The young lady’s temper flared, and she gave a cold smile: “Edward Benson, do you really think that by doing this, you can win so-called self-respect in front of me? Honestly, you’re too naive. That’s exactly why the one going to the Yin-Yang Academy is Henry Benson, not you.”

After speaking, Yvonne Taylor gently shook her head, her smile tinged with a faint sense of reserve and pride.

“All right. Our status and positions are different by birth, as they say, dragons do not dwell with snakes. You’d best take care of yourself!”

Indeed, Yvonne Taylor came from the Tian family, one of the six pillar families of Qingluo Kingdom, on par with the Qin family. But Yvonne Taylor was not an illegitimate child.

Though a daughter, she was of the direct bloodline, enjoying the highest level of treatment in the Tian family.

She and Edward Benson truly were not equals in birth. Any slight fondness she had for Edward Benson before was only because he passed the Yin-Yang Academy’s assessment.

It wasn’t deep affection at all; in the end, he was just a stepping stone for her.

Now, even that use was gone. Edward Benson had lost his value, and his status as an illegitimate child made Yvonne Taylor feel that even speaking a few more words to him would lower her own standing.

Yvonne Taylor took a few steps, as if remembering something: “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. Later, in front of Henry Benson, you’d better watch yourself and not do anything ridiculous. I’ve already made a pact with Henry Benson for the Yin-Yang Academy. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea.”

Such a pact wasn’t necessarily a betrothal, but it was close to it. The purpose, of course, was to look out for each other after entering the Yin-Yang Academy.

Edward Benson gave a carefree smile: “Is that so? Then I wish you two lovebirds (shameless couple) a happy ending.”

With that, Edward Benson glanced with a half-smile at the nearby Yunqi Hall. That hall was where the Qin family received guests.

At the entrance of Yunqi Hall, quite a few people had gathered. They were all young men and women, likely of the same generation, and all children of the powerful families of Qingluo Kingdom.

Today, they had all been invited to attend Henry Benson’s grand celebration.

These people were clearly here to watch Edward Benson make a fool of himself, hoping for a ridiculous spectacle.

Unfortunately, Edward Benson’s reaction and demeanor were completely unexpected. The melodramatic scene they’d anticipated never happened at all.

“What a pity, what a pity!”

“So boring, really boring!”

“Who would’ve thought, even Yvonne Taylor, the heartbreaker, has times when her charm doesn’t work.”

“Maybe it’s not that it didn’t work? Maybe Edward Benson is just pretending. I bet he’ll go back to his room and cry his eyes out later.”

“Forget it, without a spot at the Yin-Yang Academy, Edward Benson isn’t worth our attention anymore.”

“Too bad, we missed out on a juicy drama.”

……

It wasn’t long before all the Qin family’s guests had arrived.

The so-called grand celebration was basically eating and drinking from noon till night, with a few events interspersed.

Like gift-giving, announcing the heir, giving thank-you speeches, and so on.

Edward Benson had no interest at all, but under Grace Benson’s strong insistence, he reluctantly attended and sat beside Grace Benson.

He watched coldly as Henry Benson sat at the head seat, full of spirit. On either side were family elders or honored guests from his mother’s side—this was truly the first peak of his life.

In contrast, Edward Benson sat alone. Aside from Grace Benson occasionally whispering a few words to him, no one paid him any attention.

The contrast on both sides was stark.

Because of this, no one cared how Henry Benson got his spot at the Yin-Yang Academy.

In this situation, Henry Benson’s entry into the Yin-Yang Academy seemed to be what everyone expected, as if it was only natural.

Edward Benson, however, was calm as still water. Everything before his eyes seemed like fleeting clouds, drifting further and further away from him.

Chapter 0010: The Forceful Edward Benson

“The family head is here!”

Amid the noisy crowd, a deep, powerful voice rang out, instantly silencing everything. All the clamor vanished, and the whole world seemed to greet the Qin family head’s arrival in the most solemn and quiet way.

Edward Benson narrowed his eyes slightly, sizing up the man who walked out.

The man was tall and imposing, with a dignified presence, a bit of stubble, and the mature air befitting his age.

He was none other than the current head of the Qin family, John Benson.

This was the first time Edward Benson had seen this so-called “biological father,” but he felt not the slightest sense of kinship.

It was Grace Benson at his side who couldn’t help but stand up, her eyes full of deep respect.

The other Qin family members were no exception. All the guests stood up as well.

This made Edward Benson, who remained seated, stand out even more.

Everyone’s gaze, tinged with a strange meaning, turned toward Edward Benson. Many people gloated, thinking, This kid really can’t hold it in—he’s challenging the family head’s authority!

John Benson’s gaze was sharp and cold as it landed on Edward Benson.

“Edward Benson, how dare you be so disrespectful in front of the family head! What punishment do you deserve?” Elder Shan slammed the table and stood up.

Grace Benson kept tugging at Edward Benson, her heart filled with anxiety. She never imagined her brother would choose this moment to protest in such a way!

Edward Benson’s expression was calm. Only then did he rise slowly, cupping his hands in salute: “Qin family head, it’s been a long time.”

Qin family head? It’s been a long time?