Chapter 467: Sophia, He is Determined to Win
Benjamin buried his face deep into Sophia's shoulder, nuzzling gently against her, full of attachment.
"Honey, I have no clue where Magnus is right now, and I don't even know how I should face him when I find him."
His sudden vulnerability made Sophia's heart ache.
Sophia reached out and ruffled his hair, coaxing him softly, "It's okay. If you don't want to face him, there's still Alaric, right? And worst case, there's Grandpa."
She paused, then smiled gently, "We'll all be your strongest support, always on your side."
Benjamin slowly let out a heavy breath and instantly cleared his head.
Right, Magnus was just his biological father, nothing more.
Come to think of it, Magnus hadn't raised him for even a single day, so there was no need to care.
He just needed to treat Magnus as a stranger, and that would be enough.
After figuring this out, he cupped Sophia's fair and delicate face and kissed her lips.
"I know what to do now. Thank you."
Sophia smiled too, a hint of mischief flashing in her eyes. "So, do I get a reward?"
Benjamin raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't the kiss count?"
"Nice try. I'm not representing just one person now—I need to claim the reward for the baby in my belly too."
Benjamin smiled indulgently, leaned down, and deepened the earlier kiss. "Then a few more kisses it is."
Sophia was caught off guard as he sealed her lips, feeling somewhat speechless. This wasn't the reward she had in mind.
She couldn't eat much these days, but her stomach always felt empty—she wanted some dessert.
Who knew... Benjamin would get addicted to kissing her.
After a while, Sophia was left weak all over from his kisses, leaning limply against the headboard, glaring at him coquettishly.
Benjamin licked his lips contentedly, realizing that if he stayed any longer, he'd probably lose control. He made up an excuse and headed to the study.
Before leaving, he bent down and pressed his cheek against Sophia's belly through the thin fabric of her nightgown, then kissed it.
"Baby, Daddy's going to make money for you now. Be good and listen to Mommy."
Sophia laughed. "The baby isn't fully formed yet—it can't hear you."
"I believe he can hear me," Benjamin said with certainty.
As he was about to head to the study, footsteps suddenly came from downstairs. A servant walked in from outside and said to him, "Mr. Benjamin White, Mr. Lachlan White is here."
Lachlan? What's he doing here?
Benjamin frowned, a hint of wariness rising in his heart, though his face remained impassive. "Show him in."
He wanted to see what exactly Lachlan was up to.
Soon, Lachlan walked in with a smile on his face, greeting Benjamin.
"Benjamin, long time no see."
"Lachlan, long time no see. Have a seat." Benjamin sat down on the sofa with a cold expression, his eyes subtly sizing him up.
Today, Lachlan wore casual home clothes, looking very approachable.
Combined with the smile on his face, he seemed even more gentle and harmless.
If he hadn't known his true identity beforehand, it would be hard to imagine that Lachlan could be that kind of person.
"Lachlan, what brings you here?"
Lachlan looked a bit embarrassed and glanced upstairs. "Is Sophia here? I came to see Sophia."
Benjamin smiled lightly. "Sophia isn't feeling well today, so it's not convenient for her to come down. You can tell me whatever it is."
Lachlan furrowed his brow, seemingly hesitating. "This matter... I can probably only discuss it with Sophia."
Benjamin fell silent, his eyes lowered, lost in thought.
Lachlan looked up at him briefly, waiting calmly.
The air seemed to fill with some strange, indescribable atmosphere. A servant who came to pour water shivered hard.
Noticing the servant's arrival, Benjamin smiled. "Alright, I'll go get her."
He was curious to know what exactly Lachlan was planning.
Upstairs, his phone suddenly rang. It was Alaric calling.
He answered and learned from Alaric the purpose of Lachlan's visit.
So... he wanted to take Sophia to Celestria.
Celestria was his home base—he probably had no good intentions.
He stood in the hallway for a long time without entering the bedroom. After a few minutes, he slowly walked back downstairs.
"Sorry, Lachlan. Sophia is resting, and I don't want to disturb her sleep."
Lachlan shook his head with a smile. "No problem. Sophia's health is more important. I'll come back tomorrow."
"Alright then... I won't see you out." Benjamin smiled and made a gesture of invitation.
Lachlan turned to leave, and the moment his back was to Benjamin, his expression instantly turned cold.
Isn't Sophia feeling well?
Is Sophia really unwell... or has she found out something?
No! He'd been careful enough—no one could suspect him. It seemed he'd need to find another opportunity.
If he really couldn't find one... he'd just have to take her by force.
Sophia—he was determined to have her.
After seeing Lachlan off, Benjamin didn't feel relieved at all. Instead, his mood grew heavier.
He immediately called Alaric to ask what was going on.
Alaric was just as confused. "I'm not sure either. I'm guessing he just wants to trick Sophia into going to Celestria."
Just then, the bedroom door suddenly opened from inside, and Sophia walked out.
She glanced at Benjamin and voiced her theory. "Could it be for some kind of research?"
Alaric and Benjamin suddenly understood.
Right—how had they overlooked this?
When Benjamin and Sophia were kidnapped before, they were used as experimental subjects.
When Benjamin first returned, the orders he received were also to bring Sophia back to the GeneCipher Society intact.
Perhaps they were currently conducting an important research project.
And this research... required Sophia?
"Whatever he's planning, we can't let him succeed." Benjamin's face darkened like gathering storm clouds.
Alaric nodded in agreement. "The research Lachlan is doing might be like before—very harmful to the human body."
There was something else he didn't say: it might even repeat past mistakes and use human subjects for experiments.
They would never allow that to happen!
"Looks like our plan can't wait any longer. Let's move it up." Benjamin gazed at Sophia's delicate features, speaking each word deliberately.
"But... we're not ready yet. We haven't even figured out all the locations."
"Leave the Celestria location to Wilford's team, the Novaria location to Thaddeus and M. As for headquarters... I'm guessing it's in Novaria, we just don't know exactly where yet."
Since the GeneCipher Society's inception, its home base had always been in Novaria.
So he guessed that the GeneCipher Society's headquarters must also be in Novaria, and in a place familiar to Lachlan.
But... where exactly?
"Since we have no leads, let's just search for now. Benjamin, you don't need to be too tense." Alaric consoled him.