novelxo Chapter 178 He Needed Her
Chapter 178 He Needed Her
Benjamin strode out of the room.
His white shirt was stained with blood, mostly from Daniel.
He lit a cigarette in the hallway, taking a slow drag.
Despite his dislike for Daniel, he couldn't deny the truth of what he had said.
He realized that his relationship with Madelyn, although seemingly equal, was not devoid of her concessions.
And due to their vastly different social standings, he took her sacrifices for granted, never really considering her feelings as a woman.
Lost in contemplation, Benjamin continued to smoke his cigarette.
His chiselled features and noble bearing never failed to attract the attention of women, and Caroline was no exception.
She was Daniel's lover, working at the Orchid Club, and bore an uncanny resemblance to Madelyn.
When she first encountered Benjamin, he looked at her in a way that made her pulse quicken.
As they met again, Caroline couldn't resist the temptation of being with such a captivating man even if it was just for one night.
Caroline's heart raced.
She approached Benjamin and gently touched his handsome face, daring to ask, "Mr. Clark, may I join you for a drink?"
However, Benjamin was a fastidious man who detested unrelated women touching him!
He had imbibed so much wine that when Caroline touched him, he forcefully shoved her away, causing her slender body to slam into the opposite wall with a loud thud! Caroline screamed in pain, and the commotion caught the attention of the club manager, who immediately rushed over to investigate.
Though it was not a significant incident, Benjamin's fury was ignited upon seeing Caroline's familiar face.
Without a moment's hesitation, he kicked open the door to a private room and forcefully shoved Caroline inside.
The manager quickly followed and apologized, "Please forgive her, Mr. Clark. She didn't mean to bother you." Benjamin sat on the sofa and lit a cigarette, taking slow drags while he fixed his deep gaze on Caroline. He was so handsome that Caroline couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
"Come here," Benjamin commanded suddenly, his deep voice sending shivers down Caroline's spine. She tentatively approached him, wanting nothing more than to touch him, but fearing his rejection.
So when she got close enough, she only lifted her face up to attract him.
Benjamin gently pinched her chin and looked at her intently, assessing her features.
"She did bear some resemblance to Madelyn." He thought.
The manager believed that Benjamin was interested in Caroline and began promoting her.
"Caroline is one of our best," he said to Benjamin. "You really should give her a try."
Caroline bit her lip lightly, a temptation for men.
But Benjamin suddenly let go of her.
He wiped his palms with a damp towel before speaking calmly, "Now you have two choices. You can stop selling your body and start living a decent life, or you can get plastic surgery and change your face... And if I ever catch you selling yourself again with that face, in any place, I'll tear you apart!"
Caroline's legs trembled with fear, and the manager was on the verge of tears.
"What had Caroline done to anger this devil?" He thought.
Benjamin threw a check on the table, his expression cold. "Gredax is a big and safe city, but it's easy for me to make someone disappear."
The manager collapsed to the ground, overcome with fear and shock.
He was a shrewd person and immediately realized why Benjamin couldn't stand Caroline.
Her face bore some resemblance to his ex-girlfriend!
The manager cursed inwardly: Rich people have so many problems! Caroline only bears a slight resemblance to his ex-girlfriend, who isn't even his woman. He has no right to intervene with her livelihood! But in the end, the manager knew better than to question the whims of the wealthy.
He still had Caroline sent back to her hometown overnight, begging and pleading with her to never return to Gredax again. After all, the little demon prince of the Clark family was not someone to be trifled with.
...
Benjamin stumbled, drunk to the point of being barely able to stand.
The club had sent a driver to escort him to his apartment building, but as he approached the entrance, he hesitated.
He didn't want to go up! Madelyn was not there!
Usually reserved and abstemious, Benjamin had lost himself tonight, lying on the ground and vomiting until he was dizzy. And when he finally regained some sense, he stood alone under a streetlamp, feeling desolate.
It was in this exact spot that Madelyn had once fed the little white dog.
Now she was gone, taking everything, including the dog, leaving no trace of sentiment behind for him. Benjamin's eyes were slightly red, and he couldn't help but call her name: "Madelyn! Madelyn... Madelyn..."
In the distance, a slender figure was observing him intently.
It was none other than Eleanor Bennett.
She watched him for a long time, seeing him drunk and gazing up at the building upstairs.
She knew he was missing Madelyn, and it hurt her to see him like this.
"Ben, do you really like Madelyn?" she murmured to herself.
She had called him several times recently, but he never answered.
She had attempted to kill herself, hoping he would come rushing to the hospital. But it was clear to her now that he no longer cared.
It was as if she didn't matter to him anymore.
Ben, do... do you regret choosing me?
Eleanor walked towards him. "Ben, you've had too much to drink," she said softly, attempting to support him.
Benjamin forcefully pushed her away, taking a couple of steps back with bloodshot eyes.
"Leave me alone! I don't want to see you..." he muttered under his breath. "It will only upset Madelyn, and she'll cry!"
Eleanor was stunned. "Ben, I will cry too!" she pleaded, hoping to make him understand that she also cared deeply for him.
But Benjamin didn't want to hear it. He retorted sharply and hurried away.
It was as if... if he looked at Eleanor for one more second, Madelyn would never... never return! Yet, deep down, he understood the ugly truth - Madelyn was never coming back.
Just like Daniel had said, Madelyn only needed to heal her wounds, find love with someone else, and then get married...
In the dark of the night, Eleanor trembled with despair.
She knew she had lost...
She had paid the ultimate price, cutting her wrist time and time again, just to keep Benjamin by her side.
But she still lost Benjamin's heart to Madelyn!
Benjamin's mind was filled with Madelyn!
A cold smirk twisted Eleanor's lips.
Madelyn, how much more do you want to take away from me?
Early in the morning, Madelyn received good news- she was one of the "Top Ten Outstanding Youths" in Gredax this year.
The music studio teachers congratulated her on her achievement, and even Penelope from Oriapool called to express her joy. "Madelyn, we need to celebrate! We should open a bottle of champagne to toast your success!" Penelope exclaimed.
Madelyn smiled slightly in response. "I'll come to Oriapool and join you for that champagne!"
Initially, Penelope wanted to decline the offer, insisting that it wasn't necessary, but she missed Madelyn so much and finally gave in. "I'll be waiting for you in Oriapool," she conveyed. Madelyn was in high spirits. She generously handed out red envelopes to all the employees at the music studio, and everyone was happy.
Just then, her secretary interrupted them and said, "Ms. Green, there's a Ms. Bennett here to see you!"
Madelyn's smile vanished within moments of hearing that name.
Thinking quickly, Madelyn instructed her secretary, "Activate the surveillance cameras in the waiting room and ask Ms. Bennett to wait there."
Sensing the tension between them, the secretary moved swiftly to make the necessary arrangements.
Vivian White, who was present at the time, asked Madelyn, "Do you really agree to see her?"
Madelyn curled into a faint smile as she replied, "Do you really think she's come with an olive branch? Unless I make it clear that I won't bow down to her, she'll never leave me alone. And I won't be like William Bennett and give in to her every whim."
Despite her fierce demeanor, Vivian still felt sympathetic toward her.
She had learned everything from David, and the anger towards Benjamin was still simmering within her. But Madelyn firmly rejected Vivian's idea of seeking revenge, insisting that they should cut ties cleanly. Vivian still couldn't shake off her concerns and accompanied her to meet Eleanor.
As soon as they entered the reception room, Vivian's heart sank at the sight of Eleanor.
This crazy woman had run out in a hospital gown, which was considered extremely unlucky and impolite! If she were Madelyn, she definitely would have kicked her out with a broom!
Nonetheless, Madelyn greeted Eleanor with a polite smile, "Ms. Bennett, what can I do for you?"