Chapter 170

Chapter 170

"Alice is so manipulative — she's a total fraud! I'm done being her fan. I never want to see her again."

When Alice saw the information on the big screen, her blood ran cold in an instant, and her face went completely pale.

Benjamin realized the USB drive Nicholas had been holding was just a decoy. A flash of irritation crossed his eyes as he turned to look at Sophia with a cold stare.

"Did you really have to take things this far?"

"Feeling sorry for Alice?" Sophia said with a mocking tone. "I've said it before — she can take whatever she wants. Whether it's you or Harry, I'll gladly step aside. But my talent, my achievements, everything I've worked so hard for — I will never let her trample over that."

"Do you have any idea what kind of consequences this will bring?" Benjamin's brow furrowed deeply, and for once, a rare look of restrained worry flickered in his eyes.

Before Sophia could figure out why Benjamin was making that expression, Emory walked straight toward her.

Emory gave a slight bow and addressed Sophia politely. "It seems I misjudged the situation. I nearly let someone as talented as you, Ms. Brown, go unrecognized."

"I wonder, Ms. Brown — is there anything I can do to make it up to you? Or perhaps you'd like me to deal with the person who stole credit for your work?"

Sophia took a step back, putting some distance between herself and Emory, then replied calmly.

"Thank you for the kind offer, Mr. Buckner, but I'll handle the rest myself. No need for you to get involved."

"Very well then, I'll leave it entirely in your hands, Ms. Brown." Emory glanced sideways at the bodyguards behind him. "The guest I invited was the head of the project team. Since Ms. Baker is not that person, please escort her out."

Alice stood frozen, still processing what had just happened, when two large men grabbed her by the arms and dragged her out.

"Now that Ms. Baker is gone, isn't Mr. White going to go keep her company?" Emory said with a smile.

Benjamin gave Sophia one long, deep look, then turned and left.

It was two hours later by the time Sophia finally left the Buckner estate. She had just stepped off the elevator when she spotted a tall figure standing not far away.

Even from behind, Sophia recognized him immediately. It was Benjamin.

She had nothing to say to him. She walked straight to her room and unlocked the door with her key card.

Just as she was about to close the door, a pair of large hands firmly caught it. Before she could react, Benjamin slipped inside and kicked the door shut behind him.

"What are you doing here?" Sophia's brow furrowed, her expression making it clear he wasn't welcome.

Benjamin didn't look pleased either. "What did Emory say to you? And what did you say back?"

"Mr. White, are you interrogating me?" Sophia said sarcastically, pointing toward the door. "This is my room. Please leave."

Benjamin's expression darkened. He crossed the room in a few quick strides and, before Sophia could react, grabbed her hand. They were now so close they could feel each other's breath and heartbeat.

Sophia instinctively tried to step back, but with her hand held firm, she had nowhere to go.

"Benjamin, have you lost your mind? What are you doing? Let go of me."

"I've already arranged a private jet. Pack your things right now and go back home with Nicholas and Ethan."

"Why should I listen to you?" Sophia said dismissively. "What do you know? Why are you so afraid of me staying here?"

"Just go back home first."

As if worried she'd keep pushing back, he added, "About the hit-and-run accidents — once you're back, I'll tell you everything."

Sophia opened her mouth to argue, but when she met his eyes, the words died in her throat.

Those eyes, which had always looked at her with cold indifference, were now filled with an intense emotion she couldn't quite name. She didn't understand it, but her heart lurched, deeply moved by what she saw.

Why was Benjamin looking at her like that? Was she imagining things?

Benjamin let go of her hand and gently rubbed her wrist. "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. But now isn't the time for this — go pack your things."

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. As he pulled it out, Sophia caught the name on the screen: Alice.

He answered and headed for the door, his voice unusually soft. "I'll be right there."

The door closed again. Sophia crumpled onto the carpet like a puppet with its strings cut.

She thought about the tender way Benjamin had just looked at her, then about the gentle tone he'd used with Alice on the phone. Her mind felt like it was short-circuiting.

What was real? What wasn't?

She couldn't figure it out, but somewhere deep down, she chose to believe what Benjamin had told her.

Her only reason for coming abroad had been to expose Alice. That was done now, and she had no intention of staying. Leaving tonight versus tomorrow made no real difference.

With that settled in her mind, Sophia texted Nicholas and Ethan. They quickly packed their bags and got ready to fly home on Benjamin's private jet.

Sophia packed fast. In less than half an hour, she was out the door with her suitcase. But she'd barely taken a few steps when she felt something tighten behind her — and then everything went dark as she lost consciousness.

Nicholas and Ethan waited at the airstrip for half an hour with no sign of Sophia, so they called Benjamin.

"Benjamin, are you still at the hotel? Can you go check on Sophia? We were supposed to leave half an hour ago, and she still hasn't shown up."

Ethan never got a response. The call was cut off.

Alice was curled up on the sofa, watching Benjamin look completely out of it. "Benjamin, what's wrong?" she asked in her usual sweet, delicate way.

For the first time, Benjamin didn't respond to her. He bolted out the door and headed straight for Sophia's room.

The room was empty. Her packed suitcase sat by the entryway. Everything felt off.

Benjamin's brow tightened. Then, as if something clicked, he turned and went back to his own room. Alice, who had been lying on the sofa just moments ago, had vanished into thin air. On the table sat her half-finished cup of coffee.

"Damn it." Benjamin cursed under his breath and slammed his fist into the wall, venting his fury.

He knew he'd played this wrong — moved too fast and walked right into Emory's trap.

Just then, several bodyguards dressed in black approached him and bowed respectfully. "Mr. White, Mr. Buckner would like to invite you to the Buckner estate for a little gathering. He says he has an interesting game he'd like to play with you."