Chapter 17 I Want to Eat Shrimp, Can You Peel It for Me?
Celestia's heart skipped a beat, and her face turned pale.
She and the entire White family all knew.
After Amelia adopted Magnolia, she developed feelings for Benjamin. A year ago, she finally gathered the courage to confess to him.
But Benjamin shut her down, hard.
Magnolia wasn't one to give up easily. She and Amelia hatched a plan to drug Benjamin, hoping to get him into bed.
But the drug backfired. Instead of making him pliable, it turned him wild and violent. He lashed out at anyone near him.
He became like a crazed animal, just trying to break free from its cage.
He nearly strangled Magnolia.
By the time everyone in the mansion heard the chaos and rushed in, they found Magnolia disheveled, Benjamin's hands around her throat, her face red and on the brink of suffocation.
When Benjamin came to his senses, the first thing he did was demand that Magnolia leave the White family.
Amelia threw a fit when she heard.
Out of respect for Amelia, Preston didn't kick Magnolia out completely. Instead, he sent her abroad to study and ordered her not to return for three years, or the White family would cut off all support.
Magnolia, being an orphan, knew she had no choice. Without the Whites, she had nothing.
So, she left.
In Celestia's eyes, Magnolia was gentle, considerate, and graceful.
Even if she did something so disgraceful, it was because she loved Benjamin too much.
So, when Celestia learned that Benjamin was marrying an ordinary girl, she was both angry and upset.
This morning, she brought up Magnolia, hoping to cause trouble for Sophia.
After all, no woman could tolerate her husband being ambiguous with another woman.
But who would have thought Benjamin would expose her in front of everyone!
He didn't spare Magnolia's reputation at all!
The atmosphere in the dining room grew tense.
Preston's face darkened, "It's early in the morning, what's all the noise about? If you don't want to eat, then leave!"
When he turned to Sophia, his expression softened. "Sophia, don't listen to Celestia. She's just talking nonsense."
"You're too thin, you need to eat more. I hope to have a great-grandchild in my arms by next year."
Lachlan, who had never seen Preston show such a gentle expression to anyone, was taken aback.
His memories of Preston were of a stern and solemn figure, cold and serious.
Seeing Preston smile and speak softly today was a rare sight for Lachlan.
He glanced at Sophia a few more times, his eyes scrutinizing.
Sophia smiled and thanked Preston.
Noticing the dark circles under his eyes, she asked with concern, "Grandpa, did you not sleep well last night? I have some calming medicine; I'll bring it to you after breakfast."
Preston's smile deepened, "That would be great, thank you, Sophia."
Sophia waved her hand dismissively, "It's no trouble. We are family!"
Sophia spoke openly and confidently, showing her genuine affection.
Many people present frowned, thinking Sophia was rude and uneducated.
Especially Amelia.
Seeing Sophia holding onto Benjamin's arm, Amelia's face turned cold. "No talking while eating or sleeping. Didn't the Brown family teach you any manners? Do you think the White family is a place for your bad habits?"
"Don't bring your old ways into the White family!"
Amelia had always wanted Benjamin to end up with Magnolia.
Benjamin's earlier comments felt like a slap in the face.
She didn't dare confront Benjamin, so she took her anger out on Sophia.
An uneducated girl, not fit for the family.
She couldn't understand why Preston and Benjamin favored her!
The dining room fell silent again.
Preston's smile faded. "I just spoke, too. Are you saying I don't have manners? Should I ask you to teach me about manners?"
Amelia was startled and quickly responded, "Dad, that's not what I meant."
Preston's expression remained cold as he gave Amelia a sharp, warning glance.
"Sophia, you don't need to feel restrained. Our family isn't bound by so many rules. Do whatever you like." Preston hoped Sophia and Benjamin would grow closer.
He had watched Benjamin grow up and knew the poison in his body had made him cold and distant.
Over the years, Benjamin appeared calm on the surface, but he was lonely inside, treating everyone with indifference.
But deep down, he longed for someone to care.
It was rare for Benjamin to open up to Sophia, to accept her, and even to take the initiative to get married.
To Preston, this was a positive development.
Amelia was stunned by Preston's interruption, her face paling.
She opened her mouth to retort, but someone beat her to it.
"Mrs. White, I may not understand manners. Perhaps if I hadn't gone missing seventeen years ago, I would know."
At the mention of seventeen years ago, Amelia's face turned even worse.
Her chest heaved, and she pointed a trembling finger at Sophia, unable to speak, "You! You…"
Sophia narrowed her eyes, smiling sweetly at her.
Sophia's cheeks were rosy, her eyes curved, looking soft and sweet.
Amelia gritted her teeth, glaring at Sophia in anger.
"Honey, eat more vegetables!"
"This is delicious, I like it!"
"Honey, I want some shrimp!"
Sophia noticed a whole plate of untouched shrimp and stood up to bring it over.
Ignoring Amelia's shocked and angry gaze, she placed it in front of Benjamin.
To deal with someone who loved to talk about rules, she had to be as unruly as possible.
If it weren't for Amelia being Benjamin's biological mother, she would have scolded her harshly.
Benjamin, who had remained silent, looked down to see a plate of shrimp in front of him.
Looking up, he saw Sophia's charming face.
Sophia hooked her fingers around his, playfully asking, "Honey, can you peel them for me?"
Benjamin's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
He lowered his eyes, hiding his smile, and said, "Sure."
Benjamin's long, slender fingers, like a priceless work of art, peeled the shrimp with elegance and grace.
There was an indescribable allure to it.
Soon, Sophia's bowl was piled high with shrimp.
Everyone was stunned.
When Sophia made her request, everyone expected Benjamin to refuse.
But not only did he not refuse, he peeled every shrimp on the plate and put them all in Sophia's bowl.
He even stood up to bring the sauce dish closer to Sophia.