SECRET BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 9

Stepping out of the car was Emily. She was glowing in a peach-colored, sequined off-shoulder dress that sparkled with elegance

Following right behind her car was Marcus Roberts. He couldn’t keep his distance, quickly followed her out.

"Emily! Emily!" His voice cut through the camera flashes.

"You look gorgeous! Amazing! Simply amazing." He said, practically gushing.

"Thank you, Marcus," Emily replied blandly.

" I'm so glad we’ll finally have a chance to be together," He said, making clear his intentions on courting her.

But Emily wasn’t having it.

"This is a business fundraiser, Marcus. Let's keep it professional, okay? I don't like anything of intimacy in the public." She said curtly.

She could marry him just for the business. But she just...couldn’t feel love to him.

He ignored her cold demeanor and continued with his chatter.

"Well, you can't blame me. I’m feeling lucky that loser couldn’t haunt us anymore." He said. His words dripped with obvious disdain.

Emily didn’t engage. She simply smiled for the cameras, greeting the business people around her.

From a distance, Benjamin witnessed her interaction with Marcus. Bitter feelings came to him, but he pressed them down.

He attempted to leave unnoticed, but Emily spotted him.

She moved away from the crowd and walked over.

"You have some guts showing up here, Benjamin. "

He flashed her a short smile that did not reach his eyes.

"You being here means you're coming after me," She said with a haughty tone, 

"Benjamin, I never expected you to be such a lowly, despicable person."

"Tell me, where’s the Dragon’s Eye? You need to return that ring, now."

Benjamin responded with a cold laugh, subtly implying she was ignorant of the truth.

"I'm not here for you, Emily." He replied coldly.

"And do whatever makes you feel happy. If you have no trust in me at all.”

This word struck Emily hard. She was visibly unhappy, but unable to refute Benjamin's remarks.

Marcus and Celine joined the scene, noticing that Emily talking with Benjamin.

"Well, well if it isn't the thief." Celine sneered, "How dare you show your treacherous face here! Are you following Emily?!"

“I just don’t get it! What’s the point of clinging onto someone who doesn’t want you?"

"Look at you!” Marcus snorted, “An audacious thief has some nerves to show up at a high-end place like this!"

Benjamin didn’t flinch, a mocking smirk on his face.

His voice was cold while his gaze locking onto Marcus.

"What are you barking at? That punch I gave you last time didn’t hurt?" 

Marcus’s temper ignited.

"Enough of this!" he spat, fury contorting his face. "I’m calling security!” 

“You’re getting thrown out! Right now!"

With a flick of his hand, a group of security guards immediately started making their way over.

Marcus shot Benjamin a wicked grin.

"Enjoy spending the ‘high-end’ night in a jail cell, you loser!” 

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you will be taken good care of in there. Won’t kill you, of course, just break a few bones."

His eyes gleamed with malice before he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"And while you’re rotting away, I’ll be taking very good care of your fiancée."

"It’s a shame, really. You’ll never find a woman as sexy as her again.” 

“Guess you’ll have to get used to using your own hand… assuming you still have one after tonight."

Benjamin narrowed his eyes as the security guards drew closer.

But just then, a sharp, commanding voice cut through the tension.

"What is going on here?"

Everyone turned.

Amanda had returned from her business call, flanked by her own personal security. 

They moved in unison around her, their presence alone making it clear that she was someone important.

The sheer authority she radiated made the room hold its breath.

She was dressed in sleek black, exuding elegance and power.

If Emily was like an angel of the day, Amanda looked like a goddess of the night.

As Marcus’ gaze fell on Amanda, his expression betrayed his astonishment and greed.

He was visibly captivated by her beauty!

His breathing quickened and his mouth fall open with shock, then quickly hardened into a sneer.

Amanda, however, barely spared him a glance.

Instead, she walked straight up to Benjamin and looped her arm through his.

Her fierce confidence made Marcus and his bodyguards hesitate, forcing them to back off.

"Excuse me," she said coldly, gaze flicked between Marcus, Celine, and finally, Emily, "Are you having a problem with my man?"

Marcus gawked at her.

"This... low-life thief is your man?"

Amanda ignored him. She tightened her hold on Benjamin’s arm, making her message clear.

Then, she turned to Emily.

"So, Benjamin this is your ex-fiancée?" Amanda mused, looking Emily up and down with an amused smile.

With an exaggerated motion, she extended a hand.

"Thank you."

Emily frowned, eyes flashing. "For what?"

Amanda smirked.

"If it weren’t for you, I never would’ve met such an incredible man."

Emily’s fingers curled into fists, her teeth sinking into her lower lip.