Chapter 13 Father-Son Reunion

• “Young Master Ethan, when you and Miss Thea were dining, we didn’t dare to step away and lose sight of you, so we didn’t send anyone after Young Master Benedict. However, I did inform Mr. Johns to take Young Master Benedict home.”
• Ethan looked up and noticed Dylan slightly curling his lips upward, knowing he was trying to keep a straight face.
• “Do I look like a clown to you?”
• “No, I just…”
• “Very well. You’ll lose half of your bonus this month.”
• Upon hearing that, Dylan had his face turned sour as he grumbled, “But, Young Master Ethan…”
• “If you keep talking, all of your bonus is going to be gone.” Ethan stared at his subordinate while asserting his authority.
• Dylan was rendered speechless in that instant, mumbling to himself on the inside, Man! Today really isn’t my day, as if dealing with a difficult boss isn’t enough.
• Not long after that, the car pulled up outside the Jennings Manor, which was lit up with bright lights in the quiet, dark night. In the illuminating moonlight, the lights attached to the trees were shining on the manor, accentuating its magnificence as it presented a spellbound view.
• As soon as Gregory heard the sound of the car engine being turned off, he, who was keeping watch outside the room, anxiously urged the male attendant, saying, “Hurry up! Young Master Ethan is back. Is Young Master Benedict done?”
• “Yes. Yes, he is done,” the attendant nervously replied while taking Rowan, who was in his pajamas, out of the house.
• In the meantime, Rowan was annoyed at being treated like a toy because he was forcibly dragged by the staff into the bathroom for a shower. After that, he was to change a set of new clothes, but Gregory threw the boy’s T-shirt away along with his other attire, as he didn’t like their quality. Then, he forced Rowan to change into a pair of new silk pajamas that felt smooth and fitted him just perfectly. This pair of pajamas look just nice on Young Master, although the old-fashioned dark color makes him look older than he is.
• Soon, the maid gently wiped Rowan’s hair dry with a towel and set a curly hairstyle for the little boy. After the shower, his fair skin and distinguishable facial features looked especially obvious as he pouted and glared at Gregory. Nonetheless, the boy’s annoyed look only seemed adorable to the butler, melting the latter’s heart. Young Master is simply too cute! He then held Rowan’s hands and walked him downstairs to the parlor while telling him what he should do. “Young Master, Young Master Ethan is about to be back. So you must apologize to him later, no matter what happened between the two of you previously. Are you clear?”
• “Oh, come on! You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Rowan grunted while fixing his gaze on a tall figure standing in front of him.
• When Ethan stepped into the parlor, he habitually took his coat shortly before the maid courteously took it and hung it on the valet stand. When the maid looked up, she happened to witness Rowan and Ethan exchanging gazes with each other.
• As soon as Rowan saw Ethan, his mouth was left wide agape out of surprise. Why does he look so much like me? “You…”
• “What’re you going to say about me?” Ethan sank into the couch and pursed his lips unhappily. “Is that how you should behave in front of someone older? Come here.” How dare he treat me so rudely in front of everyone! I must teach him a lesson for that.
• As Rowan continued to stand still, he somehow felt a sense of insecurity about the uncanny resemblance between him and Ethan. Nonetheless, he tried to hide his fear and looked askance at Ethan, folding his arms with a haughty look on his face. “Is that how you show your concern for a child?”
• Rendered speechless by the boy’s reaction, the servants took a deep breath nervously as they felt worried for Rowan. Oh my gosh! This boy is definitely playing with fire.
• “Stop messing around, Young Master. Young Master Ethan is your father, and he usually doesn’t like to repeat his words.” Gregory, the butler, was trying to save the situation.
• Rowan continued to show his haughty attitude. “I don’t like to repeat my words either, plus he could come here too.”
• The next moment, Ethan, who was sitting on the couch all the time, suddenly stood up just as the entire parlor was filled with an uncomfortable and oppressive silence. Then, the man squinted and fixed his gaze on the boy intimidatingly. “What did you just say?!”
• Intimidated by the man's menacing aura, Rowan flinched and took a few steps backward. Then, he stood up straight and tried to hide his fear as he pretended to look calm with his hands on his waist. “I was walking on the street, minding my own business, until you guys kidnapped me and took me back here. What do you want from me? If you don’t let me go, I’m going to call the police and have them arrest you for abducting and abusing a child.” The boy began to sob uncontrollably.
• “Very well! Since you accuse me of abusing you, I should probably live up to my reputation in order to not let you down. Don’t you think so?” Ethan chuckled ironically like he had just heard a foolish joke. “Gregory, take him to the naughty room now and lock him up there. Make sure he stays there until he admits his mistake.”
• Feeling helpless and frustrated, Gregory quickly urged the boy to make amends. “Young Master, your father is seriously angry now. So, please apologize for your mistake immediately.”
• “He is not the only one who’s angry because I’m angry too.” Rowan pursed his lips and pouted with his eyes wide open. “Don’t you think you can throw your weight around just because you’re my father? We may look alike, but I won’t be scared by you, devil!”
• While the boy’s bold words caught everyone by surprise and rendered them speechless, they couldn’t help but wonder how he had the guts to talk back like that. What’s wrong with Young Master Benedict? Has he been bottling up his anger for way too long? Is that why he is having an anger outburst now?
• Ethan was furious that his authority was challenged in the Jennings Manor for the first time. Annoyed and irritated, he could be seen with the veins on his forehead bulging. “Look at what you’ve become after a few hours of freedom that were given to you. Benedict Jennings, do you seriously think you’re in charge of this house?”
• “What? I’m not Benedict… Um…”
• Rowan’s face was seen with his scarlet cheeks, while his eyes dilated in horror. After all, Gregory carried him away and gagged his mouth with his hand just when the boy was about to bring the words out of his throat. Therefore, he glared at the butler with his darkened eyes, hinting to the latter to let him go.
• “I’m sorry, Young Master Ethan. It’s my fault that I failed to take good care of Young Master Benedict. He must have caught a cold last night, which is why he can barely think straight now and speak wisely. I suppose he should get his time out now.” Gregory’s forehead was covered in sweat, his heart beating crazily like a jackhammer. Deep down, he was too scared to witness what would ensue the stalemate between the father and son, so he reluctantly took the boy to the naughty room and locked him up there.
• Rowan struggled and kicked wildly, but Gregory’s strong restraint rendered his effort futile, no matter how hard he tried to break free from the man’s grip. Soon, he was locked inside the so-called naughty room that turned out to be just another ordinary room by the stairs on the third floor.
• Although the room seemed desolated and cold with its black and white tone, the place was surprisingly squeaky clean, thanks to the servants in the house. While the refreshing air was filled with a pleasant fragrance, the table was seen with multiple books and many other miscellaneous items. At the same time, Rowan glanced across those things until his eyes fell upon a giant painting hanging on the wall.
• In the painting, a little boy appeared to be wearing a knight’s armor from the medieval period, with a medieval helm and a sword in his hand. As his hair seemed neat and tidy, his eyes and graceful pose made him seem like a member of a noble family. At the sight of that, Rowan paused in confusion and wondered to himself, Is that me in the painting? No, that’s another boy who looks exactly like me.