Chapter 158

My head buzzed. Shock and joy hit me at once, but panic overwhelmed everything else.

He'd been on an IV drip in China just days ago, so weak he could barely get out of bed. How could he possibly handle a ten-plus-hour flight?

More importantly, Sawyer now believed Brent was the murderer who killed my mother. He hated the Wilson family with every fiber of his being.

For Benjamin to show up now was like walking straight into the line of fire.

"Grandpa, don't touch him." I immediately stepped in front of the wheelchair, my voice urgent. "This is between him and me. I'll handle it. If you send people after him, it'll only make things messier."

Sawyer stared at me coldly. After a few tense seconds, he let out a cold snort and gestured for Mia to return my phone.

I snatched it and hurried to the window, dialing Benjamin's number.

He picked up almost instantly.

"Ophelia."

His voice came through the receiver, hoarse as if scraped over sandpaper, heavy with exhaustion.

Hearing that familiar voice made my nose sting. Tears nearly spilled over.

"Are you out of your mind? Who told you to come to Solstice?" I kept my voice low, anxiety and heartache bleeding through. "Your body can't handle long flights. Do you have a death wish?"

"I was worried about you." His answer came softly, his breathing labored. "I found out the White manor increased security. You didn't answer my calls all day yesterday. I had to come see for myself that you're safe."

I dug my nails into my palm, forcing myself to stay calm.

The White manor was crawling with bodyguards. If Benjamin tried to force his way in, he'd definitely get hurt.

"I'm fine." I stared at the heavily guarded iron gates outside the window, speaking quickly. "Leave here first. Go back to your hotel. My grandfather's emotions are really unstable right now. Please don't clash with him. I'm begging you—just go."

Silence on the other end.

Benjamin was too sharp.

Even over the phone, he could pick up on the slightest shift in my emotions.

"Ophelia, your voice sounds off." His tone dropped immediately, carrying an undeniable pressure. "What happened? Is Mr. White using something to force you?"

My throat tightened.

My mother's cause of death. Brent's scheming. Marlowe's manipulation. These things pressed on my chest like a boulder.

I desperately wanted to ask if he'd known all along about the dirty things his father had done.

But I didn't dare.

His current physical condition couldn't handle even the slightest shock.

"No." I hedged, trying to make my voice sound natural. "I just started taking over the business here. The pressure's getting to me. Please, just go back to the hotel and wait for me. I'll come find you later."

He fell silent for two more seconds before finally conceding. "Fine. I'll send you the hotel address."

After hanging up, I watched a black sedan slowly pull away from the gate.

Only then did my racing heart settle back into place.

Turning around, I saw Francis had appeared in the living room at some point.

Today he wore a casual beige trench coat, and his eyes held a knowing look as they rested on me.

"Ms. White, I heard you haven't been able to go out lately." Francis approached, his tone gentle. "The weather in Suncrest City is beautiful today. If you'd like, I can take you out for some fresh air."

He was a smart man.

Clearly, he'd already figured out I was under house arrest and was offering me a way out.

Sawyer sat in his wheelchair, watching Francis with a considerably softer expression.

He turned to me, his tone carrying obvious pressure. "Ophelia, Francis is a good man. You're lucky he's willing to look after you. Think carefully about the Wilson family matter. Spending more time with Francis would be good for you."

I looked at Sawyer, then at Francis.

I couldn't get out by force. I'd have to be smart about it.

"Okay." I lowered my eyes, pretending to give in. "I'll do as you say. I'll go out with Mr. Brooks today."

Sawyer nodded with satisfaction and waved for the bodyguards to let us pass.

I got into Francis's car.

As we drove out of the manor, I spotted a black SUV tailing us at a distance in the rearview mirror.

Though Sawyer had let me leave, he'd still sent someone to watch me.

The car was quiet.

Francis focused on driving, not interrupting my thoughts.

"Mr. Brooks, I need a favor." I stared straight ahead, my tone calm.

"The car behind us?" Francis glanced at the rearview mirror, a gentle smile playing at his lips. "Where would you like to go, Ms. White?"

"Rainbow District."

At the most bustling commercial area downtown, Francis parked in an underground garage. We walked into a massive department store with an extremely complex layout. The bodyguards followed about thirty feet behind.

"This way." Francis suddenly grabbed my wrist and led me into a luxury boutique.

We slipped through the store's back door into an employee corridor, then took two different freight elevators. The mall was packed with people, the layout a maze. In less than ten minutes, we'd completely lost our tail.

Exiting through another entrance, I let out a long breath.

"Thank you." I looked at Francis, genuinely grateful.

"Don't mention it." Francis considerately hailed a cab for me without asking any questions. "Go take care of your business. I'll pick you up later so I can report back to Mr. White."

I nodded and climbed into the taxi, giving the driver the address of Benjamin's hotel.

The car stopped in front of Suncrest City Hof Hotel. Following the room number, I went straight up to the penthouse suite on the top floor.

I swiped the key card and entered. The suite was dark, with no lights on and heavy curtains drawn tight. The air was thick with a sharp medicinal smell mixed with a faint trace of blood.

The unease in my chest exploded. I hurried through the outer room into the bedroom.

The moment I saw the figure on the bed, my breath stopped completely.

Benjamin was propped against the headboard. In just a few days, he'd become almost unrecognizable, so thin he looked skeletal. His once-sharp features were deeply sunken, his complexion a lifeless gray-white. He wore a dark black silk robe, the collar hanging open to reveal painfully prominent collarbones.

What shocked me most were his hands resting on top of the covers. The backs were covered in needle marks, surrounded by alarming purple-blue bruises.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes. Those once-deep, piercing eyes were now dull and bloodshot. But the instant he recognized me, a light flickered to life in their depths.

"Ophelia." He called my name hoarsely, reaching out toward me.

My tears broke free instantly. I rushed over and threw my arms around him.

His body temperature was frighteningly low, his bones pressing painfully against me.

He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist, holding me with a force that felt like he wanted to fuse me into his very bones.

He buried his face in the crook of my neck, greedily breathing in my scent.