Sweet Bastard

It was a busy night in the Contreal city mall of Heralzia, Logan was returning from his laundry job.

Since childhood, Logan Reed had consistently worked hard to make ends meet. As a laundry attendant, his days were spent dashing from one place to another, picking up dirty clothes, and delivering the freshly washed ones to various businesses and individuals across Contreal.

No matter how hard he toiled, his earnings remained insufficient to take care of himself and his mother.

Even though he knew that his wife, Zora, was the second child of The Bennett Family, one of the wealthiest and most successful families in Heralzia, he didn't want to rely on her for financial support.

A feeling of happiness and excitement enveloped him as he walked out of the mall.

The reason for his excitement was a packaged parcel he held in his hand, which contained a beautiful flower vase he had saved up for months to buy for his mother-in-law, Madame Ruthie Bennett.

Even though it was very cheap, he hoped he could impress Zora's siblings by buying their mother a birthday gift.

''Huh, I'm tired of Blake and Ings hating on me. I hope they are impressed when they sees this vase because I've worked hard enough to get it.'' He muttered.

Since the mall was just a stone's throw from the popular estate of the Bennett family, Logan was just some seconds away from getting to the main gate.

The loud music noise from the spacious residence would easily give a stranger the impression that a large ceremony is being held in the estate.

On getting to the estate's main gate, he took a deep breath before clicking the bell.

''Please hold, I'm coming,'' The sound of the bell was replied by the security guard from inside the estate.

The security guard peeped through a small hole in the gate, his eyes scanning Logan's figure before joyfully opening the door.

Logan was accustomed to the guard's scrutinizing gaze, but he was never offended by it because of the guard's kind and welcoming gestures toward him.

Since joining the family, Cody, the guard, has consistently extended a warm welcome to him, unlike certain individuals within the Bennett family.

"Evening, Mr. Reed," the guard greeted, a genuine smile on his face.

"Hey there, Mr. Cody," Logan replied, returning the smile. He appreciated Cody's friendliness; it was a rare commodity in the Bennett estate.

As Logan stepped inside, Cody noticed the package in his hand and the gleam of happiness in his eyes. "What's got you grinning from ear to ear tonight, Sir?" Cody asked, genuinely curious.

Logan's lips curled into a wider smile as he was about to share his excitement, but before he could respond, a familiar voice interrupted from behind.

"Here we go again," Logan muttered under his breath, turning to see Ings approaching.

"Evening, Uncle Logan," Ings greeted, surprising Logan with a smile instead of the usual sarcastic remark.

''What! Ings has never called me uncle.'' Logan pondered to himself.

"Hey, Ings," Logan replied, eyebrows raised in astonishment. He couldn't remember the last time Ings had greeted him without a hint of mockery.

As they exchanged pleasantries, Logan couldn't help but wonder what had prompted this change in Ings' attitude.