Chapter 21 Mr. White is Poisoned!
Sophia spat out the fish bone and pushed her plate away, suddenly losing interest in her meal.
After spending so much time with Robert, she'd picked up his dislike for anything that required extra effort.
Fish with bones, shrimp, crab, and so on, she avoided them all.
Benjamin set down his utensils, his face darkening as he glanced at her.
The moment he moved, everyone at the table froze, holding their breath.
Everyone in the White family knew Benjamin couldn't stand idle chatter.
Dinner was usually a silent affair, just the clinking of cutlery and the sound of chewing filling the room.
But ever since Sophia arrived, things had changed.
There was always someone talking at the table now.
Everyone, except Amelia, seemed to appreciate the change.
The White family had been too quiet before.
With Sophia around, the house felt more lively.
Even Arabella had warmed up to Sophia.
No one realized how suffocating it had been, dining in silence with Amelia all these years.
Amelia had a bunch of unspoken rules.
"No talking while eating" and "no loud noises" had become the norm in the White family, all to keep Amelia happy.
This was one of the reasons Arabella disliked Amelia.
But since Sophia's arrival, the White family not only felt more alive, but those rules had also been broken.
Arabella couldn't help but feel a bit of joy when she thought of Amelia's sour face, and her animosity towards Sophia lessened.
At that moment, seeing Benjamin's tense expression and the cold look on his face as he set down his utensils, everyone at the table instinctively thought he was angry.
Celestia, who had been quietly eating, felt a surge of excitement.
Was he about to lose his temper?
Was Benjamin finally going to lash out at Sophia?
She couldn't wait to share this juicy tidbit with Magnolia!
Maybe, just maybe, they'd get rid of Sophia!
But the next second, everyone was stunned, their mouths hanging open.
The expected outburst and reprimand never came.
Benjamin narrowed his eyes at Sophia, then picked up another piece of fish, carefully removed the bones, and placed it in Sophia's bowl.
His deep voice carried a hint of indulgence, "Such a princess."
Sophia looked at the fish in her bowl, her delicate, picturesque eyes curving into a smile, her face radiant. "Thanks, babe. Love you."
Seeing Sophia so happy, Benjamin's previously calm and indifferent mood began to lighten with an inexplicable joy.
His face remained stern, but his tone softened, "Eat up."
Everyone at the table stared at Benjamin in astonishment, seemingly unable to process what they were seeing.
Was this really the Benjamin they knew?
The same Benjamin who was usually so cold and ruthless, never caring about anyone's well-being?
Benjamin noticed the varied expressions around the table and slowly lifted his gaze.
His deep eyes were like a cold, bottomless pool, sharp and icy as a hawk locking onto its prey.
He was still the Benjamin they knew.
It was only when he was with Sophia that his eyes showed any other emotion.
For a moment, the White family members watched Sophia, who was happily eating, with a mix of emotions.
Especially Celestia.
Seeing Benjamin's gentle and doting demeanor towards Sophia, Celestia gritted her teeth, her heart full of resentment and jealousy.
Benjamin had never been this gentle with her!
Why Sophia?
Later that evening, Preston called Sophia into the study.
Finn had returned, looking weary and disappointed. "Mrs. White, I failed. I couldn't get the medicine."
"The Lumina Group refused to sell it?" Sophia's eyes blinked, as if she had expected this outcome.
Preston and Finn exchanged anxious glances. "Mr. Moore from the Lumina Group said the medicine was for his sister, and he wouldn't sell it. Sophia, can you think of any other way?"
Sophia remained silent, not saying a word.
She and Matthew were both orphans, and she was his only junior. Where would he get a sister?
So, Matthew had collected the medicine for her.
For a moment, Sophia didn't know whether to feel more touched or saddened.
She missed Matthew, but she couldn't bear to leave Benjamin.
Just then, there was an urgent knock on the door.
"Mr. Preston White, something's wrong!"
A servant, looking flustered, said, "Mr. Benjamin White is having a relapse!"
Sophia's pupils contracted sharply, and she quickly rushed out.
As she exited the study, she saw that the second floor was crowded with people.
Servants stood in the hallway, looking lost and whispering to each other.
From the room came the sound of shattering vases and a muffled groan of pain.
Sophia tried to enter, but a hand stopped her.
Amelia frowned, her voice low and reprimanding, "He's like a madman right now, unrecognizable and dangerous. If you go in, you might not come out alive!"
Sophia paused, then glared at Amelia, "If you're scared, stay out of the way. Don't stop me from saving him."
Amelia's anger flared.
She looked at Sophia with disdain and mockery.
"Do you think a few bottles of medicine prove you're a great doctor? Benjamin's poison couldn't be cured by Dr. Martinez, a renowned medical expert. What makes you think you can help?"
"Enough! If you're done talking, shut up!" Sophia's eyes narrowed, and she took a step towards Amelia.
The previously seemingly timid Sophia now exuded a cold, intimidating aura.
Her gaze was icy, looking at Amelia as if she were a lifeless object.
Amelia was startled, taking a step back in fear.
When she realized she had been intimidated by Sophia's gaze, her face turned sour, but she stubbornly glared at Sophia, "Am I wrong? No one has seen your medical skills. If something happens to Benjamin, can you take responsibility?"
The surrounding servants nodded in agreement.
"Yes, even Dr. Martinez couldn't help. Mrs. Sophia White, please don't cause trouble!"
"If something happens to Mr. Benjamin White, Mr. Preston White will be devastated!"
"Mrs. Sophia White, let's wait for Dr. Martinez to treat him!"