33.

AMBER'S POV. I didn't expect Vincent to pick me up again. Just as I was about to call Rogger - because they didn't live in the same house - Vincent was already sitting on the sofa in the living room. There was also Halmey, who greeted Asleena with a friendly smile. "Amber, are you ready to go?" asked Halmey. Her eyes sparkled like every time she saw Benny coming. There was no movement from me yet. My eyes were glued to Vincent who leaned back against the sofa and raised both eyebrows at her. I didn't expect it, still trying to digest that the figure on the sofa was Vincent. "Oh my. Are you already my personal driver?" I sarcastically said without showing any enthusiasm at all. Suddenly hearing that made Halmey lose her smile. Meanwhile, Vincent was really just relaxing, not taking my words seriously. Vincent behavior seemed to regard Halmey's house as his own. "Why are you here so early? I was just about to call Rogger," I said again, this time her gaze and face creased with displeasure. "Amber! Why are you talking like that? You're still rejecting Vincent's arrival," grumbled Halmey who looked at me with an exasperated look. Halmey again defended Vincent. I was fed up with Halmey who never understood her boredom. With a lazy sigh, I finally just looked up with an exasperated groan. She moved reluctantly to the sofa and picked up the breakfast bread that Halmey had prepared. "I only wanted to pick you up because you are my future wife," Vincent said. For some reason in front of Halmey, Benny acted like the sweetest guy. "That's not wrong. I'm trying to be a good partner for you." I almost threw up at Vincent's words. As long as they had been together, even from the first time they met, I knew very well that Vincent would never say that. Munching on her sandwich, I looked at Benny with disgust and confusion. I tried to convince herself not to fully show Benny the look of disgust. Because Halmey would definitely criticize her for the umpteenth time. After letting out a rough breath, I then chuckled. But her chuckle sounded awkward, as did the look on her face. "That's right. I don't need to ask you again. I'm already convinced that you're someone who does as you please," I said while nodding her head repeatedly. Hearing I and Vincent's conversation irritated Halmey. More precisely, she was annoyed at me for being relentlessly rude to Vincent. Halmey leaned forward in her seat and tapped Benny twice on the shoulder. The look on her face showed guilt. "I really apologize to you for Amber's words that could hurt you. You should know that Asleena is still too childish to-" "What are you talking about?" I cut off immediately when she couldn't accept being blamed. "Why am I being blamed and called childish?" Halmey moved her exasperated gaze to me. The look of pity on her face instantly disappeared. "Asleena. Don't say hurtful things to Benny. He gave his all for you." That was how Halmey admonished. Asleena frowned deeply. She almost had no appetite for the sandwich in her hand as Halmey continued to defend Benny. Asleena laughed wryly and looked away. This was not fun at all. Her heart was very irritated. Especially now, without feeling guilty, Asleena saw Benny just smiling sweetly at her. 'A fake smile, if only auntie knew how he behaved,' Asleena thought. "Auntie, do you know that he doesn't behave like this to me in reality?" Asleena asked after looking disgusted without hesitation. As if she didn't care about Asleena's annoyance, Halmey just shrugged her shoulders. There was no curiosity. Halmey immediately smiled shyly at Benny like a high school student in love. "He can't be unkind to you. I'm sure of it," Halmey said. Then, just as quickly, Halmey changed her expression to a sardonic one as she turned to look at Asleena. "Therefore, you should not be constantly upset with him. Otherwise, you won't be able to see her goodness," Halmey continued to advise Asleena. 'Woah, auntie doesn't even care what I say at all?' Asleena said inwardly. She couldn't help but feel upset herself. In front of Asleena, Benny just gave a casual gesture as if he didn't know anything. Benny let Asleena get upset without saying a single word. "Why did you have to do that?" asked Asleena who sarcastically looked at Benny. Benny raised both eyebrows. "What?" "To act like you have no guilt at all. You know, I'm well aware that you're not innocent." Before Halmey could say anything to reprimand Asleena again, Asleena suddenly clapped her hands quite loudly. Signaling for the conversation between them to end. "Alright. Even so, I'll come with you." Asleena gave Benny a forced smile. She patted one of Benny's shoulders, nodding her head. "Let's go. Tomorrow, you don't have to come without telling me." Benny immediately agreed to Asleena's request. Since the clock was already showing an hour and a half before work started, Benny stood up from the sofa. "Mrs. Halmey, Asleena and I are leaving now." After Benny and Asleena got Halmey's approval, they left the living room. Benny and Asleena quickly stepped into Benny's car which was parked in the front yard. "You know, I picked you up because my grandfather asked me to," Benny said as he and Asleena sat in the driver's seat. Asleena was fastening her seatbelt and didn't really care what Benny said. On the other hand, Asleena didn't want to say anything. Seeing Asleena who didn't react at all, Benny finally stopped his movement. Benny looked at Asleena with a thoughtful expression. "Why aren't you answering my questions?" she asked with certainty. After the seat belt was securely fastened to her body, Asleena turned her disgusted gaze to Benny. "I guessed that your arrival wasn't what you wanted," Asleena told Benny with a snappy tone. Benny knew that Asleena was still annoyed with him. But actually Benny had a reason other than being told by Joseph to come pick up Asleena. The memory of Asleena who seemed to be hiding something last night bothered Benny. For some reason Benny felt very curious and wanted to find out directly. "Are you okay?" Benny couldn't hold back the question anymore. How strange. Hearing a question that implied a caring tone made Asleena wonder. Asleena looked at Benny with the side of her face resting on her hand. "Didn't you mispronounce the question?" "I'm just making sure I don't have to take on more responsibility if something happens to you," Benny replied. At that moment his facial expression returned to indifference, continuing to fasten the seat belt. Beside Benny, Asleena immediately let out a sardonic laugh. "Ah, it's predictable. You won't be able to take responsibility for others." "Of course. You and I just got married without love and put on an act. Why would I take more responsibility for you?" sarcastically Benny, who didn't seem to think about how Asleena felt. "Then it's better not to ask. Why should you pretend to care?" "If you don't want to answer my questions, that's fine. It's not my problem." Asleena was really tired of arguing with Benny. Because after all, she would not be able to face someone like Benny. "How's your company?" Again. Asleena rolled her eyes in disgust. Just as she was about to launch into a tirade, Benny interrupted her. "Wait. I heard that they don't know that you're the new CEO yet," Benny retorted. Asleena was silent for a moment. She was a bit surprised that Benny knew that information. As far as Asleena knew, she hadn't told anyone except Rogger. And it seemed unlikely that Rogger would talk to Benny. Asleena was silent for a moment. She was a little surprised that Benny knew that information. As far as Asleena knew, she hadn't told anyone except Rogger. And it seemed unlikely that Rogger would talk to Benny. "How did you get that information?" Asleena asked with a frown, her face looking suspicious. Benny kept driving and focused on the road in front of his eyes. Instead of panicking because of Asleena's suspicion, Benny kept a casual gesture. "I can know anything, Asleena. Even if you're hiding something from me," Benny replied without looking at Asleena. This time his tone was so serious that it made Asleena's hair stand on end. Asleena was suddenly at a loss for words. Her eyes looked at Benny in horror. It was as if the person in front of her now was the person Benny was when they first met. "Why... are you suddenly talking like that?" She flinched, then Benny replied, "Asleena, it's your first time running a company. Isn't that a tough thing?" Actually, Asleena couldn't answer. But she kept nodding her head. "Therefore, you must be careful. You look for traitors within your company," Benny continued. "They could do anything to destroy you, Asleena." "Your words are getting scary," Asleena said in a near-whisper. After that, Asleena turned her gaze to the road in front of her. The situation between them became silent. Both Asleena and Benny had nothing more to say. The only thing Asleena could think of was how did Benny know her plan was to find a traitor in the company? Had Benny been monitoring her company's activities all this time? Asleena bit her lower lip. All her life, Asleena had known absolutely nothing. Now she was feeling uneasy. If it wasn't for Benny monitoring her company, would Joshua-Aleena's father-have been close to Benny for so long? So that the Handerson Group knew about the intricacies of the Hudge Group?