Chapter 49 Seeing No One But His Wife
Everyone in the lab knew Alaric was a notorious workaholic.
Once he started an experiment, he'd lose track of time. If he worked late, he'd just crash on the couch and pick up right where he left off when he woke up.
He was like a tireless machine.
He was the undisputed model of dedication in everyone's eyes.
So when Alaric suggested they call it a day, everyone was stunned.
Then, seeing Sophia, who looked like she could fall asleep standing up, they understood.
Alaric was worried about Sophia not getting enough rest.
Aurora chuckled and said, "Alright, you head out first. I've got a bit of wrapping up to do, then I'll head home."
Steven chimed in, "I'll leave with Aurora."
After Alaric and Sophia left, Hannah, who had been silent all day, finally spoke up, her tone tinged with bitterness. "Can't handle a bit of hardship but wants to do research? If everyone on the team was like that, we'd never get anything done!"
Steven shot her a cold look. "Would it kill you to keep quiet? If you had Sophia's skills, you could leave early too."
"Sophia isn't even part of our team. She's here just to develop a cure for Mr. White's toxin. She can leave whenever she wants. If you think you're so great, you can leave too."
Hannah was left speechless, her face turning red with frustration. She looked down, stomped her foot, and her resentment towards Sophia deepened.
Meanwhile, Alaric and Sophia stepped out of the school gates to see a familiar car parked by the curb.
It seemed to be waiting for them.
No, not them—her.
Alaric glanced at Sophia behind him, silently correcting himself.
His brother never came to pick him up from school. Today, he definitely wasn't here out of concern for Alaric's hard work.
Alaric smirked and said softly to Sophia, "Benjamin's here to pick you up."
"Really? Where?" Sophia, mid-yawn, suddenly perked up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Alaric chuckled and pointed to the black car. "Over there. Looks like Benjamin really cares about you. This is the first time I've seen him so proactive."
"If he wasn't, he wouldn't have a wife!" Sophia joked, then quickly ran towards the car.
Benjamin, seeing her through the window, immediately got out.
As he stood by the car, Sophia's lively voice rang out, "Honey! I missed you!"
Benjamin instinctively opened his arms, and the next second, Sophia jumped into them.
If Benjamin hadn't been prepared, he might have stumbled back.
He looked down at Sophia in his arms, a hint of warmth in his deep voice. "Slow down, don't trip."
Sophia wrapped her arms around his neck, stood on tiptoe, and jumped up, clinging to him like a koala. "I won't! You'll catch me!"
"You trust me that much?" Benjamin raised an eyebrow.
Sophia's lips curled into a smile. "Of course! Because you're my husband!"
Looking into Sophia's clear eyes, Benjamin felt a warmth spread through his heart.
Growing up in the White family, his father was always out partying, never showing him any affection. His mother saw him as an enemy, wishing she could have strangled him at birth.
Preston and Alaric treated him well out of guilt, trying to make up for it.
But Sophia was different. She approached him without any reservations.
In the few days since they got married, Benjamin felt a newfound desire to live.
He used to have nothing. Life was dispensable, something he could throw away at any moment.
But now, he had Sophia.
Someone cared about his life.
He suddenly wanted to live.
He wanted to protect her, to give her a life of peace and happiness.
Benjamin held Sophia's slender waist tightly with one hand, gently stroking her hair with the other, his eyes full of tenderness.
Alaric watched from the side, a genuine smile breaking through his usual aloofness.
As he was feeling touched, he noticed students leaving the school, glancing their way and whispering excitedly.
Realizing they were at the school gate, Alaric looked at Benjamin and Sophia hugging without a care and couldn't help but cough lightly. "Hey, you two, enough already. Are you trying to rub it in that I don't have a girlfriend?"
Benjamin glanced at him, seemingly indifferent. "The fact is, you don't have a girlfriend."
Alaric scoffed, "You're so ungrateful!"
Why didn't Alaric have a girlfriend? Didn't Benjamin know?
If he wasn't always in the lab researching Benjamin's toxin, would he still be single?
Benjamin smirked, tightened his hold on Sophia, and opened the car door, placing her in the passenger seat.
After closing the door, Benjamin turned to Alaric, who looked both angry and amused. "I'm going to spend time with my wife. You can drive yourself home."
With that, Benjamin got in the car, started the engine, and drove off.
As for how Alaric would get home… well, that wasn't Benjamin's concern.
After all, Alaric wasn't like Sophia.
Sophia was young and had lived in the mountains, without even a phone. With so many bad people around, a young, beautiful girl like Sophia was an easy target.
Sophia was his wife; he wouldn't let anyone harm her.
As for Alaric, a grown man, no one would bother him.
Standing there, watching the car disappear, Alaric couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.
Most people forget their mothers after getting married.
Benjamin, though, had forgotten his brother.
Alaric didn't know whether to be angry or to laugh.
Everyone said Benjamin was cold, ruthless, and emotionless, like a machine.
But those closest to him knew his coldness was a shield against the world.
He knew he didn't have long to live.
When he died, his loved ones would be heartbroken.