Chapter 361 Love Requires Caution. Benjamin Is Risky
"That's all fine, but what I'm really worried about is you being with him. Every day will feel the same," Emma stopped walking and said seriously. "You don't talk much, and he probably talks even less. That's a boring combo."
"I don't think so," Daphne shot back.
If Benjamin really liked her, those little tests he did before showed he had pretty high emotional intelligence. Being with him should be interesting.
"Do you like him?" Emma seemed surprised and kept badmouthing Benjamin. "He's fine as a friend, but not as a boyfriend. If you want to date, I'll find you a handsome guy."
Daphne wanted to change the subject. "Weren't we going shopping? If we keep talking, it'll be dark soon."
"Do you really like him?" Emma pressed.
Daphne denied it. "No."
"Daphne, be careful with love. Benjamin is risky," Emma added. "If you don't believe me, I'll talk to Zoey about it and see what she thinks."
"Let's go shopping first," Daphne dodged. "What do you want to buy?"
"Haven't seen anything I like yet, so nothing for now."
Daphne now seriously suspected that Emma and Kevin had brought her out just to badmouth Benjamin. They probably didn't say it over the phone to keep Charles or Benjamin from finding out.
For the next two hours, Daphne tagged along as Emma shopped. When they got tired, they found a dessert shop to rest.
Emma and Kevin started their final mischief, opening the topic in the group chat.
Emma: [If Benjamin pursues Daphne, should she agree?]
Kevin: [No.]
Dominic: [No way, Benjamin is a master manipulator. Daphne can't handle him.]
Sam: [If you want to live longer, better not agree.]
Zoey: [Daphne, don't do anything rash.]
Seeing these messages, Daphne instinctively looked up at the two with her.
For some reason, Daphne didn't like these comments. Benjamin was clearly a good person.
Just as she was thinking this, Evan chimed in: [I actually think it's worth considering. Benjamin is reliable. Other than being a bit strict with us before, there's nothing wrong with him.]
Zoey: [Love needs romance. Does Benjamin understand romance?]
Dominic: [Wouldn't Daphne feel pressured being with Benjamin?]
Sam: [No joke, Benjamin is good as a friend and a guide, but really not suitable for dating.]
Daphne just watched without saying anything, but memories of her interactions with Benjamin started to surface.
A person who invited her over for meals every day, who made sure she didn't feel awkward or uncomfortable meeting his family—would he really be unsuitable for dating? Why did she feel he was very suitable? She wasn't big on romance; comfort was what mattered. In love and marriage, wasn't the most important thing mutual trust, reliance, and being each other's safe harbor?
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Emma asked Daphne.
"I don't know what to say." Daphne didn't hide anything. "I used to think like you guys, but after spending time with Benjamin, I realized he's just like us."
Their opinions of Benjamin mostly stemmed from how tough he was on them before, setting traps to make them train harder.
But if you looked past that, Benjamin was just a simple, reliable friend.
At that moment, memories of her interactions with Benjamin flashed through Daphne's mind. Even when she called him for help after offending him, his first concern was her safety.
"Daphne, you've got guts."
"Did getting married make you lose your courage?"
"Daphne, be more wary of men."
"Are you asking me to rely on women?"
"Do you want to be my girlfriend so I can finally go home?"
"Next time you want to get married, come to me first. I don't think I look too bad."
"I want you to come home with me for Christmas, pretend to be my girlfriend."
Thinking of these words, Daphne was stunned. What was going on? Why did she suddenly think of these things?
Emma noticed Daphne's change in mood and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Daphne replied lightly, but her heart was racing. She seemed to... No, it must be an illusion.
"You don't look like it's nothing," Emma said, sensing the timing was right. "Is it because none of us approve of you being with Benjamin, and you're feeling a bit emotional?"
Daphne shook her head. "No."
Emma pressed, "Really no?"
Daphne's silence made Kevin and Emma understand.
Emma kept the act going. "If you really like Benjamin, we would support you. With your brains, you should be able to handle him."
"I don't like him." Daphne suppressed the unfamiliar emotion inside her.
"Okay." Emma looked at her meaningfully. "You don't like him."
Emma then revealed something. "Now I even suspect that Benjamin working at your company and living next door to you was all part of his plan from the beginning."
"He just retired and isn't familiar with society. I wanted to help him," Daphne said seriously. "As for living next door, it's because his home is far from the company, so I let him stay."
Emma clicked her tongue. "Such an innocent girl..."
"If he really wanted to get familiar with society, why didn't he go to Evan, Dominic, or Sam?" Kevin started to reveal the truth bit by bit. "Men, especially men like Benjamin, wouldn't go to your company to get familiar with society unless he liked you."
Daphne didn't understand. "Why?"
"No reason." Kevin didn't know how to explain. "That's just how it is."
"Think carefully. Did you invite Benjamin to your company, or did he recommend himself?" Emma was now genuinely worried that if Daphne married Benjamin, she would be tightly grasped. "If you invited him, then forget what we just said."
Although Emma didn't know the exact details of how Daphne and Benjamin talked, she was 100% sure that with Benjamin's cunning, he must have subtly led Daphne into it.
Daphne paused and recalled the events.
They were playing chess, talking about retirement. Benjamin said he was unemployed and asked if her company needed employees, even suggesting he could be a bodyguard or secretary.
So it was Benjamin who recommended himself.
"Ring any bells?" Emma asked naturally while eating a piece of dessert brought by the waiter.
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