PAMPERED BY MY THREE BROTHERS: THE RETURN OF THE NEGLECTED HEIRESS Chapter 1858: He is the problem

"Welcome back, son."

Atlas returning home today was completely unexpected for the family. However, his arrival was far from unwelcome; if anything, it was the very thing they had been desperately praying for.

"Atlas, why didn't you give anyone a heads-up that you were coming?" Allison murmured, reaching out to grasp his hand. She felt the urge to embrace him, but since Hugo, Penny, and Slater were already clinging to him, she decided not to add to the crowded huddle.

A faint smile touched Atlas’s lips. "I wanted it to be a surprise for everyone."

"First Brother, it’s wonderful to have you back," Nina said with a warm smile, prompting Atlas to turn his gaze toward her.

"I apologize for missing your wedding," he replied, before shifting his attention to Finn.

Finn offered a bright grin. "Don't worry about it. We had your photo and a life-sized standee there, so it felt like you were with us."

"My boy!" Charles exclaimed, gripping Atlas’s shoulder firmly while Zoren stood close by.

Zoren remained silent for a moment, observing Atlas intently. To him, the man looked exactly as they remembered. He shared a smile with Atlas, who returned the gesture with a respectful nod.

"First Brother! Why have you been ignoring me?!" Slater cried out in protest, hugging his brother’s leg and peering up at him reproachfully.

"I reply once every three days," Atlas stated simply, causing Slater to let out a pathetic whimper.

"How can you say that?! Do you even read what I send? Your responses are so short!" Slater harrumphed. Penny joined the complaint, having also been flooding Atlas’s phone with messages. "Exactly! Why do you get back to him every three days but only reply to me once every five?"

And usually, all they ever got back was a cold "ok"!

"..." Atlas exhaled softly, letting their antics slide. He looked around the room, taking in the affectionate smiles directed his way.

"I'm truly happy you're home, son," Charles said, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and a nod.

Atlas gave a subtle nod in return. "Me too, Dad."

Even though his siblings were still whining like children, the scene was exactly how he had envisioned his homecoming.

"Hello, everyone!" Suddenly, Allen’s head popped into the family room from the hallway.

"ALLEN!" Benjamin yelled, leaping up and sprinting past Atlas. Standing before Allen, he bounced with excitement, his eyes sparkling.

Allen smirked, and as if they were perfectly synchronized, they shouted in unison, "I have so much gossip to tell you!"

The once quiet atmosphere of the family room was instantly flooded with energy as the household celebrated the return of Atlas and Allen.

Butler Jen stood off to the side, watching as Atlas interacted with the group while stoically ignoring his siblings' dramatic weeping. In another corner, Benjamin, Allen, and Mint were already deep in a non-stop gossip session.

A gentle smile appeared on Butler Jen’s face as he breathed a sigh of relief. A full year had passed since Atlas’s departure. His absence had left a palpable void of loneliness, particularly for Charles, Allison, and the younger children.

He might not be staying for long, Butler Jen mused, his smile widening until his eyes crinkled. But at least for this moment, this house feels whole again.

To the outside world, this was merely a grand mansion for a wealthy clan. But to those inside, it was simply home.

It was a place brimming with life, laughter, and affection.

The children had matured into impressive young men and women, yet this residence remained the ultimate sanctuary for them to return to.

That was a truth that time could never alter.

---

"Ah!"

While the rest were occupied, Charles, Hugo, and Zoren cornered Allen as he was coming back from the backyard. Allen nearly jumped out of his skin when he turned around to find the three men looming over him.

"Ye—yes?" Allen stammered, his eyes darting between them. They looked incredibly grim, as if he had committed some grave offense. "Did I... do something wrong?"

"Give us the straight story," Charles demanded. "What is the real reason you're both here?"

"Why did you two actually return?" Hugo pressed. Zoren added in a stern tone, "Did something happen over there?"

A look of deep conflict crossed Allen’s face at their interrogation. Seeing his hesitant expression, the trio felt a surge of anxiety.

"What is it?" Charles asked more forcefully. "Does he require our help?"

"Uh..." Allen rubbed the back of his neck. "No, sir. The truth is..."

He stopped, sighed, and leaned in to whisper conspiratorially. "They absolutely hate him."

Hugo, Zoren, Charles: "..."

"He wasn't technically allowed to leave the island, but the entire staff was practically begging him to take a break," Allen explained nervously. "I had to drag him home before he ended up killing everyone. Even Madam Sybil’s intake of maintenance pills has tripled since he took charge."

Atlas wasn't supposed to depart from the secret society, but his absence was the only thing ensuring everyone else's survival.

Once again, the three men were stunned into silence.

"Before he took over the leadership, she was expected to live another five years. Now, I hear she might only have six months left. They just needed a vacation from him," Allen added cautiously. "So, this isn't really his holiday. It’s a holiday for everyone else."

"So, yes, there is a problem. It's him. Young Master Atlas is the problem."

The trio blinked, completely dumbfounded. When they finally found their voices, they all uttered the same word with different inflections.

Hugo: "Wow."

Zoren nodded slowly. "Wow?"

"Wow!" Charles huffed. "I never realized my eldest son was THE problem until this very moment."

Allen let out a long sigh. He really is, he thought, though his lips curled with a hint of pride.

Despite the mixed feelings within the Secret Society, the Zorken Family, and the Shadow Order, everyone agreed on one thing:

Atlas was undeniably the most capable—and most terrifying—leader the Zorken Family had ever seen. From the moment he touched the family’s assets and territories, he hadn't just secured powerful alliances; he had commanded the absolute respect of everyone in the Zorken and the Shadow Order.

They might have resented his intensity, but they respected him above all others.

"He’s doing well, overall," Allen assured them with a firm nod. "Besides the fact that he truly missed all of you, he’s fine. He is Young Master Atlas, after all."

Charles, Hugo, and Zoren scrutinized Allen one last time. Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, they finally relaxed.

"You've changed quite a bit, haven't you?" Charles noted, causing Allen to blink. "It’s not just my imagination, you look..."

"Stronger," Hugo finished for him, and Charles nodded.

"More composed as well," Zoren added with a warm smile. "Thank you, Allen."

"Huh? Thank me for what—"

"For staying by his side," Hugo chuckled softly. "If you hadn't gone, I was prepared to go myself. But I don't think my wife would have been happy if I disappeared on her again."

"Start treating your wife better," Charles snapped at Hugo. He was tired of hearing about Hugo’s suffocating level of devotion to his spouse.

"Hehe." Allen rubbed his head sheepishly.

Reassured by Allen’s words, the trio finally settled down. They began asking about Allen’s own experiences as they made their way back to the barbecue in the garden.

There were likely many things Allen couldn't reveal, but his presence alone was enough to soothe their hearts. The Bennets and the Piersons would always be profoundly grateful to the man named Allen.