Chapter 85

Benjamin approached Gilmore, lowering his head slightly. "Gilmore, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have sent someone to follow you and caused you so much trouble."

Apologizing to Gilmore was deeply humiliating for Benjamin; it felt like a poisonous snake biting his heart—indescribable torture. He silently vowed, "Today I bowed my head and apologized. But one day, I will make you kneel before me like a dog."

However, Gilmore sneered at his apology. "Do you really think saying 'I'm sorry' is enough?"

Benjamin was shocked. Anger flashed in his eyes. "What does he mean?" he thought. He, the young master of the Palmer family, had apologized. "Isn't that enough?" he wondered.

Even Emerson and Wallace's eyes blazed with anger. They felt Gilmore had gone too far, deliberately trying to humiliate Benjamin. Denton, too, was perplexed. Gilmore's rejection of the apology left him wondering what more Benjamin could do.

Suppressing his rage, Benjamin asked, "Gilmore, other than apologizing, what else can I do?"

Gilmore chuckled. "If an apology is enough, I can say sorry after killing you, and everything would be fine."

Wallace finally exploded. "Gilmore, that's enough! Although we were wrong, you suffered no substantial injuries."

Gilmore replied, "You're finally telling the truth. Since Mr. Carter didn't kill me, nobody was hurt. Your apology is insincere; it was just a show for Mr. Carter, wasn't it?"

Benjamin, furious, retorted, "Gilmore, don't make false accusations! My apology was sincere, but you've slandered me!"

Gilmore mocked, "A single apology can't erase your sinister intentions that almost took my life, and caused Claire great suffering. You can't get away with it so easily!"

Turning to Denton, Gilmore declared sternly, "Mr. Carter, tonight's events are the Palmer family's fault. You almost killed me and misunderstood Claire. They wanted Claire in their family so badly that they resorted to such evil actions, disregarding your love for her. They're an evil family. Mr. Carter, please cancel the engagement!"

Benjamin's face darkened. Gilmore's words were a death sentence for him and his family. Most shockingly, Gilmore knew his plan: to kill him, anger Mr. Carter about Claire and Gilmore's relationship, and force an immediate marriage. Gilmore was right about everything; he was like a parasite, knowing all his secrets. This was unbelievable.

Emerson shouted, "Don't spout nonsense!" Further accusations would irreparably damage the Palmer family's reputation. But Denton surprised everyone, declaring, "Emerson, I think Gilmore's words make sense!"

Emerson, stunned by Denton's support for Gilmore, was speechless. He had clearly not expected this betrayal from his longtime friend.

Claire then declared, "Grandfather, Gilmore is right. To marry me into the Palmer family, they used unscrupulous means and even tried to destroy our relationship. I will never marry Benjamin."

Denton addressed Emerson, "Emez, as you see, neither Claire nor Gilmore accepts your apology. You must take responsibility. I must cancel the engagement."

Claire was secretly delighted. This was exactly what she wanted. Even David and Christine felt relief. They had saved Claire.

However, the cancellation was devastating news for Emerson and Benjamin. They were shocked, not only at their failure but at the loss of the engagement.

Emerson, though surprised, knew this was necessary. Without a resolution, neither Gilmore and Claire nor Denton and the Carters would calm down. He accepted the cancellation, planning to discuss the marriage again later.

He nodded. "Okay, the engagement is cancelled."

This was another blow to Benjamin, but he remained silent. Emerson left with Benjamin and Wallace.

After they departed, Denton dismissed his guards. Only the Carter family, David, his daughter, and Gilmore remained. Denton's demeanor softened. "Why are you still standing? Sit down."

They sat. Denton ordered coffee, and once the crisis passed, everyone relaxed.

Later, David and Christine prepared to leave. Denton's parting words, "When you are free, you can come to visit Claire more often," surprised everyone, particularly David and his wife. They wondered if Denton now saw Gilmore as Claire's boyfriend. David was conflicted; he had saved their lives but didn't want Gilmore as his son-in-law.

Denton, however, did see Gilmore as Claire's boyfriend, impressed by his courage and level-headedness in dealing with the Palmers.

Gilmore glanced at Claire, noticing her blushing face and expectant eyes. He had to maintain the pretense of being her boyfriend, replying, "Okay, I will visit you and Claire often."