Brianna nodded happily and said, "Of course I do. I didn't expect us to be in the same department and even the same class." She felt really happy.Benjamin nodded with a light smile and asked, "Are you good in this department?"Brianna nodded and said confidently, "Of course, very well. What about you?"Benjamin chuckled and said, "Not that good. Well, I don't like studying. I'm not good." Although Benjamin was intelligent, he only said that.Brianna chuckled and said in a low voice, "After all, you're rich. It doesn't matter, but you need to study hard." She then looked at Benjamin affectionately. It was because of him she had gotten the opportunity to continue her university, and her brother was going to be in school.Benjamin didn't talk about that and asked, "What about the renovation? Are they still on it?"Brianna nodded and told him that a huge renovation had been done and they're still working on it. Moreover, AJ was going to start school.Benjamin nodded and told her never to
Benjamin would have gotten 100 if not for the fact that he chose not to write some answers Cordelia gave her. As Benjamin revealed his score, the classroom erupted into a cacophony of shock and disbelief. Some students couldn't fathom how he managed such a high mark, while others whispered among themselves, speculating that he must be lying."He got a 97? No way!""I don't believe it. He's probably making it up.""He was sacked out of class that day when we were learning. How could he score so high?”The murmurs grew louder, with skepticism lingering in the air as Benjamin stood there, silently enduring the doubt swirling around him.Mrs. Ann's disbelief mirrored that of the students, her eyebrows furrowing as she scanned the room, her eyes settling on Benjamin. "A 97? Are you sure?" she questioned skeptically, her tone laced with incredulity.After a moment, she raised her hand, motioning for silence. "Quiet, everyone!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the murmurs and whisper
Isabella's abrupt request caught her parents off guard, and they both turned to look at her with surprise etched on their faces. Her father furrowed his brows, while her mother's eyes widened in astonishment."I... I..." her dad stammered, taken aback by Isabella's request. "You're really asking for Mr. Hayes' number?"Isabella nodded firmly. "Yes, please give it to me."Her dad exchanged a surprised glance with her mom. "I thought you said there's nothing between you and him, so what do you need his number for?" Amelia inquired."Dad, just give it to me, no questions, please," Isabella insisted.Charles nodded reluctantly, pulling out his phone and retrieving Benjamin's number. Isabella thanked him and swiftly walked away. The next day, Benjamin woke up from bed. It was the 14th of August, a day before his birthday, along with Cordelia's. Rising from bed, he proceeded to take his bath and dress up. Checking his timetable, he noted he didn't have any classes, making it an off day for
Evelyn's voice took on a tone of disbelief. "Are you serious? Cordelia's birthday is today too?" she asked incredulously, thinking Benjamin might be pulling her leg.Benjamin chuckled lightly, understanding his mom's skepticism. "Yes, mom, I'm serious. It's really her birthday. Quite the coincidence, isn't it?" He reassured her, his excitement evident in his voice."Oh, good lord," Evelyn exclaimed, her mind already racing with plans. "My son and daughter-in-law are celebrating their birthdays on the same date... Do I need to schedule everything and hop on a private jet there?" Benjamin chuckled at his mother's enthusiasm and reassured her, "No, Mom, you don't have to do that. I have a perfect surprise I'm arranging for Cordelia." Intrigued, Evelyn urged him to share the details, offering her support and willingness to contribute. After Benjamin explained his plans, Evelyn nodded approvingly. "That's a good idea, son. You have my full support, my boy." Benjamin expressed his love f
"A club?" Cordelia hesitated, but before she could respond, Hannah jumped in, nodding enthusiastically. "Thank you so much, we'll attend that one tonight," she said to the waitress.Cordelia shot Hannah a questioning look as soon as the waitress left. "How could you, Hannah? A club-themed party? Must we attend?"Hannah shrugged. "We must. It's the only option available. Remember, we'll be leaving for the village in two days. Today or tomorrow is our last chance to enjoy ourselves.”Cordelia frowned, remembering past club experiences. "But all those club guys aren't good. What if something bad happens?"Hannah reassured her. "Don't worry, nothing will happen. We're together, and if anything goes wrong, we'll handle it together. We'll keep a low profile. What do you think?"Cordelia bit her lip, still apprehensive. "You didn't even ask about the time and other details."Hannah waved off her concern. "We can get the details from the waitress. Let's just prepare for it.”Cordelia sighed, r
Hannah stepped forward with a smile and said, "Please, my sister isn't used to this. You said you can help us get inside.”Hayford nodded and said, "I can. You both just follow me," as he turned around walking away.Cordelia looked at Hannah. "Why must we take a favor from him? They make it look like they've done you something great and try to take advantage of that," she said.Hannah nodded and said, "I understand, but there's no option. Let's go." They both followed Hayford.As they both followed Hayford, Cordelia and Hannah trailed behind him, exchanging cautious glances.As they approached the security guard, he greeted Hayford respectfully. Then, he looked at Hannah and Cordelia and said, "I thought I said you both can't go in without an invitation card."Hayford stepped forward confidently and replied, "They're my guests."With a nod from Hayford, the security guard stepped aside, allowing Cordelia and Hannah to pass through. Hannah sighed in relief, they were finally in the par
As Cordelia carefully opened the box, her eyes widened in awe as she beheld the stunning sight before her. Nestled within the velvet lining lay a breathtaking ring, its design like something out of a fairy tale. A ring? Cordelia asked incredulously as she beheld the beautiful piece of jewelry in the box.Hannah chuckled and replied, "My friend, you're now 28, you know. You should have been married with a kid by now."Cordelia's eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected comment. She couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head at Hannah's playful teasing. "Well, I guess I missed the memo on that one," she joked, her voice tinged with amusement. "But seriously, thank you for the ring. It's absolutely stunning.”Hannah grinned mischievously and nudged Cordelia playfully. "So, when are you marrying the guy your uncle chose for you?" she asked with a teasing glint in her eyes.Cordelia's expression turned serious as she shook her head. "Over my dead body would I have married Benjamin than
Cordelia nodded, her curiosity piqued. "Why is he asking everyone to gather around? Some people are already playing games and having fun, look at those dancing even," she observed, gesturing to the lively scene around them.Hannah shook her head. "I have no idea. Who knows? Well, since he's the mastermind behind this event, he might have plans, you know," she speculated.Cordelia nodded in agreement, she and Hannah rose from their seats and began to make their way forward, joining the crowd as they gathered around to see what surprise awaited them.Meanwhile, Hayford caught sight of Cordelia and Hannah making their way through the crowd, their figures illuminated by the vibrant lights of the club park. A grin spread across his face as he nudged his three friends and nodded in their direction."Hey, guys, those are the ladies I was talking about," he said excitedlyHis friends followed his gaze, their eyes widening in appreciation as they watched Cordelia and Hannah approach. "Wow, you
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