Chapter 194: You Could Check Benjamin’s office Secretly for Clues

Lila’s POV

"I thought you told me you two had never met before?" I asked, completely bewildered. None of this made any sense. If Benjamin was in childhood photos with Ethan, how could they possibly be strangers to each other?

"That's what he wanted us to believe," Ethan said, his jaw clenched tight as he continued to study the photograph. "Lila, I should thank you for asking about my childhood photos. I would never have noticed this otherwise."

"Thanks?" I muttered, still trying to wrap my head around what was happening. "But what was Benjamin doing at your uncle's birthday party?"

"Lila, there's something I need to tell you." Ethan sighed, setting the album aside. His expression had grown serious, all traces of our earlier playfulness gone. "When I went to see Juno Winters about restoring Sophia's standing in the family, he told me something strange."

I leaned forward, suddenly alert. "What did he say?"

"He said that Benjamin had tried to outbid me," Ethan explained, his voice controlled but tense.

"He offered Juno seventy million dollars to refuse my request, no matter what I offered."

"What?" I stammered, unable to process how this twisted story was developing. "But why would he care about Sophia's standing with the Winters family?"

"That's not all," Ethan continued, his eyes never leaving mine. "Juno said Benjamin has been asking questions—specifically about my uncle."

A chill ran down my spine as I glanced back at the photograph of the young boy who looked so eerily like Benjamin.

"So you're telling me that he lied to my face, pretended to sympathize with me, but explicitly requested that the Winters family not help?" I clenched my fists, anger replacing my confusion.

"I feel so stupid for believing him, but you tried to warn me. I just didn't want to listen."

I knew Benjamin had a vendetta against Ethan, and I'd told him to stop, but this was unforgivable. He'd manipulated me, used me as a pawn in whatever sick game he was playing.

"I'm such an idiot," I whispered, the weight of my naivety crushing me.

"You're not an idiot," Ethan said firmly, taking my hands in his. "You're too good for this world, Lila. Too trusting, too kind."

I knew he was trying to make me feel better, but I should have seen the warning signs. There had been clues all along, and I'd missed every single one.

"So what you're saying is, you knew Benjamin as a child, and now he's back to destroy your life?" I asked, trying to make sense of this revelation.

"I think he's a Pacheco," Ethan said, the words falling heavy between us. "I think he's my uncle's illegitimate son. I don't know why he was at that party, and I don't know why he hates me—"

"Because everything you have should be his, if your grandfather hadn't banished your uncle, if your uncle had acknowledged him as his legitimate son," I sighed—it all made terrible sense now.

"That's what I'm thinking, but I can't be sure," Ethan admitted, running a hand through his hair.

"Ethan, I'm so sorry," I apologized, feeling sick to my stomach. I'd truly believed I could trust Benjamin. He'd been nothing but kind to me, but now I realized that had all been an act too. I'd bet anything our meeting at the grocery store had been no coincidence.

"What do we do now?" I asked, frustrated and frightened by this new development.

"Should I tell him I hate you so I can get more information from him?" I suggested, but Ethan immediately shook his head.

"No, that's not a smart move," he said firmly.

"Anyone can see you still love me," he added with a slight smile, making my cheeks flush. Was it really that obvious?

"I don't want you involved," Ethan continued, his expression serious again. "I want you to focus on your business—Benjamin has some excellent connections that you could use to your advantage."

He had a point. I could use Benjamin's connections for Felicitas, then cast him aside when I was done, but that wasn't enough for me. I wanted to help Ethan.

"Fine, but what if I get him to talk about his past?" I offered. "I could ask more questions about his parents—"

"Then he'll just talk about Mauro," Ethan interjected. "He'll never open up, not like that. He may like you, but even he has limits."

"Then what can I do? I want to help," I insisted. I was just as curious as Ethan, and I didn't appreciate Benjamin lying to me. "You could check his office for basic information."

"My God, I asked how I could help—not how I could get myself killed!" I rolled my eyes. I'd volunteered thinking it would be a simple task, not industrial espionage.

"This is exactly why I don't want you involved—"

"I'll do it!" I declared, cutting him off. I was tired of people refusing to include me because they thought I couldn't handle it. After everything I'd been through, rifling through Benjamin's office wasn't exactly new territory for me. This would be a piece of cake. "If you insist." Ethan smiled, looking both proud and concerned.

"Meanwhile, I'll find proof. I'm certain he's my uncle's son."

He reached out, gently running his fingers through my hair in a soothing gesture. I leaned into his touch, trying to process everything we'd discovered.

What should have been a happy day had been completely derailed by a photo album, and it was maddening. Just as we were getting back to normal, finding our rhythm as a family again, this bombshell had to drop.

As Ethan pulled me into his arms, I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Benjamin might be hiding—and how far he would go to get whatever revenge he was seeking against the Pacheco family.