Chapter 83 Chapter 83
Maybe she could take a gamble after all—things couldn't get any worse.
This thought flashed through her mind in an instant. She suppressed the anger on her face and replaced it with a devilish grin. She countered, "What do I want to do? Whatever you want me to do, I'll do it."
Even exposed, this woman still tried to pull off some trickery.
Benjamin seethed with fury, wanting nothing more than to strangle her on the spot. Yet, as he watched her tilt her head defiantly, he found himself reluctant to do so.
No, it wasn't reluctance. She was such entertaining, playful prey that killing her outright would be a waste.
Smirking inwardly, he deliberately led her astray, asking, "Don't tell me you came here out of jealousy."
Grace arched an eyebrow and smiled. "If it means you'll stop harping on me about Gia, then catching you in the act is fine. I'm happy to do this."
She squeezed past him, snorting derisively. “So, I’ve caught you in the act. What's next? Grabbing the mistress by the hair and tearing into her? I’m sorry, but I'm no good at fight scenes. I'm afraid—" Her words trailed off abruptly. Standing in the living room was Wendy, fully clothed and surprisingly composed. Grace froze, then whipped her head back to Benjamin. His face remained impassive, but a faint sneer played at his lips. He glanced at Grace, then addressed Wendy, "You should leave first."
Wendy obediently stood up, glancing nervously at Grace. As she passed by, she hesitated briefly before offering an uneasy explanation. "Um, it was just a misunderstanding. Nothing happened between me and Mr. Norman."
For a moment, Grace was genuinely confused. She looked at Wendy questioningly and caught her winking, as if hinting at something.
Was she implying that Benjamin still didn't know her true identity?
"Michael, take her downstairs," Benjamin instructed Michael outside the door. His tone was calm and composed, seemingly oblivious to the exchange of glances between Wendy and Grace.
Wendy shot Grace another worried glance before bowing her head and leaving. Only after she descended the stairs did Benjamin close the door. He turned back to Grace and smiled, his lips slowly curving upward as he asked, "You know her?"
The most terrifying thing isn't facing an enemy's cruelty but realizing you're facing an enemy and knowing nothing about them.
Grace felt a fear unlike any she had ever known, yet she refused to give in, struggling to maintain her last shred of composure. She frowned. "What's going on here? Isn't this the girl who came to the hotel asking for your autograph?"
This woman was stubborn to the bitter end, lying through her teeth even as death approached. Benjamin felt both love and hate welling up inside him as he closed in, step by step. "Is that so? She was just a girl who came to ask for my autograph?”
Grace sensed that something was terribly wrong. Forced back by his advance, she stumbled backward until she collapsed onto the sofa. Yet she refused to concede defeat. Lifting her chin defiantly, she demanded, "Benjamin, what's gotten into you?"
Suddenly, Benjamin sneered and flung a phone at her. "Grace, do you think you're too clever, or do you think I'm too stupid?"
It was clearly a girl's phone, adorned with a ridiculous stuffed animal charm.
In a society heavily reliant on the internet and communication, one unprotected phone can completely confirm a person's identity. Grace's breath nearly stopped. She froze at the spot.
Benjamin braced himself against the back of the sofa, leaning down to trap her. Slowly and deliberately, he demanded, "What makes you think coming here would save her? Your pathetic cleverness? Or because you're my mistress? That I indulged you when you stabbed Zach? Or that I let you take Gia today?"
He kept smiling, yet she saw the same cold, brutal glint in his eyes as on that day. Her body, still carrying the memory, trembled instinctively. He knew everything. He’d set this trap, luring her here and misleading her with his words, all to watch her final performance.
A laughable, self-important performance.
He raised his hand and gently pinched her chin. “Grace,” he murmured. “What exactly are you counting on? Do you think your arrival can stop me from doing what I want?”
Grace forced out the words, "Benjamin, show some humanity, will you? She's only eighteen; she's still a child. You already killed her father. Do you intend to ruin her life, too?"
Benjamin smiled coldly. "You can't even protect yourself, and you think you can save her?"
Grace knew that escape was impossible tonight. All she could do was buy time until Nathan arrived with the police.
She lifted her eyes and stared straight at him. “Then what do you suggest I do? Watch you violate her and let others do the same while filming it all? Benjamin, I have nothing left. All I have is my kindness!”
He froze for a very short moment, then his anger flared even brighter. “Fine,” he said coldly. "Then I'll show you exactly what your stupid kindness can accomplish." With that, he turned and walked out.
Desperate, Grace grabbed him by the arm. Without a second thought, she threw her arms around him from behind and began to sob as she pleaded, "Alex, please, please don't do those things anymore, okay? Yes, I'm counting on the fact that you like me. I know you like me a little, and that's why I dare to do these things."
Benjamin stiffened, then slowly turned back to face her. Her face was now streaked with tears.
He lifted his hand to cradle her face and gently wiped her tears away with his fingertips. "You know I like you a little?"
Grace closed her eyes and nodded, her voice hoarse. "I know."
Benjamin smiled softly. "But all you ever think about is killing me."
“I didn't!” Grace protested urgently, fearing that Benjamin wouldn't believe her. She hurriedly added, "Those were just harsh words meant to provoke you. Besides, after what you did to me, of course I hate you. But I also sensed that you've been treating me well lately, like you're starting to like me. That's why I couldn't resist testing your limits; I wanted to see if you truly cared for me.”
If he hadn't known about her secret dealings with the Meyers, he surely would have been deceived again.
Benjamin lowered his gaze, studying the woman before him. Her face was beautiful, even in tears. Yet her heart concealed a dagger; her mouth spilled lies.
Why, then, did his heart ache faintly?
Grace, too, was nervously studying his expression. For a moment, both fell silent. They stood face to face, their bodies pressed together, but their hearts remained worlds apart, each harboring a hidden agenda. He gave a faint smile and suddenly asked, "Grace, tell me—what are you scheming now?"
Her pupils visibly contracted. Just as Benjamin was about to speak, there was a knock at the door. Michael's calm voice came from outside, "Mr. Norman, the police are here."
He paused, then added, "Someone reported that we're holding Ms. Hill and her friend."