Chapter 349

Samuel's expression turned stormy. He slammed the influencer's phone onto the table with a loud crack and glared at Benjamin.

"Instead of focusing on your studies like I told you, you wasted your time on that hacker group of yours. Did you really think you could get away with this just because you think you're clever?" Samuel sneered. "If you're going to pull shady stunts, at least cover your tracks properly."

Benjamin's eyes welled up, but he stubbornly blinked back the tears. "Samuel, I did join a hacker league, but I swear—I had nothing to do with that video. Why would I hurt her?"

"You're still lying even with the evidence right in front of you?"

"I'm not lying! I didn't do it!"

Samuel had lost his patience. "Oliver, lock him in his room. No food until he confesses."

Oliver hesitated but didn't dare disobey. "Yes, Mr. Samuel."

Benjamin wiped his face roughly. "Fine! Starve me then! You're a fool, Samuel. First Evelyn, now me. One day, karma will catch up to you!"

Oliver quickly dragged him out before Samuel's temper flared further.

Amelia exhaled in quiet relief, a faint smirk curling her lips. Perfect. Samuel will never suspect me now.

Earlier, while Benjamin was being summoned and before Oliver could inspect his computer, she had slipped into his room and planted the evidence herself. Every trace Edmund had found? Her doing.

She had no choice. There was no way she'd let Samuel discover she was the one who edited and leaked that video. Benjamin was an acceptable sacrifice.

Too bad I couldn’t ruin Evelyn completely this time.

Putting on a concerned expression, she murmured, "Samuel, I’m sure Benjamin—"

Samuel cut her off with a sharp gesture. "He’s old enough to face consequences. I’ll deal with this. Go rest."

Amelia sighed. "Don’t stay up too late." She left, the picture of reluctant obedience.

Oliver returned, tense. "Mr. Samuel, Nathaniel has experts who could trace the real IP address soon. What if he thinks you leaked the video?"

Samuel arched a brow. "So what if he does?"

"We should avoid conflict with the Graysons. The feud between our families already ruined Amelia’s engagement. Escalating things will only make her suffer more. This was Benjamin’s fault."

Samuel knew Amelia still loved Nathaniel. He’d accepted that long ago. For her sake, he had to defuse this.

Rubbing his temples, he finally ordered, "Take Benjamin to Nathaniel’s office tomorrow. Explain what happened and hand over the original video. If he demands more, tell him I’ll meet him anytime."

Oliver nodded. "Understood."