Chapter 4
I followed the sound and saw a man leaning against the doorframe of the reception room.
He wore a well-tailored dark gray suit with no tie, his shirt collar casually unbuttoned by two buttons, revealing a glimpse of his defined collarbone.
The man was tall and straight. The light cast faint shadows on his chiseled face - a high nose bridge, thin lips slightly pursed, and a pair of deep eyes that lazily rested on me, carrying an innate sense of pressure.
Even just standing there casually, he radiated a powerful aura that sent chills down one's spine. This man was Benjamin.
Michael's grip on my wrist loosened unconsciously from shock. He looked at Benjamin in disbelief, then at me, his face full of confusion. "Fiancée? Mr. Wilson, aren't you mistaken? She..."
"Let go." I coldly interrupted Michael, trying hard to pull my wrist free.
But Michael seemed provoked, suddenly tightening his grip even more, holding me as if claiming ownership.
"Ophelia, explain this to me right now! What the hell is going on!" He lowered his voice, unable to hide his rage and accusation.
I gasped in pain as my wrist felt like it was about to break.
Just then, Benjamin moved.
He walked toward us slowly, his steps unhurried. His leather shoes clicked against the polished marble floor with steady, rhythmic sounds, each step seeming to land right on one's heart.
I couldn't let Michael know about my relationship with Benjamin right now.
I hadn't fully recovered my assets yet. Showing my cards too early would only let Michael swallow up my property.
I raised my head, meeting Benjamin's probing gaze, and spoke first with just the right amount of distance and confusion in my tone. "Sir, I think you've mistaken me for someone else."
Michael froze, clearly not expecting me to say that.
Benjamin stopped in front of me. He was more than a head taller than me, looking down at me from above. His deep eyes held unclear emotions, as if they could see through all my calculations.
I forced myself to stay calm and met his gaze without flinching.
The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
Just when I thought he would expose me, Benjamin suddenly gave an almost imperceptible curl of his lips. That hint of a smile vanished instantly, so quick it seemed like my imagination.
"Is that so?" he said lightly, his voice rich like a cello. "Then I must have remembered wrong."
His gaze moved down to Michael's hand gripping mine, his eyes suddenly turning cold. "But even if I got the wrong person, on my turf, laying hands on a lady like this - Mr. Johnson, where are your manners?"
As soon as he finished speaking, two bodyguards in black stepped forward from behind him, grabbing Michael's arms from both sides.
"What are you doing! Let go of me!" Michael's face flushed red as he struggled hard, but he couldn't budge these men who stood like towers.
One of the bodyguards effortlessly pried open his fingers, freeing my wrist.
On my delicate skin, a circle of glaring red marks stood out shockingly.
Benjamin's gaze lingered on those red marks for a second, his eyes darkening further.
"Show him out," he said flatly, but with undeniable authority.
"Yes, sir."
Michael was forcibly dragged outside. He kept turning back to shout at me, "Ophelia! You just wait! Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do!"
His voice grew fainter until it was completely cut off by the club's heavy doors.
The entire hallway instantly fell quiet, leaving only Benjamin, along with his two bodyguards, who stood silent as statues.
I rubbed my aching wrist and said quietly, "Thank you."
Benjamin didn't respond to my thanks. He looked at me quietly, that examining gaze making me feel like prey spotted by a hawk, with nowhere to hide.
After a long while, he finally spoke slowly, his tone revealing neither pleasure nor anger.
"Ms. White."
He called my name.
"Since you've already agreed to this arranged marriage, why pretend not to know me in front of him?"
His voice was soft, with a trace of lazy hoarseness, yet like a boulder thrown into a lake, it stirred up waves in my heart.
My heart clenched suddenly as I looked up at him.
Benjamin took a step forward, instantly closing the distance between us. The crisp woody scent mixed with faint tobacco from his body forcefully enveloped me.
"Or," he leaned down slightly, his dark eyes locking onto mine, his thin lips almost touching my ear, his warm breath brushing against my skin and sending a shiver through me, "do you find playing this game very entertaining?"
I met his unfathomable gaze, suppressing the turmoil in my heart.
The dangerous yet captivating aura emanating from him was too strong, almost suffocating.
But I knew that any sign of fear in front of Benjamin would become a weakness he could exploit.
"Mr. Wilson, this isn't a game." I steadied myself, my voice calm. "This is a war, about taking back what rightfully belongs to me."
I didn't elaborate, but said enough.
Someone like Benjamin would naturally understand what I meant.
"The Michael family swallowed most of the assets my mother left behind. Those assets were gifted or invested in my name. Before I get everything back, I can't let him know about my relationship with you. Otherwise, he'll immediately transfer or destroy everything, leaving me with nothing."
A trace of interest flashed through Benjamin's eyes. He straightened up, creating some distance, and that oppressive pressure eased slightly.
"So, you proposed this arranged marriage because you need protection?" His voice was low, with a hint of amusement.
"It's cooperation," I corrected him. "I know you also need a suitable wife to solidify your position within your family and appease those restless old men. The White family name, though not what it once was, should be enough to serve as your shield."
I laid out our relationship bluntly, putting everything on the table.
"To make our cooperation more straightforward," I paused, then continued, "I hope to draft a prenuptial agreement. My assets remain mine, yours remain yours, and we don't interfere with each other. When the time is right, after we've each gotten what we need, we can peacefully end this arrangement."
The air fell silent. I could hear my own clear heartbeat.
I didn't know how he would react. After all, no one had ever dared negotiate terms with Benjamin like this.
After a long while, he suddenly laughed softly.
His laughter was rich and pleasant, dispelling some of the coldness around him, yet adding a few more shades of mysterious charm.