Daddy, You Got The Wrong Mommy

Chapter 178: Claiming a Title for Myself

"No, I just arrived early."

Benjamin Harper gives a warm smile, "What do you want to eat? Feel free to order anything."

Elara Don sits across from him, her face apologetic, "Let me treat you this time! If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been punched for no reason."

His lip is still split, with visible bruises on his face.

She knows how important an artist’s face is.

Damon Hawke really has issues; how could he hit someone without distinguishing right from wrong?

"It’s fine, Damon probably misunderstood."

Benjamin takes a sip of water and looks at Elara, who is ordering food, "Miss Thorne, Damon is your boss; does he like you?"

The moment she hears this, Elara’s hand pauses while flipping the menu.

"No, the person he truly likes is Miss Grant. Don’t you think I look a bit like Miss Grant, Mr. Ford? He pays attention to me only because I resemble her."

Is that really the case?

Benjamin looks at Elara thoughtfully.

He hadn’t noticed before, but now that she mentions it, there’s indeed a resemblance between the two.

Is that why she seemed familiar to him?

"Alright, I’ve ordered these dishes; Mr. Harper, why don’t you pick a few more?"

Elara changes the topic, handing the menu to Benjamin.

"Miss Thorne, you don’t need to call me ’Mr. Harper’ all the time; it makes me feel ancient. Just call me Benjamin."

Benjamin laughs, taking the menu.

"Alright, then you shouldn’t call me ’Miss Thorne’ all the time either; just call me Elly."

Elara doesn’t hold back, gazing at Benjamin’s handsome face, her almond eyes blinking, "Benjamin, you don’t mind taking a photo together, do you?"

This is a hotshot celebrity; she’s going to show off in front of Kiki afterward.

"No problem at all, how would you like to pose?"

Benjamin chuckles, looking nonchalant.

"Then I’ll come over, and we’ll take a selfie."

Elara gets excited, standing up and sitting next to Benjamin.

Benjamin tidies his hair, faces the camera, and casually puts his arm around Elara, making a victory gesture.

Elara looks at herself in the photo, her face appearing larger because of the proximity to the camera, and she’s displeased.

"Ugh, why does my face look bigger than yours?"

"It can’t be, maybe it’s just the angle? Let’s take another one."

"Haha, Benjamin, your personality is really great, no pretense at all."

"..."

Meanwhile, Damon Hawke and Evelyn Miles are being led by a waiter to their reserved room.

The dishes at Imperial Garden are very expensive and are membership-based, so the patrons are generally wealthy.

Thus, the overall decoration at Imperial Garden is quite tasteful.

Even if they aren’t in private rooms, they use screens to divide spaces.

This largely protects the privacy of diners.

And so, you often see various celebrities and political figures here.

Stepping into the restaurant, Evelyn follows what she had agreed with Benjamin, and at a glance she sees the two sitting by the window.

At this moment, they are very close, taking selfies.

Evelyn’s eyes flash with feigned surprise, "Oh, Tom, I think I see my brother. Should we go over and say hi?"

Hearing this, Damon follows Evelyn’s gaze and, upon seeing Elara with Benjamin cozily sitting together, his demeanor suddenly turns cold.

What is Elara doing?

Sitting so close, talking and laughing, could they be on a date!

Rising anger fills Damon’s chest, casting a frightening shadow over his handsome features.

He moves his feet, wanting to go up and question them.

But recalling something, he stops in his tracks.

Then he turns around and leaves.

Evelyn is taken aback and quickly chases after him.

"Tom, what’s wrong? Aren’t we having dinner?"

"Samantha, I have some matters to attend to; let’s reschedule."

He had planned to have a good talk with Evelyn today.

But how could he be in the mood for anything else right now?

He only wants to show up as Elara’s boyfriend and assert his role.

Watching the man leave the restaurant and get into the car, Evelyn smiles triumphantly.

She could tell he was very angry just now, close to a fit of rage.

It seems he’s utterly repulsed by Elara now!

Inside the restaurant, Elara is unaware that Damon was there a moment ago.

She’s back at her seat and starts eating.

The dishes here are quite delicious, and Elara chats casually with Benjamin.

Though Benjamin isn’t much of a talker, he answers every question, sharing industry tidbits that Elara listens to avidly.

"Benjamin, you guys have it tough being celebrities; on the surface, it looks glamorous, but the hardships and setbacks you face are far more than the public sees."

"Certainly, once I was filming a period drama and had to hang on wires. Due to staff error, I fell straight down from three meters high. Luckily, there was a thin protective mat beneath, but even then, my leg was fractured."

Benjamin chuckles lightly, speaking in an even tone.

Elara imagines the scene, full of awe, "Benjamin, you’ve had it so rough."

"It’s unavoidable; in work, you encounter all sorts of issues."

"Benjamin, you have such a great personality."

"Do I? Elly, you have a great personality too."

"Benjamin, are we just giving each other compliments here?"

"..."

The two laugh together, each sporting a knowing smile.

Transforming into Thomas King, Damon strides over and immediately spots the duo’s lively conversation. His demeanor turns colder and colder.

He steadies himself and strides to their table, sitting next to Elara and wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Elly, what a coincidence, having a meal here with a friend?"

Elara is caught off guard, turning her head to look. Seeing the human mask on Damon’s face, her eyes flash.

Ha!

In broad daylight, how strange for someone to show up as Thomas King?

"What are you doing here?"

Elara asks coolly, reaching to remove his hand.

Resisting, Damon holds her, smiling, "Came for a meal, didn’t expect to see you. Elly, we haven’t seen each other in a while; don’t you miss me?"

He senses some indifference from Elara toward him.

Why?

Is it because of Benjamin?

Could she really fancy another man?

"Thomas King, sit properly and speak decently."

Elara, seeing the man nearly sticking to her, frowns and says.

"Okay, I’ll listen to my girlfriend."

Thomas sits up straight, emphasizing the word "girlfriend."

His gaze falls on Benjamin across the table, and unsurprisingly, he sees shock in his eyes.

Indeed, Benjamin is very surprised, especially hearing Damon’s ’listening to my girlfriend.’

Could this man be Elara’s boyfriend?

"Elly, who is this?" Benjamin asks.