Chapter 155 Locked Out
Those people were intimidated by the cold, oppressive aura emanating from Benjamin and immediately explained, "Mrs. White had some nourishing soup, but she only took a few sips before losing her appetite."
"Did she... say anything else?" Benjamin asked hesitantly.
The staff from Harvest & Hearth opened the food containers one by one. The dishes inside were completely untouched, except for one bowl of soup that was slightly less full.
Clearly, Sophia had no appetite at all right now.
The more Sophia was like this, the more worried Benjamin became.
The person closest to Benjamin thought for a moment, then relayed what Sophia had said before they left, "Mrs. White said you should go back first. Your health isn't good, and you mustn't overwork yourself."
Benjamin felt like something had stabbed his heart, sending a tingling warmth through it—warm, soft, and fuzzy.
Like being carefully wrapped in a pair of gentle hands.
His cold, hardened heart softened into a puddle.
But seeing the barely touched food, Benjamin's expression grew more serious. He waved at them irritably, "Go back. Keep delivering tomorrow."
The group felt like they'd been granted a pardon and quickly got in their car and left.
Benjamin let out a frustrated sigh. When he looked up, he noticed a figure had appeared at a window in one of the second-floor rooms.
It was Sophia.
Even from far away, Benjamin recognized her immediately.
She stood by the window, waving at him.
A sudden joy welled up in Benjamin's heart, and he waved back.
Soon, a servant came out and relayed Sophia's message, "Mr. White, Ms. Brown wants you to go back first. She needs to stay here for a few more days."
"She's already awake, isn't she? Why does she need to stay longer? Is this Mr. Moore's idea?" Chase stepped forward, asking anxiously.
The servant's face immediately darkened, and she looked at Chase with some resentment, "Ms. Brown may be awake, but her body hasn't recovered yet. Mr. Moore understands Ms. Brown's condition best, so naturally he needs to help her recuperate properly. Besides, what's wrong with Ms. Brown staying a few extra days at her own home? Should she go back to the White Manor to suffer more mistreatment?"
These words weren't really her place to say, but she just couldn't help feeling angry.
Sophia was such a pure and kind girl—how could the White Family bear to treat her this way?
She still remembered how disheveled Sophia looked that night when Matthew carried her back.
In her memory, Sophia had always been cherished and loved. When had she ever suffered such grievances?
The more the servant thought about it, the worse her expression became, and the worse her impression of Benjamin grew.
She snorted coldly, turned around, and left, closing the door behind her.
Chase and Benjamin were once again shut outside.
Chase, who was only half a step from the door, hadn't even had time to react when he felt a gust of wind hit his face.
Then came the sound of the door slamming, which nearly scared him to death.
This maid had absolutely no sense of timing!
If he'd been just a bit closer, his handsome face would've been ruined.
Chase couldn't help but shudder with anger and fear, touching his face.
Good, still handsome.
Aside from a few pimples that had popped up from staying up late and hormonal imbalance, it was perfect.
Benjamin stared at the distant window, his thin lips pressed into a tight line.
After a long while, he said coldly, "Let's go."
The White Manor was quiet at this moment.
Ever since Amelia and Magnolia had been sent away, the White Manor had become completely silent.
For the first time in over twenty years, it had never been this peaceful.
Many people were even somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Although Amelia sometimes had a bad temper, a cold and arrogant personality, and would even lose her temper with the servants, the house suddenly feeling empty was still somewhat uncomfortable.
As for Arabella, ever since Benjamin woke up, she'd been avoiding him, not daring to show her face in front of him.
Arabella had actually been involved in hurting Sophia too.
The photos were taken by Celestia, and it was also Arabella who had Celestia suggest to Amelia that she bring Magnolia back to the country.
Arabella and Celestia were terrified, afraid that if they accidentally exposed this matter, Benjamin would kick them out of the family.
Arabella sat in her room, her hand gripping her water glass tightening anxiously, her eyes full of helplessness and panic.
She even resented Lachlan.
If only her husband Lachlan had been more capable, the White Group wouldn't have fallen into Benjamin's hands.
Originally, Preston had wanted Magnus to inherit the company. He was Preston's most outstanding son, showing exceptional business talent at a young age.
But who could have imagined that Magnus would later become a good-for-nothing playboy who spent his days partying and chasing women?
Back then, Arabella not only had no sympathy for Amelia, she'd even felt a glimmer of hope.
Hope that Preston would hand the White Group over to her husband Lachlan.
However, Lachlan's heart simply wasn't in it.
Preston also didn't feel comfortable entrusting his life's work to someone with no business experience, so he'd rather hold on for a few more years himself and keep the White Group under his control.
After Benjamin grew up, Preston directly handed the inheritance rights to Benjamin.
This had always been a sore spot for Arabella. She'd never let it go and remained quite resentful about it.
"Mom, what do we do? Benjamin even kicked out his own mother—doesn't that mean we..." Celestia grabbed her sleeve, her face full of helplessness and anxiety.
Although she looked down on Sophia and was spoiled by nature, she was still a sheltered rich girl who hadn't experienced any real hardships.
When Magnolia framed Sophia, she'd only felt vindicated and strangely satisfied.
But now, she only felt afraid.
Would Benjamin... would he know she was involved in those things? Would he kick her out of the White Family too?
Arabella reached out to touch Celestia's cheek, her tone gentle and comforting, "Don't be afraid, everything will be fine. Preston will be back in a few days. Benjamin can't stir up much trouble. Even if those things come out, we were only acting out of concern—what's wrong with that?"
Meeting Arabella's earnest and determined gaze, Celestia's tense heart was somehow calmed.
So what if Magnolia left? She still had Arabella.
As long as Arabella was there, she wouldn't end up like Amelia.
She gripped Arabella's hand tightly and nodded firmly, "I understand, Mom."
"Celestia, let this be a lesson. From now on, settle down and stop targeting Sophia," Arabella warned sternly.
Celestia sat beside Arabella, hugging her arm and acting spoiled, "But Mom, it's because of that little bitch Sophia that Magnolia got kicked out! Magnolia's grandparents aren't good people at all—they definitely won't treat her well!"