Chapter 361 Let Him Choose
The words were overly polite, carrying a hint of distance.
Elise hesitated, glancing at the man beside her, unsure how to explain.
"Your dad's busy right now and can't come see you. Do you miss him?"
Benjamin shook his head, then nodded.
He wasn't his biological father, so what was there to miss? But he did want to meet him, to see if he could recognize that Benjamin was a fake son.
Elise misunderstood his reaction, thinking he was too shy to speak, and smiled as she patted his head.
"One day, you'll see him."
Just then, a commotion erupted outside the door.
"Mr. Percy, you can't go in! Mrs. Percy is still at home, you can't go in!"
Elise and the others looked up to see several men in black suits aggressively pushing the servants aside.
Behind them, Nolan and Charles stepped forward.
Through the crowd, Benjamin locked eyes with him, feeling a bit at a loss.
"Charles? What are you doing here?"
Elise frowned, standing up to shield Benjamin.
The butler, Ralph, understood her intention and tried to cover Benjamin's face with his coat, attempting to take him away.
But Charles quickly noticed.
"Stop him!"
At his command, Ralph was grabbed by the men in black, struggling as he was dragged aside.
Benjamin stood there, bewildered. He hadn't expected Charles to be the one to come for him, not Dean or Tristan.
"You lunatic, let him go! Someone, get him out of here!"
Elise's usually delicate face twisted with anger, her red nails digging into her palm, leaving a trail of red marks.
The security personnel in the villa hurried over with batons, and for a moment, both sides were at a standoff, neither willing to use force first.
"Mrs. Percy, this is also Mr. Percy's home. Isn't it normal for him to come back?"
Nolan stepped forward, breaking the deadlock.
He was right.
This was the Percy family house, where Charles' father and grandfather had lived.
Charles had lived here for a while when he was seven, but due to his status, he was ostracized.
Later, Juniper took him to another villa, where he currently lived.
He hadn't returned to The Percy Manor in years, making Elise feel he had no right to be here.
So when Nolan said this, her expression became even more unpleasant.
"Maybe Mrs. Percy is getting old and forgetful."
Charles sneered.
"My memory is just fine. Even if you can come here, it shouldn't be like this. Bringing a group of people, are you planning a rebellion?"
Elise glared at the uninvited guests, her voice sharp.
Charles' lips curled into a cold smile.
"You're stronger than I thought. Just lost a loved one, and you're already snatching people right under my nose."
His words were like salt in Elise's wound. Her face turned pale as she pulled Benjamin closer.
"You bastard! This is Zachary's child, and you want to take him too?"
'Serves you right for not being able to keep Diana and the unborn child!' She didn't say the last part out loud, only cursing in her heart.
Everyone's expressions changed at her words.
Probably no one else dared to point at Charles and curse him like that.
Nolan's face darkened, and he said sternly, "Mrs. Percy, please watch your words."
"Benjamin is Mr. Percy's friend's child. We're just looking after him, and now he wants to go back to his parents."
"This is my grandson. None of you can take him!"
Elise's voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. She wasn't in the mood for any more nonsense.
If he was really just Charles' friend's child, how could he look so much like Zachary?
Besides, what kind of friend would entrust their child to Charles for care?
Charles spoke calmly, pointing out the flaw in her argument. "You say this is Zachary's child, show me the proof."
"He looks so much like Zachary, do I need proof?"
"Of course. If looks alone could determine blood relations, then I think this kid looks more like me."
Charles raised an eyebrow, his casual words startling Benjamin.
So he could see the resemblance too?
Everyone followed Charles' gaze and looked at Benjamin, silently agreeing. Indeed, the nose and mouth were almost identical.
Elise was momentarily speechless, then retorted after a pause, "I don't have proof, but do you?"
"No."
Charles' answer was unexpected, but he looked at Benjamin and said, "Since neither of us has proof, let him choose. Do you want to come with me or stay here?"
"Benjamin, stay. I'm your grandmother. I won't harm you. Whatever you want, I can buy it for you."
Elise's voice was gentle, with a hint of coaxing.
Nolan had thought Charles came to The Percy Manor to take Benjamin by force, but he didn't expect him to let Benjamin choose, making him lose confidence.
Hearing Elise trying to tempt Benjamin, he couldn't help but speak up, "Mrs. Percy, whatever you can give, Mr. Percy can too. Please be quiet and let him choose."
"Who do you think you are? Is it your place to speak?" Elise glared at him, then turned back to Benjamin with a gentle face. "Benjamin, don't listen to him. Choose."
Nolan pursed his lips and chose to stay silent.
Everyone's eyes were on Benjamin.
Benjamin's face was calm, but he found it amusing.
These adults didn't even know his true identity and wanted to use family ties to bind him? Did they think he was stupid?
But right now, to go home, he had to make a choice.
If he stayed, Elise, who claimed to be his grandmother, wouldn't let him leave easily.
As for Charles, there might be room for negotiation, especially since he had previously agreed to let Dean come and pick him up.
Thinking this, Benjamin pulled his hand out of Elise's grasp.
Under everyone's gaze, he said, "I choose Mr. Percy."
Then he ran to Charles, grabbing his sleeve and looking up. "Let's go."
Elise was immediately displeased. Her face twisted, losing the initial kind appearance.
"I'm your grandmother. Why choose him? Your dad is dead, maybe Charles killed him, and you still dare to go with him?"
Benjamin wasn't fazed by her scare tactics. Instead, he tightened his grip on Charles' sleeve and mimicked his tone.
"Ma'am, you need evidence to speak. You can't prove I'm your grandson, nor can you prove Mr. Percy killed my dad. Mommy says that behavior like yours is just nonsense, meant to trick kids."
Hearing this, Nolan, who had wanted to defend Charles, was speechless. He even secretly praised Benjamin.
Charles felt the small hand gripping his sleeve, his heart stirred. He reached out and held the soft little hand in his palm.
Then he said in a deep voice, "In that case, I won't disturb you anymore. The company will hold a press conference and a memorial for Zachary in three days. You'll need to attend."
With that, he ignored Elise's hysterical screams and left with Benjamin.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
