Benjamin smiled at Hannah's words, appreciating her well wishes. "Of course, I'm ready to even make her the mother of my kids, it's all up to her," he replied with a playful glint in his eyes.Cordelia playfully swatted Benjamin's chest in response. "Stop being naughty," she chided him, though a hint of amusement danced in her eyes. "I'm not marrying anyone or having kids," she whispered to him.Chuckling, Benjamin leaned in closer to Cordelia. "We'll talk about that later. For now, let's just enjoy the party," he whispered back. Throughout the night, they danced, laughed, and made cherished memories with their friends and loved ones.As the birthday celebration came to an end, Benjamin approached Cordelia, his hand gently cupping her cheek. "Do take care of yourself. If you need anything, just give me a call, and I'll be back," he reassured her.Cordelia nodded, her heart filled with love. "Surely, I will. Just a few more days, and I'll be back," she promised.With a final tender ki
"Which relationship?" Cordelia asked."Can you stop that?" Hannah replied. "What should Benjamin do to let you know how much he loves you? If he didn't love you, do you think he would have done all this for you?"Cordelia sighed. "Hannah, you know this already. I've told you several times I don't want to get married or be in a relationship.""Then be his baby mama," Hannah suggested. "Just carry his kids without any marriage if that's what you want.ā"Isn't it the same thing, emotionally attached?" Cordelia countered. "I need none of these. I don't want to do anything about a relationship.""Come on, my dear, you need someone like Benjamin. Trust me, there are a lot of ladies who might be crushing on him. If they approach him and he realizes you're not even considering him, then trust me, he'll just accept one of them, and then I surely know that you'll be shattered.āCordelia sighed. "What do I do now, then?""Just give him what he wants. Fulfill his wishes. He loves you," Hannah adv
Cordelia and Hannah had just finished their successful feast with the hotel manager, who graciously handed Cordelia a card granting access to their exclusive rooms whenever she returned. Pleased with their accomplishment, they packed up and departed for the village.Meanwhile, around 7 pm, Benjamin sat in his plush hall, laptop on his lap, engrossed in his work. Suddenly, his stomach grumbled loudly, reminding him of his hunger. "Damn, I'm hungry," he muttered, closing his laptop and setting it aside. As he rose to find something to eat, his phone began to ring, displaying an unfamiliar number. With a slight frown, he answered. As he answered, Benjamin greeted the silence with a tentative "Hello? Hello?" but received no response. Growing increasingly frustrated, he repeated his hellos, each one more impatient than the last. Still, no reply came from the other end. Finally, with an irritated huff, he angrily hung up the call. Picking up his car key, Benjamin walked outside, intent o
As Benjamin drove out of the garage in the Range Rover, he spotted one of the guards nearby. Rolling down his window, he called out to the guard. "Hey, could you help me with something?" he asked, gesturing towards the auto enhancement area where his Audi R8 was parked. "I need assistance with using the equipment in there.ā"Of course, Master Benjamin," the guard replied respectfully, nodding. "I'll be glad to assist you with the auto enhancement.āBenjamin nodded appreciating him before, the security guard at the gate opened the door and he drove away. Meanwhile, at the Imperial Luminary Hotel's dining center, a table was arranged with meticulous care for Benjamin. Adorned with crisp linens and elegant tableware. A centerpiece of fresh flowers added.Getting into the hotel, Benjamin drove to the parking lot and stepped out of his Range Rover. The security guards stationed around the area saluted him, a gesture he acknowledged with a nod. Despite not knowing who he was, the sight of
Isabella, unsure of Benjamin's plan but trusting his assurance, could only nod in response.Meanwhile, in a private room at the hotel, Ezra rose from his bed and swiftly dialed a number. After a few rings, the call connected, and Rudra Stone, the manager of the Imperial Luminary Hotel and also Maverick Stone's father, answered."Hello, Master Ezra," Rudra greeted respectfully. "Is there anything I can do for you?" he inquired.Ezra nodded before speaking. "I heard you don't have the ingredients for Lobster Thermidor.āRudra's expression turned grave. "I'm not aware of that, but I'll check with my assistant and the kitchen head. Did you want some?"Ezra shook his head. "Not for me, but for the young master himself. President Evelyn's son."Rudra gasped, his body trembling in fear. "The young master himself is at the hotel?" he exclaimed, stunned by the revelation.Although Rudra had not seen Evelyn, the main head of the business chains, he was well aware of her potential power due to h
Without hesitation, the helicopter's engines roared to life, and the aircraft began to ascend into the sky. With a deafening roar, it surged forward, hurtling through the air at an incredible speed. Moments later, the waitress returned, carefully balancing a tray laden with an assortment of drinks. Among them was the hotel's most prestigious offering, the "Royal Elixir," a rare blend of aged whiskey infused with exotic spices.The waitress set the tray down on the table, presenting each drink with a flourish. "Here are your drinks, ma'am," she said, indicating the Royal Elixir with a subtle gesture. "May I recommend our signature cocktail, the Imperial Sparkle, for a truly exquisite experience?āIsabella nodded appreciatively, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Yes, please.āAfter the waitress was done, she glanced at Benjamin and noticed a slightly off expression on his face. She chuckled softly and remarked, "Are you thinking the price is too much because I ordered this? Don't
The head chef, visibly humbled by the opportunity to address the esteemed chef, responded earnestly, "Sir, you're Chef Roland. I've seen you in magazines before. You've won the Best Chef award several times. I won't lie, you're an inspiration. It just doesn't feel real seeing you here.āThose around were truly shocked to discover that the chef standing before them wasn't just an ordinary culinary expert but an internationally acclaimed figure recognized even by their esteemed head chef.Chef Roland's smile was warm and reassuring as he acknowledged their astonishment. "It's real," he affirmed, his tone confident and composed. "Now, let's get to work. I'm about to prepare the lobster thermidor for the most important guest in the hotel. Just do anything I ask you guys to do. Besides, you might even learn some new tricks," he added with a wink.With that, Chef Roland donned an apron and proceeded to wash his hands before diving into the culinary process. His presence infused the kitchen
Benjamin chuckled modestly, his demeanor relaxed as he sought to ease Isabella's concerns. "I'm no important guest," he explained with a gentle smile, "I just knew someone here and pleaded with them. That's why we're getting all this treatment."Isabella's expression softened as she absorbed his words, a sense of relief washing over her. "Oh really?" she remarked, her voice tinged with gratitude. "He's not only good at detecting paintings, he's also good at making unpleasant situations look pleasant.āMeanwhile, as the lid of the serving dish was lifted, a wave of savory aroma filled the air, enveloping the room in a tantalizing embrace. The rich scent of buttery lobster mingled with the delicate fragrance of fresh herbs and spices. Not only that, expensive wines were also served. People around all turned around to look at Benjamin and Isabella table amazed. Benjamin looked at Isabella with a warm smile and said, "Kill your hunger now."Isabella nodded in agreement, returning his sm
The rugged man clenched his fists, his pride warring with his fear. āYou canāt be serious,ā he hissed, his voice barely above a whisper.Abdelkarim cocked the gun audibly, tilting his head. āDo I look like Iām joking?āReluctantly, the rugged man lowered himself to his knees, the humiliation evident on his face. His companions followed suit, each moving with visible hesitation. The restaurantās patrons and staff watched in stunned silence, their eyes wide as they bore witness to the surreal scene.One of the men reached for Abdelkarimās shoe, his hand shaking as he wiped at it with his sleeve. Abdelkarim smirked, glancing down at their feeble attempts. āPathetic,ā he muttered. āPut some effort into it.āAs the men continued their reluctant task, Abdelkarimās tone turned colder. āNow, letās add some respect to the mix. Each of you will address me properly while youāre down there.āThe rugged man looked up, his face twisted with fury and shame. āWhat do you mean?āAbdelkarim 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 manās threatening expression. Around them, a few other patrons glanced over.Cipherellaās delicate brows furrowed with concern as she leaned closer to Benjamin, her voice barely above a whisper. "Master, theyāre trying to bully him," she said, her eyes darting between Abdelkarim and the rugged man.Benjamin didnāt respond immediately. His sharp gaze remained fixed on the scene, observing every detailāthe posture of the men, Abdelkarimās unease, and the simmering tension in the air. Finally, he nodded slowly and said, "Letās just watch for now.ā"But Masterā" Cipherella started, her worry evident."Relax," Benjamin interrupted gently, his tone calm but firm. "Letās see how he handles himself first. If things go too far, Iāll step in."Cipherella hesitated, but she trusted Benjaminās 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 strikingāsome 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 didnāt 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 wasnāt 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 heās proven heās willing to take on something bigger.āCipherella raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. āAnd they justā¦ agreed? Just like that?āBenjamin nodded, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Sometimes all it takes is to show someone what theyāre worth. Theyād 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. āIf you trust him, Master, then thatās 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 wasnāt an issue. But they turned around as soon as we approached."The second man nodded quickly. "Exactly, boss. We didnāt think it was worth disturbing you for something so small, figured we could handle it ourselves.āDarnell'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. "Didnāt want to waste your time.āDarnell 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. āFine,ā he said sharply. āGet back in
The men climbed out of their cars and walked over to Darnellās vehicle, where he stood waiting, his expression already dark with suspicion. As they approached, he wasted no time.āWhatās wrong?ā Darnellās voice cut through the silence, his gaze sharp and unyielding. āWhereās the last car?āThe men looked at each other, shifting uncomfortably, clearly at a loss. Finally, one of them spoke up. āWe...we donāt know, boss. One minute, they were right behind us, and the next...they werenāt.āDarnellās jaw tightened. āI donāt want excuses. Give me an answer.āThey fumbled for words, but all they could offer was a helpless shrug. Frustrated, Darnell took a deep breath and crossed his arms. āFine. Who was in the last car? Give me their names. Now.āThe 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. āCall them. Now,ā 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 wonāt."Abdelkarimās 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. Theyāve been doing his dirty work for scraps. Darnell treats them as disposable. But me? I just paid them a monthās worth in minutes and offered them a way out. Right now, loyalty is cheapābut itās the one thing Darnell can't buy.āAbdelkarim nodded slowly, his gaze steadying with newfound determination. āIām ready to work for you, Benjamin,ā he said with a slight smile. āBut... tonight, I donāt have anywhere to stay. I might just end up sleeping in the car.āBenjaminās expression softened. āDonāt worry about that. Youāll stay with me,ā he replied. āAs long as youāre willing to follow m
Benjamin looked at them intently. āHow much do you want to be paid?ā he asked, his voice calm but commanding.The men glanced at each other, hesitating for a moment. Finally, one spoke up, āEvery monthā¦ pay us double what Darnell does.āThe other nodded, adding quickly, āYeah. 2000 dollars each.āBenjamin smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He had expected them to ask for something outrageousā10,000, 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.āDeal,ā he said without hesitation, nodding once.They stared at him, dumbfounded. āWaitā¦ deal? Just like that?ā one of them asked, disbelief evident in his voice.Benjamin shrugged. ā2000 dollars a month is nothing to me if youāre loyal and good at what you do.āThey exchanged glances, still stunned by his response. "You... you really mean that?" one of them asked, sounding almost hopeful.Benja