Chapter 11
That wasn't an accident. It was a warning.
And it was aimed at me.
The car fell into dead silence, only the roar of the engine breaking through. I stared at the bulletproof glass covered in cracks, my fingertips ice cold.
Michael's doing? Unlikely. He's still lost in the fantasy I wove for him.
Then who? Winter? She doesn't have the brains or the guts.
So, Benjamin's enemies?
They already know about my existence, know I'm about to become Benjamin's fiancée. So this is a warning for me.
I leaned back against the soft seat and slowly let out a breath.
Looks like marrying Benjamin is going to be bloodier and more dangerous than I thought.
I not only have to deal with those greedy parasites in the Johnson family, but also handle those invisible enemies lurking in the dark world.
Fine by me.
I looked at the street scene flying backward outside the window, my eyes showing no fear. Instead, a cold excitement ignited within them.
The Bentley smoothly pulled into the villa, and my tense nerves finally relaxed a bit.
The car stopped, and Chase immediately got out, opening the rear door. He glanced at the spider-web cracked bulletproof window, a flash of fear and murderous intent crossing his stern face.
"Ms. White, you should go up and rest. I'll handle this." As he spoke, he pulled out his phone, clearly about to report to Benjamin and mobilize people to investigate.
"No need," I spoke calmly, stopping him.
Under Chase's surprised gaze, I dialed a number, my voice cold as ice. "Close the net. I want them alive."
A crisp response came from the other end, then the person hung up.
Chase held his phone, looking at me with more scrutiny and amazement in his eyes.
He probably didn't expect that I wasn't some caged canary needing Benjamin's protection.
I ignored his stare, picked up my handbag, and walked straight into Silvercrest Villa.
Benjamin stood at the entrance, as if he'd been waiting for me for a while.
He wore a dark-colored loungewear that softened his usual sharpness, adding a touch of casual domesticity.
When his gaze fell on Chase following behind me and the damaged car window, a cold light flashed in his deep eyes.
He took my hand, his fingertips gently rubbing across my cold knuckles, as if confirming I was okay.
That bit of warmth miraculously relaxed my tense nerves.
"I'm fine," I said, shaking my head and handing him my phone. "The person's been caught."
On the phone screen was a just-received brief report, with a photo of a young girl attached. She had delicate features, but her eyes held an obsession that didn't match her age.
"Freya, Michael's adopted sister." I gave a simple introduction. "She was adopted by the Johnson family as a child. She's always had a crush on Michael and sees me as her rival. Her motive is pretty clear, isn't it?"
Benjamin finished reading the report and casually placed the phone on the entrance cabinet, pulling me to sit on the living room sofa.
He poured me a glass of warm water.
I held the cup, looking at his calm profile, and continued, "But I don't buy it. Although Freya hates me, she doesn't have the guts, much less the ability. Modifying an air gun, attacking in a busy street, aiming precisely at my position—this isn't something someone blinded by jealousy could pull off."
Benjamin finally looked up at me, his unfathomable eyes carrying a hint of amusement, as if approving of my sharpness.
"The Johnson family treats you like an ATM. Why would Michael be willing to let anything happen to you?" He spoke slowly, his voice deep and steady. "At most, he'd just try to scare you, make you back down and obediently return to his side."
His words woke me up.
Michael is greedy and arrogant. He thinks I'm still in his palm, so naturally, he wouldn't use a potentially fatal method.
What he wants is intimidation, to make me afraid, then appear as a savior to pull me back under his control.
"My recent opponents really like using underhanded tactics," Benjamin added casually, his slender fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the sofa.
My heart sank as a deeper, colder suspicion surfaced in my mind.
Benjamin watched my changing expression and threw out one final question, his tone as casual as discussing the weather. "Besides the Johnson family, people who want to drag you back, who else would be happiest if something happened to you?"
Who else?
Of course, those who can't stand Benjamin but can't find an opportunity to strike at him.
I'm Benjamin's soon-to-be partner, and in outsiders' eyes, I've already been labeled as his woman.
If something happened to me while staying at his arranged residence, riding in his car, protected by his people, it wouldn't just be a slap in my face, but in Benjamin's face.
This would announce to all of Emerald City's high society that Benjamin can't even protect his own woman.
A perfect closed loop formed in my mind: Michael wanted to stage a "hero saves the damsel after intimidation" show and enlisted Freya, who's devoted to him. And Benjamin's rivals learned of this plan, secretly intervened, and escalated a harmless scare into an obvious assassination attempt.
Freya became the manipulated pawn and perfect scapegoat.
If something happened to me, she'd be immediately pushed out to take the blame, with solid motives and a complete chain of evidence.
And the real mastermind could safely hide behind the scenes, enjoying how embarrassed Benjamin would look.
What a brilliant case of killing with a borrowed knife.
Understanding all this, I felt a chill rise from my spine, but what followed was an even more surging fury.
These idiots really think they're so clever!
"They want to see me embarrassed, and even more, they want to humiliate you." I looked up, meeting Benjamin's probing gaze, the softness in my eyes gone, leaving only cold sharpness.
"So, what do you want to do?" Benjamin seemed satisfied with my reaction. He threw the question back to me, his posture relaxed, as if everything was under control.
Of course, I wouldn't naively let him solve all my problems.
Taking hits passively has never been my style.
"An eye for an eye," I said coldly.
Since they want to watch a show, I'll personally set up a stage and let them taste what it's like to be in the play.
I suddenly remembered something and immediately pulled out my phone, calling my personal assistant.
"Help me check who Michael's biggest competitor is for that new energy project he's been fighting for."
The answer came quickly from the other end. "It's Bobby Owens from Stellar Industries Group. They say the two have been at it for several rounds. Michael has mortgaged almost half of the Johnson Group's shares for this project."
Stellar Industries Group, Bobby Owens.
I memorized the name.
"Good," I said calmly before hanging up. "Use all connections. I want to meet him tomorrow morning."
After hanging up, I looked at Benjamin. He had stood up at some point and was looking down at me, his dark eyes unreadable but faintly tinged with interest.
"You're going to join forces with Michael's rival?"
"Not join forces," I corrected him, a cold smile curving my lips. "I'm sending Michael a big gift, one big enough to make him and the entire Johnson family suffer beyond redemption."
Benjamin laughed softly, the sound rich and pleasant, especially clear in the quiet living room. He didn't ask more questions, only extended his hand to me.
"Come on, my partner," he looked at me, the admiration in his eyes undisguised. "Let me welcome you properly and wish you success in your first battle."
I smiled. "Thank you."