It was not until Benjamin left the tearoom that Jacqueline could breathe a sigh of relief. His sudden and dangerous presence made her feel as if she was going to have a heart attack.
It was the first time that she met Benjamin, a mafia don. However, it was strange that she didn't feel any fear until she realized that he was carrying a short gun. However, fear also didn't stay in her mind for too long.
Jacqueline wondered herself what had happened. Was it because she was too focused to not make Benjamin realize she was not Jasmine? Or because of his behavior?
During the process, he just hugged her, which was obvious because he loved Jasmine and they were even engaged. That was not the reason. And about his eyes… Jacqueline recalled those gun-mental blue eyes. They always exude intelligence and sharpness, but every time he looked at her… it was very tender. And the way he called her Jane…
She did not explain why she had the feeling that his tenderness was for her.
Jacqueline immediately shook her head.
"Sober up Jane, he's a mafia don. Even if he's gentle with you, that doesn't mean he's someone you can mess with. Remember, Jane, his tenderness is for Jasmine," thought Jacqueline.
Claire has lived long enough to see through the complex feelings of 20-year-old girls like her.
"Deadly traps are like poisonous mushrooms, they are all beautiful and enchanting," she reminded Jacqueline.
Jacqueline hid her embarrassment when someone exposed her thoughts, then said, "I got it, Madam."
After all, she should be glad that she passed the first difficult test.
But Jacqueline couldn't enjoy the relief for long when she became alarmed by Benjamin's invitation to dinner.
"Madam Turner," she decided to ask Claire for help. "Benjamin invited me to have dinner with him."
Madam Claire suddenly laughed while Jacqueline was confused by her reaction.
"Sorry," Claire put down her teacup. "I expected it to happen. However, I didn't expect Ben to be in such a hurry. So, when?"
"Tomorrow evening, he said he didn't have much patience to wait," she told her the full story of what had happened.
Madam Claire immediately asked a maid to prepare her a beautiful dress, and jewelry and hire a hairstylist and makeup artist for tomorrow night.
Jacqueline was surprised, "Am I really going to have to have dinner with him?"
Madam Claire calmly, "Why not? It is a favorable chance. You informed me for the purpose of aiding your preparation for that evening, didn't you?"
"No, that's not what I mean," explained Jacqueline while Madam Claire frowned with a puzzled expression. "I cannot. I don't know anything about Jasmine. You know it, right? I haven't seen my twin sister in a decade. I have no knowledge of her appearance during our time at the age of 20."
"She looks like you," Madam Claire insisted. "So you mean I help you prevent that dinner from happening?"
Jacqueline nodded.
"It's impossible!" Madam Claire immediately affirmed.
"No way!" Jacqueline exclaimed. "I will be discovered because I have not prepared anything. I…"
"But you weren't prepared today either, were you?" Madam Claire interrupted. "Watch out for his attitude when he left. He was thoroughly content.."
"But…" Jacqueline wanted to explain to Madam Claire that this was a completely unexpected turn of events, and- she had her here.
"Miss Kelly, I won't accept any excuses," Madam Claire didn't allow her to refuse. "What just happened proved the viability of my plan. I desire no interruptions or delays under any circumstances.
. If you want to delay because you are not ready, then our doctors will be waiting for you."
Apparently, Madam Claire wouldn't treat her father if she didn't listen to her words.
The undisguised threat caused her to suppress her anxiety.
Madam Claire was pleased with her docile attitude. However, she quickly reassured her, "Benjamin was completely manipulated by the love he had for Jasmine. He's so madly in love with her that he can't even recognize who is the real Jasmine."
Jacqueline didn't think she would tell about Benjamin's love for Jasmine right now. However, she was willing to listen to her, not only out of curiosity but also because she thought she would gain some useful information for her mission.
Claire was pleased that she listened to her, and continued that story, "No one knows why Benjamin fell in love with Jasmine, but few people know when love sprouts in him. That was when he was 16 years old, during a visit to the Martin family mansion. After that, he always gave Jasmine gifts. Well, at first, they were all his choice, but not long after, they were brought in at her request. Until Jasmine was 16, she called or texted Benjamin when she wanted something. Ben always accommodates her every request, even becoming Jas's personal chauffeur when she asks. When he was 25 years old, he turned down the bride his father chose for him on the grounds that the only one he married was Jasmine. Afterward, he had to endure harsh punishment from his father.
Claire suddenly stopped, laughed sarcastically, and commented after taking a sip of her tea, "He's crazy, everyone thinks so, including me."
Jacqueline did not respond, but she also found Benjamine's feelings for Jasmine difficult to understand. However, there existed another thing that sparked her curiosity.
"What did Benjamin's father, I mean Mr. Turner, do?"
"He sent his demotion to the lowest position in his organization. With just one command, he made him an errand boy in the organization. No money, no relationships, no family support," Madam recounted as calmly as she would tell a gossip.
From a prosperous and powerful man, in one night, Benjamin lost everything just to protect his love. Jacqueline felt that he was crazy, but she believed that Benjamin's love was sincere and intense.
Guilt welled up in her mind and was immediately quelled by her.
"Sorry, Ben," thought Jacqueline, "I was just trying to save my dad."
"But didn't expect it to be a good opportunity for Benjamin," Madam Claire continued.
Jacqueline wondered if she was trying to get her to know Benjamin better.
"In just one year, Benjamin regained what he had lost with his own abilities," said Madam Claire. "It makes me angry. But I can't help but appreciate his talent."
Jacqueline nodded, completely convinced of Benjamin's abilities.
"However, it seems that Benjamin repeatedly ignored Jasmine after that event, but persisted in marrying her. As you know, right before the wedding ceremony, Jasmine ran away. Benjamin tried everything to find her until he arrived at the mansion like what happened today," Madam Claire put down her teacup, ending her story.
Jacqueline, of course, still couldn't understand the full extent of Benjamin's motives behind each of his actions. However, that was not information she had to know. Madam Claire just wanted to reassure her of Benjamin's intense love so she would stop her stupid worries.
Jacqueline's attitude at that moment proved that she had to do more to accomplish her goal. Instead of being confident about her exact resemblance to Jasmine, she worried about the consequences when Benjamin realized that she was not the one he loves.
Madam Claire stared intently at Jacqueline's facial expression and frowned.
"Poor stupid girl," Madam Claire whispered in her mind. "But at least, she's not as cunning as her damn twin."
"Miss Kelly," Madam Claire called to Jacqueline. "My story doesn't seem to make you feel any better. Well, why don't you change the perspective? I mean think outside the box. Don't let Benjamin's love intimidate you, take advantage of it. I will not allow you to delay your plans. You only have two options, do or die? Fight for your father. Refrain from acting like a rabbit, as there is no burrow for you to take cover in."
Madam Claire's threatening words seem to have successfully changed her mind. Although, Jacqueline was still a bit confused.
Madam Claire smiled when she saw the transformation in Jacqueline's eyes, but she did not forget to remind her, "This is a good opportunity. I believe you can take advantage of it."
Not long after, a maid from Madam Claire gave her one of the two contracts she had signed. This would be proof of their exchange.
"My assistant will notify you of the schedule tomorrow. We still have a lot of things to prepare. So always make sure you're free until the wedding," Madam Claire reminded before leaving the tea room.
"Wait, Madam," Jacqueline said immediately. "I want to visit my father."