Meanwhile, guests flocked to Evette Hotel in Youngville, the best hotel under the Harper Corporation. It was exceptionally lively.The White family had fallen from grace, but Yvette was dating Benjamin now. She had also started to intervene in the Harper family's affairs and seemed to have assumed the role of the lady of the house.So, everyone who received the invitation card attended the party.Yvette invited every reputable family in Youngville. She did that to restore her dignity, and it was also her family's opportunity to get acquainted with them.Those who didn't receive the invitation, like Candace's side of the family, used various means for a chance to attend the party.Apart from them, many reporters were invited. Because of the number of guests, there was heavy traffic around the hotel.At the entrance, Logan was greeting the guests with several members of the White family. His squarish face was full of enthusiasm.A lavish birthday banquet was going on in the banque
Shocked, Benjamin looked at Yves. "You mean, Victoria and Be—I are legally married? But I've forgotten everything?""It's true. It doesn't matter if you hung out with Yvette when Mrs. B wasn't back. I disapprove of it, but I can turn a blind eye to that."But now, Mrs. B is back. She sacrificed so much for you and almost died doing it."Besides, she's the only one you love. You were head over heels in love with her."Ben, could you have mistaken Yvette for the woman you see in some of your memories? Haven't you always hated her? What do you see in such a devious woman?"Benjamin replied, "She's been looking after me after I woke up from the injury. She's gentle and nice to me.""Mrs. B treats you even better! Yvette almost landed in jail, but Sienna bailed her out. Weirdly enough, she found you."Benjamin's eyes flickered as he looked at Yves.Yves was oblivious to that. He firmly continued, "You'll regret it if you choose to be with Yvette. She's way inferior compared to Mrs.
It was lively in the banquet hall as well-dressed guests toasted each other.Yvette walked up to Benjamin when he entered. However, Yves was right beside them. Under his watchful eye, she didn't have the chance to talk to Benjamin alone.She felt frustrated deep down. Yet, it strengthened her determination to get Benjamin to announce the news of their marriage today.At that moment, Victoria and Louis entered with their arms linked.It was Yvette's birthday today, and she was the star of the night. However, everyone else was more interested in Victoria, and she naturally became the focus of attention.Heads turned the moment she entered, and they were all amazed. The reporters directed their cameras at her without hesitation.Victoria also wore a cream dress tonight. Unlike Yvette's, which was made from shuttle tatting, hers was made from satin. It was well-tailored to hug her curves and was obviously the work of a renowned tailor.Her hair was in an updo, and she wore no jewelr
There was wine all over Yvette. She screamed shrilly, "Victoria Jameson! Have you lost your mind?"She raised her hand to hit Victoria, but Victoria grabbed it. Try as she might, she couldn't break free.Furious, Yvette shouted, "Let go of me, Victoria! I said, let go! Do you hear me?"Victoria muttered a faint "Okay" and let go when Yvette used all her force to pull free from her grip.Yvette wasn't prepared for that. Because of the momentum, she fell backward and crashed into the cake stand. She let out another piercing shriek.The multi-layered cake splattered all over her and covered her with cream.Enraged, she forcefully wiped the cream off her face. She didn't have to look into the mirror to know what a mess she was now.She had put her heart into preparing this banquet, on which she could steal the show. But now, it was all ruined! Victoria ruined everything!"Victoria Jameson!" Yvette was beyond herself with anger, so much so she was on the verge of breaking down."Yo
After Victoria finished speaking, she kicked Benjamin in the crotch.Out of reflex, he protected his private part with both hands and slid backward slightly. Then, he looked up and gave her a death stare, like something about that got on his nerves.His gaze was cold and eerie, and he looked like he was ready to tear her into pieces. He was acting as though the place she kicked was no longer functional.Victoria was dazed for a moment. She absent-mindedly withdrew her leg and fell deep in thought.Yvette looked flustered when she saw Benjamin in this state. She darted forward and tugged on him."Benjamin!" She sounded anxious, and even her voice was quivering.Victoria's gaze swept across Yvette's hands, which were sticky as they were covered in cream. Yvette grabbed Benjamin's arm with them and shook it.Benjamin snapped out of his trance. He didn't shove Yvette aside. Instead, he hurled the marriage certificate on the floor and stood up."Where do you think you're at? How dar
Yves sprung up from his seat in disbelief. "Who can he be if he's not Ben?"After a pause, he exclaimed, "That's impossible!"Louis thought it was unbelievable, too.Simon looked at Victoria in surprise. He was pleased with her answer. "How did you come to that conclusion?"Victoria mulled over it and answered solemnly, "It's my intuition."Yves walked up to her, feeling guilty and remorseful.He explained on behalf of Benjamin, "Mrs. B, I know the change in Ben's attitude must've hurt you, and you can't accept it. Anyone else would feel the same if they were in your shoes."But he is Ben. He's behaving like this because he has forgotten you."It's also because Yvette has been looking after him. He may have mistaken her for you as the person in his memories."He sighed and continued, "He seems totally different to me, too, and I once doubted his identity. But how can there be two identical people in this world? Ben only has one brother, and that's Nick."Even if he's someone
Yves still thought it was far-fetched. "Mrs. B, you saw him. He's the spitting image of Ben, and it's not the result of plastic surgery."So how can that be possible? It doesn't make sense; it really doesn't."Victoria saw how taken aback he was and patted his shoulder. "Come, tell me. How was Benjamin before you left his side?"You said Sean was treating him, so where is Sean? Did he return with Benjamin? Try calling him."Yves was impulsive and couldn't hide his emotions. Before they had solid proof, Victoria didn't plan on letting him in on this. But there were things that only he would know.He answered in low spirits, "I can't get hold of him. Before Ben returned, I called Sean countless times, but he never answered. Sevyn and Ben were the same."It was like they vanished into thin air!"As he brought that up, he was more convinced that Victoria was right."Sean didn't come back with Ben. Ben returned with Yvette. I asked him about Sean …"Yves recalled Benjamin's reactio
Yvette's hair was coated in cream, and she took a long time to clean it. She didn't have the leisure to apply makeup or dry her hair.After changing her clothes, she went to Benjamin.Benjamin changed into an emerald green shirt. As he sat on the sofa, he studied the marriage certificate.Looking up, he saw Yvette with her tousled hair and was disgusted. Then, he asked the others to leave them alone.Yvette was suppressing her anger. Walking up to him, she tugged on him and demanded, "Go downstairs with me now and tell everyone that I'm the one you love."Then, announce our marriage. It should be as soon as possible!"She could still control herself at first but lost her temper halfway through.After the press conference, she had been looking forward to humiliating Victoria at her birthday banquet. She needed to prove herself and even had it all thought out.After Victoria arrived, Yvette would link arms with Benjamin as they entered. She wanted everyone to know that she was Be
Victoria saw that Benjamin wasn't looking like he was kidding at all. She placed both of her hands on his chest and turned her head away when he leaned in to kiss her.She then pushed him away hard and changed the topic by saying, "I heard that Solomon was beaten up in his own house last night."Benjamin chuckled lowly and said, "There's no use changing the topic."As he was talking, he arched his neck and pressed his lips near Victoria's ear.Victoria's ears, especially her helix, were extremely sensitive. She subconsciously pulled her hands back and covered her ears with her palms.Benjamin took the chance to wrap his arms around Victoria's waist and pulled her close to him. His face was close to hers.Victoria could feel Benjamin's burning desire as she was pressed down onto his lap. She now knew better than to struggle.This was just shooting herself in the foot!It wasn't that she didn't know what he was like, but she just had to stir him up.Victoria felt uneasy when she
Victoria used her other hand to support her cheek as she blinked.She said, "How could someone who dislikes wasting words and unnecessary chatter nag endlessly over just a small wound?"Benjamin coldly asked, "Are you complaining that I'm long-winded and annoying now?"He looked aggrieved, as if he would be angry if Victoria were to answer "yes".Victoria laughed out loud again and replied, "I'm not!"She used her finger to poke at Benjamin's cheek.She was smiling when she asked, "Are you madly in love with me, Benjamin?"Benjamin looked at Victoria seriously as he crouched by her legs.If it was before this, he would've nodded and replied "of course" without hesitation. But now …Benjamin couldn't be as confident and sure when he recalled Wendy's previous words.Victoria didn't think much of it and took Benjamin's silence as affirmation.She continued, "I'm thinking that you're definitely madly in love with me. That is why you're so heartbroken and reacted abnormally even
"Where are we heading to now, Ben and Mrs. B? Why are the people here so weird? Why are they dressed up as if they're in a period drama?"What is this place? Why are the both of you here?"Yves was back to his lively self as soon as he got into the carriage. He started asking endless questions."You regained your memories now, Ben? I knew you'd never forget about Mrs. B no matter what. Even if you did, you'd definitely remember everything as soon as you saw Mrs. B!"Yves gushed on. It took him a good while to realize that Benjamin's expression had changed. Even the atmosphere in the carriage became strange.He asked, "Did I say something wrong?"Wendy laughed dryly and replied, "He's not as deeply in love with Victoria as you think he is. He didn't remember anything."Yves laughed awkwardly before pursing his lips.He started to butter Victoria up."How did you know Ben is here, Mrs. B? How did you find—"Victoria pursed her lips and glanced at Gwen who was driving in the fro
Yves stared at Anna. She started out mumbling, and her voice grew louder toward the end.He looked confused. "Ben, Mrs. B, what is she talking about?"He was sure she was speaking the same language but couldn't, for the life of him, understand what she meant.Upon listening to Anna, Wendy immediately felt she was too quick to agree to Yves' request because of the money. She wanted to push him aside.However, he was in a sorry state with his limp. His face was visibly thinner than before, and his eyes weren't as bright as they used to be. She found herself sympathizing with him.Victoria pressed her lips together, and her brows creased further.Benjamin turned to Silas. "Go and get Asher!"Anna didn't dial back on her arrogance. "Great idea. I'm looking for him, too."There was a horse race today, yet he locked me up in that cabin! I have a score to settle with him!"Victoria recalled Asher leaving the stables urgently during the day and had a hunch about what happened."If yo
Yves looked up with teary eyes and could vaguely make out Benjamin's sour face.He rubbed his eyes with all his might. Benjamin's face slowly became clear to him as his vision cleared."It's really you, Ben! Oh, Ben!"He was pleasantly surprised, as though he finally had someone to rely on. He teared up in excitement.The next moment, he became aggrieved again. He was just like a three-year-old who was bullied by a stray cat.He cried, "You're here, Ben. Why didn't you ask someone to look for me? You've no idea what I've experienced."I've been locked away in that shabby cabin and almost lost it. I miss you so freaking much!"Benjamin looked less sour now. He took out his handkerchief that he brought along wherever he went.He passed it to Yves, who had tears and snot all over his face. "Clean up. You're a grownup man, you know. Look at you."With one hand taking the handkerchief, Yves clung onto Victoria with the other.Benjamin stared at his hand that was holding onto her.
Asher felt his heart shatter. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? I've already gifted it to someone else!"The person in charge felt his heart ache, too. "I wanted to inform you when you arrived, but you told me to talk to you after the race."You've always said that horse has a character and that you like it, no? I never expected you to give it away."Who did you give it to? Could you, perhaps, buy it back from him?"Asher was dispirited. "I can't."He waved it off and continued, "Forget about it. It belongs to someone else now."I'd been obliging to its every wish for all the time it had been here. Still, it never obeyed me."It's intelligent and chooses its own master. I can't tame it. It's no better than an average horse to me."Tell those who witnessed that incident that they shouldn't talk about it to anyone. You may leave."The person in charge glanced at him. Bowing, he acknowledged the instruction he received and left.Asher looked toward Sebastian and sighed dejectedly
Silas and Wendy immediately hurried over in excitement when they heard they were going to split the winnings.Wendy, who wasn't the best in maths, counted gleefully, "We bet one thousand gold coins. As the odds are at one to 246, we'll get … ten thousand, 200 thousand … 244600 gold coins. Am I right?"She surprised herself when she said that out loud. She and Silas exchanged glances and started hopping about in delight.That was a lot of gold coins! They were rich!"Ten percent of 244600 gold coins would amount to roughly 24 thousand gold coins, so 20 percent would make it about 50 thousand. Victoria—"Silas and Wendy were already dizzy. Turning to them, Victoria instructed, "Give us a moment, and take Onyx with you.""You …" Silas looked at her suspiciously. Was she planning to keep all the money to herself?She gave him a warning glare, and he and Wendy obediently led Onyx away.They shouldn't offend their moneybag right now.Victoria looked at Asher. "That's over 240 thousa
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound. It was a teenager who was around 15 years old. Not bothering to keep up his image, he sat on the floor and clung to Sebastian's leg.Besides him, many others were standing around Sebastian. They all looked at Sebastian pitifully.Asher loudly asked the one kneeling, "Just look at you, Troy Lancaster! What happened to your enthusiasm?"It's only a meager sum. Do you really have to react this way?"Troy Lancaster? He was the Lancaster family's youngest son, Sebastian's younger maternal cousin.Victoria had a photographic memory. She saw his name when she skimmed through the log book earlier.He had bet 500 silver coins, which wasn't the least of all. It wasn't a hefty sum either, considering who he was.The Lancasters had very conflicting approaches in his upbringing. His mother pampered him, while his father was very strict toward him because he thought he was spoiled.Judging from his reaction, he must've been greedy and impulsivel
Once Roxy left, several women with ill intentions who criticized Victoria earlier became uneasy. They came up with excuses and left one after another.As the drama ended, everyone calmed down. Some were listless, while some were feeling down.There were also a few who approached Victoria, among whom were mainly men. They earnestly introduced themselves.Benjamin scanned the men who surrounded Victoria and somehow felt betrayed. Glowering, he seemed about to fly off the handle.His glare was too harsh, and many retreated after a short exchange with Victoria. She studied those who resolutely remained beside her.Compared to people from the outside world, the clan members had less desire for material possessions.Those who stood their ground didn't feel displeased at losing a hefty sum in the bet. They also withstood the pressure Benjamin's glare exuded.It was fair to say they were the best among the best.They were from decent families and had been receiving proper education sin