Chapter 104
I looked at him quietly: "I'm not the one you should be working with. I came back with no plans to leave again. I think you've got the wrong person."
Benjamin smiled knowingly: "Smart! If you really don't want to do anything, just introduce me to Mr. Johnson."
I looked at him with some amusement: "Mr. White, since you already know who I am, you should also know why I went to Solstice, right? Paul and James are your people. Strictly speaking, you sold me out, so do you think I should help you?"
"You will help me." Benjamin smiled with certainty, raising his glass to me: "It's okay, you can think it over carefully. I believe you'll figure it out. Come on, don't just talk, let me toast you."
Zach quickly chimed in: "Right, right, don't just chat, eat and drink well."
Zach signaled to Jeremy: "Jeremy, why don't you pour Ms. Wilson some wine?"
Jeremy picked up the bottle and symbolically added a little wine to my glass: "Emily, this wine is pretty strong, don't drink too much."
Benjamin looked past me toward Jeremy, who had stood up: "Jeremy, you seem quite concerned about Ms. Wilson. I've never seen you like this at drinking tables before."
Jeremy smiled somewhat awkwardly.
Zach worked the room, getting everyone to raise their glasses for a toast.
I raised my glass along with them, still only taking a small sip.
Benjamin then suggested that some of the artists perform, specifically calling on Jeremy to sing and dance for entertainment.
Jeremy's face showed some discomfort, his hand under the table already clenched into a tight fist.
I don't follow celebrities, but I often see trending posts about him. He's already a top star now, with red-hot commercial value and fame. Even though he's an artist under Benjamin's company, making him perform in public like this was no different from mocking him.
Although we weren't close, we did know each other, so I tried to help him out: "Let's skip the performances. Just relax. If anyone wants to sing, we can do that after dinner."
Benjamin was still enthusiastic and insisted Jeremy perform: "That space over there is suitable. Come give everyone a performance. Terry Perez, you get ready too."
I looked at Jeremy and saw he had already hidden his embarrassment, smiling as he stood up and walked over to casually select a song: "Since Mr. White asked, I'll just dance a bit. Please don't mind if it's not good."
An upbeat song started playing. Jeremy took off his jacket, unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, and moved casually with the music. Every movement seemed to hit the beat perfectly. When our eyes met, he seemed to be looking at us, yet also seemed lost in the moment. This not-so-spacious room had become his stage.
Zach clapped and cheered: "No wonder you're a top star! Your dancing is really something. This is my first time seeing it live. Do another one!"
He then leaned close to my ear and whispered, "Ms. Wilson, I can tell Jeremy's got a thing for you. If you think Jeremy's good, I'll arrange things for tonight. I guarantee you'll be one hundred percent satisfied."
I pretended to be a bit shy: "Don't say that, Zach. You've met my fiancé. He's narrow-minded and gets jealous easily, so let's end the performances here."
Zach laughed along: "Everyone here is friends. Who's going to spread rumors? Right, Benjamin?"
Benjamin put his arm around the young man beside him and smiled at me with unclear meaning: "Of course. I've already given up my beloved, isn't that obvious enough? Ms. Wilson, don't let Jeremy's sincere feelings go to waste."
So he was planning to use seduction on me?
My phone buzzed. It was a call from Oscar.
I smiled and stood up, gesturing for them to be quiet: "Sorry, my fiancé is calling. You guys keep eating, I'll step out to take this call."
I walked outside. There were two bodyguards at the door, and four more in the hallway. One of them was the person who had followed me before. This time, I could see the other half of his face, clearly showing a scar winding from the corner of his eye down to his chin.
Oscar's voice was full of concern: "How are things going? It's about time, I'll come pick you up."
I smiled and replied: "No need. Mr. White and I are getting along pretty well. I'll go home after we finish. Don't come get me."
Oscar's tone was firm: "I'll be downstairs in ten minutes."
I could only smile and agree: "Since you're already coming, what can I say? I'll tell them in a bit and leave early."
When I returned to the private room, a woman was singing a song with a strong beat, while Zach's hand had already made its way to her waist, rubbing back and forth inappropriately.
Seeing me return, Benjamin smiled and invited me to sit again: "Your husband really keeps a close eye on you. Should we help you out and say you got drunk so we can get you a room?"
I quickly smiled and said, "Mr. White, you guessed right. He's already here to pick me up. We didn't get to enjoy ourselves today, but we can get together again another time."
Zach and Benjamin quickly exchanged a glance, then Benjamin smiled and said, "Alright then. Since your fiancé is here to pick you up, what can we say? How about one last toast before we wrap up?"
There was no way I was drinking from a glass that had been out of my sight. I smiled and shook my head: "Mr. White, are you trying to get me drunk? I really can't drink anymore. Next time."
Benjamin gave Jeremy a look: "Then have some water to wash it down. Jeremy, hurry up and pour Emily some water."
Jeremy's face had red marks on it, as someone had slapped him. Just as I looked his way, he turned around and brought over the water kettle. While pouring the water, whether intentionally or not, he accidentally knocked over the cup, and the steaming water flowed across the table onto my legs.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Jeremy quickly set the kettle down and fumbled for tissues to help me wipe it off.
As I lowered my head, I heard him say in a very quiet voice near my ear: "Leave quickly."
I stood up and tidied myself a bit, looking at the large wet spot on my legs. I could only smile apologetically at Benjamin and the others: "It's fine, it'll dry soon. Let's stop here for today. Next time I'll treat you both."
Seeing that I had already stood up, Benjamin leaned back against the sofa, a hint of menace showing in his eyes: "Since Ms. Wilson has something to attend to, we'll meet another day. It doesn't matter if she leaves, we can continue, right, Jeremy?"