Chapter 654: Big brother’s responsibility

[OLD PIERSON RESIDENCE]

"Oh, you’re here!" Old Mrs. Pierson happily entered the drawing room, catching Atlas already seated in a chair. Atlas automatically rose from his seat, but she waved for him to sit down.

"Sit, sit! It’s alright," Old Mrs. Pierson chuckled while Butler Hubert assisted her in sitting down. "Butler Hubert, prepare some snacks for the young Mr. Bennet here."

Butler Hubert smiled and nodded. "Yes, Madam," he said before politely facing Atlas and bowing. "I’ll be back, sir."

Atlas nodded at Butler Hubert, watching the latter leave the drawing room. When the door was closed, Atlas slowly set his eyes on Old Mrs. Pierson.

"He is quite different from the butler at your house, isn’t he?" she joked, making Atlas smile and nod.

"It was a little strange because I’ve always thought everyone was like Butler Jen."

Old Mrs. Pierson waved while laughing. "If I’d had the chance, I would’ve hired Butler Jen instead. Butler Hubert is quite mischievous."

"I doubt you’d trade him for anyone," Atlas replied politely, watching Old Mrs. Pierson’s smile grow subtle.

"I used to be a greedy woman," she said knowingly. "I wouldn’t trade Butler Hubert, but that also means I wouldn’t hire Butler Jen if I had the chance."

"Then I’m glad you didn’t meet Butler Jen in the past."

This time, another wave of laughter escaped Old Mrs. Pierson. Atlas was surely impressing her more and more. Well, Old Mrs. Pierson had already heard about Atlas before she met the Bennet family; not that she did a background check on Penny.

She was tempted to for the reason to please them, but feared that if they found out about it, they would be displeased. The last thing Old Mrs. Pierson wanted was to cause displeasure between the families. However, she knew Atlas because he was the head of the Bennet family and at the helm of Global Prime Logistics.

Old Mrs. Pierson didn’t need to sneak around to know him. Atlas was part of the business circle, and thus, she would know him or hear about him whether or not she wanted to.

"Surely, the old man from the Bennet family isn’t as foolish as I thought he was," Old Mrs. Pierson said humorously. "Men like him... I’ve met a lot of men like him. They’re the type of men who wouldn’t let go of power even when they’re barely counting their days."

Atlas was silent but maintained a polite smile.

"Does he give you a lot of headaches?" she asked out of plain curiosity. "If he does, I would’ve given him a piece of my mind."

"There’s no need for that, Grandma. I can handle him."

Old Mrs. Pierson shook her head, sighing. She reached out to him, patting his hand gently.

"Fighting with family is something I don’t approve of, even though my family fights a lot," she remarked. "You’re a good child for being respectful to your elders, even when they don’t deserve it."

"At the end of the day, Chairman Bennet is still my father’s father." Atlas offered her a brief smile. "He is still my family."

"What a good child."

"I am not," he argued with the same level of politeness. "I just learned long ago that arguments with him are pointless."

Old Mrs. Pierson’s face softened. "You are surely honest — just like Renren."

Another deep sigh escaped Old Mrs. Pierson as she carefully released Atlas’s hand. Although she was pleased to see Atlas here and liked this honest young man, she also knew Atlas had come by for a reason.

"Before I ask what brought you here, I’d like to tell you one thing," she remarked gently but solemnly. "If the Bennet family becomes a problem and you do not have the heart to deal with them ruthlessly, tell Grandma about it. If you do not trust me enough, then Renren will help you."

"Thank you for that offer. I’ll keep it in mind." Atlas nodded.

Old Mrs. Pierson smiled in satisfaction upon hearing his response. "Well? What brings you here?"

"I am here... because I think it’s time for me to ask about the gift you gave me." Atlas didn’t beat around the bush. "I’ve given it some thought, and I concluded that it is a little too much for me to accept."

"I thought you wouldn’t ask me about it, but it seems you’ve only just begun to think about it," Old Mrs. Pierson laughed out loud. "It’s not too much, Atlas. If you consider my family and your family — this union — it’s not too much."

Atlas didn’t answer, quietly studying Old Mrs. Pierson’s expression. His lips were drawn into a thin line as he sighed faintly. What Old Mrs. Pierson had given him surprised him, but also confused him.

"Did you give this because... you think the Bennet family is lesser than the Pierson family?" he asked directly, making Old Mrs. Pierson laugh.

"If that were the reason, I would’ve handed you something else, Young Atlas," she replied with a chuckle. "I chose to give that to you because I know I can trust you."

"How so?"

"Your father entrusted the entire family into your hands," she explained in a knowing tone. "Unlike the Pierson family, where everyone has to fight for their positions, you were entrusted with yours not just because of your capabilities and abilities to lead, but because you’re the right person to protect the family."

She paused and tilted her head slightly. "That alone says a lot about your character. So, I know that I can trust you with this."

"Atlas Bennet, forgive me for handing you such a burden instead of a gift," she said, reaching out to him and patting the back of his hand. "This woman is just old, and I can no longer trust my own family or my own people."

Atlas quietly studied her and then glanced at her wrinkled hand. Even Chairman Bennet didn’t have the same confidence in him that Old Mrs. Pierson was showing.

The corner of his mouth hooked up as he placed his other hand on top of her wrinkled hand and looked her in the eye. "Thank you for the trust. Do not worry about Zoren. The moment he married Penny, he became part of my family. I’ll look after him for my sister’s sake... and as their big brother."