Chapter 91: Chapter 90: Filter
Bennett Family’s old mansion.
The standalone extended villa, built against the mountain, has a modern style. The originally light blue pool is covered with soft snow, hiding the stone path that winds from the pool to the door.
The entire style of the Bennett Family’s decoration was later rearranged according to the preferences of Zane Bennett, the generation most favored by the old lady.
Inside the villa, in the study.
"Great! My well-raised son is fighting against his own father!"
Just after the New Year’s Eve dinner, Norman Bennett was called to the study by Philip Bennett.
In the spacious yet not empty study, Philip Bennett stood with his back to his son, one hand on the corner of the table, speaking in a low and angry tone.
Faced with his father’s angry questioning, Norman Bennett said nothing, just stood there straight, his face showing no emotion, indifferent to everything in front of him.
After not hearing his son speak for a long time, Philip Bennett frowned, thinking that his son had already left the study; he suddenly turned around, only to meet Norman Bennett’s eyes, as calm as a cold pool.
Those eyes were very intimidating.
Just like that deceased woman, his gaze showed a coldness that was unapproachable for strangers.
Even his temperament was similar, patient and affable to close ones, but unwilling to say more than a word to those he disliked.
Clearly, he was one of those disliked in Norman Bennett’s eyes.
"Great! Just great! You can even establish your own establishment!" Philip Bennett’s eyes widened with anger, his brows furrowed, even the corners of his mouth drooped, his face darkened considerably with rage.
"What is father referring to?"
This was the first sentence Norman Bennett said since he remained silent, yet it inexplicably intensified Philip Bennett’s anger.
"I told you not to interfere with the Lyle Corporation’s affairs! Yet you secretly invested in Lyle Corporation behind my back, do you know that! I’m trying to expand..."
Philip Bennett’s words were interrupted by Norman Bennett: "Father is mistaken, I did not invest in Lyle Corporation behind your back, I act openly and never engage in shady activities."
This statement stunned Philip Bennett, then he realized the underlying sarcasm and indirect criticism, nearly fainting on the spot from the surge of anger.
"You rebellious son! How did I end up with a son like you?"
Knock, knock, knock!
Zane Bennett, who was eavesdropping outside the door, quickly knocked on it, fearing something major might happen during the New Year that could upset the elderly grandparents, which would be a big problem.
"Come in!"
Philip Bennett also suppressed his anger, but his face looked worse than having swallowed a fly.
The door opened, revealing a bright smiling face, "Dad, bro, what are you doing here? I’ve been looking all over for you."
"I’m discussing something with your brother." Philip Bennett replied perfunctorily.
Compared to Norman Bennett, his uncontrollable eldest son, he valued this younger son more, at least he wasn’t capable of opposing him.
Thinking of this, Philip Bennett couldn’t help but sigh to himself, if it weren’t for that incident, he wouldn’t have ended up with only these two sons.
"Are you finished talking yet? It’s lively in the courtyard," Zane Bennett smiled with some excitement as if he really came to say this to them.
After leaving the study, the brothers walked together, Zane Bennett’s smile faded, replaced with a look of helplessness.
"Bro, are you okay?"
"I’m fine."
"Oh ~" Zane Bennett pursed his lips and nodded, then seemed to think of something worth delight, saying, "Bro, you didn’t know, just now in the courtyard, even Luna wasn’t fond of Mia Clarke."
Mia Clarke was their stepmother, a woman the whole Bennett Family almost universally disliked.
Zane Bennett would always remember that year when this woman climbed into their father’s bed and was caught by his mother, who was playing with him.
At a young age, he could see his mother’s eyes trembling, later becoming more withdrawn and finally dying by consuming a large amount of sleeping pills while wearing her wedding dress from marrying Philip Bennett.
He remembered his mother’s death, how beautiful and serene she looked, with a slight smile on her face. A year after her death, Mia Clarke entered the Bennett Family’s door, and he recognized this woman.
Zane Bennett unconsciously clenched his fists, then weakly released them.
Hearing the name Mia Clarke from his brother, Norman Bennett showed no other reaction; this woman was insignificant in the Bennett Family.
Seeing his brother silently gritting his teeth, he raised his hand to gently pat his shoulder, "Get up early tomorrow to visit mom."
"Okay." Zane Bennett exhaled with relief, nodding.
"Uncle... Uncle... help us light the fireworks ~"
At this moment, a group of children ran over, all kids of relatives or neighbors, but when they saw Norman Bennett, they instinctively stopped as if they had hit a car, and the leading child almost fell.
After stopping, they became slightly more well-behaved, no longer shouting loudly or running around.
They were afraid of this serious and aloof uncle, always feeling they might get scolded next, even though he had never actually bullied them.
A little girl, about six years old, led them, the daughter of Norman Bennett’s cousin, having the Bennett surname since her father and uncle were live-in sons-in-law.
She first sneaked a glance at Norman Bennett, then went to tug at Zane Bennett’s jacket, softly pleading, "Uncle, my mom wants you to help me light fireworks ~"
"Okay, light the fireworks," Zane Bennett smiled brightly, poking the little girl’s nose.
Zane Bennett left with the children to the yard.
Under the bright moonlight, Norman Bennett stood alone on the empty balcony, a black coat fluttering in the distant wind carrying snow.
His expression was chill and indifferent, deep eyes slightly lowered, watching the juniors in the courtyard.
The entire courtyard was filled with laughter, sparkling sparklers, and children chasing one another.
The laughter of the little girl downstairs made him think of her smile, his thin lips involuntarily curling into a slight smile. The sound of footsteps behind him promptly restored his usual composure.
"Bro~ come down and play, what are you doing here?" Zane Bennett held two burning sparklers, the white light illuminating his sunny face.
"Bro, here you go."
"Childish."
Norman Bennett ungraciously left Zane Bennett with two words of comment before crossing past him.
"Hey!? So it’s childish? Let me tell you, that stubborn kid... sister-in-law also likes this, are we not going to listen to you talk about her?" Zane Bennett chased after him with the half-burned sparklers.
Luna secretly followed Zane Bennett away and then came up behind them, initially dazed when seeing Norman Bennett coming toward her, then shyly said, putting her hands behind her back, "Uncle, my mom says you’re lonely and pitiful all by yourself, and she wants me to play with you."
...
On the second day of the Lunar New Year.
Elliana Lyle voluntarily asked Grandma Hue for permission to leave, and Grandma Hue knew about Hum Me’s little schemes; one was a daughter, the other a long-unseen granddaughter, so she could only reprimand Hum Me mildly.
Thinking of this, Grandma Hue couldn’t help but sigh, feeling helpless over the situation with Elliana in the Hue Family.
"Alright, I’ll have someone take you back. A girl’s family can’t keep her for long."
"Grandma, I will come to see you often." Elliana Lyle smiled obediently.
Leaving in the uncle’s car, Elliana watched as her somewhat shorter uncle personally loaded her luggage, his caring tone resembling that of a nagging father.
Elliana suddenly felt somewhat uncomfortable.
She remembered when she first reincarnated, her father was very concerned about her, and she also recalled her father caring deeply for her mother. In her past life, she thought her father was hypocritical, but in this life, she believed she must have been mistaken in her previous life.
Turns out, she really was mistaken.
Maybe in her past life, her father’s death made her look at him through rose-colored glasses.