Chapter 163

Gilmore stared at the mysterious man in the black trench coat, cap, sunglasses, and mask. Although the man tried to conceal his appearance, Gilmore instantly recognized him as Benjamin using his "God's Eye."

Benjamin, believing Gilmore hadn't noticed him, approached with his head down. As he drew closer, he quickened his pace. A few steps from Gilmore, he produced a dagger. He lunged, aiming the dagger at Gilmore's abdomen.

Claire shrieked, the first to react to the attack. However, the event unfolded too swiftly for her to intervene. Even Denton, two to three meters away, was too slow to react. Everyone expected Gilmore to die.

But as the dagger neared Gilmore's abdomen, he reacted instantly. He swiftly grabbed Benjamin's wrist, his grip like a vise. Benjamin felt a searing pain as his wrist threatened to shatter. Gilmore increased the pressure. A bone-cracking sound echoed as Benjamin screamed. The dagger fell. Gilmore then punched Benjamin, sending him flying two to three meters. Benjamin's cap and sunglasses flew off as he crashed to the ground.

Gilmore, wanting to avoid a public display of his strength, had only intended to subdue Benjamin. Otherwise, he could have killed him with a single mana-infused punch.

The onlookers whispered, recognizing Benjamin.

"It's Benjamin, the Palmer family's young master! Wasn't he disowned by Mr. Emerson? Why is he here? And he tried to kill someone! What's going on?"

The crowd murmured as they watched Benjamin. Hatred flickered in his eyes as he glared at Gilmore. "Gilmore, you killed my grandfather! I'll kill you!"

Gilmore scoffed. "Benjamin, I merely outmaneuvered your Gastronova Ventures. I never expected a business loss to drive you to attempted murder."

The Evermore Group, founded by Gilmore and Claire, had recently surpassed Gastronova Ventures to become Oakhaven's top restaurant. This swift victory—achieved in just one month—was known throughout Oakhaven's business circles. Gilmore's words drew disdainful glances toward Benjamin. The crowd agreed that business losses are a normal part of the industry. Only a scumbag would resort to murder for revenge.

Claire, regaining her composure, angrily shouted, "Benjamin, you're unscrupulous! Attempting murder in public? I'm calling the police!"

Benjamin's eyes burned with a mixture of indignation and fear. He had acted out of hatred and impulsiveness on the day of his grandfather's funeral. He had arrived early but avoided entering the Palmer manor to pay his respects. His grandfather's disownment and Gastronova Ventures' collapse had left him embittered. He feared ridicule from Russel, Herbert, and other influential businessmen.

He intended to mourn silently outside. However, upon seeing the Carter family's car, he was overcome by rage. He blamed Denton and the Carter family for his grandfather's death, and his unrequited feelings for Claire, now with Gilmore, fueled his fury. Thus, disguised, he entered the manor. Initially, he planned to kill Claire, as he couldn't kill Denton, but she was Denton's granddaughter and Gilmore's girlfriend, making her murder the most effective way to hurt them both. Seeing them together, however, he decided to kill Gilmore first, then Claire.

The failed assassination attempt filled him with resentment and terror at the prospect of imprisonment.

Norman, who had witnessed the commotion, called out to Claire. Holding her phone, Claire asked, "Mr. Norman, what is it?"

Norman looked at the injured Benjamin. "Claire, Benjamin's actions were wrong, but his grandfather's death and the family's bankruptcy drove him to this. The Palmer family is already suffering. For my sake, give Benjamin a chance."

The assembled businessmen were impressed by Norman's magnanimity. They lauded his compassion.

Claire, still angry, hesitated. Benjamin had nearly killed Gilmore.

Denton intervened, "Claire, enough. Let's forget this."

Reluctantly, Claire put away her phone. Denton then spoke to Norman, "Norman, the Carter family will show mercy. We'll leave now."

Norman thanked Denton. Denton, Gilmore, and Claire departed in the Carter family's Rolls-Royce. Gilmore noted Denton’s continued limp, despite the healed leg, implying a deliberate concealment of his full recovery. Gilmore found this amusing.