Chapter 7 I Want The House Beside Hers

Benjamin stared at her as she turned to leave. "Did I say I wouldn't help you?"

Victoria looked at him in surprise.

He raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You youngsters are always so rash and impatient."

Victoria snorted, slightly offended. "I don't like people lecturing me."

Ginny had given her enough lectures to last a lifetime.

Benjamin laughed. "What if I told you I'll help you, and you can keep the house and all the money?"

"Are you serious?" Victoria turned back to him, her eyes shining.

Benjamin leaned back in his chair while holding his glass and nodded.

Delighted, Victoria sat back down.

She sat in perfect posture, back straight and hands folded across her lap. "I definitely don't mind you lecturing me, then. Go on, Mr. Harper. What other advice do you have for me?"

Benjamin couldn't help but laugh. He was surprised by his own laughter.

When he fell silent, Victoria said, "You're right, Mr. Harper. I know I have a hot temper and tend to act rashly, but I promise I won't make the same mistake again. Especially not in front of you. Is there anything else you would like to tell me? I'll write them down."

She took out her phone and opened the notes app with an earnest expression on her face.

"You …"

Benjamin had met plenty of greedy people before, but Victoria was the first woman to act like this. Strangely, he wasn't offended. If anything, he was amused and exasperated.

Victoria couldn't care less about what Benjamin thought of her. She began recording on her phone, saying, "Mr. Harper, you said you would let me keep the house and the money. Is that true? When will the house be signed over to me?"

Benjamin glanced at the phone in her hands and hummed in amusement. "As long as you don't let them get you into trouble, I'll get you the money in a month."

Victoria beamed. "Of course. Don't worry, Mr. Harper, I won't make things awkward for you. You're a good man. You're the best thing that's happened to me since I came to Danube City!"

"You're a sweet-talker," Benjamin said, his expression relaxed.

Victoria shook her head. "No, you really are a good man."

After all, they were talking about a hundred million dollars. Actually, no, it was two hundred million dollars. Victoria would sweet-talk anything for that amount of money.

In fact, once she got the money, she was willing to sing Benjamin's praises for three days straight.

"Do you really not want anything in return?" she asked.

"Not really." Benjamin picked up the rosary beads from the table and began playing with them.

He went on, "You wouldn't feel at ease receiving my help without offering something in return, would you? I don't need anything at the moment. I'll let you know once I think of something."

Victoria stared at Benjamin.

His eyes were dark. His expression betrayed no emotion. He looked impassive, but she had an uneasy feeling. She felt like a prey animal being hunted down.

After a moment's thought, she smiled and agreed. "Fine, let me know when you think of something. I will do everything in my power to help you, Mr. Harper."

If she were being hunted, then so be it. She was willing to endure any conspiracy for two hundred million dollars.

Moreover, there was no harm in owing Benjamin a favor. At least he would protect her while he still needed something from her.

She would be an idiot to pass up this opportunity.

"I'll go settle the bill."

"They won't let us pay for this meal. Next time, maybe."

Victoria was envious.

Rich people could have meals that cost thousands of dollars and not have to pay at the end of it.

Of course, she was relieved that she didn't have to pay.

"Alright, I'll treat you to a meal when I get the money. Maybe we can go enjoy ourselves somewhere as well."

Benjamin nodded and stood up. "Where do you live? I'll drive you home."

"I live at Zion Estate."

Zion Estate was near Brighton Women's College, which had almost a hundred years of history.

Most of the students there were either from rich families or had outstanding talents.

Brighton graduates who excelled were often pursued by wealthy families as potential daughters-in-law.

That was why many parents did all they could to send their daughters to Brighton.

Brighton Women's College used to be based in Youngville. A few years ago, a scandal broke out, forcing them to relocate to Danube City. The news of the college's relocation quickly became the talk of the town.

Colette went to school here.

"Planning to go back to school?"

Victoria shook her head. "No. I just happened to have a house there."

Benjamin raised an eyebrow. "You bought a house there? Not bad."

"It's still under mortgage," Victoria said hurriedly.

Zion Estate was in a prime location. Several well-known developers jointly developed it. The neighborhood sold out almost as soon as it went on sale four years ago.

Victoria was only 15 years old back then. She couldn't take out a mortgage at that age, so she relied on some outside help.

Over the last few years, the housing prices at Zion Estate have gone up tremendously. Her house was now worth six figures, three times more expensive than when she had first bought it.

Benjamin smiled and handed her a name card. "Here's my number. Call me if you need anything."

Victoria took the card. After some thought, she asked, "Do you have WhatsApp?"

WhatsApp? Yves had talked about the application often. But Benjamin never downloaded it because he thought it was unnecessary.

Most of the time, he walked around with just an old mobile phone. It was the kind that could last several days on one full charge.

Benjamin frowned. "Just give me your number. I'll add you later."

Victoria opened the app and pulled up the QR code. Benjamin did not scan the code. Instead, he handed her a piece of paper and a pen. "Write it down."

Victoria gave him a calculating look before smiling.

He definitely did not have WhatsApp.

Confused by her smile, Benjamin stared at her.

Victoria continued smiling. If Benjamin didn't want anyone to know about this, it would be best for her to pretend she didn't know it too.

Without saying anything else, she took the pen and wrote down her phone number. "Just look this up on the app. Thanks for everything, Mr. Harper. Goodbye."

She took off her seatbelt and got out of the car. She waved at him and turned into the building.

Benjamin stared after her. His smile faded slowly.

Quinton glanced at the rearview mirror, slightly terrified by his smile.

"I want to live in the house beside hers. Go and arrange it."

Beside hers? Quinton had always assumed that Benjamin did not like women. Why would he want to live beside a woman? Was he …

He must be.

Benjamin had stuck his nose into her affairs, helped her, agreed to give her a house and money, and brought her to a steak diner.

In all the years Quinton had worked with Benjamin, this was the first time he had seen Benjamin taking a woman on such a romantic date.

Trying not to appear too excited, he said, "Yes, sir."

He was ecstatic that Benjamin was finally falling in love.

In view of that, he really needed to buck up so that he could gift Zachary's house to Benjamin's future wife.