Chapter 106 Chapter 106
Grace stared at him in stunned silence. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Finally, she let out a bitter laugh. "Benjamin, you're such a demon!"
She turned away without another word and walked off. After taking two steps, she suddenly spun back around. Seeing him blocking her path, she coldly ordered, "Move aside! I need to go back for my key card!"
He refused to budge, replying indifferently, "I booked the hotel."
"So what?" She glared at him, demanding, "Why should I stay in a different hotel from my mother just to satisfy your twisted need for control, Benjamin? I don't want to go!"
She pushed past him and stormed back the way she came. By sheer coincidence, just as she rounded the hallway corner, she spotted a stranger leaning against the wall and peering into her father's room.
Grace froze for a second. The moment she realized what the man was doing, she exploded. Without saying a word, she clenched her teeth, took a few strides forward, grabbed the man's clothes, and dragged him out. Only after turning the corner and ensuring her mother couldn't see them did Grace shove the man forcefully, screaming, "Get out! Get out of here! Stay away from my parents!"
The man seemed flustered and hesitated to fight back. He shifted awkwardly and glanced toward the other side of the corridor.
Grace followed his gaze and saw Benjamin approaching from behind.
She froze, struggling to control her emotions. After a long moment, she finally calmed down and said coldly to Benjamin, "Please tell your lackey to leave. My mom's already very stressful. I don't want her to see anything she shouldn't."
Benjamin didn't speak; he only nodded slightly to signal to the man to leave. The man hastily bowed to him and hurried away. Benjamin turned his cold gaze back to Grace and asked flatly, "Is that enough?"
Grace studied him for a moment before suddenly asking, "Benjamin, you did say you loved me, didn't you?"
He frowned slightly, unsure why she'd bring this up now, but he answered, "Yes."
"Do you even know what love is?" Grace pressed. Seeing him press his lips together without responding, she continued, "Love isn't possession. It isn't control. It isn't treating me like a pet and ordering me around at will. Love is respect, cherishing, caring, and trust!” She paused abruptly mid-sentence, muttering to herself, "Why am I wasting my breath on you? What could someone like you possibly understand about trust?”
As the two stood facing off, Adrian emerged from the hospital room. Seeing Grace still there, he looked surprised. “Grace? Why are you still here?"
Grace turned to answer. "I came back to get your room key. With Dad like this, I feel better staying close.”
Adrian's hotel was located near the hospital, practically within walking distance.
He didn't question her, just handed her the key. "Call me from the hotel. I need to hear from you.”
He gave her a long, lingering look before gently adding, "Drink plenty of water when you get back. Your parents will be fine."
Grace nodded and then walked straight past Adrian and Benjamin.
A car was already waiting for Benjamin on the street. When the driver spotted Grace and Benjamin emerge from the hospital, he immediately pulled up.
But Grace ignored it, turning toward the right sidewalk instead and striding quickly toward the hotel.
She had never lost her temper like this before, and Benjamin felt irritated. However, he chose not to press the issue, trailing just over a few steps behind her in silent pursuit.
He followed her all the way into the hotel. When she entered the room and turned to close the door, he stepped forward and propped his hand against it. In a cool tone, he asked, "Are you done making a scene?"
She didn't answer, only giving him a cold look. She didn't intend to shut him out, though. She simply released her grip on the door and turned to walk inside. He followed her in and surveyed the room silently.
It was a fairly spacious suite. Two large suitcases sat beside the living room sofa, and the coffee table held personal items, such as water glasses and small medicine bottles. The door to the adjacent bedroom was open, revealing part of a bed. Though it appeared tidy at first, clear signs that someone had slept there were evident.
Nothing here seemed particularly suspicious.
Grace tossed her coat aside and headed to the bathroom to freshen up. She emerged shortly after, her face cold as she addressed Benjamin, "My suitcases are still in the car."
He had just sat down on the sofa. Hearing this, he glanced at her and replied, "I'll have someone bring them over."
Perhaps his restraint had finally worn down her anger. She gradually calmed down and was no longer as volatile as before. She lowered her eyelids and murmured a quiet "Thank you."
He called his assistant. Within moments, a young man arrived carrying their luggage.
Grace opened her suitcase, took out some clean clothes, and went to take a hot shower. When she emerged from the shower, her face still sullen, she asked him, hair drying in her hands, "Are you going to rest here, or go to the hotel you booked?"
He recognized her attempt to ease the tension. Instead of answering, he patted the sofa beside him and said, "Come here, Grace. I need to talk to you."
She seemed to grow irritable again, forcing herself to remain calm. "Benjamin, I'm exhausted and on edge right now. I don't want to argue with you. Whatever you need to say, let's talk about it another time, okay?”
He looked up at her quietly. After a long moment, he spoke softly, "You're right. I truly don't know what love is because no one ever taught me. No one taught me what respect, cherishing, caring, or trust are. All I learned was to fight, exploit, deceive, and betray.”
She froze and looked at him silently.
He gave a faint smile and continued, "Teach me, Grace. Teach me what love is, and I'll learn slowly."
She never imagined he could say such a thing, and her expression grew complex. She stood silently with her head bowed for a moment before walking over to him. She gently patted his shoulder and said softly, "Go take a shower. I'll have room service send some food over. We'll eat a little, then rest for a while. Tonight, we still need to go to the hospital and bring my mom back to rest.”
He reached up, wrapped his arm around her waist, kissed her hand, stood up, and headed for the bathroom.
When he emerged, Grace was already organizing his suitcase. She handed him a clean shirt and trousers, saying, "Since you're staying here, you might as well wear these. I'd rather you be properly dressed in case Mom comes back unexpectedly."
Benjamin didn't object and changed into them.
Grace slammed the suitcase shut, stood up, took a bottle of purified water, and took a couple gulps. She turned to face him, casually unscrewing another bottle and handing it to him. "I ordered pizza. Is that okay?”
Maybe it was because she'd opened that bottle of water right in front of him.
Maybe it was because he'd just shown her his most painful past, exposing his vulnerability.
Maybe it was simply because he was parched after his shower.
Benjamin momentarily let his guard down, tilting his head back and gulping half the bottle before answering her, "Whatever."
She walked to the other side of the sofa and sat down. She pulled out her phone, glanced at it, and then extended her hand to him. "My phone's dead. Can I borrow yours?"
He knew she intended to call Adrian, and a twinge of displeasure flashed through him. But then he thought that if she used his phone to call Adrian, it would even things out. So he pulled out his phone and tossed it to her.
She seemed oblivious to his subtle reaction, merely lowering her head to dial Adrian's number. After several rings, the call connected. She managed to say, "Hello," but then her voice suddenly cut off.
"Grace?" Adrian called out over the line.
But Grace couldn't respond. It was a specially formulated neurotoxin that caused no warning signs before taking effect. Once activated, the process of going from initial numbness to complete loss of control took only three to five seconds.
Her expression remained as calm as ever. With her last ounce of strength, she lifted her head to look at Benjamin across from her. His expression changed drastically. He tried to get to his feet, but before he could, he collapsed back onto the sofa.
He looked up at her, his eyes filled with disbelief and rage.
Receiving no response from Grace, Adrian quickly ended the call. Minutes later, the door creaked open. Adrian rushed in from outside, glanced at the scene inside, and approached Grace without hesitation. He pulled an antidote syringe from his briefcase and injected it into her arm.
Benjamin remained conscious throughout. After his initial rage subsided, he seemed to regain his composure. Reclining on the sofa, he quietly watched as Adrian administered the antidote to Grace. Then, he massaged her numb limbs while softly calling her name. "Grace? How do you feel? Do you have any sensation?”
The antidote took effect quickly. Within minutes, Grace regained her mobility. She stood unsteadily and stumbled toward the fruit knife. Her voice still hoarse, she demanded, "Kill him, Adrian. Only by killing him can we truly escape."
Adrian caught her in his arms and stopped her. "No! A murder will make us wanted by the police. We won't escape!"
Her emotions spiraled out of control. She struggled desperately, trying to break free and lunge toward the sofa. Realizing that she couldn't escape his hold, she turned back to him. Tears streamed down her face, and her voice trembled. “But I hate him, Adrian. I hate him. He ruined our lives and destroyed everything we had. I hate him so much.”
“No! He won't ruin our lives!" Adrian was unexpectedly calm. He cupped Grace's face with both hands and pressed his forehead against hers. He said softly yet firmly, "We're still here—you, me, Mom, and Dad. We're all still here. Let's go! Grace, we need to leave now. Don't waste any more time here. He doesn't deserve another second of our time."
Adrian turned back, grabbed Grace's bag, and pulled her close, half-dragging and half-carrying her out.
Grace resisted, yet she knew Adrian was right. Benjamin might be powerful, but he wouldn't find them here. However, if they killed him and the police got involved, things would be very different.
Just before leaving, she glanced back at the man on the sofa. Unexpectedly, he was watching her, too. Their eyes met in that instant, and he saw the pure hatred in her gaze—like an unquenchable fire.
Benjamin suddenly recalled a scene from years ago. She had been sitting in the car with half her face covered in blood and an expression of pure hatred as she drove straight toward him. Her eyes had been just like this then, too.
All his efforts and persistence over the years had been for naught.
Her tears, her laughter, her coquettishness, her outbursts—everything she did and said—had been a deception.
Only her hatred for him was real.
Yet just moments ago, he had spoken those words to her.
How laughable! Had she been trying to stifle laughter the whole time?
Benjamin tried to smile, but his lips wouldn't budge. Instead, his eyes welled up uncontrollably.
Was her acting too convincing, or was he too foolish and greedy to ever believe he could change her?
Only now, as she ruthlessly shattered his illusions, did he realize there were some things that could never be altered by his effort.
He could never become Benjamin, nor could he ever win Grace's love.
He was only himself—Alex, the bastard never acknowledged by his birth father; born and raised in the slums; who had killed someone at thirteen.
Though his body felt no physical sensation, he felt pain.
This agony permeated his entire being.