Chapter 104
Evelyn wanted to ask Benjamin this question the moment she first saw them.
It's just that Benjamin had been unhappy, and she was afraid he'd overthink things, so she didn't ask much.
Now...
She snuggled deeper into his embrace, looking obedient and curious.
He pinched her soft cheek: "Back then, I had Chase arrange for her to study abroad, and I never asked about her situation after that."
Benjamin didn't know Freya was in the country, didn't even know Freya had joined the Star Dance Troupe.
Speaking of which, this Freya was really something.
Clearly just an orphan girl, yet she managed to charm everyone around Benjamin completely.
They were all people who'd seen countless others - could they really not see through her seemingly sweet exterior to her fake, manipulative heart?
As these thoughts flashed through her mind, she suddenly hugged him tighter.
"Good thing you didn't ask. Don't ask about her business unless she comes begging to you directly."
She frowned, seeming to feel this wasn't quite right either, and added: "Even if you do help her, you have to tell me first. You're not allowed to meet her alone - I won't be happy about it."
"Got it." Benjamin smiled teasingly, but clearly in a good mood.
Evelyn buried her face in his chest.
She knew Benjamin's feelings for her too well - how could Freya possibly change what they had?
She was just being a little dramatic, but if it made him happy, why not?
An hour and a half later, the plane landed at Skywing Airport.
Benjamin pushed two suitcases while Evelyn bounced around beside him like a happy little bird, joy radiating from every feature.
Until they saw Matthew and Freya again at the terminal entrance.
"The more we don't want to see them, the more they keep showing up. Should've just crippled his legs so he could never stand again."
Evelyn was muttering when she felt Benjamin's gaze turn toward her.
"What, figured out I'm cruel-hearted? Well, even if you did, you can't back out now - our engagement can't be broken!"
He shook his head with a smile, finding Evelyn more and more interesting.
Someone waiting at the entrance took their luggage. Benjamin held the car door open for Evelyn to get in when Matthew walked over.
"Evelyn, I just called Mom to let her know we're safe. She wants us to have dinner together and video call her."
Siblings having dinner together - perfectly normal.
But now, Evelyn didn't even want to maintain surface-level peace.
Thinking of Matthew's vicious look in her past life just made her feel disgusted.
Besides, with Preston still lying in the hospital, she didn't have the nerve to eat with Matthew.
"No need, I'm a bit airsick and need to rest."
She got straight into the car, replied with one sentence, and said nothing more.
Matthew wanted to say something else, but Benjamin had already blocked his way, not letting him approach.
"Evelyn's not feeling well, we're leaving first."
After speaking, Benjamin didn't move, just stood there quietly watching Matthew.
Benjamin and Matthew were about the same height, but Benjamin had been through all kinds of training since childhood - completely different from the scholarly Matthew.
If they actually fought, Matthew wouldn't stand a chance.
A flash of coldness crossed Matthew's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
"Then go back and rest well. Remember to call Mom later, or she'll worry."
"Oh, and when Evelyn's not feeling well, she loves eating preserved plums. Mr. White should be able to arrange that."
After saying this, he smiled and left, polite and proper, as if he was simply concerned about Evelyn with no other meaning.
Only after watching him walk several steps away did Benjamin turn and get in the car.
"What's wrong?" She sensed something off about him and leaned closer, thinking to herself.
Was Benjamin really that easy to make jealous?
Could he think she had other intentions just from her simple refusal?
He extended his arm and pulled her into his embrace, his chin resting on top of her head: "Don't you think Matthew seems different from before?"
"Does he? He's always had that refined gentleman act - total wolf in sheep's clothing!"
She cursed fiercely while he played with her hair, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.
Had he seen wrong?
He hoped so.
He didn't want to worry Evelyn in his arms, so he didn't dwell on it: "The hotel is the same one as the dance troupe, just on different floors. If there are any issues, Gregory will notify you personally."
Even if Benjamin hadn't come, Evelyn wouldn't have shared a standard room with them.
His special arrangement for Gregory to notify her personally - was he worried someone might pull something?
Evelyn didn't dwell on this question. After arriving at the hotel and quickly unpacking, she immediately threw herself at him.
"Shadow City has really good food. Can we go eat?"
He held her and chuckled softly: "Why are you acting like a little kid? Aren't you tired after such a long flight? Why not just have the hotel send up food?"
"What's the point of eating in the room? That's the same as eating in Emerald City. Come on, let's go."
He naturally couldn't refuse Evelyn when she acted cute, so he took her hand and left the room.
As they reached the hotel lobby, a hand suddenly reached for Evelyn, pulling her aside as a sleazy voice rang out.
"This woman's pretty, I like her. I'll take her today..."
His words cut off abruptly.
Benjamin's icy gaze turned toward him, the aura of wealth and status radiating from him especially clear to people from the same circles.
Evelyn frowned at the several men surrounding them - clearly spoiled rich kids.
She tried to pull her hand free, but couldn't.
The man gripping her wrist hadn't expected the woman he randomly grabbed to be this beautiful.
He was momentarily stunned and reached to touch her face.
She immediately turned her head away: "Benjamin!"
Benjamin's eyes were cold, his voice even colder, as if mixed with ice chips: "Whichever hand touched her, I'll cripple that hand."
The man was shocked by the powerful aura emanating from Benjamin, not to mention the threat in his words.
For a moment, he stood there frozen, forgetting to react.
Benjamin stepped forward and grabbed Evelyn's wrist, then kicked hard at the man's abdomen.
The man was just a spoiled brat who, caught off guard by the kick, had no chance of staying on his feet.
He stumbled backward and crashed into a table behind him, the commotion drawing quite a bit of attention.
Evelyn was pulled into his embrace as his large hand soothingly patted the back of her head. His cold, intimidating gaze swept over those men.
But his words were directed at the lobby manager Leroy Hamilton, who had hurried over.
"Is this how the White Group manages its hotels? Can guests be harassed this easily? Can just anyone walk in?"
Leroy's expression was very awkward.
He hadn't expected Benjamin to stay at the hotel today, much less that Benjamin would run into those people.
"Mr. White, this... this is just a misunderstanding. Mr. Rivera must have mistaken her for someone else..."
Gerald Rivera and his group were obviously used to running wild. Now that their companion had been hit, they wanted to surround Benjamin.
But Leroy kept giving them looks, signaling them not to provoke Benjamin.
"Mistaken identity?"
Benjamin looked over coldly: "So people staying at White Group hotels can't even get basic safety protection?"