Chapter 117: He Pampered Her

Benjamin spent the morning in meetings as soon as he returned to the office.

At exactly noon, Daniel walked into his office to inform him of the next schedule.

"Mr. Taylor, you have a business lunch scheduled. Should we leave now?"

Benjamin, who was picking up his wool coat to head back to Oakleaf Estates, remembered the business luncheon only after Daniel's reminder.

"I have other plans this noon, so I won't be attending the business lunch today. Have Joshua go in my place."

Daniel paused with a look of disbelief on his face.

Benjamin had never before missed a crucial business luncheon, especially those involving mergers and acquisitions. Where was he rushing off to today?

As Benjamin was about to leave the office, a thought struck him.

Considering he might need to cook for Sophia in the following days, he turned back to Daniel. "For the next month, cancel all my business luncheons. I will be leaving work on time."

Without waiting for Daniel's response, Benjamin left the office swiftly.

At Oakleaf Estates.

Sophia sat on a wicker chair, only her heels resting on the edge. She hugged her knees and stared blankly at Dawn's Embrace and Twilight's Farewell.

Jasper's sudden betrayal had been utterly unexpected.

He was usually so gentle and attentive towards her. His occasional flirtations had led her to believe he harbored some fondness for her.

That was why she had sought Jasper's help.

It was shocking to lose out to mere business interests even with him.

The ringing of her phone pulled Sophia from her thoughts. Sophia fumbled for the device on the wicker chair.

The screen displayed "Morris Richardson."

Hesitating for half a second, she answered the call, her voice composed. "Jasper."

"I didn't expect you'd answer my call," Jasper's deep, raspy voice came through.

"If you thought I wouldn't answer, why did you call?" Sophia asked, surprising herself with her calm tone.

Perhaps it was because she had become accustomed to men's betrayals.

"Sophia, do you hate me now?" Jasper's voice was cautious and low.

Sophia lowered her eyes, her emotions complex.

Just a few days ago, she'd resented Jasper's abrupt betrayal. If he had kept their promise, she would have successfully left Pinecrest by now, free from Benjamin and living her own life.

But she couldn't entirely blame others for not being able to leave. If anyone, she blamed her lack of strength and independent ability to leave Benjamin.

"It's not hate, just... disappointment," Sophia admitted candidly.

Jasper pursed his lips, conflicted.

"Sophia, my visit to Pinecrest was mainly for family business. Before I came, my father had given me a strict order to secure Benjamin's platform authorization by any means, so I..."

"You don't need to explain," Sophia cut him off, uninterested in any excuses. "Even if you do, I don't want to forgive you."

Jasper hadn't expected Sophia to outright reject him.

"Jasper, although I'm disappointed, I don't want to cut you off."

Sophia stared unblinkingly at the paintings she had created with Jasper.

To achieve her dreams, she needed a stepping stone, and Jasper was undoubtedly that stone.

Right now, she couldn't leave Benjamin, but that didn't mean she wouldn't be able to leave him eventually. When she was ready to break free, she would need Jasper's reputation.

Jasper chuckled, "Alright, I owe you one. Next time, whatever you need, I'll help."

Sophia touched the gilded frame of Dawn's Embrace, her lips curving into a slight smile.

"Alright."

After hanging up, Sophia set down her phone and got up from the chair.

She carefully wrapped the two paintings in white cloth and placed them in a corner away from sunlight.

After cleaning up the studio, Sophia walked out.

Benjamin stood outside the door, two buttons of his white shirt undone, revealing his sexy collarbone, and his muscular forearms were exposed.

He gazed at Sophia. "It's lunchtime."

It was unusual for Benjamin to be at home during the workday, which surprised Sophia.

"You came back just to have lunch?"

No, he came back specifically to cook lunch for her.

If he told her the truth and she refused to eat, it wouldn't be worth mentioning.

"Yeah," Benjamin pretended like it was a casual thing. "Laura mentioned you were pleased with the new chef's cooking. I came back just to try it out."

Hearing Benjamin mention the new chef reminded Sophia of the delicious cake and pie.

Feeling a bit hungry, she stepped past Benjamin and quickened her pace downstairs.

Benjamin turned and watched Sophia hurriedly going to eat, a doting smile playing on his lips.