Chapter 118: His Pleas Went Unnoticed

Benjamin arrived back at Oakleaf Estates at 12:30 PM, and he only had thirty minutes to cook.

He had asked Laura to prepare the ingredients in advance, with which he managed to make several dishes.

Sophia eyed the three dishes and one soup on the table, feeling it was somewhat sparse.

"Laura, Benjamin came home for a meal, and the new chef made only this much?"

Usually, when Benjamin came home for a meal, the chef would prepare at least six dishes, one soup, and two desserts. Today's lunch seemed a bit rushed.

Hearing Sophia's question, Laura instinctively looked toward Benjamin.

Benjamin didn't glance at Laura. Instead, he nonchalantly fiddled with a fork on the table.

"I didn't know Mr. Taylor would be home for lunch. The new chef had something to do this afternoon and left early after making lunch."

Laura replied to Sophia's query and then looked at Benjamin, "Should I have the maid make some snacks?"

"No need," Benjamin spoke indifferently as if it were indeed the new chef who made the lunch.

"I'll make do."

Sophia didn't press further and picked up a fork to try a piece of steak.

Her eyes brightened. It was the first time she felt such happiness from a meal.

Benjamin noted her pleased expression as she enjoyed the food, and he smirked.

He also tasted the steak and commented casually, "Just so-so."

Laura was puzzled.

Why would Benjamin disparage his own cooking?

Sophia frowned, disliking Benjamin's insincere critique.

Although she was the illegitimate daughter of the Roberts family, she never lacked in living standards from childhood.

She had tasted many exquisite dishes but rarely would she praise a chef.

Now that she had found one whose cooking matched her taste buds, she couldn't stand Benjamin discrediting him.

"Mr. Taylor, perhaps you've grown unaccustomed to simple, homemade food after all the delicacies you've had," she retorted.

"If you don't like it, you don't have to come back for meals!"

Benjamin's dark eyes sharpened as he watched the fuming Sophia across the table, barely concealing a smirk.

She was so easy to read.

Just a slight provocation about something she cared about would make her react like a cat with its fur raised.

It wasn't too hard to engage her in conversation.

Benjamin forked another piece of steak and placed it on her plate.

"Why do you think I come home to eat?" He glanced at her.

It was time to smooth things over, especially since he came home specifically to cook for her, not to make her resent him.

Sophia looked at the glossy steak on her plate, then at Benjamin, who was smiling smugly across the table.

She knew he came back for her, but she no longer cared for his company at meals.

Seeing him only irritated her.

Liar!

"From today on, I will come back every day to have meals with you," Benjamin promised.

Sophia scoffed sarcastically, "Mr. Taylor, I doubt you'll keep it up for long."

Benjamin put down his fork, leaned back in his chair with arms crossed, and confidently replied, "Well, you'll see how long I can keep it up. Maybe a lifetime?"

Sophia frowned, annoyed.

She had to find a way to get rid of Benjamin.

Seeing him every day at meals would make even the tastiest food unappetizing.

"I have to work. I'm very busy."

Benjamin exposed her bluff, "Owen mentioned you handed in your resignation. You don't have to work now."

Sophia closed her eyes in frustration.

Right, she had resigned.

At that time, she thought she could leave Pinecrest without a second thought.

And now, she even lacked an excuse to avoid Benjamin.

With the increased number of bodyguards at Oakleaf Estates, he likely had them to monitor her, making it difficult to leave the villa.

"It's okay. Anyway, you didn't like that job. Now you have the time. Do something you enjoy."

While Benjamin was speaking, Sophia was lost in her own thoughts.

Benjamin stood up from his chair, walked softly around the table, and sat next to her.

"You like painting, don't you?" he whispered near her ear. "Shall I get you a teacher?"

His warm breath fanned her cheek.

Sophia suddenly snapped back to reality and looked up at Benjamin who had seemingly appeared next to her.

Benjamin smiled charmingly, "Sophia, are you listening to me?"

Sophia leaned back into her chair, "Yes, actually, I have been thinking about formally studying painting."

Benjamin's lips curved upward. He wasn't afraid of her demands. He was afraid of her having no demands.

"Alright, I'll find a teacher right..."

"I'd like to study abroad," Sophia interrupted him.