Chapter 6

Before Sophia could respond, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the air behind her.

"Sophia? What a coincidence seeing you here drinking!"

Alice sauntered over with Daniel's arm linked through hers, her gaze falling on Benjamin across from Sophia. A flash of jealousy flickered in her eyes before transforming into mocking disdain.

"No wonder you've had the nerve to give Daniel the cold shoulder all this time—you found yourself a new boyfriend this quickly."

Daniel's expression turned grim.

Following Alice's gaze, he spotted a man in a white dress shirt through the dim lighting. The figure was tall and distinguished with an impressive presence, though his face remained somewhat obscured in the shadows.

Daniel assumed it was just some random guy Sophia had found to make him jealous.

These past few weeks had been the first time he'd ever felt truly out of control.

Sophia had vanished like she'd fallen off the face of the earth—not answering calls, ignoring messages. He'd sent people to all her usual haunts, but no one could find her.

He was feeling upset and took Alice out for a drink, but to his surprise, he ran into Sophia here.

Seeing her safe and sound brought relief, but spotting the man across from her ignited a surge of inexplicable rage.

Sophia remained lost in the overwhelming shock of Benjamin's earlier words, her mind completely blank. She hadn't even registered what Alice was saying, simply staring blankly at the table.

To Daniel, her forlorn state was nothing but a pretense, the aftermath of pushing her "playing hard to get" act too far."Sophia, haven't you caused enough drama?" Daniel stepped forward impatiently, completely ignoring Benjamin's presence as he reached out to grab Sophia's wrist. "Come home with me."

Before his hand could touch Sophia, a much stronger grip intercepted his wrist mid-air.

Sharp pain shot through his wrist as if it might be crushed. Daniel's face turned pale from the agony as he jerked his head up, finally getting a clear look at the man before him.

Sharp, defined features, cold, stern brows, and those calm eyes that held a bone-chilling authority as they stared him down.

"Mr. Williams?" Daniel's voice trembled, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

What was he doing here? And with Sophia?

Benjamin didn't even spare him a second glance, his attention remaining fixed on Sophia's somewhat pale face.

Releasing his grip on Daniel's wrist, Benjamin pulled out a tissue and methodically wiped his fingers that had touched Daniel, then tossed the tissue with perfect accuracy into a nearby trash bin.

The color drained completely from Daniel's face. He stared at Benjamin in disbelief, then at the bewildered Sophia, stammering, "Mr. Williams... I was just coming to pick up my girlfriend..."

"Ex-girlfriend," Sophia finally snapped back to reality. She lifted her head, meeting Daniel's shocked gaze as she corrected him clearly, word by word.

Benjamin seemed pleased with her response, the corner of his mouth curving into an almost imperceptible smile.

He removed the suit jacket draped over his arm and placed it around Sophia's shoulders, completely enveloping her thin outfit. The gesture was natural and intimate.

"Daniel Wilson from Wilson Group?" Benjamin finally turned his attention to him, his tone flat yet carrying the absolute authority of someone in power. "I recall your father was just begging me last week, hoping to secure the South District project partnership."

Daniel's legs nearly gave out beneath him.

The South District project was Wilson Group's most important venture for the second half of the year. Half of Silverlight City was fighting tooth and nail for even a small piece of that deal.

His father had invested countless resources trying to establish connections with the Williams Group. If Daniel caused the partnership to fall through, his father would probably kill him.

"Mr. Williams, I didn't mean to disturb you," Daniel's voice shook uncontrollably, though his contempt for Sophia deepened in his heart.

No wonder Sophia had the confidence to break up with him this time—she'd latched onto Benjamin!

Alice stood frozen beside them, her face pale with terror as she cowered behind Daniel, not daring to breathe too loudly.

The crude imitation necklace around her neck looked pathetically cheap and ridiculous next to Benjamin's custom-tailored jacket draped over Sophia's shoulders.

Benjamin's gaze swept over him like he was looking at an inanimate object. "Take your woman and get out."

"Yes, yes!" Daniel let out a sigh of relief, stumbling and scrambling as he dragged the already stiff Alice out of the bar in a panic.

Watching the pair disappear from view, Sophia almost wanted to laugh.

She remembered these two had quite different attitudes before.

Everything that had just happened felt surreal, like a dream.

Just as she was about to speak, Benjamin's phone suddenly vibrated. He frowned slightly as he answered the call.

"Speak."

The voice on the other end sounded urgent, and his expression grew more serious as he listened.

Sophia sat quietly, still wearing his jacket that carried his body warmth and that distinctive sandalwood scent, her emotions a complex mix.

After a few seconds, Benjamin ended the call and turned to her. "Emergency at the company. I have to leave immediately."

Benjamin stood up, looking down at her from his imposing height, his gaze intense.

"The keys and keycard for the property are in the document folder. Stay there tonight." He paused, adding, "Tomorrow morning at ten, wait for me at home."

Without further delay, he gathered his things and strode away on those long legs, his tall figure quickly disappearing through the bar's entrance.

Sophia sat alone at their table, staring at the document folder and the velvet box containing the expensive necklace, her thoughts becoming increasingly muddled.

She reached up to touch the necklace at her throat, the cool metal making her acutely aware that her life seemed to have taken a completely unpredictable turn starting from today.