Chapter 5
Benjamin's tone was clearly flat and casual, yet Evelyn detected a sense of weariness in it.
She looked up at Benjamin's strikingly handsome face, and her heart suddenly ached for no reason.
"I won't give my spot to Sophia!"
Benjamin looked at her in silence.
His deep eyes were as calm as the ocean, yet seemed to be churning with countless emotions.
"Really!"
Sensing his distrust, Evelyn reached out and grabbed his arm, speaking urgently.
"Since I was little, I've suffered so much for dancing. I've put in so much effort to get the principal dancer position. I would never give it to anyone!"
She had always been competitive, striving to be first in everything.
This determination showed not only in her work, but also in her pursuit of Matthew—she never backed down.
Benjamin's lips curved into a smile that held no warmth.
"Whatever. The spot is yours anyway. How you handle it is your business."
Watching him turn to leave, panic rose in her chest. Without thinking, she rushed forward and grabbed his arm.
"Do you not like me anymore?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Evelyn regretted them.
Even if Benjamin had such thoughts, she should be trying to change his mind, not encouraging them.
"I was blind before. Can we start over?"
His brow furrowed deeply, and when he looked back at her, his gaze held more scrutiny. "What happened?"
They say the end of science is mysticism, but rebirth was just too far-fetched.
Besides, his feelings for her had already grown cold. He couldn't afford any unexpected complications now.
"Nothing," she shook her head. "I just realized my mistakes from before. Please don't be angry with me, okay?"
Really?
A principal dancer position wouldn't make Evelyn this anxious. Had Matthew done something to her again?
Anger spread through Benjamin's chest as he turned and strode toward the door.
Noticing Evelyn wasn't following, he said coolly, "What's wrong? Didn't you say you wanted to buy me dinner?"
"Coming!"
Evelyn didn't have time to wonder why Benjamin had changed his mind. She hurried after him.
But as luck would have it, just as they stepped out of the elevator, they ran into Matthew, who was softly comforting Sophia.
Benjamin instinctively looked at Evelyn beside him, but she didn't even glance at them.
"Evelyn!"
Matthew was clearly holding back his temper, but the impatience and anger in his voice were impossible to hide.
"How long are you going to keep this up? Sophia is your best friend. If you won't help her, fine, but why do you have to compete with her at every turn? What are you trying to do?"
How had she ever thought she was wrong when Matthew made such mindless accusations?
Evelyn pressed her tongue against her cheek, turned to look at Matthew, her expression somewhere between a smile and a sneer.
"The principal dancer position goes to whoever deserves it. If you don't work hard for it, can you cry your way to it?"
She shifted her gaze to Sophia's face, her eyes even more contemptuous. "Instead of using tears to manipulate a man who can't change the outcome, you'd be better off spending more time in the practice room. Maybe next time you won't lose so badly."
Evelyn's words exposed Matthew and Sophia's incompetence.
Their expressions changed simultaneously, especially Matthew's. Veins bulged on the hand that had been gently patting Sophia's back, revealing his inner rage.
"Arrogant, unprofessional, cruel with your words. Evelyn, this time I'm definitely going to teach you a lesson..."
"Who do you think you are?"
Matthew, who had more to say, was left speechless by Evelyn's retort, more shocked than anything.
She rolled her eyes dismissively. "You're just an adopted son. What right do you have to boss me around? Do you really think you're my brother and can discipline me?"
"You..." Matthew was nearly driven mad by her, but quickly calmed down. "Fine, throw your tantrum. This time I definitely won't forgive you easily. I'm moving out!"
In the past, no matter how much Evelyn acted out, as soon as he threatened to move out, she would immediately apologize.
Evelyn would agree to any unreasonable condition Matthew proposed.
His expression softened considerably, clearly expecting Evelyn to tearfully apologize as she had before.
Unfortunately, she just gave a light snort. "If you're so principled, then leave the Thomas family completely and stop relying on them."
What?
Not just Matthew and Sophia—even Benjamin was somewhat shocked.
"I'm hungry. Let's go get something good to eat." She took his arm, her tone somewhat coaxing and playful.
He looked at her intently, gave a faint acknowledgment, and walked toward the Maybach.
Sophia watched their retreating figures, jealousy twisting her originally pretty face.
Why did Evelyn get Benjamin's favor?
How could a woman whose heart and eyes were full of someone else be cherished by a man as proud as Benjamin?
But... had Evelyn really given up on Matthew?
Panic rising in her heart, Sophia spoke in a tearful voice, "Matthew, this is all my fault. I caused conflict between you and Evelyn. She must have misunderstood our relationship; that's why she's treating you this way."
"Misunderstood?"
Matthew's previously dark expression gradually returned to its usual refined look. He even smiled, though the contempt and disdain in his eyes became more obvious.
"She slept with someone yesterday, and today she's all over Benjamin. And she has the nerve to misunderstand others?"
He patted Sophia's shoulder gently, his voice becoming warm. "A woman like her isn't worth a single strand of your hair. I'll make sure she apologizes to you and gives up the principal dancer position."
Evelyn and Benjamin being lovey-dovey?
He'd see how long she could keep up the act!
As soon as Evelyn got in the car, she called Ian, the Thomas family's butler. She told Ian to pack up Matthew's things and kick him out of the Thomas Villa.
Benjamin showed no reaction, just watched her with an inscrutable gaze.
How could she not notice his intensely present stare?
"Why... why do you keep looking at me?" Evelyn gripped her phone, her knuckles turning slightly white, her nervousness obvious.
He looked away, his voice still flat and even. "Don't you have anything you want to tell me?"
Yes, so much.
But where to begin... Just the matter of rebirth alone made all her words stick in her throat.
Evelyn's delicate face scrunched up with helplessness, and if you looked closely, unmistakable dejection.
Was it because of Matthew?
His lips slowly pressed into a straight line, and Benjamin's voice carried a hint of coldness. "You humiliated him like that just now. Do you regret it?"
"How did I humiliate him?" She grew anxious. "He's the one who only got to where he is by relying on the Thomas family's influence, yet he looks down on me at every turn. He's really hypocritical and shameless!"
After saying this, Evelyn sighed again, the dejection in her eyes deepening.
"How did he turn out like this?"
The smile at the corner of Benjamin's mouth froze, and the slight warmth that had finally appeared in his eyes sank without warning.