She pushed open the study door and found Benjamin Gomez sitting at his desk, Bluetooth headset in one ear, rimless glasses perched on his nose. The blue glow from his computer screen reflected off both his glasses and his calm face. He spoke evenly to whoever was on the other end-his tone steady and unruffled, each word precise and measured. Yet, that very calmness made whoever was listening on the call even more tense and cautious.

When Isabella Austin entered, he barely spared her a glance before turning back to his conversation, issuing instructions to his staff.

Nervously, Isabella closed the door behind her. She saw Benjamin extend his hand toward her. Hesitantly, she made her way over and placed her hand in his.

He squeezed her fingertips, then drew her entire hand into his warm, broad palm, enveloping it completely.

He gave her a gentle tug, wanting her to come around to his side of the desk. Isabella resisted-she wasn't sure if his camera was still on.

Benjamin wrapped up the call with a few final remarks. "All right, that's enough for now. Meeting adjourned. I want everyone to seriously consider the issues I just raised. Next time, I expect to see results."

Isabella stood there anxiously, her lips and throat dry, gaze restless as she waited for Benjamin to finally remove his headset. The moment he did, she hurried to his side of the desk.

A faint smile played at his lips as he caught her hand, pulling her half onto his lap, his arm circling her waist. "So, tell me what brings you here?"

Clutching the front of his shirt, Isabella blurted out, her voice tight with panic, "What am I supposed to do? The school has already discovered Brandon and Helen Ross's real identities. Their withdrawal process is already underway, and the police have traced something back to Astoria. What am I supposed to do now?"

"Benjamin, please-what do I do?"

She looked utterly cornered, desperation in her eyes.

Benjamin chuckled softly, patting her back in reassurance. “Why are you so anxious? Didn't I tell you to leave everything to me?"

Isabella's gaze was wild with fear. “But they're really about to find out, I—I just...”

Benjamin silenced her with a gentle laugh, pressing his lips against hers and swallowing the rest of her words in a kiss.

“Enough,” he murmured, releasing her lips and brushing her back, his tone gentle, smile reassuring. "Aren't you supposed to trust me, Isabella?"

Her voice trembled. "I don't know... I'm just so worried."

She clung to his shirt. "You have to help me. You promised."

Benjamin's gaze drifted to a spot on her neck.

That morning, she'd hastily covered it with foundation after Ashley Gomez had pointed it out, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she hurried to the bathroom. A mark-one he'd left on her just the night before.

He smiled, his tone low and intimate. "Isabella, you should trust me. No one wants

to see you safe and happy more than I do. Do you understand?"

She hesitated, locking eyes with him. "I know."

He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. "Don't be afraid. I'm right here."

When the phone rang, Isabella startled like a frightened animal, scrambling out of his embrace to grab her phone, half-expecting another call from Astoria.

But it wasn't. The screen showed Andrew Lane's name.

She hesitated for a moment when she saw it.

Lately, she'd been using work trips as an excuse not to go home. Andrew and Dennis Lane seemed to believe her and hadn't pressed her to return. Occasionally, one of them would call-usually it was Dennis she spoke with, while Andrew simply listened quietly in the background.