Charles Bennett’s first time seeing her eat, he was almost scared to death. This was no longer a little girl, but clearly a ravenous beast.

However, thinking of her astonishing strength, Charles Bennett later came to terms with it.

In the family, only Little Emily was allowed to eat outside of regular mealtimes. Usually, when Little Emily ate, her rice bowl would clang noisily, but this time, her mouth was wide open, yet not a sound came out—she clearly sensed the tense atmosphere.

The entire main hall was deathly silent.

“You! Are! Dead!”

Little Emily held her rice bowl, eating voraciously with a smug look, while casting a sympathetic glance from afar. She could already see her Little Charles’s miserable fate.

Although the little girl was simple-minded, she was also especially vengeful because of it. She hadn’t forgotten how her Little Charles had tricked her before!

Charles Bennett had no time to bother with his Little Emily, who was grinding her teeth at him. He knew perfectly well that although his father and mother had let him out, the matter was far from over.

“Father, Mother!”

Unlike usual, Charles Bennett didn’t just sit silently at the table and bury his head in his food like an ostrich. Instead, he walked around the table and stopped beside his father and mother.

Off to the side, Little Emily watched Charles Bennett’s actions, her mouth agape.

What is my Little Charles doing? Doesn’t he know that Father and Mother are furious? Going over now—isn’t that courting death?

But something even more surprising to Little Emily Bennett happened:

“…About this incident, I know I was wrong. From now on, I’ll cut ties with those people from before and won’t associate with them anymore.”

Charles Bennett said with his head lowered.

“Clatter!”

Little Emily Bennett held her chopsticks, staring at her Little Charles’s serious face, so shocked her jaw nearly hit the floor. What was going on? Her Little Charles was actually admitting fault on his own.

Did she hear that right?

She quickly rubbed her eyes and realized she hadn’t misheard.

The oppressive, heavy, stone-like atmosphere in the main hall suddenly loosened a bit. At the head of the dining table, a dignified and elegant middle-aged woman, dressed in a green peony-patterned gauze robe with her hair in a cloud bun, showed a flicker of extreme astonishment in her eyes.

This child actually admitted his mistake on his own?

Helen Carter could hardly believe her ears. She had lectured him countless times about these things, but he never listened, and didn’t care about being grounded or punished.

Sometimes, Helen Carter felt like a complete failure as a mother, which made her feel very frustrated in private, though she never showed it in front of her children.

But this time, he actually apologized and admitted his mistake on his own. Could it be that the child had really changed?

For a moment, Helen Carter lost her composure.

She hoped her child had truly changed, but was afraid it was just wishful thinking. After all, his past behavior had been so disappointing.

“You unfilial son! So you do know you were wrong?”

A cold voice came from the side—it was Charles Bennett’s father, William Bennett, speaking. Charles Bennett’s father had a stern face and piercing eyes, sitting upright like a spear, exuding a powerful sense of oppression.

The Book of Rites says, “A father is kind, a son is filial,” but Charles Bennett felt tremendous pressure. He knew well that this was actually his father restraining his aura.

“What are you saying? Can’t Charlie turn over a new leaf? Didn’t you hear him admit his mistake?”

Helen Carter had been worried that Charles Bennett was just trying to please her, but upon hearing Mr. Bennett’s words, she immediately became displeased. Women were not to interfere in politics, that was the court’s rule, and Helen Carter never meddled in Mr. Bennett’s political or military affairs.

However, since Mr. Bennett was often leading troops away from home, the four children and the large household were basically managed by Mrs. Bennett. In educating the children, Mrs. Bennett Grace Carter held absolute authority.

Though Mr. Bennett was a great general on the battlefield, in this area he couldn’t influence Mrs. Bennett.

Although Charles Bennett kept his head down, he was keenly observant. He could see clearly that while his father William Bennett’s face was still cold and he didn’t look at him directly, his expression had softened slightly and was no longer as rigid and tense as before.

Clearly, his apology had had some effect.

“Father, your criticism is right. I was too unruly and foolish before, making you and Mother worry. From now on, I will truly change my ways.”

Charles Bennett said with his head lowered.

With that, both Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Bennett looked up at the same time, each seeing the surprise in the other’s eyes. This unfilial son’s previous apologies were one thing, but this time, after being scolded, he didn’t talk back—this was like the sun rising in the west.

Once might be a coincidence, but twice was another matter. Could it be that this unfilial son had really changed and realized his mistakes?

“Charlie, don’t listen to your father. Sit down quickly. What’s the point of keeping a long face at the family table?”

Mrs. Bennett quickly instructed.

Charles Bennett responded with an “Mm,” then returned to his seat, sitting properly, eyes downcast, motionless. Since Mr. Bennett and Mrs. Bennett hadn’t picked up their chopsticks, Charles Bennett didn’t move either.