Cordelia shook her head and said, "I don't want to take alcohol."
"It's not what you want; it's what I want. Come on, baby girl," he forced a large amount of the wine into her."Good girl, you look sweet," he said, holding her chin and looking into her eyes.Throughout, Cordelia only maintained a cold look and remained silent. The man's hand trailed down, and then he whispered, "I didn't buy this clothes for you, but I'm going to take it," as he pressed Cordelia more to his body, moving his hand around her thighs.Cordelia closed her eyes, thinking, "For Benjamin's safety, I'll do it." The man then moved his hand to her back and slowly opened the zip, saying, "I love your color, fairly white, matching up everything, and your skin is flawless too, you know.”"Stop talking like an idiot and do what you want to do," Cordelia replied, showing her defiance.The man held her neck and then pulled her away from the crowd, leaving his menA collective gasp filled the air as the clubgoers witnessed the unexpected turn of events. Murmurs spread like wildfire, and some expressed their displeasure at the interruption, angered by the abrupt halt of the music that had been setting the atmosphere."Hey, what's going on? Why did the music stop?" one patron complained.Others craned their necks to get a better view of the unfolding drama. Shock and confusion gripped the crowd. The DJ, visibly frustrated by the sudden disruption, slammed his hands on the console. He shot a glare at the commotion, and his irritation was evident."What the hell is happening here? This is not a wrestling ring!" he yelled into the microphone. "Who the hell kicked my equipment? You better have a good explanation for this mess!”At that moment, the man in boxers and singlet walked over, pointed at Benjamin, and yelled,“It's him; he's the one who caused all this.”Following the man's voice, all eyes fell on him, mixed with shock as people wondered w
The entire place remained quiet until the man who had attempted to harass Cordelia stepped forward, twisting the story and placing the blame on Benjamin and Cordelia, accusing them of starting a fight and damaging the club's machines.Mixtic's eyes widened in disbelief as he directed a sharp glare at Benjamin and Cordelia in the midst of the unfolding drama.Suddenly, a sharp slap echoed through the room as Mixtic raised his hand and struck the man who had narrated the distorted story. "Where are your clothes?" Mixtic demanded. Ahh! The slap from Mixtic was so forceful that the man spat out a tooth, the sound echoing through the stunned silence. A collective gasp swept through the onlookers as shock and whispers filled the room. The man, now covering his cheeks, attempted to lie to Mixtic about his disheveled state. "Boss, it's... it's a misunderstanding," he stammered, a nervous tremor in his voice. "I, uh, just had a little scuffle, you know, nothing serious. My clothes... well,
"Ok, ok, let's..." Cordelia's sentence trailed off as she suddenly collapsed into Benjamin's arms. The wine was now taking its full effect."Let's go," Benjamin said, holding her tightly. He threw her arm around his neck and helped her out. Getting outside, they went straight to the parking lot where Benjamin sat in the car with Cordelia. He started the engine and drove off.Cordelia was asleep in the car while Benjamin drove. He turned to look at her; she had a beautiful white face, and her features looked flushed, making her appear even more enchanting. Staring at her lips alone was tempting.Benjamin smiled and moved one hand to her hair, gently stroking it. "You look so beautiful, Ms. Winslow." The tender expression on his face revealed a mixture of admiration and affection as he continued driving, making sure she was comfortable.All of a sudden, with her eyes shut, Cordelia whispered in a soft, dreamy tone, "Am I really beautiful? You're lying." Benjamin looked at her and smile
"No, master. I'm even glad you called; I'm working on something," Ezra replied.Benjamin nodded and said, "Cool. I have a task for you. You know Cordelia, right? Cordelia Winslow.""Yes, yes, I do. The lady who came over. What happened, master?" Ezra inquired."Nothing big. I just want you to do an investigation about her for me—her family, background, and stuff. Do it secretly; I need all the information about her," Benjamin instructed."No problem, master. When I'm done gathering everything, I'll inform you. Can you please send me her picture that you have?" Ezra requested."No problem. I'll do that after the call," Benjamin responded before ending the conversation.After the call, Benjamin went to bed. Meanwhile, at the Mirage Sound Club inside a nice room, Mixtic was seated with a light frown. He kept murmuring the name Benjamin Hayes as if something was wrong.He then looked around and asked his men to step out. After that, he took his phone out and dialed a number. If Benjamin w
Cordelia beamed at Benjamin's compliments, a soft blush gracing her cheeks. "Thank you, Benjamin. Benjamin smiled lightly and said, "Take your seat; let me bring the food so you can eat."Cordelia nodded and sat down, eagerly waiting for him. Benjamin then served her a delightful plate and also served himself before sitting down.Cordelia opened the plate, revealing the delicious-looking coconut oily rice, delicately flavored with saffron, accompanied by a medley of garden-fresh vegetables, topped with succulent grilled shrimp, and drizzled with citrus-infused herb sauce. She picked up a spoon, took a bite, and closed her eyes lightly as she chewed.Benjamin paused, watching her closely and waiting for her response to the taste.After savoring the bite, Cordelia opened her eyes, a bit amazed, and said, "This is so good, Benjamin. Where did you learn it from?"Benjamin smiled and replied, "I've been into part-time work before, you know. I've worked as a waiter and more, so I used to w
Olive shook her head and replied, "Sir, this is an opportunity for me as a real estate professional, so I'm happy to take on this challenge. I don't see it as a hard thing."Benjamin acknowledged her dedication and then asked, "Okay, so how many days do you think you'll need to find all these people?""Well, sir, it depends on the availability of funds. If the money is accessible, I should have everything set within a week," Olive explained.Nodding in understanding, Benjamin inquired, "So, for these initial arrangements, how much do you think you'll need?"Olive hesitated for a moment and then admitted, "I'm afraid the amount I'll mention might be insufficient. We might need more than that."Benjamin nodded, "That's not a problem. How much do you think can kickstart the project faster for us, for now?"Olive thought for a moment before responding, "Sir, considering the scale of the project, I would recommend a budget of over $3 million. This will allow us to engage top-tier professio
Benjamin hushed her gently, placing a finger on her lips. "You have the right to use everything in this place, okay?" he reassured. Cordelia nodded and asked, "Are you sure you're not just saying that to be polite?"Benjamin grinned, "I don't say things just to be polite. You have that chance and also you genuinely looked beautiful, and I enjoyed watching you."Cordelia blushed slightly, "Well, in that case, thank you for the compliment."Benjamin chuckled, "Anytime. So, what made you decide to have a midnight swim?"Cordelia sighed, "Just needed a break from everything, you know? The water has this calming effect on me.”Benjamin nodded. “ No problem have fun then.” He said“Why not join me?” Cordelia asked in a soft tone. “Join you?” Benjamin chuckled. “I don't know how to swim so I dare not, have fun yourself.” He said“Well I can teach you how to swim, just simple, at least the little steps.” She sId. Huh? Benjamin thought for a while before shaking his head. Cordelia nodded an
Moving out? What's wrong? It's not even the 20th day yet, right? We're only on the 9th day.Cordelia nodded and said, "I know, I'll give you back the balance.""Wait, why? Did I do anything wrong?" Benjamin asked."No, not at all. I just have to go to the next city to do something. I'll be going with my friend, and it's very important," she explained. "I didn't know it would be that fast; she informed me hours ago.""Your friend? You mean Hannah?" he asked.Cordelia nodded and said, "Yes, Hannah. It's just something to attend to, that's why. I didn't know it would be that fast; she informed me hours ago.""Is there any problem that I can help you with?" Benjamin inquired."No, not at all. You shouldn't worry much, Benjamin. I'll be fine," she reassured him.Benjamin nodded and asked, "So, when will you be back then?"Cordelia shook her head and explained that she didn't know, but it might take two weeks or more.Benjamin nodded and said, "Okay, take care when you go. If anything, just
The rugged man clenched his fists, his pride warring with his fear. “You can’t be serious,” he hissed, his voice barely above a whisper.Abdelkarim cocked the gun audibly, tilting his head. “Do I look like I’m joking?”Reluctantly, the rugged man lowered himself to his knees, the humiliation evident on his face. His companions followed suit, each moving with visible hesitation. The restaurant’s patrons and staff watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide as they bore witness to the surreal scene.One of the men reached for Abdelkarim’s shoe, his hand shaking as he wiped at it with his sleeve. Abdelkarim smirked, glancing down at their feeble attempts. “Pathetic,” he muttered. “Put some effort into it.”As the men continued their reluctant task, Abdelkarim’s tone turned colder. “Now, let’s add some respect to the mix. Each of you will address me properly while you’re down there.”The rugged man looked up, his face twisted with fury and shame. “What do you mean?”Abdelkarim leaned in s
The room fell into an eerie silence, the earlier chatter and laughter evaporating like smoke. All eyes were on Abdelkarim, who stood tall with the gun firmly in his grasp. Even the rugged man who had slapped him seemed caught off guard, his eyes widening in a mix of disbelief and anger.Benjamin, who had been calmly observing moments earlier, straightened in his seat, his sharp gaze narrowing as he assessed the situation. He hadn't anticipated this escalation, and for a fleeting moment, his surprise flickered across his face. Cipherella, sitting beside him, froze, her lips parting slightly as her eyes darted between Abdelkarim and the scarred man.The tension was palpable. The rugged man pushed his chair back slightly, his hands clenching into fists as if ready to retaliate. His companions, who had been laughing moments ago, now looked uneasy, their confidence shaken."You think this is funny?" Abdelkarim said, his voice steady, but the undercurrent of anger was unmistakable. He point
The room went tense as Abdelkarim froze, his gaze darting nervously to the man’s threatening expression. Around them, a few other patrons glanced over.Cipherella’s delicate brows furrowed with concern as she leaned closer to Benjamin, her voice barely above a whisper. "Master, they’re trying to bully him," she said, her eyes darting between Abdelkarim and the rugged man.Benjamin didn’t respond immediately. His sharp gaze remained fixed on the scene, observing every detail—the posture of the men, Abdelkarim’s unease, and the simmering tension in the air. Finally, he nodded slowly and said, "Let’s just watch for now.”"But Master—" Cipherella started, her worry evident."Relax," Benjamin interrupted gently, his tone calm but firm. "Let’s see how he handles himself first. If things go too far, I’ll step in."Cipherella hesitated, but she trusted Benjamin’s judgment. She bit her lip and stayed quiet, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as her eyes returned to Abdelkarim.Meanwhile, Abd
As they entered, Benjamin's gaze swept over the bustling interior of the establishment. The atmosphere was thick with chatter, clinking glasses, and faint music playing in the background. At one side of the room, a group of rugged-looking men occupied a long table. They were loud, drinking and eating heartily, with wisps of smoke curling from the cigarettes and cigars they casually puffed.Their appearances were striking—some had jagged scars running across their cheeks.Others had scarves tied around their heads, their expressions hard and uninviting, with sharp eyes that scanned the room like predators on the lookout. A few wore leather jackets with frayed edges, while others had rugged shirts and boots.Benjamin took note but didn’t linger on them. Instead, he calmly made his way to an unoccupied corner on the other side of the room. He settled into a chair with an air of quiet authority, his face betraying no hint of concern. Cipherella followed closely, her gaze flickering brief
Benjamin settled back onto the couch, gesturing for Cipherella to sit. She listened intently as he recounted the night's events."Cipherella," he began, "I met Abdelkarim yesterday. His boss wasn’t exactly treating him right, and he seemed ready for a change."Abdelkarim shifted uneasily, but Benjamin continued. "We ended up being followed by three of Darnell's men. They tried to corner us, but I convinced them to switch sides and work for me. Abdelkarim here was part of that, and he’s proven he’s willing to take on something bigger.”Cipherella raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. “And they just… agreed? Just like that?”Benjamin nodded, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Sometimes all it takes is to show someone what they’re worth. They’d been risking their lives for scraps. Now, they have a reason to be loyal." He glanced at Abdelkarim, who looked both grateful and a little overwhelmed.Cipherella sighed, finally relaxing a bit. “If you trust him, Master, then that’s enough
The men exchanged nervous glances, doubling down on their story despite Darnell's threat. The first man cleared his throat, attempting to sound confident. "Boss, like we said, it was just a routine check. We saw the car following and thought it could be a minor threat, so we stopped to make sure it wasn’t an issue. But they turned around as soon as we approached."The second man nodded quickly. "Exactly, boss. We didn’t think it was worth disturbing you for something so small, figured we could handle it ourselves.”Darnell's gaze remained icy, not buying the excuses. His eyes bored into each one of them, but they held firm, each nodding in agreement, sticking to their story. "We were just looking out for you, boss," the third one added, trying to muster confidence. "Didn’t want to waste your time.”Darnell narrowed his eyes at them one last time, as if weighing the truth of their story. Finally, with a wave of his hand, he dismissed the tension. “Fine,” he said sharply. “Get back in
The men climbed out of their cars and walked over to Darnell’s vehicle, where he stood waiting, his expression already dark with suspicion. As they approached, he wasted no time.“What’s wrong?” Darnell’s voice cut through the silence, his gaze sharp and unyielding. “Where’s the last car?”The men looked at each other, shifting uncomfortably, clearly at a loss. Finally, one of them spoke up. “We...we don’t know, boss. One minute, they were right behind us, and the next...they weren’t.”Darnell’s jaw tightened. “I don’t want excuses. Give me an answer.”They fumbled for words, but all they could offer was a helpless shrug. Frustrated, Darnell took a deep breath and crossed his arms. “Fine. Who was in the last car? Give me their names. Now.”The men stammered for a moment, then rattled off the names of the three who had been in the missing car, exchanging nervous glances as they waited for Darnell's reaction.Darnell narrowed his eyes, his impatience evident. “Call them. Now,” he ordere
As the men disappeared down the road, Abdelkarim turned to Benjamin, a worried crease on his brow. "Do you trust them? What if they tell their boss everything?"Benjamin's expression was unwavering. "They won’t."Abdelkarim’s eyebrows rose, disbelief flickering in his gaze. "How do you know?"Benjamin smirked, a trace of confidence in his eyes. "Because I gave them something Darnell never has: respect. They’ve been doing his dirty work for scraps. Darnell treats them as disposable. But me? I just paid them a month’s worth in minutes and offered them a way out. Right now, loyalty is cheap—but it’s the one thing Darnell can't buy.”Abdelkarim nodded slowly, his gaze steadying with newfound determination. “I’m ready to work for you, Benjamin,” he said with a slight smile. “But... tonight, I don’t have anywhere to stay. I might just end up sleeping in the car.”Benjamin’s expression softened. “Don’t worry about that. You’ll stay with me,” he replied. “As long as you’re willing to follow m
Benjamin looked at them intently. “How much do you want to be paid?” he asked, his voice calm but commanding.The men glanced at each other, hesitating for a moment. Finally, one spoke up, “Every month… pay us double what Darnell does.”The other nodded, adding quickly, “Yeah. 2000 dollars each.”Benjamin smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He had expected them to ask for something outrageous—10,000, even 50,000 dollars a month. Instead, they only wanted a mere double of what Darnell paid them. To someone like him, 2000 dollars was nothing, even if he had to pay them that amount daily.“Deal,” he said without hesitation, nodding once.They stared at him, dumbfounded. “Wait… deal? Just like that?” one of them asked, disbelief evident in his voice.Benjamin shrugged. “2000 dollars a month is nothing to me if you’re loyal and good at what you do.”They exchanged glances, still stunned by his response. "You... you really mean that?" one of them asked, sounding almost hopeful.Benja