Chapter 103
Once Benjamin calmed down, Evelyn naturally realized there was a problem too.
Matthew was quite proud - how could someone with a tainted reputation like Freya catch his eye?
Besides, he had made Freya, who was supposed to be sent abroad by Benjamin, stay in Emerald City. That must have taken quite some effort, right?
Also...
She had actually felt early on that when she saw Freya again, something seemed to have changed about her.
But the change in Freya was very subtle. Evelyn kept feeling she was about to figure out what had changed, yet couldn't quite grasp it.
However, since Evelyn knew this was a trap, she absolutely couldn't jump into it!
Unless she could find someone to protect her and jump in together.
Evelyn set her sights on Benjamin, though her words were directed at Matthew.
"Since it's a private jet, a few more people shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Of course," he answered with a smile, "but the plane is small - fitting the entire dance troupe would be impossible."
With more people, he couldn't make his move.
Evelyn realized this and felt it was dangerous - better not get involved.
At thirty thousand feet, with the plane full of Matthew's people, no matter how capable Benjamin was, he'd be powerless.
Going later would be safer.
Just as she was about to tell Benjamin to book tickets on another flight, he spoke first.
"I've already booked a ticket for Evelyn, you don't need to worry about it."
When did that happen?
Evelyn looked completely confused as Benjamin carried her away.
The dance troupe members exchanged glances - Evelyn's position was unshakeable.
"What's going on?" Evelyn looked up at Benjamin. "Didn't you say you'd upgrade me once we got on the plane?"
"So you knew all along there was no ticket for you, yet you didn't say anything?"
Benjamin's tone was somewhat cold, but his arms holding her were tight, as if afraid she'd run away.
"I..." She laughed awkwardly and explained in a small voice, "I thought at the time you were preparing a surprise for me, and when Freya found out you arranged a private jet, she was deliberately provoking me, so..."
Who would have thought this had nothing to do with Benjamin at all?
She had almost affected the team's departure.
"Wait, if you didn't know about this, how did you book me a ticket?"
"Chase went to the finance department and saw the Star Dance Troupe's expense report. He noticed no ticket was booked for you, so he booked two tickets."
"Then the upgrade..."
"I was afraid you'd think I didn't value you."
She suddenly hugged him, her eyes sparkling: "How can you be so good? You think of everything for me. Benjamin, you're wonderful."
Her little head nuzzled back and forth in his embrace. No matter how angry he had been just moments ago, it was all gone now.
Benjamin patted her head.
The tense lines of his face softened considerably: "How did Freya get into the dance troupe?"
"You don't know?" She rested her chin on his chest, looking up at him curiously. "It was Celeste who personally spoke to Gregory about it. I thought you knew."
"Celeste?"
"Yes. But she and Freya don't seem very close, so she was probably asked to help by someone else?"
Since it wasn't Benjamin who asked Celeste for help, she really couldn't think of who would help Freya at the moment.
He didn't seem particularly surprised.
"Soren had good connections back then, so there are probably plenty of people willing to help her."
"Besides, doesn't she have a wonderful big brother now?"
The last few words had a distinctly gritted-teeth quality to them.
She looked carefully at his expression but couldn't make out much.
However, they'd been together day and night for some time now - how could she not know he was jealous?
Come to think of it, he really did get jealous easily.
But still...
Thinking about the things she'd done in the past, no wonder he felt insecure.
If the roles were reversed, she'd definitely be angry too.
"What's the use of that kind of brother?" She wrapped her arms around his waist, looking sweet and soft. "I only want this brother."
Looking down at the charming Evelyn in his arms, how could Benjamin still be angry?
He reached out and pinched her nose.
"You don't need to worry about anything. I'll accompany you through this entire performance - there won't be any problems."
"Okay."
After her rebirth, whenever Evelyn saw him, she felt completely safe.
Because she knew he would always protect her.
On the private jet.
The air pressure around Matthew was very low. Freya sat in the seat beside him, not daring to breathe too loudly.
"Freya."
His voice suddenly rang out, and she shuddered violently.
Still, she responded immediately: "I'm here."
"Didn't you say Evelyn agreed to take the private jet?"
His gentle voice made Freya feel as if cold was seeping from her very bones. Fear made her tremble, her eyes full of anxiety.
She pinched her thigh hard, trying to hold back tears.
"She really did agree at the time - many dance troupe members heard it."
"I thought it was strange then, but thinking about it now, she was deliberately lying."
"I really didn't expect things to turn out like this."
He nodded slightly: "Freya was deceived."
Then he beckoned to her: "Come here."
Full of unease, Freya stood up and walked over, then crouched down in front of him.
Matthew's hand fell on her head, gently soothing her.
"I've taught you for so long - how can you still be fooled? And you made me believe it, too. Tell me, how should I punish you?"
"I didn't mean to - please don't punish me." Tears immediately sprang from her eyes as she grabbed his sleeve, begging.
"Everything's already prepared - someone has to use it. Freya, be good, okay?"
His movements and voice were gentle, yet they made Freya feel as if she'd fallen into an ice cave.
But no matter how much she cried and begged, he showed no sign of changing his mind.
Finally, Freya's desperate crying filled the cabin, while Matthew's face showed a sick smile, his eyes vicious and terrifying.
At that moment, Evelyn, who was sleeping sweetly in Benjamin's arms, shuddered quite suddenly and opened her eyes.
"Bad dream?"
He immediately noticed something was wrong, tightening his arms around her as his hand gently stroked her face.
"Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. It's just a nightmare - you're awake now, everything's fine."
Did she have a nightmare?
Evelyn blinked, seeming not yet recovered from the palpitations.
Actually, she hadn't dreamed of anything scary - she just suddenly felt panicked and woke up.
But his embrace was warm and reassuring, so she nestled closer to him.
"Benjamin."
"What is it?"
"If one day I go crazy and tell you to leave me, you must never believe it."
She hugged his waist as she spoke, her voice taking on a tearful quality: "I don't want to leave you, never."
"How could I leave you?" Hearing the anxiety in her voice, Benjamin felt both heartache and, more than that, satisfaction.
The person he once dared only touch in dreams was now lying so obediently in his arms - it filled him with endless contentment.
The reassuring aura emanating from Benjamin gradually calmed her down, though her fingers still clutched his clothes.
"Benjamin, why do you think Matthew and Freya got mixed up together?"