CHAPTER 682

Hearing that, Zendaya exclaimed in excitement, “That’s a great idea! The next time I get a chance, I must try it with Daddy!”

Charles smiled and abstained from indulging in the exquisite seafood feast spread on the table. Instead, he delicately peeled a shrimp, dipped it in sauce, and fed it to Zendaya.

Zendaya’s cheeks bulged as Charles fed her bite after bite within just two minutes. “Uncle Charles, please slow down. I haven’t finished eating yet.”

Charles patiently fetched a tissue and wiped the oil stains from the corner of her mouth. “Is it delicious?”

“Delicious!” Zendaya smiled sweetly and asked, “Uncle Charles, why do you want to go on a blind date? Are you planning to get married? Uncle Charles, after you get married, will you still pamper me like this?”

Charles gently ruffled her hair and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. “Uncle Charles loves you the most, Zendy. No one can ever replace the special place you hold in my heart.”

He gazed at Zendaya’s delicate face which reminded him of Gwendolyn’s when she was young. Taking her little hand in his, he placed it gently over his heart. “Little Zendy, you reside right here in my heart. This special place will always be reserved for you.”

Although Zendaya was not his biological daughter, and they had no blood relation, she was an irreplaceable treasure in his life.

Zendaya blinked her cute and mischievous eyes and asked, “What about Benny? Where does he live in your heart?”

Charles’ jawline tightened, and the smile on his face slowly faded. He remained silent for a moment, unable to find the words to respond.

He felt a deep sense of guilt toward Benedict. Every time he saw Benedict’s frail and sickly condition, he couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of remorse, as if he had committed a grave crime.

In the past few years, he had tried every possible means to please Benedict and make amends for his actions. However, when it came to Benedict…

Charles lowered his gaze, lost in deep contemplation.

Zendaya noticed his sadness and reached out to cup his handsome face in her tiny hands. She spoke with a sincere and comforting tone. “Uncle Charles, don’t be sad. Benny doesn’t want to see you right now because he’s not feeling well and is in a bad mood. But I’m sure he will come to understand that you’re a good person, and he will like you just as much as I do.”

Charles pressed his lips together, wearing a slightly bitter expression. He let out a sigh. “Zendy, you don’t understand. I have done something that has caused harm to Benny, and because of that, Benny won’t forgive me.”

Benedict was incredibly intelligent. At just five years old, he could solve math problems that were typically given in the first year of junior high school. However, he was also introverted, quiet, and rarely smiled.

Since Benedict was incredibly intelligent, it was impossible to conceal the truth of his illness from him. Benedict had picked up on the clues during his previous conversations with Cedrick, leading him to deduce the true cause of his condition.

Since then, Benedict refused to see Charles and rejected any gifts that Charles offered him.

Zendaya pursed her lips, her big doe eyes blinking as mischievous thoughts swirled in her mind.

“Benny must still be in the laboratory for infusions. I’ll take you there, Uncle Charles. Benny loves me very much. With me there, he will definitely meet you.”

Half an hour later, Zendaya quietly opened the door to the laboratory that doubled as a ward and looked inside.

On the hospital bed, a five-year-old boy with a handsome and delicate face leaned against the headboard as he received an IV drip. He gazed out the window, watching the leaves rustling in the wind.

He was alone in the room.

Zendaya poked her head into the room and let out a curious exclamation. “Benny, where’s Mommy?”

Benedict snapped out of his thoughts and turned his attention to Zendaya standing at the door. He spoke in a calm and composed tone. “Mommy went to handle an urgent matter regarding Harris Group.” This is from .

Zendaya’s heart melted as she felt sorry for him. She asked with concern, “Have you been alone the whole morning receiving the drip?”

Benedict showed no expression as he responded, “I convinced Mommy to leave. I don’t need anyone to accompany me, including you…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Zendaya swiftly removed her shoes, climbed onto a small stool, and with nimble movements, made her way onto the hospital bed next to him.

“Then let me accompany you during your infusion. I’m your sweetheart, and I want to protect you.”

Benedict’s brows furrowed slightly, and as he was about to say something, he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye near the door.

Benedict’s eyes narrowed as he noticed someone standing outside the room. From the glimpse of a dark suit cuff, he could tell it was a man.

Benedict’s brows furrowed, his eyes growing colder as he sensed the presence of the man.

Wherever Zendaya was, the man seemed to always be lurking nearby.

He refused straight away, “I don’t need your protection, get out.”

“No, I want to stay…”

Zendaya held his wrist, pleading with him using her innocent and pitiful expression, “I did something naughty today, and if Daddy finds out, he will definitely punish me. This is the safest place for me right now! You’ll protect me, won’t you? I know you don’t want to see me get punished by Daddy. Benny, you’re the best!”

She was incredibly clingy. Once she latched onto him, it was impossible to shake her off.

Benedict was momentarily at a loss for words, finding himself unable to resist her persistence.

After a brief pause, he emphasized, “You can stay, but please don’t disturb me, and definitely don’t bring any irrelevant individuals with you.”

“Eh…” Zendaya blinked, feigning innocence as a slight hint of guilt flickered in her eyes. “Benny, who do you consider as the irrelevant person?”

Benedict was expressionless.

His handsome and cold little face lacked the innocence one would expect from a five-year-old child. Instead, it exuded a calm and indifference that surpassed his young age.

Benedict’s words carried an undertone as he replied, “The irrelevant person is well aware of it.”

The door was slightly ajar, allowing Charles to overhear the conversation between the siblings inside the room. He could also clearly observe Benedict’s cold attitude toward him.

He gripped the doorknob tightly, sighing silently.

A bitter sense of guilt overwhelmed Charles’ heart. Feeling helpless, Charles turned around silently, planning to leave without disturbing them further.

As Charles turned his head, he caught sight of Cedrick in a dark green military uniform, exuding an air of dignity and authority as he walked down the corridor toward him.

The two men locked eyes, and Charles was the first to break the silence. “Mr. Jenson, have you just completed your official duties with the Federal Bureau of Investigation?”

Cedrick hummed lightly, adopting a casual tone. “Gwenny went to the company to handle some matters, and Benny is alone in the lab. I came since I have some free time. Why are you standing at the door instead of going in?”

Charles lowered his eyes, avoiding direct eye contact with Cedrick, and replied, “I’ve finished my visit. I should go back to Newton Group now.”

Cedrick didn’t try to persuade him to stay. Instead, he asked, “Did Zendy come with you? Is she in the ward?”

Right at that moment, Cedrick’s voice reached the ward from outside the corridor.

Zendaya was shocked and looked for a hiding place in a panic. “It’s over, Daddy is here! He must have come to catch me!”

Benedict leaned against the headboard, staring at her indifferently.

“Hush! Benny, don’t make a sound. I need to hide first!”

The ward was clean and devoid of any hiding spots, leaving Zendaya with no choice but to hastily climb into her brother’s bed, seeking refuge.

Benedict didn’t know what to say.

Looking at the small protrusion under the blanket, he couldn’t help but shake his head in resignation.

As Zendaya concealed herself, Cedrick opened the door to the ward.

With a deep and intense gaze, Cedrick surveyed the ward and asked Benedict, “Benny, where is your sister?”

“I don’t know.” Benedict shook his head, subconsciously covering for his sister.

Cedrick’s quick and observant eyes immediately caught sight of the suspicious bulge under the blanket, and he approached it with light steps.

Hearing no movement in the ward, Zendaya whispered from under the blanket, “Benny, is Daddy gone?”

No one answered her.

She was suspicious for a moment, and in the next second, the blanket on her body was suddenly lifted.

Before she could react, Cedrick grabbed her by the back of her collar and lifted her up from the bed.

“Help…”

Zendaya’s small body was lifted into the air, her legs flailing helplessly as she struggled to break free from Cedrick’s firm grip.

Cedrick raised his eyebrows and stared at her with interest. “Zendy, are you playing hide-and-seek with Daddy?”

Zendaya’s giggles filled the room. After failing to conceal her whereabouts, she quickly changed her approach. She smiled brightly and greeted Cedrick, “Good afternoon, Daddy! You’re so clever—you found me in no time!”