Chapter 136 Don't Lead Her Astray
Benjamin narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in them.
His gaze fixed tightly on Adelaide's hand resting on top of Sophia's head, and he sneered inwardly.
His Sophia—he hadn't even had enough of touching her himself.
And Adelaide was taking advantage.
"Adelaide."
Adelaide's hand paused slightly. She turned her head and saw Benjamin had somehow appeared behind her.
"Ah, newlyweds indeed. You've only been gone a few minutes and you're already back?"
Benjamin ignored her teasing and said coldly, "Take your hand off."
"I won't." Adelaide snorted with laughter and went even further, pinching Sophia's rosy little cheek.
Sophia obediently let her pinch and squeeze, being so well-behaved.
It made one want to hold her close and cherish her tenderly.
Benjamin reached out with his long arm and pulled Sophia into his embrace.
Caught off guard, Sophia bumped into a solid, broad chest, and her nose stung with pain.
She couldn't help but frown and complained pitifully, "Be gentle."
Benjamin's breath caught, and the cold, powerful aura around him instantly dissipated completely.
"Okay."
He lifted his palm and gently rubbed Sophia's nose with his warm fingertips, asking worriedly, "Did you hurt yourself?"
"Not that much, just a tiny bit." Sophia gestured with her hand.
Looking at her playful and mischievous expression, Benjamin let out a helpless chuckle and grabbed Sophia's fair, delicate little hand.
"So delicate."
Adelaide, who had been watching the whole scene, stared with wide eyes full of shock and surprise.
Was this really Benjamin? Could he have been possessed?
The Martinez Family and the White Family lived close to each other and were old family friends. So Adelaide had grown up with Benjamin, and she understood his personality best.
Benjamin was cold by nature, aloof, and never allowed any woman to get close.
Not even her, his cousin, was an exception.
Adelaide pinched her own arm hard.
Ouch!
So it wasn't a dream.
All of this was real.
Having lived for over twenty years, this was the first time Adelaide realized that Benjamin had this side to him.
Benjamin's cold, restrained face now seemed like melting glaciers, all the coldness transforming into tenderness.
Those unfathomably deep eyes of his were no longer dim and lifeless, but instead seemed filled with scattered glimmers of light.
This kind of light was called hope and love.
The very things the old Benjamin had lacked most.
Adelaide felt unusually conflicted, a touch of sourness rising in her chest.
At this moment, she finally understood why Benjamin was so devoted to Sophia.
Because Sophia brought a different kind of brilliance to his life, gave him hope to live.
Sophia deserved his love.
"When did you get back?"
Benjamin gently tidied Sophia's messy hair before looking up at Adelaide.
"This afternoon."
Adelaide had been studying abroad and had just recently finished her school business and returned home.
"Are you leaving again?"
"Not planning to for now."
Benjamin nodded slightly and didn't ask further.
Sophia slowly lifted her face from Benjamin's chest and said hopefully, "Adelaide, if you have time later, you can come visit me at the White Manor."
Sophia really liked Adelaide.
Though she seemed cool and aloof, she genuinely cared about Benjamin.
Adelaide raised an eyebrow, then said, "Okay."
Sophia and Adelaide smiled at each other.
Watching the way they looked at each other, Benjamin suddenly felt a bit jealous.
His Sophia actually liked Adelaide so much.
He warned in a low voice, "I don't mind you two spending time together, but don't bring back those foreign ways of yours. If you corrupt her, I'll hold you responsible."
"Got it, got it! Sophia is your precious treasure. I promise not to corrupt her." Adelaide assured him helplessly.
Benjamin gave a light snort, lowered his eyes to give Sophia a few instructions, then returned to the reception area.
Perhaps because of Sophia's special status, many guests looked at her with barely concealed disdain and mockery.
In their eyes, a girl like Sophia from the countryside had no right to attend such a banquet.
Even though she had married Benjamin, her background was an unchangeable fact.
There were even many wealthy young women gathered together whispering, and when they got excited, they couldn't help pointing at Sophia.
Sophia pretended not to see and just quietly ate her dessert.
Adelaide had just returned to the country and had many old friends coming over to see her.
She hesitated for a moment and looked at Sophia.
Sophia gave her a reassuring look. "Adelaide, go ahead. Don't worry about me."
"I'll be right back." Adelaide gently brushed her soft hair, gave a few quiet instructions, then turned and left.
After she left, those gossiping voices got even worse—they didn't even bother to hide it anymore.
"Some people are so shameless! Is Mr. White someone just anyone can dream about?"
"Exactly! Look at yourself and see if you're worthy of Mr. White!"
"I heard even her own parents didn't want her. Probably thought she was an embarrassment!"
Sophia kept her eyes lowered, taking in all those words.
Just then, a mocking laugh came from behind her.
"Doesn't feel good being insulted, does it?" Magnolia appeared from somewhere, her eyes full of contempt and mockery.
"What do other people say have to do with me? Whether I'm worthy of Benjamin isn't for those people to decide." Sophia smiled indifferently.
Magnolia sneered coldly. "I don't believe you don't care at all. Besides, everything they said is true. You're just someone from the countryside, completely unsuitable for high society."
"I am indeed from the countryside, but what about you? Ms. Belle, where are you from?" Sophia slowly narrowed her eyes, a flash of cold killing intent in them.
Magnolia froze, her face suddenly turning ugly.
Her hands clenched tightly into fists, her eyes full of shock and dismay.
How did Sophia know?
She had always thought she'd hidden her background well, never expecting Sophia to expose it.
That's right—Magnolia wasn't actually some wealthy young lady.
Her mother, Vivienne Mae, was just from an ordinary family. She had once saved Amelia's life and became her friend because of it.
Before Vivienne died, she entrusted Magnolia to Amelia.
All these years, Magnolia had been supported by the White Family, and many people assumed she was part of the White Family.
But she knew most clearly that without the White Family, she was nothing.
Magnolia stared hard at Sophia, a flash of venom in her eyes.
Sophia never thought of herself as someone easy to bully. If others made her uncomfortable, she wouldn't let it go.
She slowly walked to Magnolia's ear and whispered, "The White Family raised you, every penny you spend now is earned by Benjamin, and instead of being grateful, you're trying to ruin his relationship with me."
"Sophia, shut up!"
"What? You dare to do it but won't admit it?"