I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 127

Outside the hotel's banquet hall, Alexander finished his call and handed the phone back to Aaron Lee.

Tonight was Jackson Ward's birthday gala. He had planned to present his gift and leave, but Jackson had cornered him to discuss his personal life. The Ramirez and Ward families were old friends, but Jackson was unaware of Alexander’s marriage. He had been in the ICU for nearly a year when Alexander and Natalie had wed.

Assuming Alexander was single like his grandson, Bruce, Jackson was eager to play matchmaker. There were plenty of eligible socialites present, and Jackson had even suggested his own granddaughter, Isabella Ward, as a candidate if none of the others caught his eye. Having known Alexander since he was a child, Jackson felt a certain responsibility.

Alexander couldn't be rude, so he deflected by pushing Bruce into the spotlight, insisting his grandson choose first. He had finally managed to escape, but being without a date was proving to be a hassle.

His thoughts drifted to Natalie. And with that, the image of her and Samuel Thompson entering her apartment building together flashed in his mind. He knew she probably wouldn't answer a call from his number, so he had used Aaron's.

The meeting was set for seven-thirty. With ten minutes to spare, Alexander took out a cigarette and toyed with it in his fingers.

Meanwhile, Natalie saw the shadow looming at her feet, and a chill ran down her spine. The parking lot was deserted and silent. Clutching her purse tighter, she forced herself to walk even faster.

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through her scalp as her head was yanked back violently. An ugly face, inverted from her perspective, loomed over her.

"Where do you think you're going? Come play with me, I promise you'll enjoy it..."

The man's voice was hoarse and grating. He tightened his grip on her hair, dragging her toward the darker recesses of the parking garage.

Natalie cried out, swinging her purse wildly at him. The man seemed unfazed. As he pulled her deeper into the shadows, Natalie drew a breath and screamed, "Help—"

In a flash, the man beside her crumpled to the ground as if he'd been kicked.

Natalie spun around. In the dim light, she was shocked to see Benjamin White! He stepped forward and landed two more kicks on the man writhing on the ground.

"Get lost, you bastard!" he snarled.

Natalie stood frozen in disbelief. She never expected to see Benjamin White here.

The attacker clutched his stomach, groaning in pain, completely unable to fight back. Fearing Benjamin might seriously injure the man and get himself into legal trouble—after all, he had just saved her—Natalie grabbed his arm.

Her words made it clear she needed to leave.

Benjamin waved a hand dismissively. "It was nothing. Scum like that are a menace to society; it was my duty to intervene. However..."

He paused deliberately, letting the word hang in the air.

Seeing his hesitation, Natalie said, "If you have something to say, Mr. White, please speak freely."

Benjamin took two steps forward, closing the distance between them to an uncomfortable degree. "Ms. Watson, if you truly want to thank me, you don't need to come to The White Group. All you have to do is convince Alexander Ramirez to reinvest in my family's company. That would be thanks enough."

Natalie was stunned. She knew The Ramirez Group had been investing in The White Group for years. Although it wasn't a particularly valuable investment, she understood it was a gesture for Camila White's sake. Alexander would never let the Whites' company go bankrupt.

When had he withdrawn his investment? And even if he hadn't, her influence was nothing compared to Camila's. Benjamin was asking the wrong person entirely.

"I'm afraid I can't help you with that, Mr. White," Natalie said with a faint smile. "My relationship with Mr. Ramirez is purely professional. You're overestimating my influence."