Chapter 1721: Better than rum or wine

In the end, everyone decided to continue the discussion after getting some sleep. After all, everything that had happened tonight was just too much.

Today had been a long day.

So, they allowed themselves a moment of rest—to think with fresh minds come morning.

Even so, since Mint had arrived late, Hugo and Slater stayed behind to summarize everything for her. There was no way Zoren would go through all of that again just for her. Maybe, if Mint were Penny, he would. But Mint had challenged him too many times and had no shame in publicly announcing her intentions toward Penny.

The Bennet brothers chose to stay at the residence for the night, given how late it was. Dean was also given the option to stay, but he refused.

He was not a masochist—there was no way he’d stay the night in his uncle’s house with his wife. So, Zoren’s men escorted Dean home, where they would also be temporarily stationed for his security.

As for Finn, he left as well. His home was just a few minutes away, where his fiancée was waiting.

And like that, their night concluded... or so they hoped.

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[Bennet Mansion]

After the call ended, Charles remained in the study where he’d been listening in. His expression was stern as he let out a heavy sigh.

He pushed himself up from behind the desk and walked toward the liquor stand in the corner. Quietly, he poured himself a glass of rum—something he rarely touched nowadays.

Taking a small sip, he walked over to the window. He opened it for fresh air, sighing again, this time even heavier.

"Zorken Family, huh?" he murmured, holding the glass of rum before him, eyes gazing out into the night. "And Zoren’s a part of it now."

Since Zoren was Naylani’s son, a direct bloodline of the Zorken Family, Charles couldn’t help but feel there was more Nathalie wanted. After all, Nathalie was infertile. Surely, she wouldn’t consider Jonathan, who was the result of the impostor’s affair with another man, as her heir.

Knowing what he did about the Zorken Family’s twisted sense of pride and ego, Charles understood this much: even the late Mr. Zorken would rather invest a fortune to cultivate his own child, even at the risk of losing his and his wife’s ability to have more heirs.

In simple terms, the Zorken Family was obsessed with preserving power within their bloodline. It was a traditional, outdated belief—but not surprising for people who lived in a secret society separated from the world.

Taking that into account, it was likely that Nathalie wanted something from Zoren. If not to take him... then to eliminate him.

Another heavy sigh escaped Charles. "How am I supposed to protect my son from that?"

As Charles brooded over how to prevent that outcome, Allison quietly entered the study. She held the door, eyes on her husband’s back as he stood by the window. Normally, he would’ve noticed, but he just kept staring outside.

With that, Allison approached him.

She leaned against the other side of the window, arms crossed under her chest, wrapped in her night robe.

"What is it now, Charles?" she asked softly. "It’s rare to see you awake this late. If anything, this is around the time you should be waking up—and yet, you haven’t slept."

She tilted her head slightly, observing her husband. "What’s bothering you?"

Charles exhaled heavily and shrugged. "I’m just worried about our sons."

He paused, then added, "Especially Zoren." His gaze drifted back to the window, a weary smile softening his face. "I don’t know how to protect him... or if I even can."

A moment of silence passed between them.

"Charles." She broke it gently, waiting for him to meet her eyes before smiling. "You’ve protected this family even when it hurt, even when it was heavy. You did it when no one noticed, and even when no one would give you a medal for it."

She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist from the side, resting her chin on his shoulder blade. Her expression was full of warmth.

"Back then, we kept asking ourselves if we were doing the right thing as parents," she continued. "Even when we weren’t sure we were being good parents... our children turned out to be good people. Not perfect—but good. And that’s all because of their father."

Charles let out a soft chuckle. "I don’t think so. It’s because their mother is a good woman."

"No," Allison said, shaking her head. "I know that if it had just been me, I don’t think I could’ve managed."

And she meant every word. It wasn’t that she thought herself a bad mother, but she knew that without Charles’s guidance and steady leadership in their home, things could’ve turned out very differently, especially for their sons.

"So don’t wonder whether you can protect Zoren from all this," she added gently. "As long as you do your best, it’s never wasted. It’s never a failure—unless you stop trying. Unless you stop being a parent."

Charles’s eyes softened. He placed the glass of rum on the windowsill and tilted his head, resting it lightly against hers. Reaching for the arms wrapped around him, he smiled, letting her warmth settle his heart.

"My wife’s still the best," he murmured. "Better than rum and wine."

Allison chuckled, squeezing him a little tighter. "Of course I am."

They stayed like that—quiet, close. Allison didn’t ask for the details. She didn’t probe. She already knew that if Charles stayed up this late worrying, then whatever it was, it was serious.

But she also knew that if he wanted to tell her, he would.

And honestly? She preferred it this way. Because no matter what it was, she believed he had it under control.

Even if he said he didn’t... she believed he would find a way.

That was her husband.

That was the man her children called Dad.

And that was the father who would do anything to protect his children.