"They said I'm lucky to have raised such a beautiful and capable daughter," he said.

Benson snorted. "Ha, isn't this ridiculous? If I didn't know better, I'd think they were mocking me!"

"Is that so?" Pauline frowned, a cold light in her eyes. "This is good. As a father, you should be happy."

"Happy? Happy about what?" Benson sat up angrily. "Don't you know what Gwenda is like? Luck? What luck?"

"Hey, calm down. Why are you so angry when we talk about Gwenda?" Pauline resumed her hypocritical mask.

Benson glared at her, taking a deep breath. "It's not that I want to be angry, but that child is truly troublesome."

"Isn't this good? My friends praised Gwenda today. They said she saved the Kinney family's young master, showing great bravery. Mrs. Kinney likes her, too."

Benson snorted. "Ha! As her father, I've never received any respect from her. Why is she a completely different person with the Kinneys? I believe that wicked girl is interested in their power!"

"You can't say that. Maybe she just gets along well with Mrs. Kinney?"

"Enough! Why do you always defend her? You're her stepmother! She's never respected you. Why do you protect her so much?" Benson felt a surge of irritation.

Pauline lowered her head, her eyes reddening. "What else can I do? Hurt her? You know people will gossip if I don't get along with her as a stepmother. Just today, I mentioned your argument with Gwenda at the Reeds', and my friends thought I couldn't stand her Why don't you ever consider my feelings?" She wiped away tears, sobbing.

Benson, realizing his mistake, hugged her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. You've done a good job. Marrying you was a blessing."

"Cut the crap!" Pauline pushed him away, feigning anger.

But Benson held her tighter. "Don't cry. It's my fault. I won't say those things again."

"You better mean it!" Pauline slowly calmed down.

Benson smiled. "Pauline, it's been hard managing this family for so many years. Thank you."

"Don't say that, we've been married for years."

"I had to say it!" Benson wiped away her tears. "Once the company stabilizes, I'll hand it over to Gretchen. Then we can travel the world. What do you think?"

A sharp light flashed in Pauline's eyes—unseen by Benson. She feigned surprise. "You want to hand the company to Gretchen?"

"Yes, I've planned this for a while. The company hasn't been stable, so I waited."

"Then what about Gwenda?" Pauline said cautiously. "After all, her grandfather founded the company. If the Reeds know you're giving everything to Gretchen"

"Heh, KG Entertainment isn't owned by the Reeds anymore; it's Evans. I don't need their permission." Pauline visibly relaxed.

"Are you really giving Gwenda nothing?"

"No! She's an unfilial daughter. Since she's cut ties with us, why would I give her anything?" Benson said angrily.

Pauline was secretly pleased, unusually quiet. "Then plan as you wish. I'm sure Gretchen won't object."

"Don't worry. I'll leave everything to Gretchen. She'll be secure and won't be bullied."

"You're such a kind man, Benson." Leaning into his arms, Pauline's eyes shone, a cold smile playing on her lips. Years of painstaking planning were finally paying off. Soon, everything she desired would be hers!