Chapter 4 Protecting One's Own

Hans was stunned, blinking several times in disbelief that Benjamin Gregory would actually protect her like this.

It took him a while to react.

Benjamin Gregory's expression remained unchanged, but his voice carried a chilling tone as he said, "Apologize to her."

At this moment, if Hans and Suzie still couldn't see that Benjamin Gregory was standing up for Alice Brown, they would be fools.

"Gregory, control yourself. After all, I am from the Qin family." Hans's chest heaved violently as he expelled a breath of anger.

Although the Qin family in the capital city couldn't compare to the Gregory family, they were still a prominent clan. Hans believed that Benjamin Gregory, no matter what, would give him face on behalf of the Qin family and not turn against them for the sake of a woman.

Benjamin Gregory clearly lost his patience, lifting his eyelids to glance at him.

"Do you think I'm negotiating with you? How can the Qin family produce someone like you?" Benjamin Gregory sneered, "The Qin family is still led by your grandfather. What are you? Do you think your inheritance rights are secure?" The intricacies within the Qin family were unknown to others, but Benjamin Gregory was well aware.

Hans, not being the eldest grandson of the Qin family, sought to contest the inheritance rights. After graduating from university, he broke free from the Qin family and started his own business. On the surface, he claimed self-reliance, but in reality, he wanted to show his abilities to his grandfather and change the rules of inheritance, favoring the worthy over the eldest.

These few brief sentences left Hans and Suzie speechless.

Hans finally understood the seriousness of the situation. Benjamin Gregory's iron-fisted tactics were known to everyone in the business world. If he didn't act ruthlessly, he wouldn't have achieved his current position.

Hans forced a smile, tugging at the corners of his lips. "Gregory is right. It was my loose tongue that caused this trouble. I sincerely apologize to Gregory's fiancée, I'm sorry."

After speaking, he pulled Suzie along and bowed deeply to Alice Brown, with utmost sincerity.

Alice Brown looked at the two in front of her and suddenly found it laughable. The person who had arrogantly insulted her just now was now bowing and scraping like a lapdog.

"Get lost." Benjamin responded while pursing his thin lips.

"Benjamin Gregory, thank you," Alice Brown expressed her sincere gratitude.

This was the second time he had helped her, and the second time she had thanked him.

"No problem," he replied in a cold tone, as if he hadn't been the one who helped her just now.

"It seems like marrying you wouldn't be a bad idea," Alice Brown smiled at him.

Just not a bad idea?

Benjamin Gregory looked at this woman in front of him, who seemed ignorant of how many people were vying for the position of Benjamin's wife. At least those troublesome individuals would not dare to intentionally trouble her again.

"You have a terrible taste in men," unable to hold back, Benjamin Gregory mentioned her ex-boyfriend, Hans.

"When you say I have a terrible taste in men, are you implying that you're also terrible? My dear fiancé"

Just as Alice finished speaking, the dance music started playing. There would be an opening dance before tonight's charity banquet officially began.

Alice looked at Benjamin’s long and clean hand extended towards her.

She stood frozen in place, her mind in chaos.

He hadn't mentioned that they would be dancing, or she would have found an excuse to decline attending this evening's banquet.

Surrounded by people attending the banquet, with Benjamin Gregory's identity at stake, the surrounding gazes gradually focused on them.

Everyone was curious to see what kind of opening this remarkable man, like Benjamin Gregory, would bring with his companion.

Alice made an effort to suppress her discomfort. Despite her fear, she feared even more that Benjamin Gregory would feel embarrassed because of her.

In the end, she slowly reached out her own hand.

She suddenly remembered the days long ago and couldn't help but shiver. If possible, she hoped to never think about those days again in her lifetime.

As Benjamin held her hand, he pulled her closer and placed his other hand on her waist. In a slight tilt towards her ear, he said, "Put your hand up and follow me in a moment."

She obediently placed her hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Alright. I won't let you down."

He had helped her twice, and even if she couldn't do much for him this time, she couldn't let him lose face.

As the music began, the two of them officially embarked on this dance feast. When Alice took her first step, a hint of surprise flashed in Benjamin's eyes.

She was elegant, beautiful, and confident, like a queen. Her dance moves stunned everyone present, even leaving them in awe. She flawlessly executed many difficult movements.

As the music came to an end, the thunderous applause filled the room, everyone applauding for these two individuals.

Perfect dance, applause and cheers.

"Unexpected, Alice Brown." Benjamin didn't expect this down-and-out doctor to have such elegant and high standards in international dance.

There seemed to be a lot about her that he didn't know.

His deep voice rang in her ear, his warm breath tickling her ear, making Alice blush involuntarily. She pretended to be calm and replied, "I told you I wouldn't let you down."

After the opening dance, the auction segment of the evening officially began.

The two people sitting in the front row didn't have much interest in the auction items. Benjamin Gregory didn't need to be here to bid on anything, as someone of his status could have anything delivered right to him with a simple finger snap.

As for Alice, it would be a lie to say she didn't like the dazzling jewels or antique calligraphy and paintings. However, she understood her own circumstances. It was her herself who had sold herself to Benjamin in order to cover her mother's surgery and medical expenses. How could she possibly have spare money to buy these luxuriously-looking things?

"What about this? Do you like it?" Benjamin looked at the small woman sitting beside him, staring at the diamond necklace on the stage. He lowered his head slightly with a lazy expression and asked her.

She snapped out of her thoughts, "Huh? No, just thinking about something."

He raised an eyebrow and didn't say anything more.

The auction for the diamond necklace on the stage began, with a starting price of 800,000 yuan (109,520 US Dollar), increasing by 100,000 yuan (13,690 US Dollar) with each bid. It wasn't a particularly special piece of jewelry, so there weren't many people bidding in the beginning, but by the time it reached 1.3 million yuan (177,970 US Dollar), only Hans was left bidding.

Acquiring this necklace was Hans' main goal for attending tonight's charity banquet.

The big client he wanted to win over was proving to be difficult to handle. His attempts to visit were constantly rejected. Now that he had finally learned that this client's wife was a lover of jewelry, and she had been wanting to add this diamond necklace to her collection, if he could acquire it, then half of the deal would already be successful.

Just the thought of the profits this deal would bring him made 1(136,900 US Dollar)-2 million yuan (273,800 US Dollar)seem insignificant.

Hans couldn't contain the smile forming at the corner of his mouth as he looked at the necklace that was about to be his.

"Is there anyone else bidding?" the host asked.

"Two million yuan."

The price caused a commotion throughout the entire venue.