Chapter 409 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

“You can excuse us,” she told Maya, who gave her a nod before walking away.

Now that they were alone, Priscilla sat forward as she looked from Benne to Harry and then back again, “So, to what do I owe this pleasure?” She asked, looking at them with calculating eyes.

“If you know us as you said, then I’m sure you know why I am here,” Benne said flatly, his eyes hard as he looked at her.

Priscilla looked at both men with a poker face as she tried to figure out the best way to approach the subject.

She knew they were intelligent men, and it would be stupid of her to try to play them for a fool. At the same time, she had to be careful as she didn’t want to overplay her hand since she wasn’t even sure yet if they were friends or foes of Rebekah yet.

Although she doubted that they were friends of Rebekah since the lady wasn’t one to hide her connection with affluent and influential people. If she so much as knew Benedict Delgado personally, she would have bragged about it by now, and his identity would not have remained secret for so long.

Her eyes twitched suspiciously when she remembered that Rebekah had left only a moment ago. Was it possible that she had sent them here to test her? Was this some sort of test?

She mentally shook her head. No. It couldn’t be. Benedict Delgado didn’t seem like the kind of man that would spend his time doing something as unprofitable as testing a person like her.

Perhaps he also had illegal business dealings with Rebekah? Nah. That didn’t make sense. If that were the case, he wouldn’t need to deal with her directly when he could just talk with Rebekah.

If he wasn’t friends with Rebekah, and he wasn’t working with her, then he was here on his own. The only business that connected them was Celestia Miller, so that had to be it.

Having come to that conclusion, she met his gaze confidently, “I know you. But I’m not sure it’s wise to say I know why you are here. But I think you’re here regarding my visit to your office yesterday, to see Miss Celestia Miller, your girlfriend. Am I right or wrong?” she asked, and Benne’s lips twitched in satisfaction.

She wasn’t a stupid woman, and he liked that about her. He had half expected her to act ignorant or try to play games with him, but seeing how she went directly to the point, he was half sure he could work with someone like her.

“Yes, that is why we are here. You see, I love Celsie very much, and I always love to support whatever she chooses to get involved in. Hence I’m here,” Benne said as he watched her, and Priscilla gave him a warm smile.

“That’s so sweet of you,” she said as she watched him, still trying to understand what was happening.

Was that all there was to this meeting? Why did she feel like there was more to Rebekah’s request and Benne’s action? She mused.

“Thanks. As my own way of supporting Celsie’s decision to work with you, I’d love to become one of your top sponsors. What does becoming a sponsor entail?” Benne asked, and surprise flashed in Priscilla’s eyes.

A sponsor? Even though she had been hoping that Benne would say something like this or maybe even offer them some money without wanting to partner with them, somehow she hadn’t really expected it. It was like luck was on her side or something.

Until now, Rebekah had been solely responsible for bringing in sponsors. From the first time they met, she had asked them to leave the financial aspect of the foundation to her. Rebekah brought in the money and sponsors and also had her own people manage the financial records.

All Priscilla was allowed to do as the CEO of the foundation was come up with grande event ideas and communicate with the beneficiaries of the foundation. She wasn’t allowed to ask Rebekah questions. She was only meant to do as she was told.

Whenever she had an idea for the foundation, she would submit the plan along with an estimate of the total sum of money it would cost to Rebekah, and then Rebekah would give her the money she needed to take care of the event, as well as enough money to care for the beneficiaries of the foundation, and at the end of each month, she received her huge salary like the rest of the staff.

She knew that the foundation was a front for Rebekah’s money laundering, but she tried not to care because, at the end of the day, she also got all she wanted—doing good for young ladies who had been abused or sexually traumatized, while also making money.

If Benedict Delgado was offering to be a sponsor, then maybe this was the opportunity she needed to finally get out of Rebekah’s shadow and actually do something really good for herself before Rebekah decided that she wanted to cut her off.

She would hate to go down with Rebekah if or when the time came and all her evil deeds were exposed. It was time for her to set her own path, and maybe Benne could help her achieve that. But first, she would need to earn his trust.

“Miss Peters?” Harry called, snapping his fingers in front of her when it seemed like she had zoned out.

She blinked as she tried to focus on them, “I’m sorry. I was just stunned by your offer,” she said with an apologetic smile.

“Can I see your financial reports? I would love to see exactly how things are being run here so that I can offer as much help as I can,” Benne requested, and he could see all the wheels turning in Priscilla’s head as she watched him.

Could she trust him? Priscilla mused as she watched him. She desperately wanted to trust him since something told her this was the opportunity she had been waiting for.

Throwing all caution to the wind and choosing to try her luck, she leaned forward, “Are you familiar with Rebekah Miller?” She asked, wanting to see if she could trust him.

Benne narrowed his eyes, “Why do you ask?” He asked, wondering what that had to do with his request.

“Because your response is important to me, and it might determine whether or not I need your sponsorship,” Priscilla said, and Benne exchanged a look with Harry, who was seated beside him, before looking at her.

Harry wasn’t saying a word as requested by Benne since they had both agreed that Harry would focus on reading her posture and listening to whatever she wasn’t saying. He was to step in only if he felt Benne was mishandling it. Thus far, Benne was doing fine, so he just sat back while observing Priscilla.

“I’ve never crossed paths with her, but I know who she is. What has she got to do with your accepting my sponsorship?” Benne asked once again.

“Do you know if your girlfriend knows her personally? Or is affiliated to her in any way?” Priscilla asked again, and this time Benne’s curiosity was piqued.

He looked directly into her eyes, trying to decide whether or not to tell her the truth, but seeing the determined look in her eyes; something told him that she had her own agenda. He highly doubted that Rebekah would have wanted her to mention her name in such a conversation.

“She doesn’t. They’ve never crossed paths either,” Benne said and watched as her brows creased as though she was trying to figure out something.

“However…” Benne continued, and she looked at him sharply.

“Her daughter, Anita, used to be in a relationship with me, but she didn’t really take me seriously because she didn’t know who I was. Now that she knows who I am, I suppose she is interested in me again. She also used to be friends with Celsie,” Benne explained, and Priscilla’s eyes narrowed as she finally connected the dots.

She had been right. Rebekah had an ulterior motive for wanting Celestia Miller. She possibly wanted to get rid of Celsie so her daughter would have Benedict Delgado. But how did she hope to achieve that by offering Celsie these benefits? Or perhaps was she thinking of doing that by tearing her away from Benne’s side? Crazy bitch! Priscilla mused in amusement.

Seeing as Benne was being honest with her, even more honest than Rebekah had been, she decided to be honest with him as well, “Ask your girlfriend to turn down the offer,” Priscilla said, and this time Benne looked at Harry, who looked almost as surprised as he was.

“Why? You are the one who offered her the job, why are you asking me to ask her to turn it down?” Benne asked, acting ignorant.

By now, he was curious more than ever before about the relationship between Rebekah and Priscilla. Something seemed off. Why would she so easily want to ruin Rebekah’s plan?

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