Chapter 3: Signing
The sudden appearance of Benjamin Turner raised a cascade of questions in Jacqueline's mind. Why had he come here? A shiver ran down Jacqueline's spine. If he discovered her true identity, the carefully woven plan could unravel.
That meant Claire had no reason to sign a contract with her anymore.
No, Jacqueline immediately changed her mind, she needed her as a pawn in this clan war. She also made her purpose clear to her.
Jacqueline relaxed her shoulders, feeling more secure. But just to be sure, Jacqueline glanced carefully at Claire, deftly observing her expression but her face remained calm.
Jacqueline bit her lip, hesitation evident in her turquoise eyes.
After all, she put her trust in her.
The maids still stood in Benjamin's way and it irritated him. Here was the Turner family mansion, it was not owned by Claire alone. Yet, just look at how her loyal maids tried to keep him from entering the tea room.
Benjamin smirked, stepping forward without hesitation.
The maids remained immobile, determined to prevent him from encroaching upon their master's private space without her explicit permission. Yet, their resolute efforts proved futile. With the strength and agility inherent to a mafia don, he effortlessly pushed aside one of the servants and advanced toward the tea table.
"Mother, I admire the way you employ your loyal watchdogs to prevent me," Benjamin's words dripped with sarcasm.
"But we're also taught to respect other people's privacy, right, Ben?" Claire replied coolly.
"I will, if that's your room," Benjamin retorted, his gaze shifting from Claire to the figure seated across from her, Jacqueline. His gunmetal blue eyes locked onto her immediately.
As his penetrating gaze bore into her, a shiver coursed down Jacqueline's spine. Jacqueline's shoulders trembled as she realized he was staring at her. Questions raced through her mind: Will he see through her disguise as Jasmine? What would she do if he did?
Suddenly a crazy idea flashed across Jacqueline's thoughts. Why didn't she act like she was Jasmine? Action was better than inaction. She looked at Claire, who observed her with an air of anticipation.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Turner," she addressed him, endeavoring to keep her voice steady despite her nerves.
A soft smile spread across Benjamin's face, his intense demeanor seemingly melting. "It's wonderful to have you here, Jane! I was so worried about you."
The way he called her "Jane" confused her. Actually, people always called Jasmine Jas.
She quickly regained her composure, smiling at him. However, she didn't know what to say after that. She had too little information to play the part. Did Benjamin know that Jasmine ran away with his mistress? Was there something hidden behind his smile?
Before the silence could stretch any longer, Benjamin's voice resonated, breaking the stillness, "I'm so glad you're back, Jane."
Benjamin sat down beside her. His gaze fixated on her delicate features, satisfaction evident as her turquoise eyes mirrored his gaze. His fingers instinctively threaded through her sun-kissed locks, and he sighed softly, almost to himself, "But why shouldn't I be the one you paid a visit to first?"
"Give Jas time, Ben. You guys aren't officially married yet," Claire interjected after her prolonged silence, directing her gaze towards Jacqueline. "I believe I've earned your trust, haven't I?"
Jacqueline knew they were just arguing politely. Claire and Benjamin's relationship was more strained than she thought. As Claire's chess piece, she couldn't be on Benjamin's side.
"I apologize, Ben," Jacqueline responded.
Benjamin's smile remained, his hand gently cupping her cheek. His thumb brushed her skin as he replied, his voice imbued with understanding, "I comprehend, Jane. I'll always be waiting for you."
At that moment, his gunmetal blue eyes held hers with a sincerity that stirred something within her. His tenderness felt genuine, prompting an unsettling question: Could he truly be different from her initial impressions of him? Could he be less dangerous than he appeared?
Confusing, Jacqueline averted her gaze, only for it to land on a telltale bulge beneath his suit jacket – a shoulder holster. Looking carefully, she noticed that he was carrying a short gun. Her heart raced, and panic flickered in her eyes. It was foolish for her to think that he didn't seem dangerous. He was completely dangerous as a mafia don, it was just hidden behind tenderness.
"I'm glad you understand her. Jas was very stressed before the wedding ceremony. Your ignoring makes her feel unsafe," Claire rasped.
Benjamin's gaze left Jacqueline's, his eyebrow arching slightly as he said, "My bad, but from now on, I'll take care of her with all I have."
Immediately, Jacqueline started when she felt a warm and firm arm encircle her waist. Out of surprise and fear, she stiffened. She was unable to even see the gentle smile Benjamin gave her.
"Your butler mentioned you were meeting a partner when I arrived. Did he mean Jane? What's going on?" Benjamin asked with a serious tone that sent a shiver down Jacqueline's spine, prompting her to glance nervously at Claire.
Claire's voice was calming as she replied, "We will sign a marriage contract. It will ensure that no runaways will take place in the future. You can understand it simply, Jas is just showing his seriousness towards the marriage with a contract."
Casually leaning against the sofa's backrest, Benjamin questioned further, his tone tinged with annoyance, "Why should she sign a marriage contract with someone else when her future husband is me?"
Jacqueline could discern the anger beneath his words, yet his hand continued to rub her waist soothingly. She wondered in her mind if he was comforting her.
She understood, however, that expecting tenderness from him would be futile. The warmth she felt was intended for Jasmine, who had fled with her lover.
Madam Claire shrugged, "Why not? Women are often easier to negotiate with each other. After all, I am your mother and she trusts me."
Benjamin's gaze narrowed, "Is that so? If I hadn't come to the mansion today, I wouldn't have known about it, right?"
He was completely angry at the woman's meddling. He wanted to get Jacqueline to leave now, but he smelled Jacqueline's warm scent, which made it easy for him to regain his composure, "Do not think that I won't keep an eye on this."
Claire's smile remained, unfazed by his annoyance. "Rest assured, I will let you know."
Benjamin shifted the conversation, turning his attention directly to Jacqueline. "Aside from us, does anyone else know about this marriage contract?"
She stammered replying before she could think of anything, "No one, I didn't tell anyone. But I was planning to—"
"Good. I will be the one to inform your father. He needs to know the truth," Benjamin said.
As he mentioned her father, Jacqueline's heart skipped a beat. She realized how stupid her answer was and looked at him with wide eyes. He let go of her waist and touched her shoulder, making her lean on his shoulder.
The fragrance of cedar immediately entered Jacqueline's nasal cavity. She didn't know what she should do now.
Claire watched Benjamin's actions with cold eyes.
"That's what a future son-in-law should do," explained Benjamin.
"That's right! But my assistant came to see him in the afternoon, and he was very pleased," Claire said, looking at Jacqueline. "I didn't tell you before, my bad."
The confidence and calmness in Claire's eyes made her understand that she was protecting her father. It ignited confidence in Jacqueline.
"That's alright, Madam. I appreciate your thoughtfulness," Jacqueline said, not realizing that Benjamin's gaze was locked on hers.
"Well, you know what, you just made me an irresponsible husband," said Benjamin. It made Jacqueline confused and nervous. "But I will still have many opportunities in the future to show my sincerity to your family, right?" his voice became softer as he noticed her nervousness.
"So, when did you guys sign the contract?" Benjamin asked.
"Right now," Claire said generously, and immediately a maid brought out a contract and a fountain pen and placed it in front of Jacqueline.
She gulped. Benjamin was sitting very close to her. She wondered to herself if he had discovered what was written on the contract. The contract was placed right in front of her and he could easily tell that she wasn't Jasmine.
Benjamin immediately loosened his grip when Jacqueline moved. Sitting up straight she was hesitant to immediately reach for the contract that lay before her because the guy sitting next to her was a mafia don.
Jacqueline's grip on her skirt tightened as her hand trembled. Her gaze shifted from the marriage contract before her, to the polite smile of Madam Claire Turner, and then to Benjamin, who sat beside her.
"Why the hesitation?" he murmured in her ear, then he calmly his expensive fountain pen near the contract.
She tries to stay calm, understanding that she needs to distract his attention.
She gulped, finding a plausible excuse, "Ben, I need time to read the contract carefully."
Her gentle voice reaches his ears. Benjamin smiled, leaning back on the sofa, his gaze no longer focused on hers.
She sighed, even though she wanted Benjamin to get up and get out of there. However, the distance between them was enough for her to read the contract carefully without making Benjamin suspicious.
Jacqueline did not pick up the contract. She adjusted its position so that her whole body would block it from Benjamin's gaze.
Jacqueline read this marriage contract thoroughly. Make sure that there were no adverse or unexpected terms for her.
She took his expensive fountain pen and signed the contract.
Benjamin, who was leaning back on the sofa, watched Jacqueline's entire action. Not a single ray of light entered his eyes during the entire process.
Jacqueline gave the contract to the maid without hesitation as soon as she signed it.
Benjamin suddenly hugged her from behind, he whispered in her ear, "I missed you, Jane."
Jacqueline tried not to startle herself, but she couldn't help but be confused.
"Sorry," she mumbled under her breath.
"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Benjamin sent an invitation.
Jacqueline didn't stay perplexed for long when he heard this question. She knew the answer from the start, she would never accept his invitation.
"Sorry, Ben, I have a schedule tonight," said Jacqueline if she had an excuse.
"But you promised me that we would have a romantic dinner together. You forgot, didn't you?" Benjamin said.
"No, I…"
Jacqueline wanted to find an excuse, but Benjamin cut her off, "So what about tomorrow night? Don't make me wait."
Under pressure from Benjamin, a mafia don, she could only nod.
Benjamin smiled when he got what he wanted. However, it wasn't enough for him, "I haven't been able to call you the whole time. Did you change your phone number?"
Jacqueline nodded in confusion. Before she could explain, Benjamin said, "Give it to me."
She quickly took the business card, which was prepared for Madam Claire, and gave it to Benjamin.
Benjamin looked at it for a few seconds and carefully put it in his pocket. He also gave his business card to Jacqueline before leaving.
Stepping into his SUV, Benjamin couldn't contain his satisfied laugh.
"I thought it would be a long time before I could hug her," he told his assistant, Hank.
"I'm glad you've met the love of your life, but it seemed like Claire has plans of her own. Please be careful," Hank reminded.
"Wow, that damn woman," Benjamin complained.
"I will definitely make her mine, no one can stop that, not even Claire."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone