Chapter 279 Eavesdropper
Some of the medical books were bought by Robert at high prices from various places, and others were notes and experiences he had compiled over his years of medical practice.
Sophia pointed at the books in the study and introduced them to Benjamin.
Benjamin followed behind her, listening quietly.
Sophia walked to the bookshelf first and stood on her tiptoes, trying to reach a book on the top shelf.
However, she wasn't tall enough. Even on her tiptoes, she couldn't reach it.
Benjamin's gaze fell on her, his eyes darkening slightly.
Sophia was wearing a simple outfit today.
She had on a white T-shirt on top and light-colored jeans on the bottom - simple yet full of energy.
When she raised her arms, the hem of her T-shirt rode up, revealing a stretch of fair, slender waist.
The midday sunlight shone through, making her skin seem almost luminous, dazzlingly white.
That waist was slender and soft, so thin it could barely fill one's grasp.
Sophia wasn't tall enough and couldn't reach no matter how hard she tried, so she prepared to get a chair.
However, before she could turn around, her back suddenly bumped into a warm wall.
Benjamin's chest was hot, and Sophia's cheeks flushed red. She slowly turned around, wanting to avoid him.
But Benjamin's tall figure leaned down. With one hand against the bookshelf and the other already taking the book she wanted, he surrounded her.
Sophia wanted to step back, but her back was already against the bookshelf.
Benjamin looked down at her, and when he spoke, his warm breath fell entirely on Sophia's cheeks, making them burn.
"Give it to me quickly."
Benjamin chuckled softly, his deep eyes looking straight at her with a hint of amusement. "You want it?"
"Yes!"
Sophia nodded firmly.
"Then how are you going to thank me?" Benjamin raised an eyebrow, the corners of his lips curving up slightly.
Benjamin's handsome face was already captivating, and now the coldness on his face seemed to suddenly melt away - less aloof, more gentle.
Even more heart-stirring.
Sophia had no choice but to stand on her tiptoes, lift her head, and press her lips to the corner of Benjamin's lips for a kiss.
She really couldn't do anything with him.
Everyone outside said Benjamin had a cold personality and kept people at a distance, but only Sophia knew that Benjamin liked to be jealous around her and was sometimes quite clingy.
The corners of Benjamin's lips curved up as he took control, grasping the back of Sophia's head and kissing her.
Sophia's cheeks gradually turned red. When she felt she couldn't breathe, she pushed against his chest.
"Stop it, we don't have much time."
Only then did Benjamin reluctantly let Sophia go.
Sophia directed Benjamin to take down the entire top row of books.
Benjamin did as told. When Sophia looked through the books, he sat beside her silently, keeping her company.
Sophia nodded with satisfaction and focused on searching through the books.
Until late at night, she still hadn't found any useful medicine.
Sophia couldn't help feeling a bit defeated.
The prescription to cure Benjamin's poison required extremely expensive medicines.
Setting aside the price, several of the herbs were very difficult to find.
Sophia had to find suitable substitutes - preferably ones with similar effects that wouldn't cause side effects when combined.
Benjamin noticed Sophia's low spirits and immediately pulled her into his arms, comforting her softly, "Don't worry, we still have time. I believe there's nothing our Sophia can't do once she sets her mind to it."
With Benjamin's encouragement, Sophia's emotions gradually calmed down.
She took a deep breath, trying to stay composed, then gathered her energy to continue looking.
Finally.
Just when Sophia was about to give up for the second time, she finally found a book in a corner.
Sophia's eyes lit up. She quickly showed Benjamin the herbs recorded in the book. "Honey, I found it!"
Benjamin didn't understand medicine or the connections between these herbs.
But seeing the bright, beautiful smile on Sophia's face, he couldn't help but smile too.
He reached out and gently ruffled Sophia's hair. "Sophia is amazing."
Sophia and Benjamin didn't rest all night.
By the time dawn broke, they had finally gone through all the books.
"One piece of good news and one piece of bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
Benjamin chuckled softly. "What's the good news?"
Sophia pressed her lips together and smiled. "The good news is that out of six medicines, I found substitutes for five of them."
Although the effects were weaker than the original medicines, it was better than nothing.
"What's the bad news?"
"The bad news is that I haven't found a substitute for the hardest one to find."
These medicines were all essential - not one could be missing.
Benjamin was silent for a moment, then comforted her, "You did great. You've done your best."
Sophia's lips pouted slightly as she lowered her eyes in disappointment.
Was there really no other way? If only Robert were here.
Benjamin bent down, scooped Sophia up in his arms, and strode toward the exit. "Rest for a bit first. I'll wake you when we get home."
"Okay." Sophia wrapped her arms around Benjamin's neck, buried her face in his shoulder, and quickly fell asleep.
When she woke up again, the car had already entered the White Manor.
Before they returned, Chase had already called Preston.
So Preston had been standing outside waiting since early morning.
Seeing the familiar car drive in, Preston immediately came forward with his cane.
"You're finally back? I heard someone followed you yesterday? Did you find out who it was? Are you hurt?"
Benjamin slowly shook his head. "Let's talk inside."
Sophia was already awake and struggled to get down from Benjamin's arms.
Alaric also heard the news and came downstairs, sitting with them on the sofa to discuss recent events.
Preston's face darkened as he said coldly, "How dare they make a move on the White family's territory - they really don't take the White family seriously."
"Don't be angry, Grandpa. Getting upset over unimportant people and hurting yourself isn't worth it." Sophia sat beside Preston, patting his back and softly comforting him.
Benjamin agreed. "Sophia's right. I'll handle this matter. You just stay home and relax."
"Easy for you to say. How can I stay put when you're both in danger?" Preston glared at him, his eyes full of disapproval.
"Mr. Benjamin White, Mrs. White, have some fruit." Just then, Finn suddenly walked over, carrying a tray.
The tray held washed fruit.
Finn bent down and placed the tray on the table.
Sophia got up to go to the bathroom and accidentally bumped into him.
He didn't hold the tray steady, and suddenly two grapes fell out and rolled under the sofa.
"Mrs. White, I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" Finn looked at Sophia apologetically.
Sophia immediately waved her hand. "It was my fault."
With that, she slowly crouched down, wanting to pick up the grapes that had fallen into the sofa crack.
Finn was startled by her action and quickly said, "Mrs. White, leave such small things to me. If not, I'll have someone get them when they clean later."
"It's just a small thing, I can do it myself..."
Before she finished speaking, Sophia's hand suddenly touched something, and her expression changed instantly.
Benjamin was the first to notice the change in her expression and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
Sophia frowned slightly and slowly pulled her hand out from under the sofa. In her fair palm was a small black object.
A bug?
Everyone's faces changed dramatically.