In the early years, Old Mr. Young of the Young family accidentally saved Benjamin's grandfather. The two old men hit it off and became very good friends. They even arranged a marriage for their grandchildren.
Just like that, Benjamin Sheppard became the fiancé of the true - born daughter of the Young family.
However, fate played a cruel joke. Victoria was switched at birth and only returned to the Young family at the age of 16. And the fake daughter, Charlotte, wasn't sent away either.
The parents and two elder brothers of the Young family were all partial to Charlotte and wanted her to fulfill the marriage contract.
They even coaxed Victoria into personally telling the Sheppard family: "I don't like Benjamin Sheppard. I don't want to fulfill the marriage contract. I want my sister Charlotte to marry Benjamin Sheppard."
But the family background of the Young family couldn't be compared to that of the Sheppard family at all.
Victoria could tell that Benjamin Sheppard, a born - to - shine prodigy, had extremely high standards. He was very much against the marriage with Charlotte and didn't like the Young family either.
Remembering Benjamin Sheppard's dislike for the Young family, Victoria took a step back consciously and also avoided the man's hand on her waist.
" Thank you very much for catching me just now. I really appreciate your assistance."
Benjamin glanced at her retreating action: " Do I look so scary, like a bad guy?"
Victoria: "..."
Of course not. Although he was just one year older than her, his imposing presence made her reluctant to overstep.
It seemed that he didn't like such false courtesy. Victoria had to change her words: "Thank you."
The man rubbed his fingertips, and his tone was a bit unfathomable: "Broke up with Finley Garcia?"
Victoria was startled. How did he know?
Right. When she broke up with Finley Garcia just now, she forgot to close the box door, and the commotion was so big.
If Benjamin Sheppard happened to pass by at that time, maybe he overheard it accidentally.
Victoria nodded frankly: "Yes, we broke up."
Hearing this, Benjamin's eyebrows raised imperceptibly.
Those lazy and flirtatious eyes looked at Victoria, and the corners of his lips curved into a meaningful arc.
"Congratulations. A man like Finley Garcia, lacking male virtues, ain't worth your time."
"..."
Lacking male virtues...
Victoria was gobsmacked and couldn't believe those words came out of his mouth.
Seeing Victoria's shock, Benjamin let out a soft sigh, like he was all deep and philosophical.
"Sometimes I'm kinda jealous of Finley Garcia's carefree, wild ways. One day he's got a new 'lady friend', next day he's chasing after two 'female friends'. He's always in the middle of some love - fest. I just can't roll like that."
Victoria: "...?"
Why did that sound so off?
Like he was trying too hard to seem cool?
But gotta admit, Benjamin Sheppard was a stand - up guy when it came to relationships.
And he was famous for keeping his distance from the ladies.
After Old Man Young kicked the bucket a few years back, the Youngs and the Sheppards drifted apart. The marriage deal wasn't shouted from the rooftops, so not many knew about it.
Apart from Benjamin Sheppard's big - shot family, just looking at his killer looks, all those rich heiresses and society chicks were dying to get close. They didn't even care about a ring, just wanted a taste.
But even with those sexy eyes, Benjamin Sheppard had an ice - cold, untouchable vibe. Not a whiff of scandal ever.
Remember at a banquet once, a real estate bigwig Mr. Zimmerman tried to set Benjamin Sheppard up with a woman and even spiked his drink. When Benjamin got back to his hotel room, he pulled back the covers and saw a hot babe in a nightie on the bed.
Facing that steamy scene, Benjamin didn't bat an eye. He even sniffed out the hidden mini - camera in the room and nailed Mr. Zimmerman right away.
That Mr. Zimmerman was trying to record a dirty video and blackmail Benjamin Sheppard. But when the cat was out of the bag, he was so scared he begged for mercy. He grabbed a bottle of red wine and smashed it on his head to show he was sorry. Blood and wine were everywhere, glass shards all over the floor. It was a total bloodbath.
Benjamin just casually lifted his lids, glanced at the mess, and played with the mini - camera he'd found. His voice was as cool as a cucumber:
"Since you're so ballsy, you got two choices. Swallow those glass shards or the Zimmerman family's toast. Pick."
That Mr. Zimmerman was so terrified he passed out cold.
After that, Benjamin Sheppard's rep as a tough nut spread, and nobody dared to pull any stunts on him.
Lots of people guessed that with all his power and wealth, Benjamin Sheppard could have any woman he wanted. But he was so squeaky clean. Maybe he had a secret love in his heart and was saving himself for her?
The Youngs and Charlotte Young were all hyped up about that guess. Benjamin Sheppard had a marriage deal with Charlotte Young. His self - control was obviously for her!
Victoria didn't buy it.
Because Benjamin was clearly against marrying Charlotte and treated her like she had the plague.
How could it be for Charlotte?
Maybe he really did have a secret love he couldn't have. Or maybe he just wasn't into all that romance stuff.
Hell, Victoria had even secretly wondered if Benjamin Sheppard had some... issues in the bedroom department...
Right then, facing Benjamin Sheppard's advice that " a man like Finley Garcia, lacking male virtues, ain't worth your time".
Victoria took it to heart and looked at him with her big, shiny eyes: "Thanks. I got it."
Victoria and Benjamin weren't exactly friends. At most, they were just nodding acquaintances. After saying that, she was about to split.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. She got a text from Finley Garcia.
"Victoria Young, you probably don't know. When you first got back to the Youngs', you had a really bad allergic reaction to pineapple. You were all covered with red blotches and nearly died. It was your two older brothers who did it deliberately!"
"They just wanted to teach you a lesson and make sure you wouldn't get too cocky around Charlotte Young! If you don't believe it, go ahead and ask. Let's see if your brothers have the nerve to deny it!"
"The entire Young family doesn't treat you half as well as I do! Think carefully. Do you still want to break up with me?"
Victoria's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Her fingers gripping the phone were so tight her knuckles turned white.
At that meal after she got back to the Youngs', someone slipped pineapple juice into her drink. She had a crazy allergic reaction, covered in red splotches, her throat swelled up so she could hardly breathe, her heart was going nuts. She almost bought the farm. And it was her own flesh - and - blood brothers... on purpose?
For Charlotte Young, they almost killed their own sister?
Benjamin saw her face go all wonky and asked, deep voice: "What's up?"
Victoria wasn't tight enough with Benjamin to spill her guts about this personal crap. She shook her head. Her eyes were a bit red, with that tough - as - nails look: "It's personal. Gotta go."
After saying that, she hightailed it out of there.
Benjamin watched the skinny back of the girl leaving. His eyes narrowed, and his expression was a total mystery.
"Mr. Sheppard, I'm back!" At this point, Assistant Jacob Thomas came running back, out of breath.
Truth be told, this swanky billiards hall downtown was Benjamin Sheppard's private playground.
Today, Mr. Sheppard was here for an inspection. When he was about to bounce, he passed by the VIP box and heard Finley Garcia on the phone with his girl, asking for some ring.
Mr. Sheppard stopped in his tracks. Out of the blue, he said he wasn't in a rush and would leave in half an hour. And he didn't want anyone tagging along.
Jacob went off to kill some time. When he came back, he saw Mr. Sheppard chilling at the corner of the corridor. When Victoria walked by, Mr. Sheppard casually stuck out his leg and tripped her... tripped her... tripped her...
And then he pulled her into his arms... pulled her into his arms...
Jacob's mouth was hanging open. He couldn't believe his eyes.
As Mr. Sheppard's right - hand man and best bud, he knew when to look the other way. He spun around and pretended he saw zilch.
After Victoria split, Jacob came back, all sly: "Mr. Sheppard, I'm back. I didn't see squat just now!"
Benjamin gave him a look.
Jacob grinned and promised: "Seriously, Mr. Sheppard. I didn't peek. Didn't see anything I shouldn't!"
Benjamin smirked, his tone a bit menacing: "You yap too much. You looking for a new gig?"
Jacob's smile vanished.
"No! No way! I'm ride or die for Mr. Sheppard. I'll do anything for you! Ain't changing jobs for nothing!"
He was laying it on thick with the flattery.
The bottom line was, Mr. Sheppard paid him a fat salary. It was his golden ticket. No way he was giving that up.
Benjamin was over Jacob's yapping. He lifted his wrist, checked his watch, and said, without looking up: "Alright. Get the car ready."
When it came to business, Jacob dropped the jokes and got serious.
"Yes, Mr. Sheppard. We heading back to the office?"
The man narrowed his eyes: "We're hitting up the Youngs'."