Chapter 6: You Bully Me
Benjamin lowered his gaze, avoiding her clear eyes. "No. I just want to let you to know, you can change your mind anytime."
Sophia blinked, not quite grasping what Benjamin meant. "Hold on a second, honey."
An idea flashed in her mind, and she dashed out in her black pearl shoes.
When Sophia returned, her arms were loaded with different bottles and wooden boxes.
Benjamin, weakly coughing, asked, "What's all this?"
Sophia's smile widened, with her eyes sparkling.
Pointing to the items on the floor, she said, "These are my assets! All for you."
Looking at the pile of mysterious items, Benjamin couldn't help but chuckle.
With that laugh, his already handsome face became even more captivating.
A blush crept onto Sophia's cheeks. She thought to herself, her husband was was undeniably the most handsome man she'd ever seen!
This alone strengthened her resolve to stay.
"These are my private stash, all for you. From now on, what's mine is yours!"
Benjamin looked at Sophia's serious expression, he couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
Over the years, countless attempt had been made to win his favor with gifts, doctors, women—he'd seen it all.
But this was the first time someone had given him such peculiar items.
"What are these?" Benjamin asked, curious.
"Medicine!" Sophia pointed to the items on the floor, introducing them one by one, "This one relieves pain, this repels mosquitoes, this strengthens the body..."
Sophia paused, picked up a white jade bottle and placed it in Benjamin's hand, "This one can temporarily suppress the poison inside you, though i have just five pills left. All for you."
Benjamin's expression changed, he squinted his eyes narrow, his gaze sharp.
He grabbed Sophia by the shoulder, his previously calm and indifferent eyes suddenly turning fierce. "Who told you I was poisoned?"
His poisoning was known only to the White Family.
Preston had specifically warned that it must not be disclosed to outsiders.
So very few people knew about his poisoning. How could Sophia, a girl with no background, know about this?
Could she be sent by someone to investigate him?
Sophia hadn't reacted yet when she was suddenly grabbed forcefully by the shoulders. She whimpered, instinctively trying to break free.
"No one told me. I figured it out myself!"
Seeing Benjamin's fierce gaze, Sophia felt a wave of grievance rising within her.
Tears slid down her cheeks, falling continuously without control.
Finn walked in with two glasses of water and was shocked by the scene.
Could it be that Benjamin was experiencing an early episode of poisoning?
Seeing Sophia's face turning red, Finn broke into a sweat and quickly stepped forward to intervene. "Mr. White, please calm down! Let go!"
"Mr. White, Ms. Brown is about to faint!"
Benjamin's eyes flickered, the fierce and ruthless expression slowly retreating.
He looked up to meet Sophia's tear-filled, fearful eyes.
Realizing what he had done, he stepped back abruptly, with a hint of panic in his eyes.
It felt like he had been hit with a bucket of ice water, his entire body radiating a chilling coldness.
Finn hurried over to check if Sophia had sustained any injury.
Seeing them, he gasped.
Sophia's neck and shoulder were marked with red spots from being grabbed so forcefully.
There was also a mark on her jaw.
Her skin was delicate, easily bruised.
Benjamin glanced over feeling a pang of guilt.
He lowered his eyes, his palm still seeming to hold the warmth of Sophia's neck.
Finally, he let out a bitter smile.
Those people were right, he was a really bearer of bad luck.
Anyone came close to him would meet a bad end.
Sophia sat on the cold floor, hugging her knees, sobbing, her eyes full of grievance.
Seeing this, Finn's concern turned into heartache.
Such a sweet and obedient girl, how could Benjamin bear to hurt her?
"Ms. Brown, are you okay?"
"Ms. Brown, please don't be mad at Mr. White. He just lost his mind because of the poisoning. Please don't blame him."
Benjamin looked at Sophia, his cold voice tinged with a hint of panic, "I'm really sorry, please don't cry..."
His pale, dry lips moved, a sudden feeling of helplessness rising within him.
He had never comforted a girl before.
Those tears seemed to hit Benjamin's heart heavily, weighing him down.
Sophia sniffled, her voice hoarse, "You abused me!"
Benjamin's temple throbbed, his voice softening as he coaxed, "I'm really sorry, it was all my fault. Please don't cry, okay?"
He suddenly changed his tone, continuing, "You saw it yourself, I'm poisoned and and that can lose control anytime. When the poison acts up, I lose control of myself."
"So... you still have time to change your mind."
Even if they were married, they could live apart.
He could just find someone to appease Preston.
Benjamin lowered his eyes, trying to hide the complex emotions within.
The poison in his body was congenital.
Over the years, Preston had hired countless doctors, but none could cure him.
When the poison acted up, no one knew the pain he endured.
Over time, his personality became increasingly unpredictable.
Sophia, such a gentle girl, staying by his side, might not even know how she would die.
The more Benjamin thought about everything, the more he felt marriage was a mistake.
He started to regret his impulsiveness.
But to let go...
The thought brought a sudden wave of anxiety.
Sophia pouted slightly, cautiously approaching Benjamin, "Then you have to promise never to bully me anymore! I'll reluctantly forgive you!"
Seeing Benjamin's surprised look, Sophia smiled brightly, extending her pinky to hook Benjamin's lowered finger. "Hurry up!"
"I'm sorry." Benjamin looked up, his deep eyes shining with seriousness and determination, "I promise you, there won't be a next time."
"I knew it, you love me!" Sophia's tears turned into a smile, her delicate eyebrows forming small crescent moons.
Benjamin looked at her clear eyes, feeling a ripple in his heart that had been calm for twenty-four years.
A wave of bitterness rose within him.
"Sophia, marrying me might bring you a lot of hardship. Are you sure you won't regret it?"
