Chapter 228: The Perfect Place (4)
Georgia’s POV
After Vicky’s little post-lunch games, the men quickly surrendered to the call of sleep, blaming last night’s event and Prudence’s cooking that left them far too full to resist a nap.
But between us? I wasn’t buying their excuses. Something definitely went down with Liam and Oliver last night. I just couldn’t quite put my finger on what. And Nick? Well, his sleepiness was already expected after everything.
I slipped away to take a quick call from Katie while Nick disappeared into his room. By the time I returned, Ella had whisked Vicky and Prudence off to the greenhouse, leaving me alone in the living room.
Alone... with Benjamin.
He was sitting quietly on the sofa, almost like he’d been waiting for me to finish.
"Was that your niece?" Benjamin asked as he rose to his feet, his tone surprisingly casual.
"Yeah, it was her," I replied, keeping my voice even.
I still couldn’t read him. He was a man of walls and masks, and yet today there was something different. When he gestured toward the sofa, inviting me to sit, I hesitated before lowering myself onto the cushion.
"You should have brought her with you," he said, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. "She would love it here."
"I know." I managed a small smile. "She actually wanted to come, but I thought... maybe it wouldn’t be appropriate since it’s my first time meeting Prudence."
Benjamin tilted his head, his expression unreadable yet intent. "She told you to call her Mom. You should, even in front of me. And call me Dad, too. You’re family now. So is Katie."
The words sent a strange shiver through me, half warmth, half unease. I had never imagined Benjamin saying something like that.
"How is she holding up without her parents?" he asked suddenly.
I blinked, caught off guard. Of all the questions he could ask, that wasn’t one I expected.
"She’s doing well," I said softly. "She was only three when it happened, so she doesn’t really feel the absence of her dad. And as for her mom, she can’t remember much—just the pictures I show her.
For Katie, I’m her mom. Wendy, her nanny, is her grandmother. I try my best, but with the company... with everything... I can’t always be there. Most days, Wendy is the one taking care of her. I really feel guilty about it. But I make sure to always video call her."
For a moment, Benjamin was silent, his eyes fixed on me with a weight I couldn’t name. And in that stillness, I couldn’t help but wonder—was this the stern man Nick grew up with, or was this a side of him no one ever got to see?
"Then you should take Nick’s offer," Benjamin said matter-of-factly.
I nearly choked on my own breath. Of all the things I expected from him, encouragement was not one of them. I’d braced myself for opposition, maybe even a lecture. But this? This was Benjamin, Nick’s stern father, practically nudging me forward.
He leaned back, voice steady. "That way, you can focus on Katie. And also on your health. And..." his lips curved ever so slightly, "on giving us a grandchild. I’m not saying don’t work. Just... do the work you love."
I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing. Vicky and Nick were right—Benjamin was already desperate for a grandchild. And here I was, still unsure if I was ready for that responsibility. Katie alone was already a whirlwind, and imagining a baby on top of it? The thought made my chest tighten and flutter at the same time.
He continued. "Leave the burden of running a business you don’t have an interest in to Nick. Ella told me you’re her investor and that you’d love to run that business with her if you could. Maybe now’s the best time to do it.
I have been a businessman ever since I was born. My father trained me to be one. One thing I learned from him is the rule of delegation. By letting trusted, capable, knowledgeable people run your business is much better than working hard to understand something that you are not passionate about. That’s what makes a business successful."
I actually agree with him. "Thank you," I said softly, meaning every word. "That... means a lot to me. Honestly, I thought you’d be the first one to say no. To tell me not to take Nick’s offer."
Benjamin’s low chuckle surprised me. "So I’m a villain in your eyes, huh? Well, I expected that, given how we met and how our families got entangled in that mess," His tone wasn’t accusing, just lightly teasing, and it made me smile.
He stood and gestured toward the garden path outside. "How about we take a walk? I’ll tell you a story."
I hesitated for a beat, then nodded. "Alright."
As I rose to follow him, I couldn’t help but think—maybe, just maybe, Benjamin Knight wasn’t the man I thought he was.
I followed Benjamin, but he slowed his pace until we were walking side by side. It felt intentional—like he wanted me to feel equal, not just someone trailing behind.
"Before my parents passed," he began, his voice carrying a weight that made me straighten, "it had already been decided that Nick would inherit the chairmanship. The company. Of course, Violet fought it, and so did Reagan. But Nick refused it."
I blinked, trying to picture Nick back then—so young, already burdened with choices that could shape entire empires.
Benjamin’s gaze drifted ahead as though he could see something beyond the horizon. "Now that he’s back, taking interest in the fleet... my greatest wish is for him to also take interest in leading the whole group. To finally accept what my father and I always wanted for him." He paused, then cracked the faintest smile. "But don’t get me wrong. Him, producing a grandchild still tops the list."
The laugh that burst out of me was unguarded, loud, and free. It surprised even me, and judging by Benjamin’s raised brow, it surprised him, too. For the first time, I felt a little at ease around him. Maybe even... comfortable.
So I risked it. "If you don’t mind me asking," I began carefully, "why Nick? Why not Reagan? He’s the eldest, he’s been running the port the longest, and he clearly wants it. Why not give it to him instead?"
Benjamin stopped walking. The air shifted. His calm expression hardened into something sharper, more serious.
My stomach flipped.
Crap. What did I just do?
We were actually enjoying the conversation, and now here I was, poking into something that I shouldn’t. I didn’t fully understand. Regret burned hot in my chest, but the words were already out. Too late to take them back.
*******
Thanks for the Golden Tickets!
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