now!” Benjamin whispered to Arissa.

When she felt his warm breath, Arissa rubbed her ear and shot him a glare.

“How can you stand there and not say a word?”

Benjamin raised his brows. “Dad wasn’t talking to me. It would be rude for me to interrupt.”

Arissa was stumped. That’s your father for goodness sake. Isn’t it better for you to be glared at than for me to be questioned?

Luckily, Darius didn’t inquire much. Or else, she would have been put in a spot.

“It’s time for dinner!” Benjamin announced as he headed to the dining room.

When he noticed that she didn’t move, he turned around and reminded her with a smile, “Come over quickly, or do you want to make Dad wait for you?”

After giving him the side-eye, Arissa hurried to the dining room, leaving Benjamin behind.

Chuckling to himself, Benjamin followed her there.

Darius sat at the head of the table while Kingsley was seated with the children on one side.

“Please sit. There’s no need to be so formal,” Darius invited Arissa.

She nodded with a smile. “Mmm-hmm.”

Subsequently, Benjamin pulled out her chair for her in a chivalric manner.

Arissa glanced at him before taking her seat.

 

 

Chapter 302 No One Calls Him Daddy

“Thank you,” Arissa acknowledged.

Benjamin raised his brow and gazed thoughtfully at her.

Unable to decipher what was going through his mind, Arissa averted her gaze.

Meanwhile, their minute gestures didn’t escape Darius’ eye.

“Let’s dig in!”

On Darius’ cue, his butler began to serve dinner.

“Don’t mind me, serve the children first,” Darius instructed his butler as he too helped to fill the children’s plates.

“Come, Issa, you should have more.”

Arissa was taken by surprise when Darius served her. Hence, she quickly moved her plate closer.

“Thank you, Old Mr. Graham!”

After that, Darius invited everyone to dig in.

Meanwhile, Kingsley looked at Benjamin and Arissa opposite him before turning his attention to Darius.

“Mr. Graham, even though I have shared many meals with you, you have never served me before,” Kingsley commented jealously.

Darius gave him the side-eye. “Did I not do it when you were a kid?”

Who remembers such things?

“Boss, has Mr. Graham ever served me when I was a child?”

“I don’t know,” Benjamin plainly replied.

Kingsley smirked in response.

Watching them with a smile, Darius was impressed by what he tasted.

Assuming that Edwin had prepared dinner, Darius turned to him, “Edwin, your cooking has changed a lot. Today’s food is very much to my taste.”

Smiling at Darius, Edwin replied, “Old Mr. Graham, I didn’t cook dinner today.”

“Oh? Who did?” Darius was shocked.

“Grandpa, it was Mommy!”

Jesse, who was sitting beside Darius, couldn’t resist declaring it proudly.

Darius gave Arissa an astonished look. “Did you prepare all this?”

In the face of Darius’ surprise, Arissa nodded. “Yes, I did.”

Darius commented, “It’s really good. In fact, it’s a lot better than what my chef usually cooks.”

Arissa simply smiled in response. After all, she couldn’t compare since she hadn’t tried his chef’s cooking before.

Nevertheless, she was ecstatic that Darius enjoyed the food.

At the same time, the children were elated over the same.

Meanwhile, Benjamin shot the delighted Arissa a glance and remarked, “The fish seems tasteless today.”

Arissa glared at him and tried some. “No, it’s not!”

“It is!” Benjamin frowned.

Speechless, Arissa suggested, “Don’t we have some dip? If you think it’s tasteless, you can just dip it in.”

“But there’s garlic inside,” Benjamin insisted, causing Arissa to gape in response.

When Darius saw how picky his son was, he didn’t know what to say.

“Edwin, get Benjamin a new dip. Or else, he will start fussing over trivial matters.”

When Arissa laughed in amusement, Benjamin’s gaze darkened.

Noticing the change in him, she kept her head down and continued eating.

Meanwhile, Edwin returned with a new bowl of dip that didn’t contain garlic for Benjamin.

He had actually forgotten to remind Arissa that Benjamin didn’t like garlic.

In fact, Benjamin didn’t like his food heavily seasoned.

Even though the children stared at Benjamin, they didn’t dare say a word and continued eating quietly instead.

Faced with the looks they gave him, Benjamin was stunned. He quickly served them some steak.

“Make yourselves at home and eat whatever you like.”

“Thank you, Mr. Graham.”

When Darius noticed that none of the children addressed Benjamin as Daddy, he couldn’t help but feel amused.

Trying to hide his laughter, Kingsley looked at the children before shifting his gaze to Benjamin.

“Boss, you’ll scare the children with such a stern expression.”

 

Chapter 305 How Dare She Yell At Me

After dinner, Darius led the children out into the garden for a walk. There, the children surrounded him and played merrily.

As Arissa and Benjamin followed behind them, Kingsley knowingly walked ahead to join Darius in fooling around with the children.

“Did you have your fill?”

When Benjamin turned to look at her exquisite face, he realized he couldn’t peel his eyes away.

Meanwhile, Arissa’s heart skipped a beat when she made eye contact with him.

“Yes, I have.”

She looked at him. “Did you not?”

Benjamin snorted. “Despite knowing that I can’t take spicy food, you ended up making a lot of it.”

Arissa couldn’t believe Benjamin still held a grudge over the misunderstanding.

“That was for Gavin. Is it so difficult for you to not eat it?”

Benjamin narrowed his gaze at her.

“Arissa, I’m sure you did it on purpose.”

Arissa was stumped.

Can’t I make something delicious for the children?

She felt exasperated at how he was kicking up a fuss at the children’s expense.

“That’s right. I did it on purpose. So what if I cooked something nice for my son? Is it wrong to do so? If you don’t care for him, I do!”

Fuming, she turned and walked ahead.

At that moment, Benjamin’s veins started to throb as he watched her leave. How dare she yell at me!

Concurrently, Arissa was peeved. Isn’t it just lasagna? Does he think he’s still a kid? And that he can throw a tantrum at me? What a nut!

When Gavin noticed that Arissa was upset, he hurried to her side and held her hand.

“Mommy, let’s go in front to play.”

When she felt her son’s hand enveloping her, Arissa managed to calm down.

She looked at him with an affectionate smile. “Sure, let’s go!”

Then, she bent down to pick him up and pecked him on his cheeks.

Blushing, Gavin buried his face in Arissa’s shoulders. The shyness he displayed was one that Benjamin had never seen before.

When he saw the mother and son together, Benjamin walked over and reached out to carry Gavin. “Gavin, come over here.”

However, Gavin refused and hugged Arissa tighter.

After shooting Benjamin a glance, Arissa carried Gavin over to Darius’ side.

“Issa, where do you usually take them out to?” Darius asked with a smile.

“Nowhere in particular although we might go shopping sometimes. During the weekends, I’ll take them to the park or the playground. Such activities are popular overseas, especially going for a picnic. After all, it feels amazing to lay a cloth on the ground and lie together in the sun doing nothing.”

Darius nodded in acknowledgment. “Were you also in Dellmoor before this?”

Arissa shook her head. “No, we were overseas and have only returned recently.”

Darius looked in Benjamin’s direction before adding, “In that case, you must have put in a lot of effort for them to speak Chanaen so well.”

Darius was cognizant of how difficult it was to get the children to speak Chanaen fluently without a foreign accent given their circumstances.

“I have trained them to speak Chanaen since they were young.”

As Arissa described their life overseas to Darius, he listened intently.

Even Benjamin was mesmerized by her stories.

Locking his gaze on her and watching her smile, he could imagine how difficult it was for her to raise four children back then.

Kingsley looked at Benjamin and teased, “Do you feel bad now?”

Benjamin gave him the side-eye. “Why are you still here?”

Scratching his nose, Kingsley laughed cheekily. “I’m leaving soon.”

Benjamin snorted in response.

“Boss, if you want to be part of them, you can’t maintain that domineering demeanor of yours.

Unlike Gavin whom you raised and is used to your methods, Zachary and the rest are different. They are not used to your heavy-handedness. If you want them to call you Daddy, you’ll have to treat their mommy better. This is the information I have gathered from the children on your behalf. As long as you treat Mrs. Graham well, the children will quickly fall into place.”

 

Chapter 306 Unforgivable

Benjamin’s gaze wandered between the five children and Arissa.

Naturally, he was aware that the children were close to their mother.

Even when Gavin met her the first time, they hit it off right away. This woman was indeed charming.

She was always gentle with the children. It was rare to see her with a stern expression.

On the contrary, when she was with him, even her smile seemed superficial.

With that comparison in mind, Benjamin was annoyed.

Kingsley saw Benjamin’s expression darken and rubbed his nose.

“Forget it!”

He was certain that his boss felt something for Arissa.

It was just that Benjamin refused to admit to it, so Kingsley had no choice but to wait for the day to arrive.

Hah! He’s torturing her right now. But, in the future, he may be the one getting tortured instead.

Benjamin’s glance landed on Kingsley.

Nothing seemed to be able to escape that sharp gaze of his.

Kingsley’s heart skipped a beat before he chuckled, “Boss, why are you looking at me that way?”

Benjamin spat his words, “Your laughter earlier on was too obscene!”

Did I laugh just now? Kingsley wondered.

Seeing that Benjamin was now focusing his attention on Arissa, Kingsley heaved a sigh of relief. Luckily, Boss can’t read my mind.

Earlier on, he had been fantasizing about his boss kneeling on a keyboard and begging Arissa for forgiveness.

At the thought, Kingsley could not control himself, and laughter bubbled from his lips.

Benjamin’s face darkened, and an icy aura exuded from him.

When Kingsley noticed the murderous look in Benjamin’s eyes, he quickly stopped laughing.

“Issa, come over here and take a seat. Have some fruit!”

Darius saw Edwin coming out with a plate of fruit and asked Arissa to go over.

“Sure, Old Mr. Graham!”

Arissa took the children and went over.

The five of them stood on one side and offered Darius the fruit. “Grandpa, you eat first!”

“Sure!”

Darius was beyond thrilled and caressed Jesse’s head with adoration, causing the young girl to smile.

When Arissa saw Darius doting on Jesse, she smiled too.

Darius looked at Benjamin, but his words were not directed at his son. “It must have been hard on you to take care of all of them these past few years.”

“It’s all right,” said Arissa and nothing more.

“I’ll deal with the Adams family. If you need anything, just tell me.”

Arissa was taken aback at the words, and she looked at Darius.

“Old Mr. Graham, you knew?”

Darius scoffed, furious with Danna. “If Gavin hadn’t gone missing, I wouldn’t have found out about their atrocities. Before coming here, I already sent someone to investigate, so I know quite a bit. Now, please tell me everything from the beginning.”

Darius signaled to Edwin to take the five children out to play. He wanted to talk to Arissa.

The five young ones looked at the adults.

“Go on and play. Are you afraid that I may bully your mommy?” teased Darius.

“Grandpa, if you bully Mommy, I won’t talk to you ever again!” warned Gavin.

He then took his siblings to the other side while keeping an eye on the grown-ups.

Arissa smiled and proceeded to tell Darius about what had happened to them in the past.

Darius was enraged after hearing everything.

“Benjamin!”

Benjamin was standing beside them. He looked at his father and answered, “Yes, Dad?”

“Did you know about this?” asked Darius in anger.

Benjamin looked at his father and replied, “I knew about it only recently.”

Darius nodded. “So, what do you intend to do with Danna?”

“I have asked Jonathan to see to it that she gets the heaviest punishment possible!” answered Benjamin.

When Darius saw that his son was resolute in his decision, he was very satisfied.

I can’t believe Danna dared to set us up. The Adams family is really something.

“Go ahead and do whatever you wish to the Adams family. Otherwise, others may think that they can bully the Graham family without any consequences.”

After plotting against the Graham family, she had even wanted to kill all of them. What she did was unforgivable.

 

Chapter 307 Expensive Gift From Darius

“I understand.” Benjamin nodded.

Arissa was very touched when she saw Darius’ attitude.

“Thank you, Old Mr. Graham!”

“There’s no need to thank me. I’m sorry for what you have gone through. In the future, if anyone dares to bully you, just let me know. I’ll back you up. Nobody will dare to do anything bad to you!”

With that, Darius glanced at Benjamin as though he was hinting at something.

Arissa was taken aback.

“Oh, okay.”

It was good for her to hear that assurance from Darius.

Benjamin cast a glance at her.

Kingsley said teasingly, “Mrs. Graham, if Boss bullies you next time, just tell Old Mr. Graham. He will settle the matter for you!”

Arissa laughed awkwardly while Benjamin shot a look at Kingsley.

That sent Kingsley running toward the children who were playing.

With a smile, Darius asked Edwin to bring him something. Very soon, Edwin returned with an exquisite-looking box.

“Here you go, Old Mr. Graham.”

Darius took it and placed it in front of Arissa.

“Issa, this is for you! Take it.”

Something flickered in Benjamin’s eyes, and he looked shocked for a moment.

Arissa stared at Darius and asked, “Old Mr. Graham, this is…”

“This is a little something from me. Please accept it. No matter what, I have to give you a gift!”

Without giving her a chance to turn it down, Darius continued, “Please don’t reject my present.”

Not knowing how to react, Arissa opened the box up and was stunned to see the content.

“This is too valuable.”

Just as she was about to return it to Darius, he stopped her.

“Please keep it. I have lots of these lying around the house. I just simply picked one. What’s the point of leaving it in the house? It’s better for you to wear it.”

Darius then turned to Benjamin and said, “Benjamin, put it on for her. It isn’t good for a girl not to have a decent piece of jewelry.”

Arissa looked at Darius and then at Benjamin.

“It’s fine. It’s inconvenient if I wear it when I’m doing my chores. Old Mr. Graham, I’ll keep it instead!”

The jade bangle looked very expensive, so it would be terrible if it got damaged.

Arissa did not expect Darius to present her with such an expensive gift at their first meeting. It caught her completely by surprise.

Darius snorted and said, “Wear it! If you keep it, dust will settle on it.”

“If Dad wants you to wear it, then put it on.”

Benjamin came forward to take the bangle and put it on her wrist.

Arissa’s heart skipped a beat before constricting in her chest.

Meeting Benjamin’s eyes, she felt that something was amiss.

“I should be getting back now,” said Darius as he stood up.

Arissa immediately stood up as well. “Old Mr. Graham, why don’t you stay for a while longer?”

“Never mind. I don’t want someone to resent me!”

He looked at Benjamin as he said that.

“No one is chasing you away!” Benjamin retorted with a purse of his lips.

Darius’ eyes lit up. “Then, why don’t I stay here?”

Benjamin was rendered speechless.

Arissa found it amusing when she realized Darius was capable of being mischievous as well.

“Oh, I think I better head back. I’m not that dumb or ignorant.”

Darius sighed and called out to the five children, “Sweethearts, I’m going off now. Do you want to come with me?”

“Goodbye, Grandpa!”

The five of them waved goodbye to Darius, but it was obvious they had no intention of going with him to the Old Manor.

The old man felt sad.

“I’ll go back now. Tomorrow, I will come and play with all of you!”

“Okay!”

Together with Benjamin and Arissa, the five kids sent Darius off.

“I’m leaving now!”

Darius looked at Arissa.

She bade him farewell with a smile. “Goodbye, Old Mr. Graham!”

“Bye, Grandpa!” The five children stood next to her and waved goodbye to Darius.

“Goodbye, Sweethearts!”

Likewise, Darius looked at them with affection and waved back.

Benjamin told the chauffeur not to drive too fast before the car drove off.

 

Chapter 308 He Cannot Bear To Let You Go

“Come! Let’s go in!” Benjamin called to Arissa.

She glanced at him before ushering the children into the house.

“Sweethearts, let’s go in!”

“Mommy!”

All five kids fought to hold her hands. Those who did not manage to grab hold of her hands tugged at her clothes instead.

It was difficult for Arissa to walk properly, and she smiled as she looked at the five of them.

Kingsley grinned in amusement. “The five of you are so clingy with your mommy!”

The five children snorted at him in a proud yet adorable manner.

Benjamin glanced at Kingsley. “What are you still doing here?”

Kingsley smiled. “I have nothing to do if I go back so early. I might as well stay here and play with the little ones.”

Sweeping Jesse into his arms, he then pinched her cheeks playfully. “Jesse, do you want to come and play at my house?”

“No!” the little girl replied with an adorable lisp.

Kingsley smiled and continued to tease Jesse, “I have lots of fun things in my house and also lots of delicious food to eat!”

“Uncle Kingsley, don’t lie to Jesse. There’s nothing in your house to play with, and the food isn’t nice either!” Gavin exposed Kingsley’s antics.

Uncle Kingsley is so lazy that he doesn’t even have any food in his fridge. All he has is mineral water.

“Well, I can buy some food from the supermarket later on!” said Kingsley as he grinned at Gavin.

Arissa chuckled. “If you want to take Jesse back with you, you’ll have to take the rest of them as well.”

Kingsley’s eyes lit up. “Do all of you want to come over to my place?”

Zachary, Oliver, and Jasper looked at Kingsley and pouted.

They chorused, “Gavin said that your house has nothing. Uncle Kingsley, stop trying to lure us there! We won’t go anywhere without Mommy!”

Kingsley did not know what to say. “Okay then. Why don’t we bring your mommy along too?”

“Kingsley!”

Before any one of the children could say anything, Benjamin called out in a warning tone.

Kingsley smiled awkwardly and said, “I’m only joking!”

“If you talk any more rubbish, I’ll kill you!”

Kingsley immediately shut his mouth.

Once Benjamin had walked away, Kingsley whispered to Arissa, “See? He cannot bear to let you go.”

Arissa was startled.

“I doubt it.”

She then took the children into the house.

Kingsley smiled as he watched the two of them walk away. He then carried Jesse into the house too.

After playing with them for a while, he left.

Kingsley had wanted to stay the night, but Benjamin did not seem to like it.

“Sweethearts, it’s time to go upstairs and have your baths. Then off to bed you go,” Arissa ordered.

At those words, the five children kept their toys and followed her.

“Mommy, will you be the one bathing me?” asked Jesse as she grabbed her mother’s hand.

“Yes, I will.”

She pinched Jesse’s cheeks and asked, “At Grandpa’s house, did you take your own bath, or did someone do it for you?”

“Hehe! I did it myself!” Jesse smiled happily at her.

“Clever girl!”

Arissa looked at her four sons and asked, “All of you bathed yourselves too?”

“Yes!” Gavin nodded.

Zachary, Oliver, and Jasper all nodded as well.

“Grandpa wanted to bathe us, but we didn’t let him!”

“That’s good.” Arissa was happy that her children did not trouble Darius. “All of you are great kids.”

She rubbed their heads and said, “Go on then!”

The four boys looked at her before running upstairs.

Arissa followed behind them with Jesse in tow.

“Mommy, hurry up!” shouted Jasper as he reached the second floor.

Arissa made fun of him, “Why do you want me to hurry up? Do you want me to give you a bath?”

“No way!”

Jasper blushed and dashed into the bedroom, causing Arissa to chuckle at his antics.

 

Chapter 309 Why Does She Only Bathe Jesse

The other three boys ran off to have their bath too.

“Mommy, I’ll go get my clothes!”

Jesse ran with her brothers as well.

With a smile, Arissa followed her children into their bedroom and saw them looking for their pajamas.

She then went into the bathroom to adjust the water temperature.

“All right. All of you can come in for your bath now!”

The five of them went in obediently and started to undress.

“Mommy, will I have my bath here as well?” asked Jesse as she stared at her mother.

Arissa smiled and picked Jesse up.

“We’ll go to my bathroom for a bath. Let your brothers bathe here.”

“Okay.” With that, Jesse put her arms around Arissa’s neck.

Arissa reminded her sons, “Have a quick bath and don’t play inside the bathroom.”

“Understood, Mommy!” said the four boys.

After that, she took Jesse to her bathroom.

When Benjamin came upstairs, he went straight into the children’s room. He heard the boys inside the bathroom, so he went in.

His sudden appearance gave the boys a shock, and all of them covered their private parts with towels.

Their blushing faces looked extremely adorable.

Amusement flashed past Benjamin’s eyes.

“Why did you come in when we are having our bath?” complained Jasper.

Oliver looked at Benjamin and added, “That’s right. Mr. Graham, are you here to peek at us during our bath?”

Both the older boys, Gavin and Zachary, also glanced at Benjamin with disdain.

Benjamin started to roll up his sleeves. “I’m here to give all of you a bath.”

The four boys widened their eyes in shock and huddled together.

Gavin frowned and said, “We’ll do it ourselves. There’s no need for you to help us!”

Benjamin cast a glance at him before saying, “Be good. Daddy will bathe all of you!”

Gavin snorted.

“We can clean ourselves. You don’t have to do it for us. Don’t you have any shame?” Zachary shot at Benjamin.

Both Jasper and Oliver chimed in as well, “Yeah! Shame on you! How dare you peek at us during our bath!”

Seeing that the boys were very reluctant for him to bathe them, Benjamin sighed and asked, “Where’s Jesse?”

“Mommy took Jesse for a bath!” answered Gavin with his cheeks puffed out.

Benjamin raised his brows and asked them, “Why does she only give Jesse a bath and not the four of you?”

Benjamin found it strange that Jesse was not with the boys.

The four boys exchanged glances and said nothing in response.

“Mr. Graham, please leave. We have to take our baths! If we take too long, Mommy will scold us!” said Oliver while he stared at Benjamin.

“Won’t you let your daddy bathe you?” corrected Benjamin.

“No! We like to do it on our own!”

Oliver squinted at him again. Without his glasses, the young boy looked a little lost and very endearing.

Benjamin pinched Oliver’s cheeks before he realized the rest were looking at him warily.

“All right then. Go ahead with your bath. I’ll leave now!”

The four boys all heaved sighs of relief.

Benjamin was dumbfounded.

Why are they so reluctant for me to bathe them?

Benjamin glanced at the boys one last time before leaving.

Once he was out of the bathroom, Zachary immediately went to lock the door.

“Hurry up and bathe quickly!”

When Benjamin heard the click of the door lock, his face twitched.

At the same time, his lips curved up slightly as he found them very lovable.

He stood in their bedroom for a while before heading to Arissa’s room.

She was still giving Jesse her bath.

When Arissa heard the door open, she turned around. The moment she saw it was Benjamin, she instinctively covered Jesse with a blanket.

Benjamin frowned.

Why is she so wary of me? She acts as if I’m some sort of pervert.

“What are you doing in here?”

Arissa stared at the man who had barged in without knocking.

“I just want to see if you need any help!”

 

Chapter 310 Put Her Guard Up Against Him

Benjamin stared at Arissa and Jesse.

As she peeked out from her mother’s embrace and blinked at him, he thought Jesse resembled Arissa a lot.

“I don’t need your help. I can handle this myself. Please close the door!” Arissa urged him.

Benjamin furrowed his brows as he sensed she did not welcome him. Why do they all have their guard up against me?

Nonetheless, Benjamin still closed the door and went outside.

Arissa heaved a sigh of relief. She immediately loosened the blanket and continued to bathe Jesse.

Jesse stared at her mother closely and smiled.

“Mommy, Mr. Graham looked so upset!”

Arissa let out a chuckle as she flicked Jesse’s nose gently.

“Don’t bother with him. Let’s continue our bath!”

“Okay!”

As Jesse was playing in the water, she asked, “Mommy, who am I going to sleep with later? With the others or with you?”

“Who do you want to sleep together with?” Arissa displayed a smile.

“I want to sleep together with you. It’s been a few days!”

Jesse gave a toothy grin, looking very funny.

Arissa chuckled. “Okay, you can sleep with me. I miss sleeping together with you too!”

Benjamin overheard their conversation as he was standing outside. He felt an inexplicable warmth in his heart.

This is what a family feels like.

He stood there for a while before going downstairs.

After Arissa bathed Jesse and helped the latter put on her clothes, she came out of the room. Yet, she did not see Benjamin around.

“Mommy, I will go find the others!”

“Go ahead!”

Arissa cleaned up the bathroom and put the dirty clothes into the basket. Then, she went to the kids’ room.

The four older kids had already taken their baths and changed into clean clothes.

“Come over here, all of you. Let me dry your hair!”

She noticed their hair were all wet.

Arissa took the hairdryer, and the four kids sat obediently on the couch, letting her dry their hair.

“All right. Now please go to bed!” she reminded as she put away the hairdryer.

“Mommy, it’s still early. Let us play for a while longer!”

Kneeling on the couch, Jasper sprawled against the back as he spoke.

“Fine. Just a little while!” she replied.

The five kids were overwhelmed with delight as they started to play with each other.

Arissa’s lips curled into a smile as she watched them playing together.

She hung out with them for a short while before taking the laundry back to her room.

Yet, before long, the five kids ran to her room again.

“Mommy, let us help you!”

Gavin was the first one to enter the room. He squatted beside her and was about to touch the clothes.

“It’s all right. It will take but a minute to do it. Please go to bed now.”

Arissa glanced at the kids.

“Mommy, we will wait for you then!”

Zachary also squatted beside Gavin and watched her.

“Mommy, are you sure you don’t need our help?” Oliver stared at her earnestly.

“Positive!”

Arissa displayed a gentle smile as she continued to wash the laundry.

“Mommy, why don’t we wash our own clothes from now on?” Jasper suggested. He thought it was tiring to wash the laundry of five kids all at one go.

“Mommy, we have a washing machine in the house. Why didn’t you use it?” Gavin could not wrap his head around it.

“The washing machine might damage the clothes, and it’s not very clean!” Arissa explained to Gavin.

“Mommy, I’ll help you get the water!”

With that, Jesse diligently moved to do as said.

“No need. You guys have taken your baths already, so don’t get wet anymore. Go on out and play. I will take a bath after I finish washing these clothes.”

After Arissa kept urging them for a while, the kids were finally willing to go to bed.

“Mommy, please hurry up! We will be waiting for you!” Zachary reminded her.

“Okay!”

After Arissa finished washing, she washed the foam away with water and put the clothes in a basin.

Then, she closed the door and started taking a shower. At the same time, she washed her clothes.

After she dried all the clothes, she got ready to go to the kids’ room.

Just then, Benjamin called out to her. “Please come over here!”