Chapter 932: Chairman’s best interest

"Miss Penny, I think you should go see your grandpa."

Whether or not Chairman Bennet was a good grandfather, he was still family. The moment Penny heard Benjamin’s news, she and Zoren didn’t waste a second. She barely managed to put on her bodysuit before rushing out, not even having the time to say goodbye to Lily and the others.

In the car, Penny sat in the backseat, staring out the window. Zoren sat beside her, holding her hand, and offering a subtle but reassuring smile.

"I’m okay," she said with a slight nod, her voice steady but quiet. "He’s my grandfather on paper, but I never felt like he really was."

Be it in the first or the current timeline, Chairman Bennet had been absent from Penny’s life. Even so, she still felt obligated to go. Regardless of his lack of presence or contributions to her life, Atlas and Charles were closely connected to him. Besides, Chairman Bennet was Charles’s father.

Charles might have slandered his father and had nothing good to say about him, but he always defended him when others spoke ill of the chairman. It was a complicated relationship—one of love and hate. Yet, the bottom line remained: the chairman was still family.

"I’m more worried about Dad," Penny added with a sigh. "I heard he and Mom rushed over as soon as they heard the news."

Another heavy sigh escaped her lips. Today started with so much fun. Even without her intimate time with her husband, the reunion had been filled with joy. But this news had hit them like a tidal wave.

"Your dad is a strong man. He’ll be fine," Zoren said gently. "I’m sure he’ll pull through as long as his children and wife are there for him."

Penny smiled faintly, nodding as she gave his hand a squeeze.

"Have you talked to Atlas yet?" Zoren asked after a moment.

"I haven’t. As the head of the family, I’m sure he’s been busy. Second Brother texted me, though. He’s already on his way, tailing First Brother’s car."

"I see."

The two fell into a brief silence, gazing at each other before Penny sighed again and turned her eyes back to the window.

---

Meanwhile, at the hospital...

Atlas was the first to arrive at the hospital where Chairman Bennet had been admitted. Hugo followed shortly after, with Charles and Haines arriving moments later. Despite having had a few drinks earlier, the gravity of the situation had sobered them all.

"Allen!" Atlas called as he strode briskly down the hallway toward the VIP ward.

Hearing his name, Allen perked up from his seat on a nearby bench and rushed to meet him.

"Sir!" Allen quickly matched Atlas’s pace, who didn’t so much as pause.

"Where is he?" Atlas asked, his tone grim.

"The chairman is in the VIP ward at the end of the hallway. However, there are guards outside, and no one is being allowed in," Allen explained.

Atlas clenched his teeth, his eyes narrowing as he quickened his steps. When he reached the ward, he found Allen’s words to be true. A group of bodyguards stood firmly outside the door—an expected precaution given Chairman Bennet’s position as head of Global Prime Logistics, one of Anteca’s largest shipping companies.

But when Atlas came to a halt in front of them, the guards didn’t move.

"What are you doing?" Atlas asked coldly, his voice sharp and commanding. "Step aside. I’m here to see my grandfather."

The two guards standing at the entrance didn’t falter, their gazes steady.

"I’m sorry, sir," one of them said politely. "The doctors have instructed Director Bennet not to allow any visitors. The chairman needs rest."

Atlas’s jaw tightened. "I am the head of the Bennet family, and the chairman is under my care. Step aside."

"We deeply apologize, sir," the guard replied, bowing his head slightly but remaining steadfast. "This is in the chairman’s best interest. Until the doctor clears visitors, we cannot allow anyone inside."

"Not allow anyone?" Atlas’s eyes darkened. "Isn’t Stephen Bennet in there right now?"

The guards remained silent, their expressions unreadable, refusing to answer.

"What’s going on here?" Charles’s voice cut in as he and Haines finally caught up. Despite arriving just a minute later, their slower pace had delayed them.

Atlas took a deep breath but didn’t take his eyes off the guards. Hugo, however, scoffed and turned to his father and uncle.

"Apparently, we’re not allowed to go in," Hugo said with a hint of sarcasm. "Doctor’s orders, they say."

"Not allowed in?" Charles scoffed, glaring at the guards. "If anyone has the right to be with him, it’s me."

The guards remained resolute, bowing their heads slightly again.

"We’re only doing our job, Sir Charles," one of them said.

"I don’t need your apologies," Charles snapped, stepping forward with determination. "If you think you can stop me just because you’re young, think again. I’m not letting anyone keep me from seeing my father."

As Charles moved to push past them, the door suddenly swung open. The sound drew everyone’s attention as they turned to see who had appeared.

"Whether you come in or not hardly matters with all the noise you’re making out here," said Stephen Bennet, his voice weary. His face was pale, and the dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept.

Stephen’s gaze swept over the group before resting on someone approaching from the side. "But before any of you go in, we need to talk elsewhere."

"I’m not going anywhere—" Charles began, but his words faltered as he followed Stephen’s gaze. His expression darkened as he saw the direction Stephen was indicating.

"Hah!" Charles scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he turned back to Stephen. "Stephen, my father is still alive, and you’ve already called his lawyer? What a joke."

*

*

But in the end, even though Charles refused to leave his father’s side, he had no choice but to sit through the discussion—and hear the worst news of all.

"What did you say?" Charles asked in disbelief, eyes on the lawyer, his finger pointing at Stephen. "You said... my old man is leaving all his shares to him?"