I Once Married You (Harper and Benjamin)

Chapter 586 Collaboration FailureNôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Harper couldn't come up with an answer as to what his purpose was.

She remained silent, offering no response to Benjamin.

The atmosphere quieted down.

However, not long after, Benjamin's phone rang.

Dorcas was calling him. "Aren't you at the office?" she asked.

"What's up?"

"It's about a collaborative project. I just got news that a real estate company from overseas is planning to invest in Mayby for development. Securing this collaboration could greatly assist our future listing. So, should we consider it?"

Although the Martin Group was a large enterprise, it had yet to go public.

Neither Benjamin nor the Martin family cared about going public. If the Martin Group needed to go public, it would have done so under Paul's management, but it hadn't, and seemingly, no one knew the reason.

After Dorcas finished speaking, Benjamin directly refused, saying, "The Martin Group doesn't need to go public, so whether we secured this collaboration or not didn't matter."

"Benjamin, while the Martin Group may not have needed to go public, shouldn't we have seized this collaboration opportunity? After all, it is like having opportunity right in front of us. If you didn't take it, wouldn't those enterprises eyeing the Martin Group have taken advantage instead? Wouldn't it have raised doubts among the Martin Group's employees and partnering companies?"

Dorcas hoped Benjamin would secure this collaboration. Not only for the benefits the Martin Group could have gained, but also because she saw potential benefits in the extensive international collaboration chain. If the Madison family could have maintained a long-term partnership with Benjamin, they could also have reaped rewards.

However, Benjamin had seen through her intentions.

"Your concern isn't really about how much benefit the Martin Group could have gained, is it? You want to use the Martin Group to elevate the Madison Group, right?"

Harper, who had been silent on the sidelines, glanced at the man, noticing a disdainful smirk. She had realized the caller was Dorcas from his words.

What had surprised her was that Benjamin had never considered taking the Martin Group public. Even though the Martin Group's influence in the business world remained unaffected by its public status, going public seemed to be a standard goal fop any company.

Harper couldn't help but stare at Benjamin, intrigued to know what he had been thinking.

On the phone, Dorcas had continued, "Benjamin, since you've guessed it won't beat around the bush. I do have that intention, but can you honestly say there are no benefits for the Martin Groupin securing this collaboration?

"Sure, the Martin Group may not be significantly affected by whether or not we secure this collaboration, given its current status and

achievements, but can you

guarantee that there won't be any companies catching up later?"

Dorcas had completely given up on any possibility with Benjamin, so now she had been fully focused on her career.

As the only child of the Madison family, she had needed to consider the family's interests and ensure the long-term success of the Madison Group.

Knowing Benjamin disliked manipulation, she had chosen to be straightforward about her thoughts and plans.

But Benjamin had simply responded flatly, "When it comes down to it, you're getting more benefits than I am, Dorcas. Why would I take on the risk of a collaboration failure just to secure this deal?" Dorcas had understood what he had meant.

"Benjamin, if you're willing to secure this collaboration in the name of the Martin Group and let me participate, I'm willing to offer five percent of the Madison group's shares as compensation." "What exactly does offering me shares in the Madison group mean?" he had asked.

Benjamin had remained expressionless.