เข้าสู่ระบบBenjamin caught the obvious provocation in Lucille's eyes and spoke in a calm voice, devoid of warmth, "Ms. Gerwin, you may leave the clothes and go."Her intentions were easy to guess, but he had zero interest in her whatsoever. If she hadn't still held a bit of use for him, he would have long since fired her.Lucille's smile stiffened. Jealousy surged within her, but she dared not defy Benjamin's orders. She set the shopping bags on the couch, though her eyes stayed glued to Cheryl. Her tone carried a barely noticeable hint of provocation. "I'll get going then, Cheryl. Oh, and are you coming home today?"Her words were steeped in a subtle, manipulative charm.Cheryl slowly glanced over. "How exactly would you like me to answer?"Lucille gave an awkward laugh. "Of course, I hope you'll come home. Mom and I will worry if you're staying out here alone."Cheryl didn't respond, so Lucille couldn't push it. She cast one last, deep look at Benjamin before reluctantly turning to leav
"Had nothing to do with you?"A flicker of doubt flashed in Cheryl's eyes. Benjamin had just mentioned taking action against Elias, and the latter was immediately transferred at work the next day. What were the odds?When Cheryl remained silent, Benjamin's lips curved into a faint smile. "I knew you'd never trust me."Maybe it was her imagination, but she thought she caught a hint of disappointment in the corner of his eyes. The thought nudged something in her, and she asked before she could stop herself, "If it wasn't you, who could it be?"Abruptly, Benjamin straightened up. His gaze turned profound and meaningful.He stared at her for a few seconds, then let out a low, amused laugh. "Well, you're right. Who else but me would bother?"That was when the doorbell rang.At the sound, Benjamin rose and walked up to the entryway. After opening the door, he found Luville standing outside, dressed in sharp professional attire and carrying several sleek shopping bags.When he opene
Cheryl froze and puzzledly asked, "What?"Benjamin met her eyes and uttered word for word, "You're the only woman I've cooked for. There hasn't been anyone else."His words seemed to cast a freezing spell on her. Her fork stalled in midair, and her expression went blank from pure astonishment. Even her breath hitched for half a second.Her eyes were locked on him, her fine eyebrows arched high, and her lips slightly parted as if words had failed her. She was clearly stunned by his sudden confession.But the topic ended there. Cheryl didn't press, and Benjamin didn't explain either. Breakfast concluded in silence, just like that.As Cheryl set down her fork and rose to leave, Benjamin stopped her. "Hold on."She froze before turning around to look at him. Her eyes were calm and devoid of emotion. "Anything else?"Benjamin stood up and walked over, giving her a slow once-over. "Aren't you going to change before going to work?"He'd told her about the new clothes in the guest room
Benjamin straightened up and announced, "I'm not the depraved type to harbor ill intentions toward a sick patient, Cheryl. Get some rest."With that, he didn't stay any longer and turned around to leave, softly closing the door behind him.…The next morning, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the guest room and scattered specks across the floor.Cheryl rubbed her temples. The feverish heaviness in her body was gone.As she slowly opened her eyes and lifted her wrist, she was reminded of memories from the night before. Benjamin had entered her room once and never bothered her again.When Cheryl stepped out of the bedroom, she stopped short in shock.Benjamin stood in the kitchen in simple loungewear with his sleeves rolled up to his forearms to reveal the clean, clear lines of his muscles. Head lowered, he was focusing on sliding a freshly toasted bread onto a plate.Sunlight brushed over him, softening the usually sharp, cold lines of his features and ad
As the clock ticked by, Cheryl lay on the soft bed in the guest room, fighting against the drowsiness pulling at her. But the heavy exhaustion eventually won and dragged her under.Sometime later, the bedroom door creaked open to reveal a crack. A tall figure stepped inside, silhouetted by the faint hallway light.Benjamin held a thermometer in one hand. His steps were featherlight to avoid waking her.He approached the bed and looked down at the sleeping Cheryl via the moonlight spilling through the window. Her brows were faintly furrowed, her cheeks flushed, and her breath was shallow and restless, as if she were trapped in a nightmare.Benjamin softened his breathing and carefully reached out, intending to lift her arm and take her temperature. But the moment his fingertips brushed against her wrist, her eyes flew open.In the darkness, all she could see was a vague, dark shadow looming over her with a hand on her wrist. Panic instantly seized her.Instinctively assuming Benja
Some time later, the car rolled into a quiet, upscale neighborhood.Benjamin got out first, but this time, Cheryl was prepared. "I can walk on my own."His movement paused, and his expression dimmed slightly, though he didn't insist.She pushed the car door open and slowly got up, bracing herself against the frame. The moment she stood upright, a wave of dizziness crashed over her.She staggered and nearly collapsed, but Benjamin swiftly caught her around the waist with a hold that didn't feel too tight but was steadying.His voice came from above her and carried a rare, barely noticeable trace of helplessness. "I never realized what a prickly little hedgehog you are."Cheryl stiffened and tried to shove him away, but he was already guiding her inside, half-supporting and half-holding her.He pushed the door to reveal a minimalist, expensive-looking living room, bathed in the warm yellowish glow of ambient lighting.She knew Benjamin's apartment all too well, down to the placem







