"Why didn't you respond, Ben? What happened to you?" Valerie waved her hand a few times in front of Benjamin's eyes, ensuring the young man had fully come to her."Uh..." Benjamin replayed the events from last night, a hint of awkwardness settling in. "I... I was just caught up in my thoughts. No biggie; you don't need to worry about it."Furrows creased Valerie's forehead, betraying her escalating confusion. "Lost in thought? No, Ben, it's more than just being lost in thought. I knocked on your door countless times, eventually resorting to fetching the spare key from storage. I realize it's a breach of your privacy, but I was truly concerned," she explained.Benjamin absentmindedly scratched his non-itchy head, momentarily at a loss for words to respond to Valerie. Eventually, he replied, "You know, when I'm lost in thought, my hearing range narrows down to less than a meter from where I am. It's quite an unusual condition, but I go through it."Benjamin's claim held true; when truly
As Benjamin navigated Valerie's Mercedes C-Class along the winding roads of Regal Hill, Valerie, seated in the co-driver's seat, turned to him and remarked, "You still haven't settled on a daily driver, have you? It must be quite inconvenient to drive a Ferrari for simple tasks like picking up milk at the convenience store. Have you given any thought to getting a daily driver? Just say the word."Benjamin grinned and kept his response brief, "I've got an old sedan that does the job for everyday stuff, so I haven't really thought about getting a new ride."Valerie fixed him with a serious gaze, insisting on more engagement from him. She reiterated, "To be honest, that old sedan is nothing but a clunker—antiquated. Besides, I'm aware that every man harbors a profound fascination with various types of cars; they always have a dream car in mind for the future, just like you."Watching Benjamin's expression remain unchanged, Valerie persisted, "You needn't concern yourself with the price o
"This is unacceptable! Everyone in this office must maintain professionalism, regardless of their position. I won't allow anything to compromise the standards we uphold here!""Hey, Charles, cut it out!" One of the employees intervened, pulling Charles's hand away.Charles, Valerie's secretary, shot a disapproving glance at his friend. With a hint of emotion in his voice, he asked, "Why are you stopping me?"His friend attempted to calm him down, saying, "I believe intervening will only worsen the boss's mood. We're all aware of how difficult it is for her to let someone into her life, but today, she's made significant strides. I don't want us to jeopardize that progress and leave her single forever."Charles snorted in annoyance, then sneered, "What's wrong with being single forever? If the boss prioritizes her career, we should support her by not getting involved with any men. I just have a hunch that the guy she's seeing is using some kind of dark magic to get close to her. It just
Disappointed by the absence of his preferred choices, Benjamin ventured into the cafeteria, his anticipation for a relaxing glass of wine or a refreshing beer quickly dashed as he scanned the shelves to find them conspicuously absent. Undeterred, he resigned himself to the next best option: a cup of steaming black coffee. Pouring the rich brew into a mug, he savored the robust aroma that wafted up to greet him, finding solace in its familiar embrace despite the absence of his usual indulgences.As Benjamin joined other employees in the cafeteria, he noticed a few of them also preparing drinks or completing their breakfast. However, the atmosphere soon shifted, and the room buzzed with whispers akin to the soft hum of a bee's wings as gossip began to circulate among them.With the enhanced hearing he had developed over time, Benjamin could discern every word of their conversation. Yet, he made a conscious decision not to interject, opting instead to offer a faint smile as he listened i
Wenny opted to take a back seat, allowing Livy to take charge and dictate the course of their interaction, much like a novice deferring to the guidance of an elder sister. In this role, she observed and absorbed, content to follow Livy's lead and learn from her actions and decisions, trusting in her mentor's experience to steer them through the social dynamics at play.Stepping closer to Benjamin, Livy boldly extended her hand, venturing to run her fingers lightly across the expanse of his broad chest, the fabric of his executive suite providing a barrier between them."We're planning something really exciting, Ben—something you've probably never tried before. Trust me, it'll be worth it," Livy said, her gaze fixed on Benjamin's firm jaw. "So, what do you say? Will you come with us?"Benjamin's smile remained soft, yet enigmatic, as he chose not to respond verbally. Instead, he subtly shifted his gaze toward the cafeteria door, his attention drawn to Valerie's sudden presence. With a
"I gave you fair warning, so don't blame me for being a bit more forceful!" Valerie pointed a stern finger at the two girls, who lay sprawled before her, whimpering in pain. "Consider this your final warning. Leave this office now before I have security escort you out in a manner you won't appreciate!"Undeterred by the force of Valerie's kick, Livy and Wenny pushed through the pain, their determination unyielding as they crawled closer to Valerie. With gritted teeth and steely resolve, they advanced toward their boss, their movements fueled by a singular focus on confronting the source of their frustration and seeking a resolution to the escalating conflict.Overcome with a mix of anguish and desperation, Livy and Wenny found themselves unable to contain their tears as they prostrated themselves before their formidable boss. It was a humbling and vulnerable display, one that left them feeling exposed and vulnerable. Yet, in their minds, it was the only recourse available to them in
"Benjamin bears the surname Frost. I suspect he may be the elusive eldest son of the legendary Frost family from generations past. If my suspicion holds true, the sins of the Bennet family would be unfathomable..."Antonio's gaze lingered on his father, a mix of concern and confusion clouding his features. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, that the once astute and composed figure before him now seemed shaken and disoriented. The recent loss of $50 million had undoubtedly taken its toll, casting a shadow of doubt over his father's usually sound judgment.Despite his respect for his father's wisdom, Antonio couldn't help but entertain the unsettling notion that the loss had rattled the old man's senses. It was a troubling realization, one that filled him with apprehension as he grappled with the implications of his father's apparent lapse in judgment. In the silence that followed, Antonio couldn't shake the nagging suspicion that their family was on the precipice o
"Tristan immediately instructed me to depart; he uttered no further words. I felt a pang of fear, wondering if something had soured our friendship, causing him to shun conversation with me. Despite my apprehension, I attempted to linger, hoping he would eventually open up. Yet, Tristan remained impassive; he simply turned away, signaling to one of his guards to escort me from his residence," Vincent continued, his voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and confusion.Vincent paused briefly to take a breath, but he didn't realize that his son's face had turned red from pent-up emotions."What in God's name!" Antonio's fists tightened, his voice strained with anger. "Dad, that scoundrel has not only tossed you out but also tarnished your dignity. I couldn't give a damn about his fancy status; if he's dared to disrespect you, I won't pardon him even in the depths of hell! Dad, crumple that blasted letter in your hand and toss it into the trash; let's erase that Tristan from our minds!"I