Chapter 1558: I don’t know who else to ask

Lucky.

Perhaps Hugo was right.

Stephen was, indeed, lucky.

Lucky to survive the abuse of his deadbeat father and be raised by Chairman Bennet, where he had to live a life of luxury and endless opportunities. And even when his son was sent to prison, Charles and his children still protected him from what had seemed like a no-escape situation.

Today, Stephen would’ve died along with a suicidal man who was willing to take them both. Coincidentally, Hugo had shown up and saved the day. Not only did he rescue Stephen, but he also devised a plan to give both Stephen and the other man a way out.

Following Hugo’s plan, Stephen sat in the living area, shivering. But unlike what one might expect, his tremors weren’t faked. His body shook uncontrollably as he kept replaying how close he’d come to death.

"Sir Bennet?"

Stephen snapped out of his thoughts, looking up at the detective who had arrived at the scene. After the explosion, the house helpers had immediately called for help. Stephen had already briefed them on what could happen, and so they acted according to the plan he and Hugo had prepared.

"Huh?" Stephen blinked. "What is it again?"

The detective studied the middle-aged man and sighed, understanding his reaction. Anyone would be shaken if their car exploded just minutes after arriving home. Had Stephen idled even for a moment longer, he would’ve died on the spot.

"Our team is already investigating, but it seems someone deliberately rigged an improvised explosive—"

As the detective continued, his voice grew distant in Stephen’s ears.

Stephen just sat on the couch, feeling like everyone around him was moving in a different world. He glanced at the faces—some familiar, some not. Somehow, he felt like a background character, just sitting there, watching everything unfold without being truly present.

---

After the long questioning with the detective, they offered Stephen several options. One of them aligned perfectly with Hugo’s plan: police protection until the investigation was complete. They asked him a few more questions, but didn’t push further, noting his fragile state of mind.

When they finally left, Stephen dragged himself back to his study.

Inside, Hugo lounged on the couch, idly tossing a small tennis ball into the air and catching it again.

What an irony, Stephen thought. I’m still trying to make sense of everything, and he’s just there... playing with a ball.

But then again, Hugo was a soldier. On the battlefield, every day could be their last. He had likely seen things far worse than a car explosion.

"Oh, Uncle?" Hugo glanced over. "Did the police leave?"

Stephen closed the door quietly behind him. "A few of them stayed. They said they’d be around for a while. They also advised me to hire some bodyguards."

"You should," Hugo said, watching him take a seat. "Just don’t think about hiring Penny’s men. She’ll rip you off, and besides, we’re supposed to hate each other."

Stephen exhaled, catching his breath as he sat. "Don’t we?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you not hate me?"

Hugo laughed. "Why would I hate you? Can I hate someone I don’t even know?"

His response hit Stephen like a punch to the gut. It wasn’t untrue. The Bennets—Charles’s family—were united. But the extended clan was a different story. Stephen had always seen Charles as competition, and his children as threats.

They had been estranged for years, until Stephen had reached out to Charles—unable to go through with poisoning Chairman Bennet. To Stephen, the chairman had been the only parent he ever truly had. Even if he showed favoritism and had his flaws, he still raised Stephen and gave him a life most could only dream of.

"Yet, you’re still helping..." Stephen’s voice trailed, referring not just to Hugo, but also Charles, Atlas, Slater, and even Penny.

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "Uncle, why are you suddenly being sentimental?"

Stephen didn’t reply.

"You reached out to Dad," Hugo continued, sitting upright with sharp eyes fixed on his uncle. "And I might not share his sentiments, but if my father calls you family, then you are family. We—his children—might not worship you, but we’d never challenge his words."

"Anyway, now that everything’s wrapped up, I’m heading out," he said, pushing himself to his feet. "I’ll still be around, Uncle. So if they drop a name, let me know immediately."

Stephen stayed quiet, watching Hugo grab an apple from the table and take a huge bite as he walked to the door.

"Hugo," Stephen called, just before Hugo could leave. "I know you’ve all helped me, and it might be shameful of me to ask for more, but... will you help me?"

Hugo paused, brow arching as he turned his head.

For someone undeserving of their help, Stephen was still receiving it, all in the name of family. But this time, he wasn’t asking for himself. He wasn’t thinking of Cassandra, caught in a storm of scandal. No, he was thinking of the young woman who had suffered the most from this case—Kiara.

Cassandra might be guilty or not, but Kiara deserved to know the truth. Whether she was chasing an illusion or fighting for something real, she deserved to find out.

"That young lady... Kiara. Will you help her?" Stephen asked softly. "I know it’s a lot to ask, but that young woman is suffering more than any of us."

"You mean the one you’ve been visiting a lot lately?"

"Yes," Stephen nodded. "She’s a friend of Cassandra Smith—the one being accused of running a human trafficking ring. I know this might be out of your control, but if you can... please."

Hugo didn’t answer right away. He studied his uncle for a moment, then turned fully to face him.

"Uncle, let me ask you something. Why do you want to help her?"

Stephen shrugged weakly. "Honestly, I’m not sure. Maybe I thought I wanted to help her as closure, because I couldn’t help my son. But the more I think about it... I believe it’s because she deserves help. Cassandra Smith might be guilty, but that young lady believes her friend is innocent."

"I just want her to know the truth," he said quietly. "To find out if everything she’s done was worth it or not."

"I see..." Hugo tilted his head, then turned again toward the door. "I’ll think about it."

And just like that, Hugo left, while Stephen remained seated, eyes on the door.

"If he doesn’t help..." Stephen murmured with a sigh. "I don’t know who else to ask."

Because, at this point, Hugo was his last resort.

And it was up to fate whether Hugo would help alone or convince his siblings to help too.