Chapter 8 Standing Her Ground

Benson had waited in his office all day, fully expecting Sierra to come and apologize. But as the workday neared its end, Sophie casually mentioned that Sierra had taken the company staff out for dinner. Furious, Benson grabbed his keys and drove straight to the restaurant. By the time he arrived, he caught the tail end of Sierra's announcement—she was resigning. A surge of inexplicable anger ignited in his chest. Sierra turned to face him. Benson's bloodshot eyes burned with frustration, his emotions barely contained. Behind him, Sophie stood in her white gown, her delicate, practiced expression firmly in place. "Yes, I'm resigning. I've already completed all my tasks. Tomorrow, I'll hand everything over to Mr. Gray," Sierra said coldly. Benson gripped her wrist tightly, almost without realizing it. "Who permitted you to leave? I won't approve it!" he demanded. His grip was firm enough to hurt, and Sierra frowned. "Let go," she said sharply. For a moment, Sophie couldn't hide her glee. She had been hoping Sierra would leave, waiting for this chance to have more time with Benson. But still, she couldn't shake the suspicion that this might all be a ploy, a game Sierra was playing to get Benson's attention. At last, Benson released Sierra's wrist, though his glare remained as sharp as ever. "Have you had enough of this tantrum yet?" "Are you done yet?" Sierra snapped back. Her gaze flickered briefly to Sophie before she continued, her voice like ice. "I've already stepped aside so you and Sophie can be together. What more do you want from me?" Her words hit Benson like a slap. For a moment, his anger faltered, replaced by a flicker of satisfaction. In his mind, Sierra still cared about him. She was only acting this way because she loved him too much. Feeling emboldened, Benson softened his tone slightly. "You've misunderstood Sophie, I only see her as a little sister. I've just been looking out for her, that's all." "Sister?" Sierra let out a cold laugh. "You're telling me she's just your sister after I saw you two kissing? Benson, do you think I'm that stupid?" Benson frowned. "What kissing? What nonsense are you spouting?" Next to him, Sophie's face immediately changed. She stepped forward, grabbing Sierra by the arm with a look of desperation. "Sierra, I know you're mad at Mr. Gray because of me. This is all my fault. I'm willing to leave the company. Please, I'm begging you, don't break up with Mr. Gray." Her tone was earnest, almost pitiful, but the hand gripping Sierra's arm tightened deliberately. Sierra winced at the sharp pain and shook Sophie's hand off with a swift motion. "Ah!" Sophie let out a cry as she stumbled and fell to the floor. Benson's furious voice cut through the tension like a whip. "Sierra, you've gone too far!" He immediately bent down to help Sophie, wrapping a protective arm around her shoulders. His eyes burned with anger as he shot Sierra a glare. "Mr. Gray, please don't be mad at Sierra. I just wasn't standing steadily," Sophie interjected softly, her eyes brimming with tears, making her look as though she were enduring some great injustice. Benson's gaze shifted from Sophie's frail appearance to Sierra. His jaw tightened, and he spoke through clenched teeth. "Sierra, you're not even half as gentle as Sophie." Sierra lowered her head, the sting of the scratch on her arm sharp enough to blur her eyes with unshed tears. Benson's words only deepened the sour ache in her chest. "If I can't compare to her in anything, then you should just be with her. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Sierra forced herself to suppress the emotions bubbling in her chest as she spoke. She glanced at the other colleagues seated around the table and managed to muster a strained smile. "You guys go ahead and keep eating. I just need to step out to the restroom. As for the uninvited guests, please leave." With that, she turned and walked away. Benson's face darkened, and he shouted after her, "Sierra, get back here and apologize!" However, the only response he received was her cold, unfeeling back as she continued to walk away. In the restroom, Sierra stood at the sink, her hands under the running water as tears began to fall uncontrollably. She had spoken such heartless words, but her chest ached so much it felt like it would burst. Watching Benson defend Sophie like that was like a knife twisting deeper and deeper into her heart. When they were kids, Benson had stood in front of her in the same way to protect her. When she was bullied, he would fight off anyone who dared to hurt her. He'd end up bruised and bloodied himself, but he'd still look at her with that same reassuring smile and say, "Cee, I've got your back. No one's ever going to mess with you while I'm around." Sierra clenched her fists as the pain in her heart grew sharper with each passing moment. "Why is it that every time I see you, you've managed to make such a mess of yourself?" The cold, clear voice startled her. Sierra lifted her head and looked into the mirror. Staring back at her was the reflection of a strikingly handsome face.