Chapter 1544: Butler Jen’s wish

There was only one reason why the Bennet family had gathered today: Slater’s "farewell" party.

It wasn’t like Slater was moving abroad or anything. In fact, he was just heading back to his condo — barely an hour away. But since Slater was dramatic and often claimed to be the main character of this story, Allison had prepared a feast.

This dinner was technically in his honor... yet the man was running late. So, the family settled on appetizers while waiting.

"Atlas, where’s Hugo?" Charles asked, wiping his mouth and giving his eldest son a stern look. "Haven’t seen him in a while."

"Hugo’s busy," Atlas replied nonchalantly. "Your second son might act silly, but he is a lieutenant general."

"There’s probably a lot going on," Allison added, nodding. "But I’m sure he’ll make it up to Slater when he has time. Besides, it’s better for him to stay busy."

After all, ever since Hugo returned home, if he wasn’t working, he was... well, everywhere — like a restless stray.

"Anyway, Slater’s taking his sweet time," Allison muttered, snapping her eyes toward Butler Jen. "Butler Jen, did you hear from him?"

Butler Jen, standing politely to the side, smiled. "The Third Young Master and his company are on their way."

"He’s bringing friends?" Allison blinked.

Charles cut in, frowning. "He has friends?"

"If I recall correctly, the Third Young Master is with Sir James, Sir Benjamin, and Sir Allen," said Butler Jen.

Atlas arched a brow. "Allen, huh?"

A strange silence fell over the room. Everyone turned to look at Atlas. For a brief moment, the air around him felt warm — too warm.

Then, Butler Jen’s phone buzzed in his pocket. After checking the screen, he looked back at the family and smiled. "They’ve arrived. I’ll go welcome them."

He bowed slightly and walked out.

As soon as he left, Zoren spoke. "By the way, where’s Uncle Haines?"

Penny blinked slowly. ’Shoot. I forgot to tell him.’

"Now that you mention it..." Charles glanced at the empty seat Haines usually took. "He hasn’t eaten with us for a while."

Allison nodded thoughtfully. "I’m starting to get worried." She looked at Charles. "Are you overworking him?"

"No way!" Charles gasped defensively. "Haines doesn’t have to work that hard — I handle most of it. All he does is review a few documents leaving Theo Miller’s office!"

"Then why does he keep staying so late at work?"

Atlas and Penny exchanged a silent glance, saying nothing. Finn and Nina noticed. Then they exchanged looks.

Nina’s eyes: "They know."

Finn’s eyes: "They definitely know."

Zoren, however, remained oblivious.

"Maybe Uncle Haines goes home to someone else’s—" His words were cut off as Penny suddenly shoved a whole bun into his mouth.

"???"

Penny smiled. "Renren, this bun is really good! We should try baking some on our day off!"

Zoren blinked at her, then nodded slowly.

But it was too late. Her parents were already narrowing their eyes at her.

"Spill it," Charles said firmly. "What do you know that we don’t?"

---

Outside the Bennet Mansion...

Butler Jen stood at the entrance as Slater, James, Benjamin, and Allen jumped out of a van. All four were wearing fluffy scarves or novelty headbands like they’d just come from a theme park.

Butler Jen smiled warmly as he approached.

"Welcome back, Third Young Master," he said politely, then nodded at the others. "The rest of the family is in the dining room. Please, follow me."

Slater grinned. "Wait, Butler Jen — I’ll just grab the stuff I bought from the exhibit." He ran back to the van and started pulling out large paper bags.

Meanwhile, Allen shifted awkwardly, the excitement on his face fading fast.

"Uh..." He stepped closer to Butler Jen. "Sir, is Sir Atlas inside?"

"Yes."

"Heh..." Allen laughed nervously. "I’m going home."

He turned to the others. "Thanks for today, but I’m calling it a night."

"You’re not eating with us?" James blinked. "But Auntie Allison’s cooking is really—ow!"

James winced as Benjamin elbowed him hard.

"Did you forget we abducted him from work?" Benjamin muttered, then turned to Allen. "Well, if you’re going, I’ll go too."

"But you won’t be in trouble if you do," Slater said, frowning. "He might."

"I know," Benjamin said, pointing at the bags Allen carried, "but even if I don’t help carry those, at least he won’t be alone."

Butler Jen smiled, touched by the sentiment. Benjamin had only been around a few times, but he’d always struck him as a kind-hearted young man.

"No need to worry," Butler Jen reassured them. "Sir Allen, I promise Sir Atlas won’t scold you."

Allen’s eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yes."

"But are you sure?" James asked, frowning. "How do you know Atlas isn’t mad anymore?"

Butler Jen simply smiled. "I’ll tell him."

The four exchanged glances. Even Slater looked uncertain. But something about Butler Jen’s calm confidence made them believe him — or at least, hope.

Truthfully, Butler Jen did know Atlas was upset, though he wasn’t sure why. But that didn’t matter. Because even if he didn’t have power like the Bennets, he’d worked with this family long enough to know:

If he made a wish, Atlas would grant it.

And this time, Butler Jen had one simple wish — his first and probably the last — to save Allen from what looked like the end of the world.

Butler Jen was right, though.

As the four followed him, he went ahead of them to the dining room. Walking to where Atlas was seated, Butler Jen lowered his head a little.

"First Young Master, will you grant me a wish?" he asked quietly, making Atlas’s brow arch.

"What is it?"

Butler Jen smiled. "Please don’t scold Sir Allen anymore."

"..." Atlas frowned a little. He had always told Butler Jen to tell him if he needed anything. However, he didn’t expect that Butler Jen, for the first time, would ask him such a thing.

"Please." Butler Jen cooed quietly, his voice paling in comparison to Penny and Charles’s voice, plus Zoren’s ridiculous side comments.

"Fine," Atlas sighed, snapping his eyes at the entrance where his brother, with his other friends — Allen included — were coming in. He didn’t say anything, but rather let go of the fact that Allen pulled off an award-winning act in the office just to take an unannounced day off.