Chapter 248: The Information Cost Twenty Million Yuan
Chapter 248: The Information Cost Twenty Million Yuan
It was clear that Benjamin wasn’t just talking nonsense. If he hadn’t found some solid evidence, he wouldn’t have been able to say such words.
“If you’re trying to protect Hayden, I’ll take my words back. But you must tell me what you have found out.”
Benjamin sneered.
“When I was doing this job, this type of information usually cost a hundred thousand Yuan. Are you trying to ask for the information from me for free without even buying a cup of tea for me?
Joseph sized Benjamin up for a moment. After thinking about the pros and cons, the previous hostility disappeared on his face.
“Are you free now? Let’s have a cup of tea.”
People in the business world were always flexible, no matter what time it was.
They went to a quaint teahouse in the city. They could smell the tea aroma. The booths inside were separated by bamboo curtains, with a proper distance between them so the customers in the neighboring seats would not feel disturbed.
In a few words, Benjamin told Joseph the story of what he had investigated.
“That’s all I know. If you think Hayden won’t be harmed at all, go ahead and call the police. You can pull some strings so that I will be sentenced to jail for a few days.”
Looking at Benjamin’s expression, Joseph played with a light and delicate purple sand cup in his hand. He looked like he was thinking something.
“Even if what you say is true, how can I be sure that you don’t have another motive for staying together with Hayden?”
“You can’t be sure of that.” Benjamin looked fearless, “Of course I have a motive for staying together with Hayden. Don’t you forget that Hayden is single now and I have the right to pursue her?”
Joseph’s face turned gloomy.
“You are really not afraid of anything.”
Benjamin looked like he was bored and examined the orchid pattern on the purple sand pot. He said perfunctorily, “I won’t be threatened by you. Rather than wondering what my purpose is to approach Hayden, you might as well think of a way to take back your position as the president of the company earlier, so that you won’t have to be always on tenterhooks.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
Joseph glanced at him, “You’ve investigated so well into my family’s affairs that I have to suspect you. Is there any explanation for this?”
“Is it hard to explain? Is it strange for the Beckham family to have some poor distant relatives?”
“Relatives?” Joseph sized him up skeptically.
“Yes, don’t we look alike?” Benjamin opened his arms and let Joseph looked at him closer, “I think the two of us still look a bit alike. Some people would believe it even if we say we are blood brothers.”
Joseph gave him a cold look, “Is that so? How come I don’t see it?”
Benjamin felt that Joseph didn’t like his joke, so he smiled sarcastically and sniffed, “I was just joking. How am I capable to be a member of such a wealthy family like yours?”
“After all, you still haven’t told me what your purpose to stay with Hayden is.”
“I am a righteous person. Since you’ve asked me sincerely so many times, I won’t hide the truth from you.”
Benjamin leaned back lazily on the fauteuil behind him.
“I have no other hobbies. You should know that I like money if you ask other people in Nanking. Hayden is the only heir to the Downey family now. Although the Downey family is not as rich as before, they are still considered very rich. Moreover, Hayden has a close relationship with you. So, it’s as simple as that.”
“Just tell me, how much do you want?”
Benjamin held out two fingers of his left hand.
“Two million Yuan, not much.” Joseph looked at him coldly.
However, Benjamin sneered.
“Do you think that Hayden’s safety is just worth two million Yuan? Moreover, I have told you such a big piece of news about your competitor. I want twenty million Yuan instead.”
“Remember what you said. That’s a deal.”
Benjamin had doubled ten times the amount of money he wanted, but Joseph still looked calm. Joseph spoke with a soft tone, which made Benjamin suspect that Joseph had simply predicted that he would ask for twenty million Yuan. Joseph was so cunning as a businessman as he deliberately said a lower price at first.
After discussing the matter with him, Joseph quickly settled the bill and left, leaving Benjamin to drink tea leisurely in the teahouse alone.
Looking at the two million Yuan deposit cheque on the table, Benjamin snorted. There was a tinge of contempt in his eyes.
Just as he expected, Joseph was a businessman who would set some conditions when he negotiated something with others. If the other party didn’t ask for anything, he wouldn’t give the slightest bit of trust.
Joseph was like this. He was the one who was kept thinking about by his family who felt guilty towards him for almost twenty years.
After leaving the teahouse, Joseph went to the Beckhams’ Mansion.
He hadn’t been here for a while after the last argument with Harrison, and when he entered the house, he saw the family servants, who all looked surprised.
Harrison was surprised, but his expression was calm. He hummed and said something, displaying a cold look.
“Where is Noah? Why didn’t you bring him along? Are you really going to stop him from recognizing me as his great-grandfather?”
Mark, the housekeeper tried to ease the tension in the air.
“Sir, have you forgotten that today is Friday? Little Noah has to go to kindergarten today.”
Harrison glared at Mark as if he was blaming him for talking too much.”
“I will pick him up after class and bring him here this afternoon.”
The atmosphere was unsettling before Joseph said the sentence. Although his tone was as cold as Harrison’s, his words had made the atmosphere at the Beckhams’ Mansion not so gloomy.
“Noah will stay here overnight and will leave after the weekend.”
Hearing Joseph’s words, Harrison’s face turned eased, “That’s good. I’m so old now and cannot live for too long. I want to see my great-grandson more often.”
“In the weekend, Hayden will come over and cook for Noah,”
“What?”
The old man who felt relieved just now had his face turned pale. He stood up on the spot, with his hands leaning on the arm of the chair, “What did you say? Why did she want to come here?”
Joseph was calm and said unhurriedly, “Noah doesn’t want to eat the food cooked by the cook at home. He only wants to eat the food that is cooked by Hayden. If you don’t want to see her, then I’ll let her go to my house, and Noah doesn’t have to come over to bother you.”
“Go to your house?”
Harrison was furious, “Don’t forget what I told you. I don’t approve of you continuing to deal with her. She had already married. What are you doing? Do you want to be the other man?”
“Pfft.”
Before Harrison finished his sentence, a teenage girl laughed in the living room. She was trying desperately to hold back her laughter, but obviously, she burst out laughing.
“Who’s that? Why are you hiding in the doorway sneakingly? What are you laughing at?” Harrison glared at the door unhappily.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.
Mark quickly explained, “It’s Miss. Beckham. Eleanor, faster come in.”
A thin figure came into the door slowly. She was trying to hold back her laughter with her face tensed up. She avoided Joseph and walked over to Harrison, saying seriously, “Godfather, don’t blame me for laughing. It is really quite funny. How can you say that my eldest nephew, Joseph is the other man?”
It was so weird when a thirteen-year-old girl said the phrases “my eldest nephew” and “the other man”. Harrison was also amused by her. He was no longer so angry and he deliberately pointed at Joseph and asked Eleanor, “Your great nephew is planning to bring home the person who treats him as the other man? What do you think?”