Chapter 100 Chapter 100
Benjamin's former life was one of privilege. Even after his parents died young and his grandfather raised him with strict discipline, his life could never be described as "hard". Her question clearly referred to the other person hidden beneath the name Benjamin—the Alex who had once struggled at society's lowest rung and lived dangerously.
However, Benjamin didn't want her to know about his past life. He didn't want her to know what kind of person his birth mother was, what he experienced since childhood, who he associated with, or what he did. It wasn't that he didn't want to confide in her; he feared seeing disdain or pity in her eyes.
The more he cared about someone, the more he despised the thought of appearing anything less than flawless and omnipotent in their eyes.
He smiled, walked over, embraced her from behind, and replied softly, "It's okay."
Hearing this, Grace didn't press further, only looking regretfully at the pot of soup and muttering, "What a shame. So many ingredients wasted."
Benjamin, however, thought the soup tasted fine. He scooped out some more and said, "It's okay."
Grace turned to look at him. Seeing that he genuinely believed it, she couldn't help but roll her eyes.
His expression amused her, and he leaned in to kiss her cheek. After holding her like that for a moment, his body reacted. She felt it and felt rather helpless. She warned him in a low voice, "Benjamin, we're downstairs. Michael will see us if he comes out!"
"Then let's go upstairs." He grinned mischievously and pulled her up the stairs. At the landing, he carried her upright and walked into the bedroom.
Still wearing her apron, she protested, "Take a shower first! I'm covered in cooking fumes!"
He wasn't having any of it. Instead, he lowered his head to silence her with a kiss. They kissed for several minutes before he finally carried her to take a shower, satisfied.
Back in bed, he held her close as they drifted off to sleep. Just before sleep claimed them, he murmured, "Let's just keep living like this, okay? Grace, the two of us...just keep living like this."
Too lazy to move, she hummed in response, "Mm-hmm."
The next morning, she lingered in bed, refusing to get up. Even when he emerged from the bathroom after washing up, she remained curled up in the covers, still half-asleep. Watching her, he couldn't help but smile. He walked over, gave her pert bottom a pat, and said, "Get up and call your parents. They should have landed by now."
Her parents' first stop was Hawaii, where they would spend a few days before touring Europe and finally heading to Canada. Grace lay sprawled on the bed, fully aware of the time difference, yet still pretending to calculate it on her fingers. After a moment, she lifted her drowsy gaze and asked, "What time is it over there now?"
Benjamin glanced at his watch and answered without hesitation, "Noon."
He had calculated the time so precisely—he must have prepared in advance.
That single sentence made Grace realize that despite her behavior these past two days, Benjamin’s guard hadn’t lowered even a bit.
She'd have to be even more careful with her escape plan, leaving him no room to detect any flaws.
Silently plotting her next move, she reached for her phone on the nightstand and called her mother. Sure enough, her parents had already arrived at the hotel, and everything was settled.
The timing was too precise, making her suspect that Benjamin had secretly placed someone to monitor her parents.
If that were true, not only would her own escape be difficult, but her parents' would be too.
Grace felt overwhelmed with discouragement. Afraid Benjamin might notice her emotions, she closed her eyes and feigned drowsiness while speaking to her mother on the phone.
Her mother sounded cheerful and eager to chat, but Grace had no mind for small talk. After exchanging a few perfunctory words, she hung up, pulled the covers over her head, and told Benjamin, "I need to sleep a little longer. Remember to arrange a driver for me—I want to go shopping.”
He agreed, lifted the covers to kiss her cheek, and descended the stairs. Michael was already waiting in the living room downstairs. Benjamin ate a quick breakfast before heading out. Aron had arrived earlier and used the drive to remind Benjamin of today's schedule—a packed day of meetings leaving him with no free time.
Benjamin interrupted Aron, calmly asking, “Can you clear my evening?”
The schedule showed that he was supposed to attend a business cocktail party that evening. Aron looked somewhat troubled and explained, "This event is hosted by Seattle's elite. If we don't attend, it could make us targets...”
Benjamin had hoped to free up the evening to spend time with Grace. Upon hearing this, he reluctantly conceded, "Forget it."
The car drove straight to the Norman Science Building. Benjamin had been swamped with work since arriving and had finally caught a brief respite around noon. Just as he considered calling Grace, Michael knocked on the door and entered. He handed Benjamin a sealed envelope. "This is what Wendy sent to Officer Niko."
Benjamin opened the envelope and found a sheet of paper bearing his fingerprint and a New Year's card inside. Though the handwriting was slightly childish, the greeting was carefully penned. He couldn't help but smile. He took out a lighter and burned the fingerprint paper but kept the card and envelope. Then he asked Michael, “Did you leave any traces?”
Michael shook his head. "I had someone steal the mail when the delivery person wasn't looking. No one saw."
Benjamin nodded slightly and returned the card and envelope to Michael. He instructed, "Go get your fingerprints taken and slip them inside. Then, imitating Wendy's handwriting, send another package to that officer. Keep a close eye on him. Find out exactly where he keeps his fingerprint records."
Michael nodded. "What about the Meyers?"
Benjamin gave a faint smile and replied, "Wendy's just a child. No need to worry about her. The important thing is to keep an eye on Mrs. Meyer. Also, note who visits her home. Record any suspicious individuals. If Mrs. Meyer has any materials, she might have hidden them at someone else's place.”
Michael hesitated, about to ask about Grace's situation. Remembering their recent improved rapport, however, he held back.
Then Benjamin brought it up himself, instructing, "At Grace's parents' place, keep your distance. Don't let them notice you're following them."
Hearing this, Michael realized just how much Benjamin valued Grace. He felt incredibly fortunate that he had never crossed her. Michael quickly agreed and, seeing that Benjamin had no further instructions, turned to leave. Benjamin glanced at the time and picked up his phone to call Grace. However, the moment the call connected, there was a knock at the office door. Before he could answer it, Aron rushed in, seemingly with urgent business to discuss.
"I'm having dinner with friends," Grace said over the phone. "What is it?"
Benjamin motioned for Aron to wait a moment, a hint of resignation on his lips. He told Grace, "Nothing serious. Just a reminder—don’t strain your wrist too much.”
He hung up after a few brief words, leaving Grace puzzled as she stared blankly at her phone. Her classmate across the table misinterpreted the situation, assuming the call was from Adrian. Seeing her expression, she couldn't help but laugh. "Look at you! One call from Adrian, and he's got you wrapped around his finger again—just like in school! I bet you didn't just come shopping with me; you wanted to flaunt your relationship, didn't you?"