"Benjamin, can you move even slower? I mean, it's not like we're having dinner or anything. I'd rather watch the paint dry than wait for you to put the plates on the table!"
As his mother-in-law said this, Benjamin looked at the clock on the wall. It was 19:00."Mom, we've got a whole hour before Diane gets back. I promise dinner will be good to go by then," Benjamin replied.Frank reacted, "Linda, my dear wife, where exactly did you find this completely worthless son-in-law? We just asked for a simple dinner, and he managed to turn it into a never-ending ordeal that lasted for over an hour!"Linda responded to her husband in annoyance, "Why are you throwing that question my way? Diane is the one who married this guy, you should be grilling her."Benjamin continued cooking, not feeling the need to listen to all the ramblings.For five years, he had been trained to face this every day. He was already used to it.Not long after, the door opened, and Diane walked in with a tired face.However, unlike the usual days, Diane came in with a man of tall stature.Despite feeling confused, Benjamin tried to brush off the man. He turned to his wife, gave her a smile, and warmly greeted her, "Hi, Honey. You came home earlier than usual, is there something going on? And, who's this guy you brought with you?"Without further ado, Diane walked quickly to him and placed a piece of paper on the table."Please sign our divorce papers," Diane said coldly. "Tonight, when we should be celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary, I think it's the right time for me to feel that I've paid my all of debts to your father. We should divorce now."Benjamin gazed at Diane's expressionless face, his own reflecting a mix of regret, disbelief, and confusion.He asked, "My dear wife, have I done something wrong that you can't forgive?"Diane shook her head, and replied, "You have done nothing wrong.""Then why are you divorcing me?"Diane explained firmly, "Look, I married you because Mr. Frost saved my life in a robbery. I promised to make your life better. But after five years, I figure my debt's settled."Diane pulled a thick envelope from her bag and continued, "Sign the divorce papers, and you'll find 10 million dollars in this envelope."Benjamin stood his ground, unyielding. "So, does that mean you never loved me?"Diane chuckled, "I hold a high position as a director in the Leuwis Group, while you, you're just a street beggar I happened to meet. We're from different worlds. How could you expect me to love someone like you?"Getting that answer, Benjamin could only smile and replied, "I will sign the papers, but I will not accept any money from you."He took the pen that he used to write household matters and then signed the divorce papers quickly.Diane was a bit surprised. She expected Benjamin to break down and plead with her, maybe even try to stop the divorce, but the opposite occurred.She never expected that Benjamin would feel so light to sign their divorce papers.In her mind, she was thinking, "I wonder if Benjamin's got some other scheme up his sleeve for this divorce?"However, Diane didn't want to delve deeper. As long as Benjamin signed those divorce papers, whatever he had in his mind next, everything would still be fine for her.Diane carefully verified the accuracy of Benjamin's signature before putting the document into a folder neatly."Diane, may I ask you something?"Before Diane could answer, Linda had already snapped at Benjamin, "How embarrassing! Have you completely run out of what's left of your pride? Our daughter divorced you ages ago, so the least you can do is pack up and leave our house right now!"Diane, however, had other thoughts. She nodded and said, "Your attitude is utterly repulsive, but I'll throw you a bone. Before you grab your stuff and scram, I'll give you a chance."Benjamin immediately asked, "Have you found someone else?"Diane did not answer right away, but in the end, she nodded. "Yes, I have found him. He is the one who came with me just now. Honey, come and introduce yourself to this loser."The man who had been waiting behind Diane finally walked forward. All of a sudden, he grabbed the girl's waist and hugged her very tightly.Benjamin's face was still flat, but a huge fire of anger was already ignited in his heart.He had never laid a finger on Diane during their marriage, but this strange man was audaciously putting his hands on her waist!The man said in a sarcastic tone, "Well, hello there, loser. I'm Nathan Grave, the eldest son of the second-biggest family in Regal Hill. In case you're clueless, I run the show at Dominic Inc., the parent company. Rumor has it, I'm the second richest guy in the city."Diane smiled softly and contemptuously, "He's a thousand times more useful and charismatic than you. We're getting married in a week. And tonight, we will take the time to have some fun."Benjamin clenched his fists tightly. Spending time together tonight—wasn't that just a subtle way of saying they were going to have sex?!He growled, "You do realize you've cheated on me, right?""Cheating on me?" Diane smiled widely. "What does cheating feel like?"Nathan seized the opportunity to passionately kiss Diane on the lips right in front of her husband. She didn't resist; instead, she kissed Nathan back even more fiercely.Benjamin was stunned. His eyes did not blink at all. His body shook violently with overwhelming anger.After five years of suffering in married life, he had never received such a kiss. Never!The kiss lasted for a minute, before Diane took the initiative to end it. She then looked at Benjamin with a smile full of satisfaction."If I did have an affair, what could you do?" she said. "Nathan holds a lot of sway in Regal Hill. If you dare to act out against us, he can easily crush you to the bone."That statement hit Benjamin like a thunderbolt. He was silent for a while before letting out a long breath."Yes, you're right. What can I do? A less-than-ideal son-in-law and husband like me can't do much besides cooking, cleaning, and shopping. If you're cheating on me, it's only natural. Why am I even bothering to ask?"Benjamin smiled with a hint of sadness. "Alright, then, goodbye, Diane. And, if you don't mind, just burn all my stuff in this house. I won't be taking anything with me."Benjamin turned off all the stoves, washed his hands in the sink, and walked out of the house.Seeing Benjamin leave without saying goodbye, Linda became very angry. "Insolent son-in-law! Disappearing without even bothering to say goodbye to us? Unbelievable. That kid hasn't even finished his cooking!"Diane did not care whether Benjamin left with a goodbye or not, for sure, he left without the envelope containing 10,000,000 dollars."I'll go after him, Mom." Diane grabbed the envelope before running out of the house.Luckily, Benjamin was right on the verge of opening the gate, so Diane didn't have to chase after him for too long."Benjamin," she called out. "You forgot to bring your envelope."Benjamin turned around and grinned, saying, "Didn't I tell you, Miss Leuwis, that I won't be taking any money from you?"When she saw the genuine smile on Benjamin's face, for some reason Diane suddenly felt an attack of guilt that made her tongue tremble.Like any typical married couple, this wedding anniversary should've been something special—exchanging flowers, and enjoying a romantic dinner. Instead, Diane hands Benjamin divorce papers and throws in a scene of infidelity.Does Benjamin really deserve this?Diane shook her head violently to dispel all doubts. She felt that she had made the right decision by divorcing a useless husband like him."Benjamin, please accept my money. I promised Mr. Frost to make your life better, no matter what. After we split up, at least you can buy a small house and not end up on the streets," Diane said in a softer tone—she had never spoken to him like that."You don't have to worry about me. I'm pretty sure my life is on the right track. That money would be more useful to you. I mean, you're getting married soon, aren't you? A grand celebration requires a decent budget too."That being said, Benjamin turned around and walked away.He let his body be swallowed by the darkness, disappearing from Diane's sight.Meanwhile, Diane felt too weak to stand any longer. She leaned against the wall and grabbed her own hair."Why... why does it feel like I've lost something so precious?"***After walking for a while, Benjamin stopped and sat on a park bench. Staring at the dimly lit lamp in front of him, Benjamin muttered, "It's time for me to inherit the family heirloom ring along with all your enemies, Dad. I can't keep running and hiding, letting your grudges fester. Now, Benjamin promises not to disappoint you."Benjamin then looked at the gold ring on his ring finger. The ring was the only relic left by his father in his escape from the pursuit of the bloodthirsty underground mafia.Benjamin then took a razor blade from his pocket."I won't stop until all your enemies fall, Father. Take my oath."While saying so, Benjamin sliced his ring finger without any hesitation.As blood flowed through the heirloom ring, it suddenly emitted an extremely bright golden light.Benjamin's eyes closed as his entire body shook violently. Although he had prepared himself to deal with any sensation caused by the activation of the heirloom ring, he never expected that the sensation would be this intense.For a minute, Benjamin assumed the lotus position and regulated his breathing.Feeling more in control of his body and mind, Benjamin opened his eyes again, now with a golden glow much different from before."I've got everything," Benjamin muttered. "Alchemy, medical skills, martial arts, pattern recognition, mathematical analysis, and more! The abilities in this world keep growing endlessly inside my body!"Suddenly, a black SUV screeched to a halt about ten meters away from Benjamin's spot. Several people in black suits hurriedly got out.The strongest among them stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and exclaimed, "Young Master, you're back!"Benjamin nodded in acknowledgment. "Lebron, it's great to see you again after all these years. Your loyalty still means the world to me."The burly man hunched his back even more, tears that were never seen running down the rough surface of his cheeks."Young Master Frost, I could never betray you. Even if you asked me to wait for a thousand years, I'd do it willingly," Lebron vowed.Benjamin inquired, "And what about the others?""Just like me, Young Master. They are still loyal."Benjamin nodded his head, then immediately gave the order, "If everyone is still loyal, take me to the Frost Mansion in this city."Lebron felt a bit puzzled as Benjamin bypassed the larger and more luxurious mansion in Aristo Heights, inherited from his father. However, as an obedient personal bodyguard, he didn't dare question his young master. "Yes, Young Master Frost. I'll escort you to the branch mansion in Regal Hill. Please follow me."A luxurious limousine pulled up behind Lebron's black SUV. Severa
Benjamin arrived at WellCare Hospital on time in a cheap sedan car owned by one of his attendants.After getting the room number occupied by Mr. Morgan, Benjamin took his suitcase of medical equipment and went straight there.Opening the room door, Benjamin was immediately greeted by Valerie."Benjamin, you finally came."Looking Valerie up and down, Benjamin was stunned.Just like what the people said, Valerie's beauty already beat the angels in the ninth heaven.The girl's skin was as white as milk and as smooth as porcelain. Even mosquitoes would slip if they tried to land on her skin.Her curves were exquisite, like an ancient flower vase molded by a master.Her fingers were slender, long, and supple. Her eyes were ethereal and menacing at the same time. And, her lips would make anyone curious to taste them."Ben?""Oh."Valerie's call managed to wake Benjamin up from his reverie."I can totally help your grandpa get better," Benjamin said, holding up his suitcase. "But first, I g
"You!" James Glenn clenched his teeth until they chattered. "Aren't you afraid of my threats?"Benjamin shrugged, saying, "Honestly, not at all. You're just spouting nonsense, so how could I be afraid? Unless, of course, you can summon a bouncer to throw me out of here."James looked at Benjamin hatefully, but he realized that even with the entire network at his disposal, it was still not enough to allow him to beat Benjamin up in this hospital.James hadn't really saved many important people in Regal Hill and made them indebted to him. He mostly did routine medical check-ups and got paid.Moreover, he didn't possess any miraculous abilities that could save someone from a critical condition.Even as the best doctor in Regal Hill, James Glenn was not well respected by the important people here. Only the lowlifes believed in all his nonsense."Young stranger, you're such a bastard!"When she heard those words from James Glenn's mouth, Valerie's face turned ugly."Sorry, Dr. Glenn, this
Outside the patient room, Valerie chimed in, "Ben, I never got the opportunity to say thank-"Before Valerie could finish her sentence, Benjamin already interrupted, "There is something more important than a thanks word, Valerie."The girl cleared her throat a few times and promptly inquired, "Alright, expressing my thanks is a bit too straightforward. Is there anything else you're looking for or need?""You've got it wrong," Benjamin shook his head. "I've got something more important things to share with you. Your grandfather's condition hasn't fully turned around. Currently, I can only offer initial support. He'll hang on for at least five days, but I'm skeptical about it lasting any longer," Benjamin conveyed.Valerie's face paled. All the joy she had just experienced seemed to evaporate into thin air."Benjamin, I'm begging you, please, extend my grandfather's time!" Valerie sank back, her shoulders trembling as she began to sob. "Five days is too short. Give us at least two weeks
"Me?" Benjamin's face twisted into a cynical expression. "Why point fingers at me? You didn't have some history with your manager here? Weren't you intentionally aiming for his face when the chance came knocking?"James could not stand the insult, so he unceremoniously threw another punch towards Benjamin's face."You fool, never seem to learn from your mistakes!" Benjamin snorted as he adjusted Victor's body once more."Hey, hey, stupid James! Stop your- "BAM!Another fist landed on Victor's face. The bridge of his nose was instantly broken and blood gushed out like a faucet.Victor spits fresh blood from his mouth. Now he was staring at James with rage."You moron! Are you looking for payback?!" Victor roared. "If that's what you want, let's take this outside and settle it like men!"James' hands trembled once more. "Mr. Kane, I swear I didn't mean to! It was this jerk who forced me to hit you in the face."Victor then shifted his gaze towards Benjamin, and instantly he felt a bit
Benjamin said something else, "What if I help you with the cooking?""You cook?" Valerie shook her head in concern. "You're my guest here; I can't trouble you to prepare your own food."Benjamin laughed. "No problem. I've been accustomed to cooking for myself everydays for five years. It would feel very strange if I break out of my old habits."Valerie let out a long sigh as she looked at Benjamin with sympathy. "Ben, you've been through a tough time with your ex-wife. Well, in that case, I'll let you handle the cooking."Heading to the kitchen, Benjamin didn't imply that he had developed an addiction to cooking. He simply wanted to see if Valerie could cook for him, in reality.Benjamin also planned to intentionally make some mistakes during the cooking. He wanted to see if Valerie could correct him properly or not.Currently, he was chopping the onions without cutting the roots."Hey, Ben, what are you doing?" Valerie hurriedly stepped in. "You should remove the roots first before c
This kind of news is very unrealistic.Valerie chuckled, remarking, "Charles, it's a bit late for a joke. We're knee-deep in financial trouble; who'd be throwing contract offers our way? I'm not buying into 20 million dollars, not even 10 million.""But, I'm dead serious!" Charles interjected in a hurried tone. "You won't believe it until you see it in the company email. Please, hurry!"As Charles continued to insist, Valerie felt that something was off.She shifted to a more serious tone in her response, "Fine, I'll check the company email right now. But if this turns out to be some kind of game, I won't be cutting you any slack." Turning off the phone, Valerie promptly opened the company email inbox on her cell phone.Examining an attached document from a company named "Platinum Estate," her hands and entire body started trembling uncontrollably."What the hell... is this really 20 million dollars?!"Her hands kept trembling until Valerie inadvertently dropped her phone, yet she se
In the afternoon of the next day, Valerie knocked on Benjamin's bedroom door repeatedly, calling his name."Ben, are you in there?"Benjamin hurriedly informed Joshua over the phone, "Valerie's calling, gotta run. You remember everything I told you earlier, right?"On the other end, Joshua nodded. "Absolutely, Young Master. I've got it all in mind.""Good, I'm counting on you. See you at the restaurant in a bit, Josh!""See you, Young Master."Hanging up the phone, Benjamin got up and immediately opened the door to the room.An angel stood right in front of him with a radiant smile. Benjamin felt numbed by that beauty."Ben, I want you to try on some of these clothes for our event tonight. Not sure if they'll fit, though."Saying that, Valerie handed him a casual suit, chinos, and a white shirt. Benjamin was a bit surprised. "Where'd you get these? Did all these clothes come from your ex?"Valerie shook her head and promptly replied, "Nope, for your information, I never had a boyfrien
Benjamin remained silent, unmoved to say a single word to Sienna, who was gazing at him with hopeful eyes. The odd look Benjamin gave her made Sienna freeze, unable to hide her confusion behind her gaze.Suddenly, Lebron appeared behind Ariana, bursting into laughter upon hearing Sienna's words. Lebron’s laughter filled the room, indicating that he was entertained by Sienna’s remarks. However, his laughter quickly turned into an expression of disgust as he looked at Sienna with disbelief."Ugh, you... rude and disrespectful, and even worse, you're overconfident," said Lebron with a tone full of disgust. His piercing gaze reflected his disapproval of Sienna’s attitude, which he found both disrespectful and overly confident.Lebron, with undeniable doubt, questioned Sienna's ability to lead the company. To him, Sienna’s experience as an idol was insufficient to prove that she had the necessary qualifications in the business world. Lebron dismissed Sienna’s profession as an idol, deeming
Sharp-eyed Jack's gaze pierced towards Sienna, his eyes betraying the complex swirl of emotions in his heart. A sharp pang of jealousy and disappointment churned within him, their intensity threatening to breach the calm facade he struggled to maintain. Despite his efforts to appear composed, the tumultuous waves of emotion inside him were difficult to conceal.His gaze lingered on Sienna, grappling with conflicting feelings—prickling jealousy at her unwitting praise of Benjamin, disappointment in himself for feeling this way, and a deep-seated concern for their mission's integrity. Jack's jaw clenched slightly, his knuckles whitening as he fought to regain control over his turbulent emotions.A flicker of vulnerability flashed across Jack's features before he steadied himself, forcing a neutral expression. He took a deliberate breath, trying to channel his focus back to the task at hand despite the emotional storm raging within him.Jack took a deep breath, his chest rising and falli
Seinna stood frozen, her gaze locked onto Benjamin's face from an unexpectedly close distance. Her hazel eyes, still wide with the remnants of surprise and relief, now scrutinized his features with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.Benjamin's face, though not conventionally handsome in the classical sense, exuded a commanding presence that seized Seinna's attention. His square jawline conveyed determination, while his piercing eyes held a depth that hinted at a complex inner world. His brows, furrowed slightly in concern, added a hint of intensity to his otherwise composed demeanor.What struck Seinna most was Benjamin's charisma—an intangible quality that radiated from him effortlessly. It was in the confident set of his shoulders, the firm yet gentle grip of his hand that had steadied her moments ago, and the unwavering focus in his gaze. There was something magnetic about him, a magnetism that transcended mere physical appearance and drew her in.As she stood there, caught in th
The executives broke down completely, their cries filling the room with an overwhelming wave of despair and anguish. Each tear seemed to carry the weight of their vivid imaginations, conjuring images of harsh landscapes, relentless tasks, and isolation that stretched into eternity. The thought of facing such trials in the remote wilderness gripped them with a visceral fear, their minds racing with the uncertainties and hardships that lay ahead.Meanwhile, Benjamin remained stoic and unyielding, his expression a mask of unflinching resolve. His gaze bore into the executives with a steely intensity, devoid of any hint of mercy or compassion. They had stained his company with their actions, and now faced the full weight of his judgment.The room seemed to shrink under the weight of Benjamin's unwavering stare, the air thick with tension and the palpable sense of impending consequences. Each second stretched, the silence punctuated only by the faint echoes of the executives' despairing so
In the tense hush that gripped the room, Mr. Chen maintained a steadfast silence, his lips pressed together in a resolute refusal to speak. Benjamin's patience wore thin with each passing moment, the atmosphere in the room heavy with unspoken tension and the weight of unresolved issues. Every second felt fragile, like delicate tissue paper under the pressure of unanswered questions and the gravity of the situation at hand.Turning towards Lebron, Benjamin's gaze held a silent plea for resolution. His eyes, usually steady and composed, now betrayed a hint of urgency and determination. In that shared glance, there was an unspoken understanding—an acknowledgment of the need to navigate the complexities before them with clarity and decisiveness.Lebron, attuned to Benjamin's unspoken signals, stepped forward with quiet determination. His presence filled the room, a calming yet assertive force amid the mounting tension.With a nod in response to Benjamin's signal, Lebron confidently withd
Benjamin's sharp stare fixed on Lebron, conveying a silent yet commanding message through his eyes. It was a wordless directive, a signal for the young man standing before him to step aside and allow Benjamin to take charge of the unfolding situation.Lebron quickly understood Benjamin's message conveyed through his eyes. Without hesitation, Lebron stepped forward, approaching Mr. Chen who still knelt in front of Benjamin.With a decisive motion, Lebron forcefully grabbed Mr. Chen's arm, pulling him away from Benjamin's feet. Though Mr. Chen's body struggled to remain rigid, for Lebron, the action posed no difficulty. With controlled strength, Lebron managed to release Mr. Chen's grip and guided him back to his original position.Other company executives witnessing the scene were frozen in fear. The electric sensation emanating from Lebron's actions kept them rooted in place, their faces pale with unspoken dread. The room became tense and filled with unease, creating a palpably charge
In front of the heavy, imposing room door, Lebron's serious countenance remained unchanged as he methodically turned the handle, revealing no hint of emotion. His actions spoke of a deep-seated resolve and a meticulous approach to the impending confrontation within. Benjamin, positioned just behind Lebron, mirrored his colleague's stoic demeanor, his face a study of calm determination as he prepared himself mentally for what lay ahead. The silence that enveloped them seemed to amplify the significance of the moment, each second stretching out as they stood poised on the threshold of a critical juncture in the fate of Treasure Village.Lebron, his hand reaching eagerly for the door handle, conveyed a sense of anticipation that reverberated in the charged atmosphere around them. With a determined grip, he attempted to turn the handle, only to find it frustratingly unyielding—the door remained firmly locked, thwarting their immediate entry. This unexpected obstacle momentarily halted the
Upon arriving, Benjamin's eyes quickly caught sight of Lebron standing at the entrance, his figure silhouetted against the fading light of dusk. He parked his car with a sense of urgency and purpose, the engine's hum fading into the background as he stepped out onto the pavement. Lebron, ever watchful, turned towards Benjamin as he approached, a faint expression of concern mixed with readiness marking his features.Lebron stood with a vigilant demeanor, his gaze unwavering as Benjamin approached. His brow was slightly furrowed, betraying a mix of concern and readiness for whatever awaited them. Dressed in a crisp, dark suit that accentuated his stature, Lebron exuded a sense of professionalism and preparedness. His attire was immaculate, complemented by a subtle hint of a tie peeking from beneath his jacket, suggesting attention to detail and readiness for the occasion.As Benjamin drew nearer, Lebron's expression softened marginally, a gesture of acknowledgment tinged with the weigh
Without a moment's hesitation, Benjamin swiftly retrieved his phone once more, his fingers moving with purposeful speed. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he navigated through his contacts, meticulously scrolling until he found Lebron's name. With a sense of urgency weighing heavily on his mind, he composed a message, carefully choosing each word to convey the importance of the impending conversation. Finally satisfied with his words, Benjamin pressed send, dispatching the message into the digital ether, knowing that the next steps would be crucial in unraveling the mysteries surrounding Treasure Village.[Lebron, you must come with me to Treasure Village right now. I'll wait for you there!]After sending the message, Benjamin waited anxiously, his heart pounding with anticipation for Lebron's response. The seconds stretched into minutes, each moment intensifying the already tense atmosphere that surrounded him. The soft glow of his phone illuminated his face in the dimly lit