One night stand with my president(chapter 299)

 

Chapter 299: Misjudged 

Adeline had already told her parents about Benjamin, so they knew him.

Their long-lost daughter was being treated as someone's stand-in. No one would be happy to hear that.

But Isaac and Gracie were people who kept their feelings close. As the heads of the Mendoza family, they couldn't openly clash with Benjamin, especially since he was the heir to the Tillman family.

"Mr. Mendoza, Mrs. Mendoza," Benjamin greeted them politely.

"How do you do, Mr. Tillman?" Isaac replied, rising to shake Benjamin's hand with a polite smile. "What brings you here?"

"I heard about Alberto's hospitalization and thought I'd visit him."

"How thoughtful of you," Gracie responded with a smile.

She said it, but she wasn't fooled.

Everyone knew Benjamin was there for Adeline,not Alberto.

Unfortunately for him, neither of them would be on his side.

In Gracie's opinion, Benjamin didn't measure up to Harrison.

Based on her observations and Adeline's comments, it seemed clear Harrison genuinely cared for her daughter.

And Adeline, too, had feelings for Harrison.

As for the family background, the Thomson family and the Tillman family were nearly on par.

So Harrison was a hundred times better than Benjamin.

Benjamin was always perceptive and sensed their cool reception, though they didn't express their opinions.

He didn't try to explain himself. Instead, he stepped over to Alberto's bedside, glanced at him, and sighed.

"To think the last time I saw Mr. Mendoza, he was perfectly well. Now, here he is..." he

murmured.

He turned back to Gracie and Isaac and said, "I've contacted a renowned team of experts from Mugroaton. They're on their way here now.This team is exceptional. Perhaps they can help Mr. Mendoza regain consciousness."

At his words, Gracie's eyes brightened.

They'd already consulted many specialists, and Harrison had offered considerable help. Still, having another team work on Alberto's case could increase his chances of waking up.

Though she didn't favor Benjamin, she couldn't ignore any possibility that might help her son.

But if Benjamin thought he could leverage this to force Adeline to be with him, that was out of the question.

Just as Gracie considered this, Isaac said, "Mr. Tillman, if you are genuinely trying to help, we appreciate it. In the future, if you need assistance, we'll do our best to help in return."

He paused, his tone hardening as he added, "But if you re using this to push a certain agenda, then we don't need it. Though the Mendoza family may be 'humble, we don't submit to manipulation."

Adeline had to stifle a laugh and thought, "The Mendoza family is 'humble'?"

Benjamin chuckled. "Mr. Mendoza, you're mistaken. I simply think it's a pity for someone as brilliant as Alberto to be in a coma. I want to help him wake up. I'm not trying to make you owe me, nor do I intend to use this to gain any favor."

"If that's the case, thank you for your concern, Mr. Tillman," Isaac replied. "My wife and I will treat you to a meal sometime."

He didn't include Adeline in this invitation.

He was making it clear to Benjamin that this matter had nothing to do with Adeline.

Even if his team managed to help Alberto, the debt would be owed only by him and Gracie.

There would be no leverage for Benjamin to use against Adeline.

Benjamin understood the implication.

He didn't mind.

His intention was never to manipulate the Mendoza family.

He simply wanted to gain their favor, and, if possible, Adeline's too.

He thought, "They're really misjudging me."

Benjamin chatted with Isaac and Gracie a bit longer.

Then he looked at Adeline and asked, "Where's Mr. Thomson today?"

"What's it to you?" Adeline replied coldly.

"I just thought he should be here for you at a time like this," Benjamin said, unbothered by her tone, even smiling.

Adeline looked at him and suddenly smiled, too.

"Not everyone is like you, desperate to display false affection," she said. "Even if he's not by my side right now, I'm very clear about his feelings for me."

Benjamin's fingers clenched slightly.

He loved her, cared for her, and did everything he could to win over her family...

But to her, it was all "false affection".

Benjamin thought, "How could she think of me that way?"

"Since we're already talking, could you come outside with me for a moment?" Adeline said. "I have something to say to you."

She'd allowed Georgia to let Benjamin through because she wanted to make things clear.

Benjamin knew what she would say.

Still, this was the first time she'd voluntarily asked to speak to him alone.

He couldn't bring himself to refuse.

So he stood up, nodded to Isaac and Gracie, and followed Adeline out of the ward.

They stopped by the window in the hallway.

Georgia and her team stood watch nearby.

She wouldn't let Benjamin get away with anything.

"I know about Whitney Sherman," Adeline began calmly.

Benjamin's heart ached.

Whenever he heard Whitney's name, it was as though his heart was being pierced.

"I'm not trying to open old wounds," Adeline continued, seeing his expression. "But given your behavior, I need to make things clear. I know I look like Miss Sherman, but I'm not her. I'm Adeline, not the woman you loved."

Benjamin's face softened with a gentle smile.

"Yes, I know that," he replied.

But his gaze was vacant.

Adeline could see it.

He was saying he understood, but he had no intention of stopping.

He still saw her as Whitney's stand-in.

At that, Benjamin's face twisted into an unsettling smile.

"What do you mean 'watching over'? Whitney would never leave me. See? She's back by my side again."