Cedrick was so stunned that he was at a loss for words.
He had previously been set up a few times by his daughter’s complaints, and now, it was his son’s turn to do the same.
What should I do? Should I put him on my lap and give him a good spanking? No, Benny has a weak constitution. He’s mostly caring and rarely causes trouble.
Unable to bring himself to do that, Cedrick had no choice but to accept his bitter fate.
At his father’s silence, Benedict put his phone on speaker and asked Gwendolyn, “Mommy, Daddy just said that you like to cry and play the victim before him. Did you hear that? Is it true?”
A brief silence ensued over the line before Gwendolyn’s melodious voice rang out.
“I didn’t hear you the first time. Benny, can you ask Daddy again? I’ll make sure to listen carefully this time.”
Despite her calm tone, Cedrick was sensitive enough to pick up the faint displeasure in her voice.
Knowing that Gwendolyn was giving him a chance to redeem himself, he took it at once. “Actually, I wasn’t done talking. I might have absolute authority at home, but when it comes to you and Zendy, I have someone else to report to. She’s none other than your mommy, who’s also my wife. I manage you and Zendy, while she manages me.”
Raising his voice, Cedrick continued in a serious tone, “Also, your mommy doesn’t know how to play the victim. Instead, it was I who pretended to be pitiful to catch her attention when I was courting her. I won’t ever make your mommy cry because it’s always my fault whenever she sheds a tear.”
Despite looking clueless, Benedict listened intently. “Wow, you’re amazing, Mommy. Daddy’s is responsible for educating us, while you’re in charge of educating him.”
While Cedrick was rendered speechless, Gwendolyn’s chuckle could be heard over the line. “That’s one way to describe it, Benny. Daddy has also done a good job clarifying it. Once I get off work, I’ll give your daddy a wonderful reward.”
A reward?
Cedrick’s brows furrowed in response. Am I to kneel on Lego pieces for fifteen minutes or be beaten with a wooden ruler this time?
Just thinking about it caused Cedrick to feel pain in both his knees and palms.
With no time to ponder upon it, he asked Gwendolyn with a gentle tone, “Darling, what time are you getting off work today? How about I pick you up from the office?”
“It’s all right. If you’re not busy with work, you should spend more time with Benny. I’ve just gotten off the phone with Charles, and he told me that he had taken Zendy to the playground. I’ll pick her up later before coming over to get you and Benny from the lab.”
“All right. You’re the boss,” Cedrick agreed obediently, seemingly feeling self-conscious about his wrongdoing.
The moment the call ended, Benedict gave Cedrick a look of surprise.
“Daddy, did Mommy just say that… she’ll be picking me up? Did I hear Mommy right? Does that mean I can go home now?”
Cedrick nodded before giving Benedict a peck on his forehead. “That’s right. I’ve spoken to your Uncle Joshua, and he says that your body has grown completely accustomed to the drug. There’s no need to keep you in the lab for monitoring. From now on, you can go home every day and I’ll just bring you here for the drug transfusion.”
Benedict had been staying in the lab. It was difficult for Cedrick and Gwendolyn to take good care of their son, and the neglect had inadvertently caused some psychological problems in Benedict.
Now that they could take him home with them, they wanted to gradually fix those issues.
All this while, the Jensons had historically been groomed in the army to become elites. All of them, with Yael’s family the exception, were filled with a sense of justice.
Cedrick didn’t want his son to harbor inner demons that would one day drive him down the path of darkness.
Meanwhile, Benedict’s eyes glistened at the knowledge that he would be going home.
As a five-year-old child, he naturally wore his heart on his sleeve.
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