Chapter 102: Hadn’t Recognized Me

Hayley’s POV: +8 Pearls

“It’s nothing. You just look like an old acquaintance,” he smoothly redirected the conversation. “Let’s go.”

Relief surged through me. He likely hadn’t recognized me. My disguise was meticulously crafted; I had even managed to mask my scent so effectively that even Thomas’s wolf had been oblivious to it. Benjamin’s assistant arranged our flight upgrade, and so we boarded the plane headed for Aulom.

After a long journey filled with numerous flights and layovers spanning over ten hours, Benjamin and I finally arrived in Mornant. Stepping off the plane, I was immediately hit by a wave of fatigue. However, I was the only one among our trio who spoke Mornantese, which made my role essential. Despite my exhaustion, I had to facilitate communication with the locals until we reached our hotel. The instant I hit the bed, I surrendered to sleep, grateful for the chance to rest.

It took a full day for me to adjust to the new time zone, and by the third day, I finally felt like myself again. Upon waking, I noticed a message from Benjamin that he had sent earlier: “Ms. Selena, please meet in the hotel lobby at 8:00 AM.”

After reading the text, I replied simply with an “Okay” and set my phone aside. I hurried through my morning routine, opting for a more formal business outfit and donning the glasses I had prepared earlier, projecting a polished and professional image.

When I arrived in the lobby, Benjamin and his assistant were already there, waiting.

“Ms. Selena!” the assistant greeted me with enthusiasm, handing me a schedule. “This outlines today’s agenda for Mr. Benjamin. You’ll be translating for him throughout the day, so it’ll be quite a busy schedule. Are you comfortable with that?”

I skimmed the itinerary and reassured him, “No problem. I’m ready for it.”

“Fantastic! Let’s get going.” The assistant beamed with approval.

I settled into the business vehicle, and during the drive, I briefly introduced Benjamin to some of Mornant’s customs and geography.

“Mornant has a population exceeding fifty million and experiences a tropical monsoon climate. The temperature remains fairly consistent year-round, with heavy rainfall concentrated in June, July, and August due to the southwest monsoon. Rain also falls in May, September, and October. Most regions receive over 4,000 millimeters of rain each year, but the central area we’re in is a rain shadow zone, getting less than 1,000 millimeters, making it Mornant’s driest region. So, Mr. Benjamin, it’s a good idea to carry a bottle of warm water to stay hydrated.”

Hearing this, Benjamin casually remarked, “You seem quite well-versed in this area.”

I replied casually, “I developed a liking for a particular fruit from here during college, so I researched the local culture and learned a bit of the language.”

Benjamin raised an eyebrow, looking at me with admiration. “It’s clear you must be quite the scholar.”

I accepted his compliment with ease. “I advanced quickly in school, skipping several grades, which allowed me to start college at a young age.”

“Which university did you attend?” Benjamin inquired, intrigued.

“National University of Eastleyford.”

The mention of Eastleyford seemed to catch Benjamin’s attention. “What a coincidence; I pursued a dual degree at Cryving University in my time.”

I was already familiar with Benjamin’s impressive resume, so I wasn’t surprised by this revelation. “Mr. Benjamin, as the Alpha of the Midnight Pack, it’s no wonder you excel in every field!”

Benjamin remained composed as he replied, “Ms. Seler, you seem quite the conversationalist for someone in interpretation.”

I chuckled lightly. As we continued chatting, time slipped away. Before we knew it, we had arrived at our destination.

The Southwell Group was collaborating with the Mornant government on an oil extraction initiative, pouring in hundreds of millions. The government had been aware of Benjamin’s arrival and had sent representatives to greet him at the import site. As soon as he stepped out, the sound of firecrackers erupted in celebration.

Watching the local welcoming ritual, Benjamin looked puzzled. I quickly clarified, “This is a local custom; the firecrackers are meant to honor your arrival.”

Once the firecracker noise died down, Benjamin exited the vehicle. A government representative approached him with a bright smile, extending a hand and speaking fluent Mornantese. “Welcome, Mr. Benjamin, to the Mornant First Mining Area. We look forward to your guidance on this project.”

I swiftly translated his words into English, facilitating their exchange of greetings. Then, I followed the government representative to the mining site for an inspection. I took my role as a translator seriously, ensuring seamless communication between both parties. Before long, it was noon, and the government representative led us to a restaurant they had organized.

“Mr. Benjamin, be aware that the local cuisine is quite spicy; I hope you can handle it,” I whispered to him. Benjamin responded with a calm demeanor, “I’ll do my best to appreciate their culinary traditions.”

I noticed him grimace after just a few bites, and when he excused himself to visit the restroom, I seized the moment to grab a bottle of yogurt from the front desk for him. “Mr. Benjamin, drink some yogurt! After this, I can take you somewhere with milder options.”

Surprised, he accepted the yogurt I offered, saying, “Thank you!”

The government representatives continued to pour fruit wine, a local favorite, for Benjamin. I had already downed several glasses and was starting to feel lightheaded.

Leaning in, I whispered to him, “Mr. Benjamin, this fruit wine is quite potent; you might want to pace yourself.”

He brushed off my concern. “It’s just a few glasses of fruit wine; it’s nothing to worry about.”

I hesitated to push the matter further. After all, Benjamin was in charge, and I was just an employee posing as a Beta. I had no authority to dictate his choices.

After the meal concluded, I approached Benjamin and quietly asked, “Mr. Benjamin, are you feeling alright?”

“I’m fine,” he replied, but I could see a faint blush had crept onto his face, a clear sign of the alcohol’s effect. Werewolves didn’t possess any special abilities to cure drunkenness.

Thinking quickly, I pulled out a pack of refreshing lozenges and handed them to him. “Here, take these to help sober up. You barely ate anything at the table. I know a great Western restaurant; let’s go check it out.”

He nodded in agreement and followed me back to the vehicle. We hadn’t been driving long when I turned to check on Benjamin, only to be met with a sudden “ugh” as he promptly vomited…

I was taken aback; this was clearly worse than the last time he had too much to drink! What should I do now?