Chapter 108

Chapter 108

"Benjamin, I never apologized for what happened before. I was young back then—thought the world owed me everything. Can you forgive me now?"

Her words didn't move him in the slightest.

He'd seen enough people in the business world to recognize the type. They all played dumb while knowing exactly what they were doing. Someone like her wasn't apologizing out of genuine remorse—she was just scared of future payback. Trying to smooth things over while still clinging to what she wanted.

Case in point: the greed in Ainsley's eyes hadn't faded one bit.

If she saw even the slimmest chance of a comeback, she'd pounce without hesitation.

"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," Benjamin said coldly.

He had no interest in getting dragged into pointless drama.

No matter who it involved.

Sensing the disgust in his gaze, Ainsley's smile began to crack.

"Benjamin, I have something important to tell you. Please, just give me one chance?"

She moved closer as she spoke.

But for every step she took forward, Benjamin took one back, deliberately maintaining distance.

Ainsley froze, at a loss. She bit her lower lip, eyes glistening with unshed tears as she looked at him.

"Benjamin, the truth is, Amelia she—"

Mid-sentence, her gaze shifted to something behind Benjamin. Her mouth snapped shut, as if she'd seen something terrifying.

Following her stare, Benjamin turned to find Amelia standing there—though he hadn't noticed when she'd appeared. Her eyes were locked on Ainsley like a predator.

The moment she turned to Benjamin, though, her expression softened completely.

In the next breath, she strode to his side and slipped her arm through his, then shot a challenging look at Ainsley.

"Benjamin, sorry about that. I was busy with the other guests and forgot to come find you. Gave certain people the perfect opportunity to make their move, I guess. But it's fine—I'm done now. How about I keep you company from here on out?"

The implication was crystal clear, and Ainsley couldn't possibly miss it.

Not that it mattered. She was already backed into a corner.

"Amelia, I know what you're thinking, but there are things you shouldn't hide from Benjamin. If he knew—"

"Enough."

Amelia cut her off before she could finish.

"You're just jealous, aren't you? Everyone already knows you tried to seduce Benjamin. How do you still have the nerve to show your face here?"

Ainsley opened her mouth to defend herself, but then caught Amelia mouthing words at her.

'If you say one word, I'll kill you.'

There was no doubt in Ainsley's mind that Amelia would follow through.

To stay by Benjamin's side, Amelia would stop at nothing.

She'd admit it—she was being pushed to the edge right now, ready to fight back. Especially when she thought about all the pain Amelia had caused her before. The hatred was overwhelming.

"You—"

This time it was Benjamin who interrupted.

"Whatever's between you two has nothing to do with me. Handle it yourselves. I've delivered my gift. I have other things to take care of."

He glanced down at where she'd linked her arm through his, expression neutral, and smoothly extracted himself. Then he turned to leave.

How could Amelia possibly let that happen?

"Benjamin." She called after him.

"I still have something to give you."

Benjamin stopped and turned back.

Seizing the moment, Amelia hurried to him, face bright with anticipation. "It's upstairs. Let me take you?"

His phone rang.

He pulled it out and saw Chase's name on the screen. After three seconds of hesitation, he declined the call.

"You have ten minutes."

He'd softened after all.

Amelia was over the moon.

Ainsley, however, was anything but.

She hadn't accomplished what she came here to do. How could she just let them walk away?

"Benjamin, you—!"

A hand clamped over her mouth from behind, dragging her away from the scene.

By the time Benjamin glanced back, Ainsley had vanished.

Amelia jumped in immediately. "Oh, Ainsley's been spoiled rotten her whole life. Sometimes she doesn't know how to behave. She's jealous of our relationship, that's why she's popping up now trying to trash-talk me. Don't fall for her tricks."

Benjamin said nothing. Just gave a small nod.

The two of them continued into the banquet hall, completely unaware of what was happening behind them.

Ainsley was practically dragged to some completely unfamiliar location.

Surrounded by darkness, tears spilled down her cheeks uncontrollably.

"Who are you? Why are you kidnapping me! There are so many people at that party—if you hurt me, my parents will never let you get away with this!"

No one answered. The silence was deafening. She couldn't see anything. Her terror peaked.

"Ainsley."

That voice—female, unmistakably familiar. Ainsley immediately recognized it. Someone had come. And it was Imogen.

"Aunt Imogen, you have to let me out! Someone kidnapped me right from the banquet hall—I'm worried they might hurt Amelia!"

But the moment the words left her mouth, she realized something was wrong. There'd been no sound of a door opening. Which meant the person standing before her now was the same one who'd dragged her away from the party.

"Aunt Imogen... why did you kidnap me? What did I do wrong?"

The second she finished speaking, the lights blazed on. The sudden brightness made her squeeze her eyes shut.

When she could finally see, Imogen stood a short distance away, arms crossed, studying her with calculated calm.

"If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for going too far. I had zero interest in you personally. Our families have always been close, after all. But you not only tried to steal my daughter's man—you wanted to destroy everything she has. I'm sorry, but I can't let someone like that stick around. So if you're looking for someone to blame, blame yourself for biting off more than you could chew."

Ainsley's face went white as a sheet.

Imogen merely looked at her coldly. "If you hadn't shown up here tonight, practically throwing yourself at us, how would I have gotten my hands on you?"

When Amelia left earlier, Imogen had specifically had someone keep tabs on things. Sure enough, the security footage showed Ainsley skulking around.

Ainsley's intentions had been obvious from the start. How could Imogen possibly allow her presence to ruin Amelia's plans?