Chapter 11 Reciprocity
Rachel caught a glimpse of Steven's silhouette from the corner of her eye and felt a sudden panic.
The evidence was still incomplete, and it wasn't the best time to expose him. Without time to devise a plan, she instinctively grabbed the collar of the man in front of her and pulled him into the corner, placing a finger against her lips.
Benjamin, pressed against the wall by her sudden action, was stunned, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
Rachel's heart was pounding, and she didn't notice how inappropriate her actions were.
Steven slowly turned around, looking down the spacious hallway where only two guests and a server were walking. His expression relaxed slightly.
"What's wrong?" Nancy asked, puzzled.
"Nothing," Steven replied, slightly frowning. He had clearly heard someone call Rachel's name. Could it have been a mistake?
Rachel cautiously peeked out from behind the wall, watching them enter the private room. After a few seconds, she straightened up and looked up, meeting Benjamin's cold, deep eyes.
Rachel snapped back to reality, realizing how close they were. She hadn't even let go of his collar.
"Sorry, sorry," she stammered, her usually composed face showing rare signs of panic. She released her grip and stepped back hurriedly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Wright. I was too anxious and didn't think properly."
Benjamin calmly adjusted his collar and suit, his slightly furrowed brows indicating his displeasure.
Rachel apologized again, sincerely, "I'm really sorry."
"Following someone?" Benjamin asked casually, not intending to dwell on the minor incident.
His private room was at the end of the hallway. As he approached, he spotted a young couple who looked a lot like Rachel's husband and his mistress, though the photo she'd shown him was too blurry to be sure.
Rachel felt embarrassed, realizing she had been hiding in the shadows like a thief, watching Steven and Nancy bask in the bright light, enjoying their intimacy.
"Something like that," she muttered, trying to change the subject. "Are you here for dinner, Mr. Wright?"
"Business," Benjamin replied coolly, glancing around before calling over a passing server. "This lady dropped her earring. Could you help check the surveillance footage?"
Rachel understood immediately, exchanging a look with him. "Thank you," she said with a smile, nodding at the server. "Please."
The server, noticing her designer clothes, assumed her earring was valuable and nodded, "Follow me."
Rachel watched the surveillance footage. Steven and Nancy were clearly intimate, their betrayal cutting Rachel to the core.
Steven's gentle and indulgent expression was all too familiar to her.
At that moment, it felt like her lungs were filled with water, each breath causing her pain.
Her eyes reddened, and she licked her lips, her voice trembling slightly, "Can I get a copy of this video?"
The manager understood immediately, realizing the earring was just an excuse. She quickly instructed the staff to copy the video to Rachel's phone.
After leaving the surveillance room, the manager informed Rachel that her ordered dishes were ready. She chose a window seat on the first floor.
As she ate, her phone suddenly buzzed with a message.
[Danger! Benjamin must not drink that wine! Johnny Baker spiked it to ruin him!]
Rachel was momentarily stunned, then quickly stood up, only to pause.
She remembered Steven and Nancy's room was at the end of the hallway. If she went up, she might run into them and be too late to stop it.
Her mind flashed to the business card Benjamin had given her. She quickly found it in her bag and dialed his number.
When the phone rang, Johnny was pouring wine for Benjamin. "We had some misunderstandings on the Ollie case, Mr. Wright. This glass is to make amends."
The dinner was organized by several top lawyers in Dawnlight City, and Benjamin had reluctantly joined.
Hearing the ringtone, he apologized to Johnny, took out his phone, and walked to the window to answer.
"Hello."
Rachel spoke directly, "It's Rachel. You haven't drunk Johnny's wine, right? He spiked it. Don't drink it!"
Benjamin was momentarily taken aback by her soft voice, feeling a surge of doubt.
How did she know Johnny would offer him wine and spike it?
The pen incident was similar. The receptionist had told him Rachel had visited that morning, but the pen was bought at a pawnshop after her visit.
These coincidences made him suspicious.
Benjamin pushed aside his thoughts, his brows furrowing slightly. He didn't ask, only replied calmly, "Okay, I understand."
Even without Rachel's call, he hadn't planned to drink Johnny's wine.
Johnny wanted to frame him, but it depended on whether he was willing.
Returning to the table, Benjamin said, "I'm afraid I can't drink with Mr. Baker. I have to leave."
With that, he grabbed his coat, ignoring the others, and left the room.
His reputation for being aloof and decisive was well-known.
After the call, Rachel paid her bill and left the restaurant. As she opened her car door, a familiar deep voice called out, "Ms. Davis."
Rachel turned around.
The chilly autumn night air was biting. Benjamin, in a black coat, walked toward her, tall and imposing.
Rachel could guess what Benjamin wanted to ask.
But she didn't know what excuse to give.
As he approached, she deflected, "No need to thank me, Mr. Wright. It's just returning the favor."
He had helped her with the surveillance; she had warned him about the wine. It was fair.
Benjamin saw she didn't want to explain. His gaze deepened, the cold wind carrying a faint floral scent.
Tea blossom.
He had noticed this scent when she had grabbed his collar earlier.
Compared to the pear scent last time, it had a layer of warmth and sunshine.
As a lawyer, he had met many people, but Rachel remained an enigma.
After some thought, he didn't press further. Instead, he said softly, "The evidence you copied today must be untouched. Any edits will be considered falsified by the court."
"Okay," Rachel agreed, then remembered her evidence. "Can I ask you for a favor, Mr. Wright?"