Lily has always known Ben's temperament.
He's wary of strangers and doesn't like socializing much.
So Lily gently prompted, "Ben, be good, say hello. This is your grandfather and grandmother."
Little Ben glanced at his mom, saw the hopeful light in her beautiful almond eyes.
Then obediently, with a voice completely different from the one he used to speak with Lily, he said coolly,
"Hello, grandfather. Hello, grandmother."
Though his voice was crisp and calm, it still brought a delighted smile to the faces of the Duke and Sylvia Scott.
"Good, good... Ben, your grandfather came in a hurry and didn't bring you a gift. What do you think of this hotel? Grandpa will give it to you, okay?"
The Duke wanted to please his grandson. He and Sylvia both knew this child had a tough time growing up, so they wanted to compensate him more.
But to their surprise, little Ben didn't even lift his eyelids, just shook his head sullenly.
