Chapter 1122: How could he be broke?

"Wow, he is still sleeping," Lily whispered in awe, making everyone nod.

"Is he still alive?" Nina asked worriedly. "Should we call someone? Like a doctor or something?"

"They said soldiers always wake up at the slightest sound, but he hasn’t," Ginnie mumbled curiously. "I don’t question his service, but I’m worried if he sleeps this still."

"Should we really be doing this?" Benjamin whispered. "I’m kind of scared — Miss Penny, what are you doing?"

"Checking if he still has two legs," Penny explained before proceeding to peek under the blanket. "Oh, his toes are still intact, huh?"

For context, when Mark revealed that Hugo missed the boat Butler Lee had sent to the town to stay on standby, and Hugo decided to swim his way back, they were all mystified. The boat ride from the town to the island wasn’t a long trip, but it was still far if one swam to it.

Hence, with Penny’s curiosity, which was disguised as "worry," she told everyone to come check on her Second Brother. She did so as if Hugo was a spectacle to look at. That explained why they were there in Hugo’s room.

Atlas, Zoren, Max, and Mark stayed by the door, watching the rest flock around Hugo’s bed. Although Finn was inside, he wasn’t particularly joining the rest to observe Hugo.

"This is wrong," Mark whispered, shaking his head. Since Mark was here and had bumped into Hugo at the doorstep, he could still remember the look on Hugo’s face. The man was almost purple, shivering, water dripping from the tips of his hair and clothes.

But all Hugo told Mark the second their eyes met was, "That’s one hell of a swim."

Hugo didn’t complain, nor did he look annoyed. Despite looking like a corpse fresh from the freezer, Hugo had the energy to laugh about his adventure while sipping his coffee, with layers of blankets over him. That was how Mark knew about Hugo’s trip last night.

"It should be fine," Atlas reassured flatly. "If he’s not waking up, that means he’s very exhausted. He wouldn’t just attack anyone. He would’ve done that when Penny lifted the blanket."

Mark’s face twitched slightly at Atlas. "First Young Master, that is not what I’m talking about."

"How could he miss the boat?" Zoren wondered. "I remember asking Butler Lee firsthand to send a boat for everyone."

"From what I heard, he rushed to the pier after dropping off the shopping bags. At least, that’s what the Second Brother said," Mark explained. "He even said he forgot about the bar because he was in a rush to catch the last boat. But by the time he arrived, no one was there anymore. So, he just decided, right then and there, that he’d swim."

"What a man," Max couldn’t help but blurt out, hands in his pockets, eyes scanning the room. "He could just get a room for himself in the town. It’s just one night."

"Apparently, the Second Brother is broke," Zoren said quietly.

Max scrunched up his nose. "How could he be broke? Being a Bennet aside, isn’t he a high-ranking military man?"

"He bought an expensive motorcycle," Mark added since Max wasn’t the only one who had asked that question. Many of them did, and Mark had to admit he also wondered the same in the past. "Aside from the motorcycle, the price for each part — small or big — is expensive."

"What?"

"Not to mention, his bad financial decisions," Atlas happily added, just to give clarity. "From what I heard, he spent a lot of money on the captain’s wedding just to make it go his way. So, he basically paid for a wedding that wasn’t his just because he wanted to mess with someone. Not very smart, but I applaud the effort."

"Besides, he’s not corrupt," Zoren remarked. "I’m not saying our country’s soldiers aren’t paid well, but I’ve seen a few in positions who lived in luxury when their paychecks wouldn’t be able to afford such luxury."

"..." Max was rendered speechless, looking at everyone, who seemed to have just accepted this. "And you guys are okay with it?"

"Why can’t I be okay with it?" Atlas arched a brow. "My brother is living his life the way he wants to. He might not have plenty of money, but he’s fine with it."

"As long as he’s fine with it, there’s no need for anyone to step in," Zoren backed up, knowing he had given Hugo a black card that the latter could use. However, until now, Hugo hadn’t made a single transaction with it.

Little did Zoren know, Atlas had already tossed his Second Brother his own card for Hugo to use. It had been years since then, but Hugo barely used it for a two-digit transaction, but he paid it off. Even Charles would slip some folded bills into his son’s cup like Hugo was some sort of beggar.

’But he does have a future to think about too, doesn’t he?’was what Max wanted to tell them, but then it hit him.

Hugo was a soldier. He might be this happy-go-lucky guy, but one should know that on the battlefield, Hugo would have to step up. Despite Hugo’s position, he worked on the field with his men instead of staying behind their camp.

To make it less complicated, Hugo’s line of work was dangerous. It could be deadly at any minute. In other words, Hugo could die any day while in the combat zone. So, he could be saving all his money while thinking of the future, or he could live for today. Obviously, Hugo chose the latter, as he already had everything covered in case something happened to him.

"Hah..." Max breathed out in defeat, looking at the men around him and then at the people in the room. He couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. "This is why women call us simpletons — because of guys like him."

Yet, Max had to admit it was commendable in its own way. It might not be advisable, but seeing that Hugo was surrounded by competent people — competent siblings — he had the freedom to be so reckless.

"In a way... I’m envious," Max quipped, but deep in his heart, he meant it. ’How I wish I could’ve lived just as recklessly as him, even for a day. I would’ve paid a lot of money for that recklessness.’