Chapter 1192

Benjamin ignored Renee’s greeting, a prime example of male chauvinism.

Renee was told to sit at a neighboring table with a group of strangers. She did not even get to speak to Benjamin.

On the other hand, Liam was treated very well, and was asked to sit at Benjamin’s left.

While eating, Benjamin and Liam had a very happy chat.

It was clear that he liked Liam very much, and wished he had a son like him. Liam behaved obediently the whole time, making Benjamin very happy.

When it was almost time for the feast to end, he glanced at Renee, and pretended to ask Benjamin casually, “By the way, Master, where is Joanne? Why didn’t I see her?”

Both Joanne and Liam escaped from the red-light district together. They had become Benjamin’s disciples at the same time, but Joanne chose to stay while Liam wanted to leave.

Back then, Benjamin valued Joanne just as much as he valued Liam. She should have been promoted to a very high position, but Liam hadn’t seen her around, which was strange.

To Liam’s surprise, Benjamin smacked his fork down onto the table and went silent. Benjamin’s eldest foster son, Danny Evans, immediately smiled and said reassuringly, “Liam, let’s not bring up unpleasant things at a time like this. Why did you ask about that jinx?”

“Danny, what do you mean? Joanne is our junior. What did she do to anger all of you like this?”

Noah Gomez, Benjamin’s third foster son, snorted and stated disdainfully,” She was the lead role in the red-light district previously, so of course, she isn’t a nice woman. I knew that she had some ulterior motives as soon as I met her. As expected, she was soon exposed, and actually dared to betray Master. As a result, the police confiscated a batch of Master’s goods, and we suffered a terrible loss.

Don’t you think she’s a jinx?”

“Umm…” Liam knitted his brows slightly. Suddenly, he did not know how to handle the situation. If Joanne betrayed the fort, she might be long dead by now given Benjamin’s cruelty and ruthlessness.

Renee was sitting far from the main table, so she could vaguely hear them mention Joanne’s name. However, she could not hear the details, so she became quite anxious.

After a brief pause, she poured a glass of wine for herself and walked to Benjamin’s table.

“Mr. Jenkins, I’m new here, but I didn’t bring you any gift. Let me offer you a toast as an apology.” After that, she leaned her head backward and gulped down the wine in her glass.

However, Benjamin did not even look at Renee as he said aloofly to the others at his table, “You know that none of the women in this world are nice except my dear Gem. They don’t even have the right to eat at the same table as me, let alone toast me. She thinks too highly of herself.”

Renee was speechless. She was so angry that she had to stop herself from breaking the glass in her hand. Although she met patronising men before, this was the first time she had met a man like Benjamin who believed that men dominated everything.

Hence, she could not hold herself back.

“Mr. Jenkins, I disagree. If all women are bad, then I must tell you that no men are nice either. The global crime rate proves this—men make up ninety percent of it while women make up merely ten percent of it. What’s more, the women committed those crimes to protect themselves. Your opinion is too biased.”

As soon as she made that statement, the silent hall became quieter, and the atmosphere became tense.

“How dare you doubt me!” Benjamin’s eyes bulged in disbelief and rage. It was the first time Benjamin had met a person as reckless as Renee. The fact that she was a woman made him even more determined to teach her a lesson. “Mateo, tell her the consequences of those who doubted me in this fort!”

“Okay, Master.”Mateo nodded and glanced at Renee before he explained, “The people who dare to doubt Master will have their tongues cut off and lips sewn shut. After that, they will be locked up in dungeons until they die.’

Renee unconsciously swallowed, in disbelief at how cruel this old man was. Such a ruthless punishment was almost as bad as the punishments Quinton used.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and execute her!” Benjamin barked, unable to stand the sight of Renee.

“Wait!” Liam immediately stood up and begged for mercy for Renee.” Master, it’s my girlfriend’s first time being here, so she doesn’t know the rules. Please let her off the hook this time, I promise that she won’t do it again. I spent quite a long time trying to win her heart. Besides, I respect you very much, so I brought her to you. Please do me the favour, okay?”

“Fine, just this once.” Benjamin sneered before he ordered, “Lock her up in the dungeon first. I’ll release her after negotiating with Liam.”

Although Liam could not bear to see Renee suffer, he did not dare to disobey Benjamin under such a circumstance. There was no way they could go against so many armed opponents after all. “Okay, Master, I’ll listen to you. Don’t worry, we’ll talk this out.’

He decided to pacify Benjamin temporarily before he tried to get Renee out. Inwardly, he was regretting bringing Renee here. If he knew this would happen, he would have been firmer and refused to bring Renee here no matter what. However, he heard some good news during the meal. Joanne, who betrayed Benjamin, was still alive, and just happened to be locked up in the same dungeon as Renee.

At the end of the meal, Benjamin’s mood became much better. He held Amber’s hand and put it on Liam’s, then smiled happily and said, “My little gem, Liam’s name is always on your lips. He’s back now, so why are you so shy? I’m worried about you, you know? Why don’t you show Liam around and deepen your relationship with him?”

“Dad, don’t do this. Liam has a girlfriend now, so stop trying to set me up with him,” Amber protested, and gently pulled her hand away.

After a brief pause, Liam said casually, “It’s fine. She’s my girlfriend, not my wife, and I’m not that conservative either. It’s been a long time since I last met you, Gem. Let’s take a walk.”

“Silly girl, he’s already invited you! Why are you still shy?’

“Well, okay then.” Amber stood up but kept her head low in embarrassment. She then said to Liam, “Liam, I… I bought a few pets which are very adorable… Umm, you can go and see them with me.”

“Sure, I like small animals a lot.” Liam agreed to it bluntly.

Benjamin roared with laughter. “There’s a good kid!”

Mateo watched them leave enviously. He gritted his teeth and said,” Master, can’t you tell? Liam’s just trying to stall for time. All he cares about is his girlfriend. He’s insincere toward Miss Jenkins!”

“Hmph! I don’t care if he’s sincere or not, as long as he can pretend like this his whole life and make my dear daughter happy,” Benjamin sneered deviously.