The warmth in the room vanished.

Sienna’s expression turned tense.

’There it is,’ Her thoughts sharpened instantly. ’Nothing from him is ever free of any conditions.’

Her fingers curled tightly into her palm.

"What do you mean, sir?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tension rising within her.

Benjamin leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharpening as it locked onto hers.

"I’m divorced, Sienna," he said, as though delivering significant news.

Irritation flickered in Sienna’s gaze as she responded dryly in her mind, ’And I’m supposed to celebrate that?’

"So," he continued smoothly, "there is no longer any reason for you to refuse me. We can date freely now..."

Her chest tightened, and suddenly everything became clearer.

Slowly, she began to feel even more anxious than before. She could see that Benjamin was no longer holding back.

"Sir, I’m sorry, I can’t—"

Sienna couldn’t finish her words when, in the next moment, Benjamin rose from his seat and began walking toward her.

It wasn’t only the sudden movement that startled her, but it was the look in Benjamin’s eyes. That single glance was enough to send a clear message, one that made her stomach drop.

"Sir, sir...what are you doing?" she asked, her voice rising even as she tried to stay calm.

The calm mask she had been maintaining shattered almost instantly as she pushed herself up from the sofa, her body acting on instinct rather than her thought.

She needed distance from this man.

But Benjamin was faster.

Before she could even take a proper step away, he had already closed the gap between them.

He moved with ease until he stood directly in front of her. He didn’t touch her—not a single finger—but his presence alone was enough to block her path completely.

Sienna stepped back instinctively, only to feel the edge of the sofa press against the back of her legs.

The next moment, her balance gave way, and she sank back into the seat, caught between the furniture and the man standing over her like an unmovable wall.

Her fingers tightened around her notebook in her lap.

She tried to steady herself, but when she spoke, her voice trembled anyway.

"M-Mr. Fo-Foster..." she stammered, "You can’t force me to do something improper!"

For a moment, everything became silent.

But then Benjamin laughed. His laugh was loud, unrestrained, and completely out of place in the tense atmosphere. It echoed through the office, making Sienna’s shoulders stiffen.

"Hahaha... relax, Sienna," he said between laughs, as though she had just made a joke instead of defending herself.

He stepped back at last, giving her space, but the tension didn’t leave with him.

Instead, he moved casually and sat down on the sofa beside her, as if nothing had happened. His posture was casual and comfortable, completely at ease.

Sienna, on the other hand, felt the opposite.

"I won’t do anything to you," he continued casually, sounding almost reassuring but really not trustworthy.

She didn’t respond. Her body remained tense, her back straight, her grip still tight around her notebook.

"But, Sienna—"

Those words made her heart clench. Her fingers curled further into her palm, nails pressing lightly into her skin as she braced herself to hear his words.

"I won’t wait long," Benjamin added, his voice lowering, losing its playful edge. "You know I divorced my wife because of you, right?"

The words struck her like a sudden blow.

For a moment, Sienna could only stare at him, her mind struggling to process what she had just heard.

"Sir, I told you many times—"

"Don’t say anything else, Sienna," he interrupted smoothly, turning his head toward her as that familiar smug smile slowly returned to his lips.

She hated that smile.

"Don’t push me away too fast," he said, his tone calm, almost gentle, as if he were giving her advice rather than cornering her. "You need to know that all this time... I have helped advance your career."

Sienna was utterly stunned. The words settled heavily in her chest, stirring something she hadn’t expected.

’He helped me? What does he mean?’ Her thoughts faltered for a brief moment.

Because she had always believed that everything she achieved was the result of her own effort. The long nights, the endless work to prove herself all belonged to her.

’This scum, how dare he claim so lightly that he helped me in my career?’

Or at least, that was what she thought. But now the voice in her mind was starting to confuse her.

’Was it possible? Is he the one who helps me? The one behind my rapid progress at this level in hotel management?’

The thought made her chest tighten.

’If it was true, then what did that mean for everything I had worked so hard for?’ 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

The thought feels hurtful.

But just as quickly as doubt crept in, Sienna forced herself to push it away.

’No. Don’t trust this man, Sienna!’

She refused to believe him so easily.

This man is Benjamin Foster, who twisted situations to suit his desires and spoke in half-truths and with hidden intentions. She had seen enough of him to know that nothing he said came without a purpose.

"And for that, you should thank me," he concluded softly. "I’m genuinely in love with you. I want you to be my woman, my wife."

Sienna didn’t answer. Didn’t move either. But inside, she cursed him repeatedly.

Because no matter what he claimed, no matter how convincing he tried to sound, she would not let him take credit for her life.

"Sienna..."

His voice softened again, drawing her attention back to him.

Her eyes were fixed on him as she said firmly, "I can’t accept your feelings."

But Benjamin shamelessly ignores her.

"There’s no rush to reject me. I will give you a week to consider it."

He smiled as if he were offering her something generous.

Sienna got up. She couldn’t stay even a second longer, or it would be too much for her mind to handle.

She didn’t bother looking at him. She simply turned and walked toward the door, her steps steady even though the storm was still raging in her chest.

Behind her, Benjamin’s voice sounds shameless. "Sienna, let’s celebrate your promotion tonight. My treat!"

Benjamin’s words were enough to make Sienna want to vomit. She didn’t stop or slow down. Instead, she reached the door, pulled it open, and walked out without looking back.

But as soon as the door swung shut behind her, her knees weakened.

Her heart was still racing, and her mind remained restless. But one thing was certain: no matter what he said or offered, she would never accept it.

’Benjamin... you’re trash!’ She sighs heavily and walks away.