Pampered By My Three Brothers: The Return Of The Neglected Heiress - Chapter 942

Chapter 942: Exercising power
Meanwhile…

The Bennet family was scattered around a private ward where the chairman was lying. All of them wore grim expressions, and for the longest time, nothing was said. The silence was broken only by the mechanical heart monitor beeping, which seemed to envelop the room.

Seated in the chair beside the bed, Charles rested his arms on his legs, his eyes fixed on his father. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes.

“Damn it,” he breathed out.

“What’s going to happen now?” Slater asked, looking at everyone as they slowly raised their eyes in his direction. “Will you authenticate the will? But isn’t that grandpa’s trusted friend?”

Once again, silence was the only answer he got.

“I should beat him up. Stephen Bennet.” Hugo frowned. “But beating him up won’t change anything.”

“If anything, you’d end up with a lawsuit,” Atlas remarked, his tone the same but colder. “I don’t think there’s anything we can do at this moment. I’m just glad we were able to stay here.”

With that, Atlas peeled his back from the wall and stood up straight. “Dad, you should go home.”

“I don’t like this old man, but he’s still my father. How can you tell your father to go home?” Charles’s frown deepened. “I’ll stay here.”

“I think you should listen to Atlas,” Haines chimed in. “There’s not much we can do, and even if we did, it’ll take some time.”

Hugo rocked his head before getting up from the couch he had been sitting on. “I’ll go home!” he announced, snapping his eyes at Slater. “You should go with me too.”

“Why would I go with you?!” Slater pouted. “I want to stay here with Dad! And Penny.”

“I’m leaving,” Penny announced, pushing herself up from where she had been seated across from Charles. Her eyes fell on him as she offered her father a short smile. “Dad, do you want to come with us? Mom is worried, I’m sure.”

Since Penny was the one asking, Charles’s expression softened. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he gazed at his father and sighed for the umpteenth time.

“I can’t leave him alone yet.” He shook his head. “Tell your mother that I’m fine. She doesn’t need to come.”

“Uncle Haines?” Atlas asked, as his siblings had already decided to go and rest. There wasn’t much they could do now. “Would you like to go with us?”

Haines shook his head slightly. “I’ll stay with your father.”

“Alright.”

Having said that, Atlas cast Penny a look and nodded at her. Penny then glanced at Zoren, who was seated on the couch with Slater. The moment their eyes met, Zoren stood up.

“Wait… huh?” Slater jumped from his seat as he saw Zoren getting up. “I’m leaving too! There’s not much I can do here either!”

Hugo’s face twisted upon hearing his little brother. None of them dwelled on it as they quietly walked out.

Charles and Haines watched the children leave without another word. However, just as Atlas opened the door, both men finally heard Allison’s voice outside.

“Why am I not allowed to go inside my father-in-law’s ward?”

“Huh?” Charles furrowed his brows and looked back. He didn’t waste a second and followed his children. Even Haines was surprised and followed them to the entrance.

The moment they reached the entrance, their eyes immediately fell on the bodyguards blocking Allison from coming closer.

“What’s going on here?” Atlas was the first to speak, marching out and standing next to the bodyguards. His face darkened as soon as he saw the look on his mother’s face. He shifted his malevolent eyes to the bodyguard to his right.

“Step aside,” Atlas commanded in a low growl.

“Mom…” Penny called in disbelief, only to hear her father yell.

“Who do you think you’re blocking from seeing my father now, huh!?” Charles roared as he quickly stepped out and stood in front of his wife. “Honey, how long have you been here?”

“When I heard the news, I rushed here,” she explained. “But they won’t let me go in, telling me I am not allowed!”

Charles clenched his teeth while his children’s faces soured. “How dare you?! None of you even dared to tell any of us that my wife’s outside my father’s ward?!”

“I’m sorry, Sir Charles. However, the orders are that you’re the only authorized people who can come in here,” explained the bodyguard politely. “We didn’t receive any orders to let Madam Allison inside.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Allison blurted out in disbelief. “Why do I need authorization to visit my ill father-in-law?”

“You—!” Charles’ breath hitched when he noticed someone from the corner of his eye.

“That means you’re not allowed inside, Allison. It’s as simple as that.” Walking in from the side was Stephen. His gait was slow, his chin raised proudly. Just moments ago, he had been acting humbly, as if he wanted no part of this. However, everyone could now feel the arrogance oozing from him.

“What?” Allison breathed out, looking at her husband in disbelief. “Charles, what is going on?”

Stephen arched a brow as none seemed interested in explaining anything to Allison. He snickered, making Charles ball his hand into a tight fist.

“The chairman’s condition is complicated, so I’m in charge of taking care of him for the time being,” Stephen explained. “Because of that, I also have to be careful about who’s allowed in his ward.”

Deep lines appeared between Allison’s brows, still confused by everything Stephen was telling her. “Why would you be in charge when Charles is here? Let alone, Atlas.”

“To be honest, Allison, I have no idea.” Stephen shrugged. “However, it seemed the chairman couldn’t trust anyone and was afraid someone might hurt him in his sleep. So, he put me in charge.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? How could he not trust his only son? Charles, is this true?” Allison turned to Charles, but the moment she saw the fire in her husband’s eyes, the look on his face confirmed what Stephen had just said.

“What… is going on?” she blurted under her breath, looking at everyone who was carrying the same grim expression. “Atlas? Haines? I am confused.”

Her eyes then scanned the rest of her children, who could only contain their anger as they glared at Stephen.

Unlike her, Stephen smirked as he continued. “Let me put it in simple terms, Allison. As of today, the head of the Bennet family is me! So, if any of you want to see the chairman, you have to go through me first! Otherwise, the guards won’t let you in!”

“Do you understand?” He shifted his gaze and locked eyes with Charles. “Charles?”