CHAPTER 678

The men from the Harris family were all there that day, and the atmosphere was so lively that it seemed like a little party.

Everyone took turns carrying Zendaya around. They all couldn’t get enough of her.

Zendaya was not afraid of the crowd. She even smiled gleefully and entertained the guests.

Valentino, who was in his wheelchair some distance away, noticed the concerned look on Gwendolyn’s and Cedrick’s faces.

Logan slowly pushed Valentino to the couple, and Valentino asked in a deep voice, “Ced, why is Zendy here alone? Where’s Benny?”

Gwendolyn’s expression froze.

Back when Cedrick contracted the S404 RNA virus, everyone in the Jenson family had kept it a secret from Valentino because they didn’t want to worry him.

Valentino didn’t know the virus was why Cedrick had been vomiting blood after returning from Fairlake.

Nico knew everything that had happened. He replaced his smile with a solemn look and peeked at Cedrick’s expression from the corner of his eye.

Although the men from the Harris family knew about the virus, they didn’t know it could be transmitted to the children. When they heard Valentino’s question, they turned to look at Cedrick and Gwendolyn in unison.

With a grim look on his face, Cedrick answered, “Benny is down with a cold and is now on an IV drip in the hospital. That’s why he isn’t here.”

Valentino grew extremely concerned. “It’s also his birthday today, no? Why did you leave him alone at the hospital? Which hospital is he in? I’ll get someone to fetch him. After all, there’s a medical team in Harrick Villa. Benny can also receive an IV drip at home. Why does he need to stay at the hospital?”

Gwendolyn lowered her gaze and pursed her lips, looking rather uneasy.

Unlike her, Cedrick was as cool as a cucumber. “Charles is keeping Benny company at the hospital. He’s Benny’s godfather. He’ll take good care of Benny.”

Gwendolyn nodded and chimed in, “Cedrick and I wanted to stay at the hospital at first. However, Zendy was hungry, so we brought her back to feed her some milk.”

The couple skirted the reason Benedict had to stay at the hospital.

Still, Cedrick had revealed it was a cold, and everything was well taken care of. The others could only take it for what it was.

Nevertheless, Valentino noticed something was wrong with Cedrick’s attitude. When he answered me, his tone was indifferent.

Valentino heaved a sigh and said, “Ced, follow me. I would like to talk to you in private.”

Cedrick didn’t say a word in response.

Valentino wheeled himself out of the villa. “Follow me.”

Cedrick glanced at Valentino in silence and noticed how hard it was for him to wheel himself. Left without a choice, he stepped forward and helped him.

Gwendolyn stared at Cedrick’s and Valentino’s retreating figures in a daze, and she only regained her senses when Summer called out to her.

“Gwendolyn, I bought an ice cream cake. Benny should be done with his IV drip by dinner, right? Should we fetch him so the kids could blow out the candle together and have cake?” Summer suggested.

“No. Benny is weak now, and he needs to stay at the hospital for a few days before he can return home.”

Inez, who was nearby, uttered, “Poor Benny. He’s spending his birthday at the hospital. Perhaps we should video call Mr. Newton when we cut the birthday cake later. Otherwise, Benny would feel left out.”

Again, Gwendolyn rejected the suggestion, “No. Benny has been on an IV drip since earlier today. It’s too exhausting for him to talk to everyone during the video call…”

When the others heard that, they had no choice but to go along with her wishes.

Asher was sitting on the couch, staring at Gwendolyn fixedly.

He had known Gwendolyn all his life, so he could tell when she was lying and hiding something.

What is she trying to hide? Is Benny in trouble?

Asher grew suspicious, but he didn’t dare to question her.

He had shown up at Harrick Villa with birthday gifts for the kids, and Gwendolyn had finally invited him in.

Although Gwendolyn didn’t acknowledge his presence, he could feel their relationship improving, and that was more than he could ask for.

Besides, if he were to ask Gwendolyn there and then, she wouldn’t tell him the truth because she didn’t trust him.

Asher swiftly composed his thoughts and went to spend time with Zendaya and Sienna.

Outside, Cedrick and Valentino arrived in a quiet corner in the backyard.

“Stop here, Ced,” Valentino said.

Cedrick let go of the wheelchair and took a step backward. He stood straight, exuding an elegant aura.

Valentino turned the smart wheelchair around to face Cedrick.

It was an awkward angle because Cedrick was too tall, so Valentino had to lift his head to look at him.

“Could you please squat down, Ced? If I keep my head lifted, my neck will hurt.”

Cedrick pursed his lips and lowered his gaze to conceal the emotions in his eyes.

After a few minutes of hesitation, he squatted before Valentino in a perfect military posture. He was around a meter away from Valentino.

Valentino was heartbroken when he saw that. “I’m not punishing you, so you don’t have to squat like that. Now, I won’t interfere in your matters anymore because you’re a man capable of handling everything on your own. I won’t be as harsh on you as when you were little. Just make yourself comfortable.”

Without lifting his gaze to meet Valentino’s, Cedrick said flatly, “I’m used to it now.”

As a matter of fact, Cedrick couldn’t bring himself to act casually even if he wanted to.

Valentino sighed lightly and reached out his wrinkly hand to Cedrick. However, Cedrick was too far away.

“Could you please come closer, Ced? I can’t reach you.” This is from .

Cedrick hesitated for even longer than before. After a few minutes, he finally rose to his feet before walking toward Valentino and squatting down again.

Valentino was filled with emotions as he gently touched Cedrick’s hair. “Ced, you’re angry at me, aren’t you? You think I don’t trust you because I planted an old subordinate of mine in the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a spy and I’ve wronged you and your late parents?”

When Valentino finished talking, his fingers were trembling, and he was breathing heavily.

Cedrick felt the affection in his grandfather’s gesture and replied, “No.”

“You’re lying.” Valentino gently knocked the side of Cedrick’s head.

Although Valentino sounded stern, he had nothing but love for Cedrick.

As one of the most powerful military figures in history, Valentino had never given in to anyone.

Astonished, Cedrick uttered truthfully, “I was angry at first, but I never thought you had wronged me, Grandpa.”

Cedrick understood the reason behind Valentino’s decision.

Since Valentino had already lost his eldest son and daughter-in-law forever, he couldn’t also put his other two sons at risk.

Valentino had been very strict with Cedrick ever since he took him in. Although he would punish him from time to time, he had never mistreated or wronged him.

Prior to that, Cedrick couldn’t overcome the hurdle in his heart, so he ended up not visiting Valentino for over a few months.

When Cedrick heard Valentino talking softly, however, the negative feelings he had seemed to have dissipated gradually.

Right then, Valentino teared up a little and patted Cedrick’s broad shoulder with his trembling hand. For the first time, Valentino explained in a serious tone, “I didn’t plant my ex-subordinate there to keep an eye on you. I know you needed time to establish your position. I wanted to help you so that they would obey you and support your decisions. I was harsh on you, but I wasn’t trying to use you. It’s just that… I don’t know how to love you.”