CHAPTER 89: BENJAMIN’S SUSPICION

[Reid Mansion]

Benjamin stood in front of the mirror tightening the cuffs of his shirt, his expression unusually composed for a man who had slept barely three hours. He couldn’t sleep after coming back from the hospital last night.

He sighed and picked up his coat from the bed. He planned to stop by the hospital before heading to the office.

Just as he reached for his blazer, Olivia appeared at the doorframe with her hands clasped behind her back and face arranged in polite concern.

"Are you going to see Margaret?" she asked carefully.

Benjamin didn’t look at her. "Yes, before work."

There was a brief pause, then Olivia said, "Jack already went."

That made Benjamin turn.

"What?" he frowned.

Olivia softened her voice, almost too sweet. "He left early this morning. He said he wanted to check on her first thing."

Benjamin stared at her, a cold suspicion rising through him.

"Jack?" he repeated with his voice flat. "Alone?"

"Yes," she replied, nodding earnestly. "He even took flowers. He said he felt bad for missing out yesterday."

Benjamin’s eyes narrowed and the tie he had been adjusting slipped slightly between his fingers.

Jack visiting Margaret without being asked, he being early anywhere and showing consideration was not something right.

Olivia stepped closer, attempting to sound hopeful. "Benjamin, maybe he is trying. You have been so hard on him lately. I know he has made a few mistakes in the past, but—" She then sighed and placed her hand on his chest. "He is stepping up at the office, he is visiting family, isn’t this what you wanted?"

Benjamin gave her a long, piercing stare.

"You really believe that?" he asked quietly.

Olivia swallowed. "People can change."

A humorless laugh slipped out of him. "People can change but Jack doesn’t change. He adapts when he wants something."

Olivia blinked, feigning hurt. "You are being unfair."

"No," Benjamin said sharply. "I am being realistic."

He turned away, grabbing his watch from the dresser but his movements were stiff and controlled.

Olivia stiffened. "Why is it so unbelievable? He is trying—"

"Trying?" Benjamin snapped, taking a step forward. "Jack doesn’t do anything without a motive, not one goddamn thing." His voice dropped to a razor-sharp whisper. "And visiting my mother? That’s not effort, that’s strategy."

Olivia swallowed. "Benjamin, you are being—"

"Don’t—" he cut her off harshly. "Don’t insult my intelligence."

His jaw clenched and his expression turning even darker.

"You want to know what Jack has never done in his entire life?" Benjamin asked coldly. "He has never, not once gone to Pauline, not once visited Mother unless dragged and suddenly, he is showing up at the hospital with flowers?"

Olivia opened her mouth but Benjamin continued before she could speak.

"That boy is plotting something."

A chill ran down Olivia’s spine because even though she didn’t show it, she knew he was right.

Benjamin grabbed his coat. "And I will find out what it is."

Olivia placed a hand on his arm gently. "Benjamin please. Maybe you are reading too much into it. Maybe Jack genuinely cares—"

He shook her off.

"No. Jack doesn’t care about anyone but himself and if he is being obedient then it means he wants something. Something big." His eyes narrowed. "And if it threatens Alexander, I will end it before it begins."

Olivia’s heart jumped at the cold finality in his tone.

Benjamin walked past her but paused at the doorway.

"And Olivia," he added quietly, "don’t encourage him. Not now."

Olivia’s face flickered with guilt, panic, irritation but she masked it quickly.

"I am only supporting my son," she murmured.

Benjamin didn’t reply. He simply left but the tension he left behind hung thick in the hallway.

Jack’s sudden "good behavior" had not fooled him.

If anything, it had finally caught Benjamin’s attention.

....

[Reid Enterprise]

Jack sat behind the polished mahogany desk, pretending to review documents.

His leg bounced restlessly under the table. He wasn’t used to staying in a place for longer than a minute, let alone spending hours in a closed space in front of the system.

But he had to do it because he had a plan which according to him was moving steadily.

Just then, heavy footsteps echoed and Jack straightened, quickly pretending to be focused again.

Benjamin entered without knocking.

"Working?" Benjamin asked, his eyes scanning the office like he was expecting to find a corpse hidden somewhere.

Jack leaned back casually. "Just catching up with all the pending work."

"Oh, you had work?" Benjamin asked in a mocking tone.

But Jack didn’t react. "You told me to take things seriously, remember?" he said, trying to remain calm.

Benjamin didn’t smile and he didn’t even soften.

He shut the door behind him with a soft click.

"Olivia told me you visited mother this morning."

Jack nodded slowly. "Of course. She wasn’t well. I wanted to check on her."

Benjamin stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "You expect me to believe that?"

Jack didn’t falter. "Believe what you want. I am trying to fix my life, dad. Why is it so hard for you to understand?"

Benjamin stared at him for a long moment. It was the kind of stare he used when he tried to peel the truth off a person’s skin.

Finally, he said, ""I don’t know what game you are playing but whatever it is, be very careful."

Jack’s jaw twitched but he kept his expression carefully neutral.

Then Benjamin’s tone shifted to an unexpectedly softer and almost fatherly one.

"If you truly are trying to be better then I am proud of you."

Jack blinked. He hadn’t expected that, especially not from his father.

Benjamin added, "But if you are pretending or if you are planning something foolish, it will end badly. For everyone."

Jack’s fist tightened under the desk.

Benjamin lingered a moment longer, then headed toward the door.

Before leaving, he glanced over his shoulder.

"And don’t forget—Alexander is marrying Evelyn. So if this sudden ’change’ of yours has anything to do with her then drop it."

Jack didn’t answer. He only smiled after Benjamin left.

....