CHAPTER 57: BLINDED BY ATTRACTION

[Reid Mansion]

The mansion was unusually quiet for early evening as Alexander walked through the corridor with his hands in his pockets and his jaw rigid.

He reached Benjamin’s study door and knocked once.

"Come in," Benjamin’s voice floated out, smooth and composed.

Alexander stepped inside.

Benjamin didn’t look up immediately. He was buys flipping through documents in his hand.

Only when Alexander shut the door did Benjamin lift his eyes.

"Alexander, what brings you here this early." He gave a practiced smile. "Everything alright?"

Alexander remained standing without saying a word.

And his silence made Benjamin’s smile fade. "Sit," he gestured him but Alexander didn’t budge.

"No—" Alexander replied. "I am not here to sit and chat with you."

Benjamin’s brows rose a fraction. "Alright. What’s wrong?"

Alexander breathed out through his nose, steadying himself. "My visit to the Carter house ended abruptly."

Benjamin didn’t say anything but he kept the document aside, giving him his full attention.

"Gregory told me to leave and to stay away from Evelyn," he added.

Benjamin simply leaned back with his fingers interlacing atop his desk. "And why do you think that concerns me?"

"Because he said you were the reason."

Benjamin’s expression remained utterly calm but something flickered behind his eyes. It was a twitch which was too fast to catch unless one looked closely.

"And?" Benjamin asked.

"I want to know what you said," Alexander demanded. He wanted answers and he wouldn’t leave without one.

Benjamin hummed thoughtfully, like the matter bored him. "I simply had a disagreement with Gregory about the deal. It was business, nothing more."

"Don’t lie to me," Alexander squinted his eyes.

Benjamin’s gaze hardened. "Are you accusing your father of lying?"

Alexander stepped closer and said with his voice low and tight, "You dragged Evelyn into it. Why?"

Benjamin studied him the way a predator studies something unexpected. "What makes you think I did?"

"Gregory’s reaction wasn’t business-related, he was furious. And I know you said something about her." Alexander’s voice cracked slightly, "Tell me what it was."

Benjamin sighed, as if this entire conversation was beneath him. "She is a scandal, Alexander. We both know this."

He then helplessly shook his head and added, "I thought of giving her a chance but then I realized she is too much to handle."

Alexander’s spine straightened. The way his father was talking about Evelyn made his blood boil.

But Benjamin ignored his son’s rage and continued casually. "She attracted the wrong attention and behaved recklessly. That is not my fault."

"She did nothing wrong," Alexander said. His voice was quiet but trembling with contained anger.

Benjamin raised a brow. "You are blinded by your attachment."

Alexander swallowed hard. "This isn’t about attachment, it’s about respect."

"Oh? You want me to respect her?" Benjamin laughed softly. "And why should I? Because you find her pretty? Because you decided to play the hero after ignoring her existence for years?"

A muscle jumped in Alexander’s jaw.

Benjamin leaned forward. "What exactly do you think you are doing, Alexander? Risking your future and this family’s future over a girl whose name was dragged through mud because of your brother?"

Pain shot through Alexander’s chest but he held Benjamin’s gaze. "I don’t care about any of that."

Benjamin’s expression sharpened instantly. "That—" he said coldly, "is exactly the problem."

Alexander exhaled shakily. "You shouldn’t have spoken about her like that. You shouldn’t have insulted her to her father."

"And what if I did?" Benjamin shrugged. "Gregory is a sentimental fool. If he can’t handle criticism—"

"That wasn’t criticism," Alexander snapped. "That was cruelty and an insult."

Benjamin’s eyes flashed. "You forget who you are speaking to, young man."

But Alexander didn’t back down. "I am speaking to the man who hurt the woman I—" He stopped himself but the damage was done.

Benjamin’s interest sharpened and it was almost predatory. "You what, Alexander?"

Alexander stepped back, realizing too late he had revealed too much. "That isn’t relevant."

"On the contrary," Benjamin smirked, "it explains everything. Your sudden impulsiveness, your temper and your rash decisions."

He threw his head back and chuckled, "It’s funny how women can easily manipulate men"

Alexander did not say anything. He was still trying to figure out what his father was up to.

Benjamin sighed and shook his head, "Alexander, she is beneath you. The sooner you accept that, the better."

Alexander’s breath stilled. "If you think saying that will make me stop wanting her then you don’t know me at all." He spoke calmly but his voice cracked at the edges.

Benjamin waved a dismissive hand. "This infatuation will pass. Evelyn Carter is not worth the chaos she brings."

Alexander slammed his hand on the desk, finally losing his cool. "You don’t get to decide her worth."

Benjamin’s smile thinned. "I get to decide who enters this family."

"And I get to decide," Alexander replied, "who I love."

The words spilled out before he could stop them and the silence that followed was suffocating.

Benjamin looked at him like he had spoken a foreign language. "You would defy me for her? Your father?"

And Alexander didn’t hesitate to answer. "Yes."

He expected Benjamin to flip but to his surprise, Benjamin chuckled.

"You are young and foolish. This is nothing but—"

Benjamin stopped when a shadow shifted outside the half-open door.

And then someone gasped. It was a quiet one but both of them didn’t miss it.

Alexander frowned and slowly turned only to find Olivia standing near the door with hand over her mouth, pretending to be surprised.

"Oh, Alexander—" she stammered, eyes shining with fake worry. "I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I just arrived—"

Alexander looked away, sick of her. He was in no mood to entertain whatever tactic she was trying to play.

Benjamin glared at her and snapped coldly, "Olivia, leave."

Olivia nodded, stepping away like an obedient, harmless wife.

But as she turned, her lips curled into the faintest and most poisonous smile. She had the ammunition she needed and she knew exactly how and where to use it.

Benjamin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This ends now, Alexander. Do you understand? No more Evelyn Carter."

Alexander stared at him for a while before walking towards the door. But before leaving, he said, "You don’t get to decide that, father."

And then he left.

The door shut behind him with a controlled click but the echo stayed in the room, vibrating through the silence like a warning.

For a long moment, Benjamin just stood there, staring at the door Alexander had disappeared through.

His face was unreadable but then, very slowly a cold, calculating and victorious smile curled across his lips.

Every piece was falling exactly where he wanted them.

Gregory was provoked, Evelyn was cornered and Alexander was emotionally volatile for the first time in his life.

Benjamin exhaled, leaning back in his chair with his eyes glinting with ruthless satisfaction.

"Perfect," he murmured to himself.

The board was set, the players were moving and all Benjamin had to do now was wait.

.....