Chapter 81
On the other end of the line, Jensen’s hand clenched into a tight fist. An icy aura seemed to radiate from him, his expression turning dangerously grim.
Stay out of it? There was no way in hell he was going to stay out of it.
“Alright,” he said, forcing his voice to remain steady. “Don’t forget to take your medicine and use a medicated patch for the injury on your hand p>
“I know p>
“However,” Jensen added, the words tumbling out before he could stop them, “if Benjamin hurts you again, I won’t stand by and do nothing p>
“You p>
Before Rebekah could finish, Jensen ended the call. She stared at the disconnected screen, a sense of helplessness washing over her, but it was quickly replaced by a wave of gratitude. Jensen was truly good to her.
After hanging up, Jensen rose to his feet, his face a grim mask. His assistant, having just finished an errand, was about to enter the office and nearly collided with him.
“Mr. Hawthorne p>
“Get the car keys. We’re going to find Marcus Ford—now p>
It took the assistant a moment to process the command before he scrambled to keep up. “But sir, it’s so late. Professor Ford might already be asleep p>
Jensen acted as if he hadn’t heard a word. All he knew was that this couldn’t wait. He had to make Benjamin pay.
After leaving Rebekah’s room, Benjamin was heading back to his own when he saw Candice waiting by his door. The hard lines of his face softened instantly.
“Candice, were you waiting for me p>
She nodded, her eyes filled with
guilt. “I came to apologize. That man my sister knows called, and I
answered. I accidentally let it slipnet?
that she was tocked in the attic and thats why he called the police. Its all my fault p>
The mention of “that man” darkened Benjamin’s expression, but seeing Candice’s distress, his heart ached for her. He reached out and gently stroked her hair. “This has nothing to do with you. You don’t have to carry the burden of your sister’s mistakes p>
“What are you going to do now?” Candice asked.
Benjamin’s voice was flat. “If your sister learns her lesson, I’ll forgive her, and we can go on living our lives together. If she doesn’t, then I’ll just have to make that man disappear from The Capital for good p>
At his words, a shadow fell over Candice’s eyes. Just make the man disappear?
She suddenly grabbed his hand, her gaze lifting to meet his, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She had always been the cheerful, tough girl, and the sudden vulnerability startled him.
“Candice, what’s wrong p>
“Benjamin, I’ve been thinking a lot these past few days. My sister has gone too far. It’s bad enough that she’s neglecting you and Shawn, but she’s also seeing another man behind your back That’s
fundamental betrayal. If you decide to divorce her, I’ll support you p>
Divorce. There was that word again. Benjamin flinched, his mind recoiling from
the idea. He felt a responsibility for Rebekah; he believed she needed his protection. Divorce was out of the question.
Before he could say so, Candice dropped another bombshell.
“Benjamin, I know you’ve always had feelings for me. I’ve seen how good you are to me. I’ve been faithful to Keith’s memory for years… I think that’s long enough p>
The implication was unmistakable. Benjamin stared at her, his shock reflected in her hopeful eyes. For a long moment, he was speechless before a deep frown creased his brow.
He should have been ecstatic. The woman he’d loved for years was finally willing to be with him. Yet, the first image that flashed through his mind was Rebekah’s face.
He gently pulled his hand away. “Don’t joke around, Candice. It’s late. You should get some sleep p>
As Candice watched him retreat into his bedroom, her expression turned to ice. *Rebekah,* she thought, *I really underestimated you p>