Chapter 1204: Did they welcome the wrong group?

Hours Later in Anteca...

"Grandma, you didn’t have to come here yourself," Allison sighed faintly, seated on the bench with Old Mrs. Pierson. "You could’ve just waited for the kids to come home. I don’t think it’s good for you to travel and wait in the airport."

After all, the arrangement for this trip was that once they landed, the Bennets would stay for a day at the Old Pierson Residence. They agreed to this because Old Mrs. Pierson was already too old to travel. However, she wanted to see the children and welcome them home with a feast.

Butler Hubert smiled at Allison as the latter cast him a look. "I’m sorry, but I couldn’t stop her."

"Allison, my child, you don’t have to worry about me!" Old Mrs. Pierson chuckled loudly. "Age is simply a number. I feel younger than my age!"

"That’s right, Allison." Charles, seated on the next bench, nodded. "Grandma Pierson is as strong as a cow! Right, Grandma?"

"Right, right! Haha!" Old Mrs. Pierson laughed gleefully, making Allison sigh once more.

Allison glanced at Charles, only to see her husband smirking back. She was simply worried that all the excitement and travel would tire Old Mrs. Pierson. However, Charles clearly had no issue with her coming along.

"It’s been a while since my Renren has had a vacation, and from what I hear, it’s the same for Atlas, Hugo, and Slater!" Old Mrs. Pierson exclaimed. "I want to see the refreshed look on their faces once they land. And I knew the travel from the airport and to my home would tire them."

"Uh... Grandma, I think you’re mistaken. Hugo is already having a vacation—a long one," Charles corrected, but Allison quickly interrupted to steer the conversation away.

"Grandma..." Allison’s eyes softened. "I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. A five-day vacation... those kids work so hard. Honestly, I’m more worried they won’t even know how to relax properly."

"That’s why I sent more people with them!" Old Mrs. Pierson laughed proudly. "With good company, I’m certain they had lots and lots of fun!"

"Well..." Allison gave up and nodded. "You’re absolutely right, Grandma. I’m sure that once they touch down, they’ll feel refreshed and might even start thinking about their next trip."

After all, that’s often what happens after a vacation. Whenever Allison planned family trips, she couldn’t help but start thinking about where they’d go next. She hoped this trip would help her children realize the importance of taking breaks.

"Thank you, Grandma." Allison held Old Mrs. Pierson’s hand and patted it gently. "For always looking after the kids."

Old Mrs. Pierson smiled back. "It’s nothing special, but I hope it helps them."

"I’m certain it will," Allison reassured her. "A five-day trip, and thankfully, Nina kept us all updated."

Thanks to Nina, who was kind enough to send pictures, the elders were happy to see the kids enjoying themselves. The rest? Well, Allison couldn’t blame them. Penny only sent brief messages, Slater occasionally shared selfies, and Hugo barely knew how to use his phone. As for Atlas... well, neither Allison nor Charles expected updates from him at all.

Atlas had only messaged twice: once on the first day to say they had arrived and again today when they were boarding their flight home.

Still, from Nina’s photos, they all seemed to be having fun, which made Old Mrs. Pierson even more eager to welcome them back.

The elders—Old Mrs. Pierson, Allison, Charles, and Haines—waited patiently. As they did, they chatted about the children’s trip, and Old Mrs. Pierson suggested that Allison and Charles should take a break as well.

Though they appreciated the offer, Charles had to put that idea on hold. He was already retired, but with Penny’s recent acquisition of the Miller Company, he had to be involved in business again. The buyout was complete, but it was still a crucial time. Stephen Bennet was persistent, after all. Allison, on the other hand, couldn’t leave her restaurant. Even so, Old Mrs. Pierson kindly reminded them that they should take time to relax in the future.

After another hour of waiting, it was finally time for the kids to arrive. As soon as the clock hit the expected arrival time, they kept their eyes fixed on the arrival area. Charles even stood up, pacing back and forth.

"Ah... I miss my princess!" he exclaimed, grinning. "This brings back old memories."

He cast Haines a knowing look, which the latter returned with a shrug. Allison also stood, telling Old Mrs. Pierson to stay seated.

"Charles, hold the banners properly," Allison instructed, holding up hers so the children could spot them easily. "They’ll be out any moment now."

Excitement filled the air as they eagerly watched the arrival area.

In their hearts and minds, they imagined the bright faces of the Bennet boys, Penny, and Zoren. After a well-deserved break, they should still carry the remnants of their trip—relaxed, happy, and full of energy.

But alas...

After another minute of waiting, the group that appeared before Old Mrs. Pierson, Charles, Allison, and Haines was not what they expected.

There was no excitement, no energy.

The people standing in front of them looked like they had just returned from World War III.

Atlas, Hugo, Slater, Zoren, and Penny stood before them, eyes blank and unfocused. They were there, but their gazes were fixed on nothing in particular. Dark circles loomed under their eyes, their faces looking almost gaunt.

"..."

Allison, Charles, Old Mrs. Pierson, and even Haines were momentarily speechless.

Did they welcome the wrong group?

This wasn’t what they expected at all.

The four elders exchanged puzzled glances, while Butler Hubert, who was accompanying Old Mrs. Pierson, darted his eyes between the kids’ faces. Deep lines appeared on their foreheads as they tried to make sense of the situation.

"Uh... Atlas?" Charles cleared his throat. "What... exactly happened? Why do you all look traumatized?"

Atlas slowly lifted his unblinking eyes to his father. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

The same silence followed when they were asked again. Even when they arrived at the Old Pierson Residence, they remained eerily quiet, heading straight to their rooms without explanation.

The elders sat in the living area, utterly baffled.

What happened?!