"Butler Jen!"
Allen’s lively voice rang out the mont Butler Jen stepped out of the lift. The latter’s expression lit up as he t the man halfway.
"Butler Jen, this is a surprise! I never thought you’d visit us here—ever!" Allen, Atlas’s secretary even back at Global Pri Logistics, was in awe. "What brings you here?"
He instinctively glanced down, expecting Butler Jen to be carrying packed lunches for Atlas. But there were none.
"Forgive my manners. I ca without bringing anything," Butler Jen sighed, prompting a chuckle from Allen.
"That’s alright. It was rude of to assu." Allen motioned with his hand. "Anyway, please follow . Sir Atlas is still in a eting with the CEO, but he said he’ll return shortly."
"Thank you."
With that, Butler Jen followed Allen to the corner office on the floor.
As Allen opened the door, he asked, "Would you prefer tea or coffee?"
"Anything is fine, Sir Allen."
"Hehe. You’re a guest here, and I can finally offer you sothing," Allen said with a giddy wink. "I’ll be right back. Please take any seat while I prepare it."
"Thank you." Butler Jen gave a polite nod as Allen closed the door. Even after it shut, he looked at it and chuckled softly.
Shaking his head, Butler Jen glanced around the sleek, minimalist office.
"I bet he doesn’t like the interior," he comnted, knowing Atlas preferred more old-fashioned designs. But then again, Atlas was adaptable enough to be fine with minimalism, too.
Taking a seat on the sofa, he sat with a straight back and scanned the room quietly. His fingers tapped against his leg as he wondered how long until Atlas ca down.
He shouldn’t have wondered — because a minute later, the door swung open.
Butler Jen turned his head, assuming it was Allen returning with the tea. But it wasn’t.
"Sir Atlas," he greeted, rising from his seat.
"You don’t have to stand, Butler Jen," Atlas said, approaching and motioning for him to sit. "Why hasn’t Allen offered you any refreshnt yet?"
Butler Jen chuckled. "He said he’ll prepare it just a mont ago."
"I see." Instead of placing down the folder he was carrying, Atlas settled into the one-seater armchair.
Just then, Allen’s voice called out.
"Butler Jen..." he trailed off, pushing the door open with his shoulder as he carefully balanced the tea tray.
Butler Jen began to rise to help, but Allen quickly said, "It’s alright, Butler Jen. Don’t worry. I’ve got it."
"Oh." Butler Jen nodded, watching Allen skillfully balance the tray and reach them without spilling a drop.
"Butler Jen, just let him be," Atlas remarked flatly, eyes still on him. "It’s the least he can do after you saved him from a death sentence."
Allen’s face twitched, but he didn’t argue. He simply served the tea, whispering, "He’s right."
"Haha." Butler Jen chuckled. "Thank you."
"Hehe." Allen lowered his head after setting the cups down. "I got this tea from Sir Benjamin’s stash — the one the CEO likes. I hope it suits your taste, Butler Jen."
"I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. Thank you."
"Hehe."
Atlas frowned slightly, almost glaring at Allen. Sensing it, the latter shivered and peeked at him.
Geez!
Forcing a smile, Allen quietly excused himself to give the two so privacy. Both Butler Jen and Atlas watched him leave before Atlas turned his attention back to the butler.
"What’s wrong, Butler Jen?" he asked, getting straight to the point. "You only ever co to when sothing’s troubling you at ho."
Slowly, Butler Jen turned to Atlas and sighed. The young man truly knew him.
"I’m worried about Sir Haines and your father."
"What about them?" Atlas tilted his head slightly. "Did they argue again?"
"Yes."
"They always make up without apologizing. They’ll be fine."
Butler Jen shook his head. "I don’t think that’ll be the case this ti." He looked up and t Atlas’s gaze, sighing deeply once more.
Seeing his expression, Atlas’s brows knitted. Now that he thought about it, Butler Jen had expressed concerns about Haines and Charles before — but never enough to co all the way to Pierson Corporation. For him to be here now, the situation must be serious.
"What happened, Butler Jen?"
"Sir Atlas, has your father ever ntioned anything about his ti in the military?" Butler Jen asked carefully, needing confirmation before proceeding.
"Are you referring to..."
"That."
A heavy silence settled between them as they stared at each other. Then, after a mont, Atlas gave a slow nod.
"If you’re asking whether we know about the abduction and torture, yes — he ntioned it," Atlas said in his usual flat tone, understanding Butler Jen’s caution. "Not just to , but to Uncle Haines and my siblings as well."
"I see." Butler Jen let out a deep breath. "Then you also know the reason behind the abduction?"
"Yes. I’m surprised you know that too. If I rember right, Dad told us he hadn’t shared that part with anyone."
"He didn’t tell directly," Butler Jen explained. "But I was there during his rehabilitation. I found out eventually. We just... never talked about it."
"I see." Atlas nodded in understanding. "So, what about it? How does this connect to Uncle Haines and Dad’s current issue?"
Butler Jen pressed his lips together before exhaling.
"The woman who was one of the casualties — the reason for your father’s abduction — was Sir Haines’s lover in the past."
"What?" Atlas furrowed his brows, unsure whether to be more surprised that Haines had a lover or by the revelation itself.
"Sir Haines kept the relationship private to protect her from the Bennet family’s judgnt. But he loved her — planned to marry her, even. She disappeared on the day he was going to propose," Butler Jen said, summarizing the story. "She’s the very reason Sir Haines hadn’t married, and had stayed away from the matter completely."
"But sohow, yesterday, they discovered she was the sa woman who beca a casualty during your father’s final operation before his discharge."
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