Chapter 9 She Would Not Dare

• “Great-grandchild?” Eleanor's eyes shone in anticipation while staring at her grandson, who was still cool as a cucumber.
• “Well, what's the holdup? Tell me. Where's my great-grandchild?” Eleanor urged.
• She couldn't contain her excitement after hearing that.
• In contrast to her eagerness, the expressionless Michael replied in a flat tone, “I thought you were going to chase her out. No great-grandchild for you then.”
• Eleanor was getting confused, so she chided, “What are you talking about? What does she have to do with it?”
• There's no way I'm allowing her to bear my great-grandchild when she did something so shameful.
• Mrs. Bennett's disdainful reply made Michael frown. He picked up his cup again to take a sip before he replied coolly, “I was also in Lexington Hotel last night.”
• Eleanor was surprised that he was upset. Blinking a few times, she studied her grandson, who was always a man of few words. Suddenly, something struck her, and she lost her composure. “So you're saying the sleazy man she slept with was you?”
• Michael's face fell upon hearing that.
• Eleanor was smart enough to know she made a slip of the tongue, so she hurriedly rephrased her question. “Ahem. Mike, you're saying that the man she slept with was you?”
• This time, she dared not call him 'the sleazy man' anymore. Her unblinking eyes were fixated on Michael as she was worried that she might miss any detail.
• “Yes,” Michael answered coolly, still looking upset and menacing.
• Eleanor was not bothered by his cold comportment at all. Instead, she beamed at the thought that Charlotte slept with her grandson without her arrangement. In other words, Charlotte didn't cheat.
• “Ah, so it seems I've misunderstood the situation. She should have told me. God, what if I caused her miscarriage?”
• The corner of Michael's lips twitched.
• “Oh, what did the doctor say? Did it affect the baby?” Eleanor frowned as she started worrying. She'll have to get some nourishment if she's pregnant. Fainting out of the blue means she's weak.
• “She overexerted herself, and she's malnourished.” Michael was surprised by his grandmother's change in attitude.
• Isn't she a tad too eager for a great-grandchild?
• “Malnourished? How did that happen? She'll need to have a balanced diet, or the baby's not going to grow well. We can't let the baby starve.”
• Assuming that she was already pregnant, Eleanor pushed herself up with the walking cane. “I'll get them to prepare some chicken soup for her.”
• “Grandma.” Michael got up and helped her before he continued, “Have you forgiven her?”
• Eleanor squinted at him in surprise. “I see you've fallen for her.”
• He's never been with a woman in almost thirty years, nor did he ever care for one, until now.
• Michael frowned. I've fallen for her? Nah, I just think she's interesting.
• Eleanor smiled when she saw him deep in thought. “I won't object to it if you're really into her since she's a part of us now. As long as she's nice to you, I'll give you my blessings. Nevertheless, it's her fault for drinking around. But since I've punished her, the matter's settled.
• “Oh, and don't do anything like that next time, Mike. I know I was in a hurry to see her, but that doesn't mean you can let her come out wearing nothing but your shirt. That's disgraceful,” she chided him, thinking Charlotte came out looking like that because she was in a hurry to see her.
• “I won't let that happen again, Grandma. Don't worry,” he answered calmly with a solemn expression, seemingly preoccupied with something else.
• “I hope that you could keep our conversation about what happened in the hotel a secret, Grandma. Don't tell anyone about it. Not even Charlotte,” Michael said imperiously. It may seem like a negotiation, but it sounded more like a command.
• “Why? She was with you last night, wasn't she? How do you expect me to keep it a secret from her?” Eleanor stared at him in puzzlement. Charlotte should know that he's Mr. Bennett since she slept with him last night.
• “Just keep it a secret if you want a great-grandchild. You don't have to be nice to her, but don't treat her too harshly,” Michael answered, but he didn't elaborate on the reason for his request.
• He had a sudden urge to play a game with Charlotte since she didn't know who he was yet.
• “What are you trying to do? Eleanor frowned when she noticed the mischief in his eyes. I have no idea what this boy is getting at. He told me that he slept with her, but now it seems like he didn't. Honestly...
• “Suit yourself.” Eleanor was frustrated. Then she thought that there was a possibility that Charlotte's baby wasn't Michael's, and her anger flared. “Are you lying to me to defend her? Did she sleep with someone else?”
• “Do you think I will do that, Grandma? Besides, she's too cowardly to do that. I promise you,” he guaranteed, a sly gleam twinkled in his eyes.
• “Hmph!”
• After that, Michael coaxed her for a while. It was not until he said Charlotte lost her virginity to him that Eleanor finally heaved a sigh of relief. Then she and Edda went downstairs to ask the maid to prepare some chicken soup for Charlotte.
• After seeing her off, Michael went back to his study, his expression returning to his usual haughty one, and nobody dared to go near him.
• “Come to my study,” he commanded in an icy voice.
• A moment later, a man with gold-rimmed spectacles went into the study. It was his executive assistant, Jonah. “Ahem. You called, Mr. Bennett?” he asked respectfully with both hands placed in front of him.
• Michael, who was standing before the window, snapped out of his trance when Jonah came.
• He turned around to glance at the latter and ordered, “Find out what happened and leave no stone unturned.” There was murderous intent in his voice.
• “Huh?” Jonah gawked at him. I thought I've settled the matter? That dumb*ss who tried to pimp out a guy has been dealt with. He's probably in hiding now.
• “The matter with Charlotte,” he emphasized with a grim expression.
• “Yes!” Jonah stood straight and bellowed. After giving Michael a nod, he went out.
• Meanwhile, Michael's eyes were filled with menace.
• Oh, so someone's sabotaging my woman? Well, I'd like to see the one who pulled this off. Someone has the guts to get at us, huh?
• His eyes gleamed, and he looked pensive for a moment.
• Then he went to his bedroom. The maid who was taking care of Charlotte stood up and bowed.
• “Leave us.”
• “Yes, sir.”
• When the man took a look at Charlotte who was still out, a conflicted expression crept up on his face. He was unsure what to feel, but he wanted to stay by her side, and his eyes were fixated on her as if he would never get tired of looking at her.