Chapter 139 Don't Force Me

Chapter 139 Don't Force Me

David waved dismissively, his expression smug. "Shake hands? With you? Yeah, right."

At six feet tall, Benedict was half a head shorter than David, which only fueled David's sense of superiority.

Benedict smiled, pulling back his hand without a trace of awkwardness. "Alright then. Let's grab a bite and chat. You sit down, and I'll whip up a couple of dishes."

He nodded with a smile, radiating calmness, elegance, and gentlemanly grace as he turned towards the kitchen.

David was a bit taken aback.

He said sternly, "Benedict, if you're a man, come out here and talk to me alone! I'll be waiting outside!"

With that, he swished his coat and stormed out without looking back.

Benedict shook his head and said, "Bella, Albert, you two go ahead and eat. Don't wait for me. I'll be right back."

"Oh no, don't go!" Bella was a bit anxious.

She remembered how badly Benedict had beaten David that year.

Now that David had such status and power, how could he possibly let Benedict off the hook?

Benedict gently placed his hands on Bella's shoulders and said softly, "Bella, it's alright. Enjoy your meal. This is a matter for men to resolve. Women shouldn't get involved and worry unnecessarily. They won't come to blows."

"But..." Bella was genuinely nervous.

Albert stood up. "Benedict, how about I go with you? Just in case David doesn't play fair."

Benedict waved his hand. "Albert, no need. Stay here. Your job is to protect Bella. What if David tries something sneaky and kidnaps Bella while we're outside?"

Albert was taken aback but saw the logic in it.

Bella gave a wry smile.

Benedict turned and walked out, following David.

Albert thought for a moment and said, "Bella, did you see that? That's Benedict for you. His demeanor and way of handling things are impeccable. He definitely isn't afraid of David. You can relax."

Bella shook her head but smiled wryly. "Albert, since when did you and Benedict become so close?"

Albert chuckled sheepishly. "Because his actions have earned my respect!"

"Really?"

"Really!"

"Alright then." Bella nodded but still felt uneasy. "Albert, how about we quietly go check on them?"

Albert thought for a moment and agreed.

They informed the restaurant staff not to clear the table and then quietly followed Benedict outside.

At the hotel entrance.

There was a small garden that doubled as a parking lot.

David stood there, his posture straight.

His hands were in his pockets, facing Benedict's Maybach.

Next to him was a flashy, bulletproof Mercedes, parked there.

In terms of size, this car was much larger than Benedict's.

Four burly bodyguards stood around the Mercedes.

Benedict walked over, his steps light, his demeanor calm.

"Mr. Clark, nice car. A factory-customized bulletproof Mercedes, at least 7 million dollars, weighing 6.5 tons, with 1200 horsepower."

David turned his head, sizing up Benedict. "You know about this?"

Benedict thought to himself: I had an even more advanced one before I died.

He nodded. "A bit."

David scoffed disdainfully. "Benedict, five years ago, I don't want to dwell on how you treated me."

Benedict was silent for a moment before nodding. "I'm very sorry for what happened back then. I was reckless. Women can drive men to madness, impulsiveness, and loss of control."

Back then, Benedict had beaten David pretty badly with a gang of thugs.

He had left him in a sorry state, even kicking him into a filthy ditch.

David said coldly, "You think an apology now, looking all proper, is enough?"

Benedict raised an eyebrow and nodded. "Yes, you have the right to your stance, and I respect that."

David stared at him, enunciating each word. "The grudge of taking my love, I can let go. The beatings and humiliation, I can overlook."

Benedict praised, "Magnanimous!"

"Don't flatter me. I'm not done yet!"

Benedict spread his hands. "Alright, please continue."

David raised his hand, pointing at Benedict's chest. "Get in your junk car, turn left at the exit, and head west. Never come back. I'll take care of your wife and daughter, showering them with love, care, and all the riches they deserve."

Benedict clapped his hands. "Well said, with confidence. But I won't agree. I'll head east, back to Newport."

David's face darkened. "Are you looking for trouble?"

"I'm a man with hands and feet. I can take care of my wife and daughter. No need for your help. I've wronged them too much and just want to make amends."

"But they don't need your fake amends now! Cooking some good food, saying nice things, using Bella as a bet to win cars and money, is that enough? Can you give them the life of the elite, the absolute security, and..."

Benedict smiled. "Mr. Clark, as of now, Bella and I are still legally married, protected by law. Until I make up for my wrongs to them, I won't leave Bella and Susie. I understand all your displays of superiority. As for the future, who Bella ends up with is her choice. We don't need to fight over it, right?"

David was left speechless, feeling a bit embarrassed.

He hadn't expected Benedict to be so reasonable.

After a moment of thought, he said sternly, "Bella is my only love. You don't deserve her. Forget about guilt and making amends. Just leave forever. Leave everything to me."

Benedict shook his head. "Sorry, I can't do that."

With that, he fearlessly glanced at David's four bodyguards, his expression calm, facing his opponent head-on.

David's expression turned serious, his eyes suddenly sharp. "Benedict, don't push me!"

Benedict smiled. "No intention of pushing. Regarding Bella, we can compete fairly, understand? No one should force her. The decision is still hers."

"Fair competition?" David was taken aback, then sneered. "You really came up with that, an interesting proposition."

"I'm serious. I'll give you three years. If you can win her heart back, I'll step aside."

David's thick eyebrows relaxed, his eyes proud, and he sneered. "Fine. Three years! If you lose, you'll disappear from our lives forever."

"Deal! It's settled." Benedict extended his hand.

David extended his hand as well, shaking Benedict's. "It's settled. You're bound to lose."

The handshake was a bit surreal.

Albert and Bella, who had followed secretly, were stunned.

Albert was deeply moved, whispering, "Benedict is truly amazing. Bella, see? They won't come to blows."

Bella was also full of doubts, unable to believe what she was seeing.

David had been beaten so badly back then.

Just now, it seemed like a fight could break out at any moment.

Those four bodyguards looked intimidating!

But now they were shaking hands.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would believe it?