Chapter 112
“Yeah, had I known I was going to give it to you, I would have picked something more special”
“I can’t accept this,” Xanthen pushed the crystal globe back, leaving Benjamin puzzled. “Why not? Don’t you like it?”
“No, it’s too precious, and you made it yourself, right? It must have taken a lot of effort”
Benjamin replied. “That’s what makes it meaningful. It’s not like those generic gifts from corporations or brands. Every time you see it, you’ll think of me”
“But I wasn’t aware of this tradition and haven’t prepare anything for you.”
Tradition?
Benjamin paused for a moment, then laughed, “Xan, you’ve got it all wrong. This isn’t some unspoken rule about colleagues exchanging gifts. It was just me wanting to give you a gift to make you a friend”
“Xan, just accept Benjamin’s gift,” Oliver chimed in. “If there’s the need, your uncle can help you return the favor!”
“Alright then.”
Xanthea finally accepted the gift he persisted in offering, considering their long–term collaboration ahead, which would provide ample opportunities to reciprocate.
Inside the
crystal globe’s box was a square mirror. As Xanthea closed the lid, she unintentionally saw a reflection of a white van parked behind them, adomed with colorful letters
She had noticed this van when they first got into the cat and now, after walking a bit, it was still following them. Was it a coincidence?
“Ryan, is someone following us?”
“Following us?”
Ryan glanced in the rearview mirror just as the white van switched lanes.
“Nope.”
Oliver tumed around, confused, “What’s up, Xan?”
“Nothing, must’ve been my mistake.”
A few minutes later, the four of them arrived at the Glory Building, the site for the launch event of “Realm of Illusions.”
As soon as Xanthea stepped out of the car, a deafening scream pierced the air, She hadn’t even registered what was happening when massive crowd surged forward, engulfing her and making it impossible for the others to get out of the vehicle.
“Benjamin! I love you! I love your
“AAAAHHHH Benjamin! I finally get to see you in person, cah I have your autograph?”
“Oh my god, he’s so handsome!”
A horde of fans holding flowers and banners, started screaming at the sight of Benjamin in the car, screamed excitedly and beat against the car windows. The chaotic frenzy knocked Xanthea away from the car, her footing wobbled, and the crystal globe dropped and rolled away.
As she bent down to pick it up, her arm was fiercely pricked by the thorns of roses that had been thrust at her
“Ah.”
She cried out in pain, her face turning pale.
“Xan, Xan!”
Oliver, seeing her disappear into the crowd, panicked and attempted to open the car door, but it was jammed shut by the fans.
“Please, make way! Make way!”
“Ms. Nightshade? Is she alright?”
“Xant