"Nothing, nothing," Benjamin snapped back. He cleared his throat and said, "You look really beautiful. I mean very beautiful."Cordelia stared at him in the eye and said, "This shouldn't be a compliment. I know I'm beautiful. Don't stare much, else I'll gouge your eyes out."Benjamin laughed. Although she looked a bit hard, she was cool. He smiled and said, "Okay, Ms, I won't stare much anymore.""Better," Cordelia replied, and all of a sudden, her eyes fell on the two mini gift bags Benjamin was carrying. "What's that?" she asked, staring at them."Oh, this? Just a gift for your friend celebrating a birthday and a gift for another anonymous person. You'll know later.""Hmm, interesting. You got a gift even though I invited you? Didn't know you'd be this thoughtful. But with the way this bag is small, what could be inside?" she asked.Benjamin smiled lightly and said, "Surprise isn't meant to be known before the main person. You'll know, don't worry."Cordelia nodded. "Well, let's go
"Oh wow!" The ladies couldn't help but admire Cordelia's body structure – the way her dress accentuated her curves, showcasing a perfect blend of elegance and allure. Whispers of admiration filled the air as they exchanged glances, clearly impressed by Cordelia's presence.Hannah, noticing the reactions, couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in introducing her stunning friend. As the compliments flowed, the ladies couldn't hold back their admiration."Wow, Hannah, your friend is absolutely gorgeous! I mean, look at her – she's like a living goddess," one of the ladies exclaimed.Another chimed in, "Her style is impeccable. Cordelia, you've got that perfect combination of grace and charm. It's like you stepped out of a fashion magazine."Hannah beamed with pride as the compliments continued. "I never knew you had such a stunning friend. You're lucky to have her by your side," one of the friends remarked."Thank you all." Cordelia replied shortly. Meanwhile, the only guy among the fiv
Cordelia didn't know what was wrong with Nathan, but she clinked her glass with his as he intentionally hit it harder."Crack!" The glasses shattered into pieces, scattering on the floor, and some wine spilled on both Cordelia and Nathan. The liquid soaked Cordelia's clothes, outlining her shape."Oh my God!" Everyone's attention was drawn to the broken glass and the unexpected turn of events.Cordelia, stunned, stared at Nathan with a hint of anger. Benjamin, quick to react, pushed Nathan away. "What's wrong with you bro? Do you want to injure her?" Heguided Cordelia to sit. He examined her hand, clearing away the glass particles, and asked if she was hurt.Cordelia shook her head, "No I'm not, I'm fine." She replied, assuring him she wasn't injured. Benjamin, without hesitation, took off his shirt, leaving only the undershirt, and handed it to Cordelia. "Wear this; yours is soaked," he insisted.Huh!" Cordelia hesitated, surprised by the gesture. "Thank you, Benjamin, but no, it's
Nathan was enjoying all the attention, a smug smile playing on his lips as he basked in the admiration. Even Cordelia, known for her composed demeanor, couldn't hide a flicker of surprise at the audacity of such an extravagant gift—$5 million for a painting.The entire room was in awe, murmurs of amazement filling the air. Hannah's eyes widened in disbelief as she gazed at the expensive piece. "Nathan, you never cease to amaze me. $5 million? You must be incredibly rich!"The entire room was in awe, murmurs of amazement filling the air. Hannah's eyes widened in disbelief as she gazed at the expensive piece. "Nathan, you never cease to amaze me. $5 million? You must be incredibly rich!"Nathan responded with a humble grin, "Oh, you know, it's just a little something. Money is meant to be spent on things that matter."Cordelia raised an intrigued eyebrow but said nothing. The other ladies exchanged impressed whispers, expressing their admiration for Nathan's apparent wealth.Meanwhile,
Nathan smirked and looked at the small gift bag, mocking Benjamin. "Hannah, I thought he said he was an important person to Cordelia. Look at the size of the gift. Must be something really special in there," he said sarcastically.Benjamin didn't bother avoiding his words and then took the mini cute box inside the gift bag and placed it on the table. Hannah and the other ladies exchanged glances, wondering what could be in the box. Nathan continued, "Benjamin, don't tell me you brought a keychain or a piece of candy. I mean, it's the thought that counts, right?" He chuckled, trying to belittle Benjamin's gift.Benjamin grinned and assured, "Relax, unlike your fake painting, this is genuine." Nathan's smile vanished at Benjamin's remark, bringing a sense of satisfaction to Benjamin. He proceeded to open the box, unveiling the stunning Rolex Datejust—a truly exquisite piece that captured everyone's admiration.Oh heavens!"Hannah and the ladies gasped as the elegant Rolex Datejust re
A gasp echoed through the room, breaking the silence. The revelation left everyone stunned, especially Benjamin, who now faced an unexpected turn of events.“How? How fake? It's not.” Benjamin said stunned. Nathan couldn't contain his laughter, and it erupted in the room like an unwelcome storm. His smugness reached new heights as he looked at Benjamin with a mocking gaze."Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Nathan said, his laughter filled with derision. "Benjamin, it seems your grand gift isn't as grand as you thought. A fake watch to match your fake accusations, perhaps?”The room felt heavy with tension, and the ladies exchanged uncomfortable glances. Cordelia's expression shifted from doubt to surprise, her eyes narrowing at Benjamin. The unexpected twist had turned the tables, leaving Benjamin in an awkward position.Nathan continued his mockery, relishing the moment. "Couldn't even afford a genuine Rolex, huh? Your attempt to expose me backfired spectacularly.”Benjamin
Mom." Benjamin called out happily and then spoke to her. After the call, he happily looked at them and said, "Hannah, try the Rolex Datejust again. This time, not in the normal code checker. This one wasn't bought. It was specially made for my mom as a VIP member."Gasp! They all turned to look at Benjamin; it was like he was bragging. How could the company make a watch, and even his mom is a VIP member? It felt like a lie.Nathan sneered and said, "Oh wow, a specially made watch for your VIP mom? Are you trying to impress us with a made-up story? Nice try, Benjamin, but we're not buying it."Cordelia raised an eyebrow, looking at Benjamin with a hint of doubt. She whispered, "Specially made for a VIP member? Benjamin, are you making up stories to save face?”Hannah, although initially skeptical, asked, "Where do I enter the code?"Benjamin responded confidently, "There's a special code authenticator; enter the numbers there."As everyone eagerly awaited, Hannah entered the code. The
Nathan, feeling victorious, thanked Cordelia with a smile, "Thank you, Cordelia. I appreciate it. I'll message you to finalize the details. Looking forward to our dinner.”Cordelia shook her head, "Don't worry about him; let's not talk about him."Benjamin nodded, respecting her wish not to delve into the topic.Cordelia's attention shifted to the gift box, and she inquired, "Are you delivering this gift to someone tonight? I can drive you there."Benjamin smiled lightly, "Actually, I don't even know what's inside. It was given to me by my mom.”"You don't know what's inside? Then how are you delivering it to someone?"Benjamin didn't say a word and proceeded to unwrap the gift. As the wrapping came off, he opened the box, revealing its contents.Inside the box was a stunning silver necklace adorned with a delicate pendant, catching the light in an intricate pattern that left Cordelia and Benjamin momentarily captivated.Cordelia had noticed the necklace instantly, mentioning its name
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