Chapter 5 Didn't You Call Me Uncle Benjamin

Zachary's face was crimson with anger. He pointed to the door. "You want money, right? I'll give you one hundred million dollars. Get out of my house right now!"

Victoria shook her head and extended two fingers. "Two hundred million."

Zachary roared, "Why two hundred million now? Have you gone crazy?"

Victoria smiled. "You got me to fight just now. There's no free lunch in this world." Her market price for a fight was one hundred million dollars.

"You attacked us! It wasn't a fair fight!" the bodyguards complained.

"It's because all of you suck at fighting and deserve a good beating!" Victoria retorted.

Zachary's anger caused his veins to pop out. "I'll give you 500 thousand dollars first. I'll give you the rest in a week."

"500 thousand dollars? Are you trying to insult me? No, you have to give me at least fifty million. Otherwise, I'll stay right here at your house and not budge an inch!"

Nicole's head throbbed with pain. She turned to Benjamin. "Ben, are you going to just watch as our family gets humiliated by outsiders?"

Benjamin fidgeted with the prayer beads in his hands and narrowed his eyes. "It would be hard to come up with fifty million dollars all at once. Twenty million dollars would be manageable.

"As for the rest, I recall that Zachary owns a fully paid-off house in Rivendell. It is valued at around thirty to forty million dollars. That should cover the fifty million dollars you requested.

"For the mistress, transfer five million dollars to this lady as compensation for her emotional distress. I will oversee the execution."

Benjamin glanced at his personal assistant, Quinton Webber. "Quinton, find someone to estimate the value of that house and handle the real estate transfer."

Quinton couldn't believe his ears. This young lady had threatened to ruin the reputation of the Harper family. Mr. Benjamin should have ordered her capture and contacted the newspaper office to suppress this issue.

Instead, he opted to give her ownership of Mr. Zachary's Rivendell house as compensation.

Quinton wondered if he had misheard his superior.

Mr. Benjamin wasn't the type of person who would waste his time and money on other people's affairs.

Benjamin's following words shocked Quinton even more.

"The house in Rivendell is new and has yet to be renovated. Is that arrangement acceptable to you?"

Victoria looked at Benjamin with shining eyes and a broad smile. She nodded. "I'm very satisfied. Thank you, Uncle Benjamin. You are my savior. It is my honor to have met with you today."

Although Zachary's house was also considered second-hand, they were completely different in value. She had no use for men, but a valuable sub sale property in Rivendell was a welcome addition.

Quinton's jaw dropped. Mr. Benjamin had just asked the young lady if she was satisfied with his arrangement. She had just threatened to sully the Harper family's name.

Quinton cast a discreet glance at Benjamin. He noticed that Benjamin was watching Victoria with a subtle smile. His gaze was tender and affectionate.

Mr. Benjamin was actually smiling at a woman who called him her savior! Was he pleased with her overdone and exaggerated flattery?

Victoria did not notice Quinton's confusion. She controlled the urge to laugh in glee. She cleared her throat. Then, she declared, "I'll take the 25 million dollars as a deposit for calling off the engagement.

"I will wait here while you process the transfer. Once I get the money, I will leave and call off the engagement. Mr. Webber, please handle matters regarding the house as soon as possible.

"As for the rest of the payment, I will give you a month to pay up the rest out of respect for Mr. Harper. After I receive full payment, I will hand over the token and film negatives. The engagement will be completely called off by then."

Zachary wasn't pleased with giving Victoria so much money. However, he wanted to avoid any further involvement with her. He forced Nicole to give Victoria the money.

When Victoria received the 25 million dollars, she smiled with satisfaction. "Thanks for the deposit. I won't overstay my welcome and be a nuisance. In a month's time, if you can't come up with that much cash, I am open to using the house as collateral."

Benjamin and Victoria left together.

Victoria was in a good mood. She stared at Benjamin with eyes that sparkled like stars. "Mr. Harper, thank you so much for helping me out earlier."

Things wouldn't have progressed so smoothly if it weren't for him.

Her mind reflected on Ginny and Colette's reactions to the five million dollars they owed her. This thought brought a sense of satisfaction to Victoria.

They deserved what they got!

"I want to treat you to a meal as thanks, Mr. Harper."

Out of two hundred million dollars, she had collected 25 million dollars. Whether she could collect the rest of the payment would depend on Benjamin.

She needed to get in his good books. If he changed his mind, millions of dollars would slip through her grasp. She couldn't let a tragedy like that happen.

Benjamin noticed Victoria's uncharacteristic warmth and friendliness. He saw through her thoughts but chose not to expose them. "Mr. Harper? Didn't you call me Uncle Benjamin earlier?"

Victoria was caught off guard. She paused for a moment before saying sweetly, "Well, Uncle Benjamin, shall we have a meal together? You can pick the place."

This little money grubber had no qualms about bending over backward to please him!

Benjamin smiled and accepted her invitation.

Colette had never been so humiliated in her life. Ashamed, she couldn't stay even a minute longer in the Harper Manor.

After Benjamin and Victoria left, she took her leave as well.

When she exited the manor, she saw Victoria getting into Benjamin's car.

Colette clenched her fists. Her expression was twisted in anger.

"What's wrong?" Ginny only caught sight of Benjamin's car leaving the place.

With tears running down her cheeks, Ginny held Colette's cold hands. "I don't know what got into Mr. Harper today. He's been helping that wretched girl all day. Lettie, you have suffered much. I will stand up for you and teach her a lesson!"

Colette cried in Ginny's arms. There was hatred and malice brewing in her tear-filled eyes.

How dare Victoria treat her like this? She vowed to ensure that Victoria suffered a public downfall worse than death.

In the living room of Harper Manor, only Nicole and Zachary remained. The whole room was in a mess.

Zachary couldn't contain his anger. He overturned the coffee table, venting his frustrations. "The house in Rivendell was a gift from Great-grandpa. It's mine. Who is he to give it away? What's the use of him fasting and being all holy? How dare he help an outsider against his own family!"

Nicole's mood wasn't that pleasant either. She scolded Zachary coldly, "You have the nerve to complain. Didn't you know that we were discussing breaking off the engagement today?

"Why did you let him in? Things wouldn't have escalated to this extent if he hadn't been there. We have lost both money and our reputation! I'm completely humiliated!"

Zachary said in frustration, "How was I supposed to know what crazy idea he has in his head? He never came whenever I asked before. But today, he insisted on tagging along.

"I think he must be mentally deranged and twisted in the head since he can't sleep with women. Now that I am doing well, he is deliberately going up against me!"

Sneering, Nicole's mood improved considerably. She spoke sarcastically, "So what if he is capable? Frankly speaking, his impotence makes him utterly useless if he can't produce an heir. In the end, all of the family's assets will belong to us."

Benjamin was a shrewd and formidable businessman. Whether in business or politics, his name brought unease.

It was largely because of Benjamin's efforts that the Harper family became influential. However, he was kidnapped as a child. Due to his injuries, he was unable to produce an heir. An impotent man was not qualified to be the head of the Harper family.

"What shall we do now? Are we really going to give that country bumpkin my house and a billion dollars? That bitch hurt your men and even dared to ask for such lavish compensation. I won't let her off the hook!" Zachary muttered.

Nicole snorted. "I will make her return the two billion dollars. In addition, I will make sure Ginny gives us an explanation. Your uncle Benjamin is our top priority right now.

"He is the one in control of family matters. Even your grandfather isn't of any use. Other branches of the family are eyeing that position hungrily as well.

"You can vent your anger about him in front of me, but keep your mouth shut outside. Judging from how things have gone today, Ginny will likely give the Warde family's assets to Colette upon inheritance. Considering your great-grandfather's feelings for Mrs. Warde Senior …"

Zachary nodded with determination. "I will build a good relationship with Colette and gain the support of the Warde family. Then, Great-grandpa will take my side as well.

"Uncle Benjamin has never taken us seriously. Once I become the head of the Harper family, I will kick him out of the house and make him beg like a dog!"