Chapter 49
Freya's face turned pale, her lips drained of color, and a flash of panic seemed to cross her eyes.
Louis seemed to realize something, too: "What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? I'm sure someone as smart as you knows, right?"
Evelyn glanced at Benjamin.
But his handsome face showed no expression.
His gaze fell straight on Evelyn, just watching her quietly and calmly.
What did this mean?
Wasn't he backing her up?
Then how was she supposed to continue with what came next?
She glared at him with some dissatisfaction, and when she spoke again, her tone wasn't as light.
"I'm afraid her pursuit of you, being with you, wasn't about forgetting someone."
"But rather to make someone believe she's started a new life, so that..."
Evelyn looked at Freya's tear-filled eyes: "She could continue appearing in his life without restraint, under the guise of being his sister."
Louis's lips moved, but he couldn't speak.
The room instantly fell silent, leaving only his heavy breathing.
Freya was the first to break the silence.
"No, it's not like that!"
She shook her head, crying, looking pitiful.
"I really wanted to forget Benjamin, but forgetting someone isn't that easy, is it?"
Compassion is a subtle emotion.
Because of guilt, Benjamin took care of Freya in every way.
As long as it didn't cross his bottom line, he naturally protected Freya in everything.
But if this kind of feeling was allowed to grow unchecked, what would be the result?
Evelyn stood up, looking down at Benjamin, who was still sitting on the sofa.
"Whether they break up or not is their business. There's no need for unrelated people to stay here anymore, right?"
"But your relationship with Freya is different. Do you want to stay?"
Benjamin narrowed his eyes, staring at her face, not speaking.
Did his silence mean he wanted to stay?
She knew she shouldn't be angry. It was she who misjudged the situation and tried to retreat as a strategy, which instead created a result she didn't want to see.
But now that things had come to this, what else could she do?
As she was thinking, Freya's tearful voice rang out.
"Benjamin, you and Ms. Thomas should leave first. I'll handle this."
"I won't let Louis appear in front of you two, and I definitely won't let him hurt Ms. Thomas."
Hurt...
Evelyn narrowed her eyes, a half-smile appearing on her face.
"Speaking of which, sending a man who tried to kidnap me to prison shouldn't be that difficult, right?"
"You're college students, you should know about getting what you deserve, right?"
Freya's face turned pale as she bit her lip hard: "Ms. Thomas, what are you going to do?"
"Getting justice for myself - is that so hard to understand?"
"It's deserved."
Benjamin finally spoke: "Chase, take him to the police station and investigate what happened that night thoroughly. Remember, no inappropriate reports are allowed in the media."
Punish Louis, but never damage Evelyn's reputation.
"Yes, Mr. White."
As Chase was about to drag Louis away, Freya suddenly stepped forward to stop them.
"No, Benjamin, don't do this..."
She begged through tears, "Louis just lost his mind for a moment. He's a really, really good person. Don't do this to him..."
"Why are you crying? Isn't this result caused by you?" Evelyn smiled. "If you hadn't provoked him step by step, how would he have come after me? And how would he have ruined his own future?"
"No, how can you say that about me!"
Freya's voice suddenly became sharp.
After realizing what she had said, she turned to look at Benjamin, back to that innocent look.
"Benjamin, I really don't know how things developed to this point."
"Please help me convince Ms. Thomas not to do this to Louis."
"I can't ruin his whole life. My conscience won't let me."
Benjamin stood up: "My promise was only to take care of your basic needs."
With that, he took Evelyn's hand and left.
Outside The Velvet Mirage, the sunshine was beautiful, and the breeze brushing against their faces felt comfortable.
"What did you mean by that just now?" Evelyn followed Benjamin toward the parking lot, a bit confused about his meaning.
He said calmly, "She provoked Louis to make him attack her. She also wanted to create the false impression that you let Louis attack her."
This Freya was truly vicious.
"You know how she feels about you."
Benjamin started the car, his expression unchanged: "It's just something unimportant."
Was it unimportant that Freya liked him, or were feelings in general unimportant?
Evelyn let out a light snort: "You really must be used to being pursued by so many women to seem so calm about it."
After saying this, she realized something was off.
It seemed like... she was jealous?
Moda Boutique & Showroom.
"What are we doing here?"
Evelyn frequented this place. On one hand, as a fashion designer, she liked looking at others' work for inspiration.
On the other hand, as Emerald City's most famous socialite, her gowns naturally couldn't be second-rate.
But coming here with Benjamin was definitely a first.
He opened the passenger door and extended his hand to her, but didn't answer her question.
Benjamin's hand had distinct knuckles and was quite beautiful; his broad palm also gave a sense of security.
She stayed quiet for a few seconds, then placed her palm in his.
After they walked in, the shop assistant, Cleo, immediately came over: "Ms. Thomas."
Cleo first looked at her with a smile, then looked at Benjamin holding her hand, her eyes becoming very bright.
The standard look of a fan seeing their idol, with a hint of shyness in Cleo's expression.
"The gown Mr. Thomas ordered arrived a few days ago."
Evelyn suspected the Cleo in front of her was a trap set by someone, meant to create a rift between her and Benjamin!
Benjamin's expression was calm: "I'm her fiancé."
"What?"
Cleo's expression immediately changed. She had never seen either Benjamin or Matthew accompany Evelyn to the dress shop.
But she was quite clear about their romantic entanglements.
Embarrassment appeared on their faces, and she immediately apologized: "Sorry, Mr. White, Ms. Thomas..."
Evelyn wasn't sure what Benjamin was thinking, nor did she know why he brought her here. For a moment, she didn't know how to handle it and could only steal glances at him.
"The ball gown ordered by the White Group has arrived, right?"
"Yes, I'll get it right away."
His large palm pressed against her waist, his voice showing no fluctuation: "As the lead dancer, the gown can't have any problems, so I ordered you a new one."
Benjamin's calm, quiet tone, paired with his indifferent expression, made it impossible to tell what he was feeling.
She grabbed his hand, her fingers gently scratching in his palm.
"From now on, will you come with me every time I pick out gowns?"
Evelyn's soft voice, combined with the purity and charm between girl and woman, tugged at his heartstrings.
Especially since her deliberate attempt to please was too obvious - Benjamin couldn't ignore it even if he wanted to.
Benjamin's eyes fell on her. He seemed to want to see into the depths of her heart, but in the end, he only asked.
"Then do you want to look at wedding dresses?"