Chapter 5

Audrey's expression froze instantly.

The smile on Benjamin's lips that hadn't yet faded stiffened. He looked at the newcomer with some disbelief. "Excuse me, I think you've got the wrong person. A speech? Only three people are giving speeches at today's reception..."

I took the folder and said to Mr. Jason, "These people are not allowed inside."

Audrey grabbed my wrist. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said." I gently pulled my hand back.

A rare flash of confusion crossed her eyes.

She probably still thought I was the same fool from years ago who would interpret her slightest consideration as special attention.

Who would feel warm inside because she forcefully took the coffee from my hand and replaced it with hot milk.

Who would have his heart race because she threw my proposal on the desk in front of the whole department and said "redo it," then stayed up all night helping me revise it.

Times had changed. That kind of "kindness" only made me feel violated now.

Not long after entering the venue, my phone suddenly vibrated.

I answered and heard my mom's anxious voice. "The kid fell playing with toys and keeps crying for you..."

I immediately told a colleague, "I need to make a video call. If I'm not out when it's time, you'll give the speech for me."

Then I quickly walked toward the lounge.

...

After hanging up the video call, I got a message from my colleague: [Speech went well!]

I let out a long breath and prepared to return to the venue.

Just as I reached the corner of the hallway, I heard voices from Audrey's team coming through the half-open VIP room door.

"I'm so pissed! He wouldn't let us in, but luckily I was smart. I paid a few guests to swap passes with us. Audrey, you better reimburse me when we get back!"

"That William just bluffs. He wasn't even one of the three speakers. What an act!"

"Who does he think he is, keeping us out with one sentence? Is his employer really that powerful?"

"No matter how powerful his employer is, they wouldn't help a driver flex like that, right? Unless..."

"Everyone shut up!" Audrey's voice carried irritation. "This reception is full of potential clients. Don't you understand what situation Rayjedo Company is in right now? Stop gossiping about irrelevant people."

She glanced at her watch. "In half an hour, Business Weekly is doing my interview in the first-floor interview area. Check all the materials again."

I shook my head helplessly and turned back to the venue.

After it ended, I prepared to go home.

Passing through the first-floor lobby, I saw a well-known financial talk show doing a live broadcast at the hotel.

Audrey sat in the interview seat as an invited "young business representative."

She wore a sharp suit, her makeup perfect, her expression composed.

The host smiled. "Ms. Audrey, you've had impressive achievements in the industry in recent years, but you seem to keep your personal life very private?"

Audrey smiled faintly. "Career comes first."

"I heard you once had a first love, but ultimately didn't end up together. What's your view on men who use marriage to achieve class mobility?"

The host's question was loaded.

Audrey frowned slightly, seeming unwilling to discuss it.

Benjamin, sitting in the audience, immediately picked up the topic. "Everyone, don't pressure Ms. Audrey to talk about private matters. She really was almost deceived by a certain scumbag back then."

He sighed as if helplessly. "But now that man's older, he's fallen to being some rich woman's driver and has to pick up kids."

My steps that had been moving away paused.

This man he was referring to was me?

This interview was being broadcast live. Once spoken, those words couldn't be taken back!

I took out my phone and opened the interview's live stream.

The comments had already exploded.

[How could a scumbag like that be content as a driver? He's definitely after the rich woman, lol!]

[Ms. Audrey is so beautiful and capable. It's inevitable she'd meet a scumbag or two!]

[I heard that man was Ms. Audrey's first love. Ms. Audrey has stayed single all these years. She must have been really hurt!]

I didn't need to guess who was directing this narrative.

Back then, I gave Audrey a choice. If she let Benjamin get his permanent position, I would resign.

Although it ended unpleasantly, I left Audrey with her dignity.

From beginning to end, no one knew we had been a couple.

After Benjamin attended our class reunion and heard some old stories, he must have guessed some of the reasons why I was hostile toward her.

But without knowing the full story, could he just slander me like this?

I sneered and closed the live stream.

Benjamin had sharp eyes. He immediately raised his voice. "Oh, isn't that the first love of Ms. Audrey you just mentioned?"

He deliberately directed the camera toward me.

Some reporters eager to sniff out gossip rushed forward with their microphones.

"Mr. William, is it true that you rejected an invitation from a prestigious school just to latch onto Ms. Audrey?"

"There are rumors that after you were fired from Rayjedo Company Group, you specifically became a driver for rich women?"

"Are you here today to use Ms. Audrey for publicity?"

Benjamin stood to the side, his lips slightly curved.

The business interview instantly turned into entertainment gossip.

The next second, the venue doors suddenly burst open and a boy in a custom-tailored little suit ran in.

All the cameras instantly switched direction.

"It's the son of Caitlyn, the youngest female billionaire in the capital!" someone exclaimed.

"Oh my god, seeing him in person for the first time!"

The whole venue erupted. Even Benjamin's eyes lit up as he stared at the noble little figure.

After all, this was the heir to a truly elite family!

A tiny bit from him could sustain an ordinary person's entire lifetime of struggle.

Benjamin, who was closest to the child, reacted fastest.

He immediately crouched down, his face breaking into a sickeningly sweet smile. "How come you're here all alone?"

He reached out to touch the child's hair, but the little boy's eyes suddenly lit up as he called out sweetly, "Daddy!"

Benjamin was shocked and delighted.

"Oh my god! The kid called him daddy! So Benjamin is Caitlyn's husband?"

"No wonder Ms. Audrey treats him so specially!"

"Turns out he's the real elite!"

Benjamin thought perhaps the child's mother was selecting a husband. He stammered happily, "B-baby, say it again?"

The little boy wrinkled his nose. I couldn't help but want to laugh.