Chapter 365

Evelyn thought Benjamin's good looks couldn't compensate for his lack of tact. Even if he wasn't interested in the girl, his rude behavior was unacceptable.

Seeing the long-haired girl's eyes welling up, Evelyn's protective instincts kicked in. "Don't mind him. Manners aren't exactly his strong suit. His issue's with me, not you."

Emily Sinclair blinked back tears, studying Evelyn with newfound admiration. "Hi! Are you Benjamin's sister?"

Evelyn recognized the telltale signs of a schoolgirl crush instantly. A simple 'no' would only fuel misunderstandings about her relationship with Benjamin.

"Sort of," she hedged.

Emily's posture relaxed visibly. "I'm Emily Sinclair, Benjamin's classmate. Sorry I didn't realize earlier - you look about our age. Are you his older or younger sister?"

Evelyn waved it off. "No worries. Out shopping with friends?"

Emily nodded eagerly. "We wanted to try the escape room after, but got spooked and ran out halfway."

Evelyn elbowed Benjamin sharply. "Perfect chance to be chivalrous. Escort your classmates through it."

Benjamin's nose wrinkled in distaste. He avoided girls at school - too many giggles and hair-flipping for his liking.

"No way. Waste of time," he scoffed.

"Scared?" The taunt came from across the hallway, not from Evelyn or the girls.

All heads turned. Benjamin's expression darkened when he spotted Zachary Montgomery approaching with his usual entourage.

The girls gasped in unison. "It's Zachary's group!"

Evelyn recognized them instantly - the same boys who'd ambushed Benjamin at Silver Moon Estate.

Zachary swaggered forward, lip curled. "Didn't peg you for a coward, Rivers. First failing classes, now too chicken for an escape room?"

Benjamin's jaw clenched. "Not scared. Just hate lame offline games."

Zachary snorted. "Prove it then." His friends erupted in mocking laughter.

Pride stung, Benjamin bit out, "Fine! Let's play!"

Emily brightened immediately. Turning to Evelyn, she asked, "Will you join our team?"

Before Evelyn could decline, Zachary's gaze sharpened on her. "Who's she?" He remembered this woman defending Benjamin before - never a good sign.

Emily answered for her. "Benjamin's sister!"

Zachary barked a laugh. "I've met Amelia. This one's definitely not family. Did you knock her up or something?"

Benjamin saw red. "Amelia's my second sister! This is Celeste! Got a problem with that?"

Evelyn nearly choked.

Zachary's smirk faltered. "Thought your sister Celeste went missing years ago. When'd you find her? Nobody mentioned this."