The man who was driving was shocked. "Madam, why send him home? He looks just hungry; that's why. Splashing some water on him to regain his consciousness and getting him some $100 cash as an apology will solve the problem. Have you forgotten we are searching for the most important thing in your..."
"Shut up!" The woman yelled. "Are you trying to tell me what to do by disobeying the order I've given you?"The man shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, madam; I didn't mean to imply that. I was only telling you that all the efforts will be in vain if we leave what we are searching to focus on this.""Yes, just do what I've ordered; that's it." She looked at the two guards. "Are you still standing there?" she asked.They quickly picked Benjamin up and placed him in the car. The woman then sat inside, and the man also started the car, reversed and drove off.The bodyguards also got into the car behind it and trailed the Porsche.Half an hour later, they arrived at a grand estate. The guards at the gate quickly opened for the Porsche and the car following to enter. The building's compound resembled a paradise, exuding a captivating beauty that greeted every visitor. Within the verdant gardens, a group of men in black all stood at different positions, vigilant in their watch. After getting down, the woman ordered for a wheel to be brought out for Benjamin.After it was brought, Benjamin was carefully placed on a wheeled stretcher and transported inside, with the woman and the driver close behind. As the hours slipped by, the early morning light filtered through the curtains. Benjamin's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the sight of the elegantly appointed room. The space, while equipped with medical apparatus, was so beautiful that it surpassed even the most well-appointed hospital. He glanced down to find a drip gently nourishing him; he was even shirtless. "What's happening? Where am I? Shouldn't I be lying on the road, lifeless? Why is there so much light here at night?" His mind raced, attempting to make sense of the situation. Before he could think of anything, the door creaked open, diverting his thoughts.A man entered, clad in the attire of a doctor. Benjamin swiftly identified him as the doctor due to his dressing. "Doctor, where am I? What's going on? Where did all of this come from? Please tell me what's happening," he asked. The doctor approached with a calming demeanor. "You're awake. Please, relax. I need to administer your final injection." "Injection? For what? What's happening?" Benjamin's confusion deepened. "Please, I need to leave. I have to get back to my dorm before the gates close. It's late." The doctor cleared his throat gently. "It's already morning, sir." "Morning? What in the world is going on? It means it's actually the sunlight filtering into this room, not just ordinary light." Benjamin's mind raced as he remembered some scenes of how he was nearly hit by a car while about to cross the street. "Could it be that the driver brought me here?" he wondered. The doctor efficiently administered the final injection and assured, "You should be on the mend. I'll prescribe the necessary medication for you. Be sure to take it regularly." "That's even if I have money to buy medicine." Benjamin muttered. The doctor carefully removed the drip and advised, "Since you're awake and in good condition, it's time for you to meet Madam." "Madam? Which Madam?" Benjamin's brows knitted in confusion. "Please follow me," the doctor requested. "Follow you? Can't you see that I'm not even wearing a shirt? Where is my shirt?" Benjamin inquired. His eyes suddenly fell on the piece of clothing, lying in a corner. "Hey, who placed my shirt there? Do you know how much I paid for it?" He hastily retrieved it and put it on. Meanwhile, in the inner sanctum of the room, the woman sat, clutching a photograph. Her gaze was fixed on it, tears glistening in her eyes. The door was opened, and the man who was driving the previous night walked in. Seeing the man walk in, she swiftly placed the photograph in her pocket and wiped away her tears and asked, "Any update?" The man solemnly shook his head. "No, Madam. We've lost track completely. From last night until now, I've instructed the computer department to notify me of any new information." The woman let out a heavy sigh. "If this isn't working, then hire another team. I've been waiting for far too long, and it's becoming a delay." The man nodded resolutely. "Rest assured, Madam. I'll reach out to the best team or hackers to assist us." The woman nodded with a slight acknowledgement and inquired, "And what about the young man? How is he faring?" The man was about to respond when they spotted Benjamin and the doctor descending the stairs into the hall. Seeing Benjamin, the woman, Madam Evelyn, rose from her seat, a light smile gracing her face as she let out a sigh of relief. Meanwhile, Benjamin's eyes widened in astonishment as he took in his surroundings. "Oh my God, is this heaven? Even the stairs are dusted with gold. It's actually a house with a room more beautiful than a hospital." He muttered to himself as he continued down. Stepping fully into the hall, Benjamin was thoroughly shaken. The room was vast and exquisitely adorned. A colossal 74-inch TV, cascading flowers, and an array of grand furnishings attested to the owner's immense wealth. His gaze met Madam Evelyn's, sending a jolt through him. Benjamin quickly averted his eyes, stealing a glance at the man beside her, wondering if they were the ones responsible for the near collision or if they had found him on the road.The doctor cleared his throat and addressed Madam Evelyn, "He's fine now. All he needs are these prescribed medications." He handed over a piece of paper. The man beside Evelyn accepted the paper and assured, "Thank you, doctor. We'll take care of it." The doctor nodded and left. Evelyn turned her attention back to Benjamin and inquired, "Young man, how are you feeling?" Benjamin nodded and replied, "I'm feeling good, Madam Evelyn." Evelyn nodded. "I apologize for his carelessness. That's why he nearly hit you with the car. But I'm relieved you're fine now." Benjamin was now certain that they had brought him here because of that incident. He mustered a smile, though he wasn't feeling entirely comfortable. The realization that he was standing in front of a rich woman left him somewhat ashamed."Thank you; I'm fine. Actually, I'd like to leave, please," Benjamin requested.Evelyn frowned. "What's the rush? And why are you still wearing those clothes? They're dirty." Benjamin's sense of embarrassment deepened. "I'll go and work, then change," he mumbled."Work? What work are you doing? And why were your clothes stained with blood yesterday night?" She askedUhm, Benjamin scratched his head, uncertain of how to respond.Madam Evelyn gestured beside her and said, "Sit down.Benjamin nodded and took a seat. Evelyn looked at him with a warm smile and inquired, "What's your name?""I'm Benjamin, mom," he replied. A joyful expression spread across the woman's face. The name Benjamin seemed to remember her of something, but apart from that, another thing made her smile. "What... did you just say?" She asked. "I meant my name is Benjamin," he clarified. Evelyn shook her head, her eyes glistening with emotion. "No, the word you mentioned after your name." "Mom?" Benjamin repeated. Evelyn nodded, her smile now tinged with tears as she wiped her eyes. She looked at Benjamin and shared, "You know, i also have a son named Benjamin and if was to be around, he would have been like you by now. It's been years since I heard the word, 'mom' addressed to me."Benjamin nodded, understanding her sentiment. He then inquired, "What happened to your son?
"What?" The shock on both Evelyn and Ezra's faces was evident as they turned their attention towards Benjamin, who remained blissfully unaware of the mounting tension.Evelyn's mind raced with questions. What could this possibly mean? She wondered, her thoughts racing.Unbeknownst to Benjamin, he retrieved his phone and glanced at the screen before placing it back on the table, dismissing the call that had now ended. His focus remained on his meal.Evelyn's heart pounded in her chest, her anxiety escalating. She turned to Ezra, her tone determined. "Call the number again."Ezra nodded, quickly redialing the number. As soon as he did, Benjamin's phone once again rang, joining the chorus of uncertainty that hung in the air.Evelyn seized the phone from Ezra's hand and held it to her ear, her gaze still fixed on Benjamin, who had now put down his spoon and picked up his phone. "Benjamin Hayes speaking, who's this?" he asked. Gasp!" The revelation shook Evelyn to her core, causing the ph
"Boom!" The revelation hit Benjamin like a tidal wave, shaking him to his core."Wha... what are you saying?" Benjamin stammered, his mind struggling to process it all.Evelyn reached out to hold his hand, but he pulled back, his confusion evident. "Benjamin, I'm your mom, you're the lost son I was talking about."Benjamin shook his head in disbelief. "No, no, what's going on? Didn't you bring me here because Mr. Ezra nearly hit me? Are you trying to sympathize with me by saying this? Explain."Evelyn moved to pour a glass of wine and handed it to him. "Drink this, son."Benjamin shook his head and said, "I don't need this, I need explanation."Evelyn nodded and said, "I know and I will explain everything that made me know that you are my son to you. Drink this and calm down."Benjamin hesitated, then took the glass, drinking it down in one go. "I'm done now, say it, please."Evelyn nodded, her gaze steady. She began to recount her years-long search for her lost son, visiting orphanag
"What?" Benjamin's body shook so violently that the card slipped from his trembling hand. He could hardly believe the staggering amount his mother had just disclosed.His hands quivered as he tried to process the immense sum. Though unsure whether his mother's words were entirely true, the mention of such money had unsettled him profoundly.Evelyn, witnessing the card slip to the floor, was taken aback. She bent to retrieve it, her eyes fixed on Benjamin. "What happened, son? Why did you drop the card? And why are you suddenly sweating? Is everything alright?" she inquired. Benjamin wiped the bead of sweat forming on his head and asked, "Mom, you said there's 10... ten... 10 billion dollars on this card?" His voice wavered with disbelief.Evelyn nodded, her expression calm. "Yes, son. There's 10 billion on it. What's wrong?"Benjamin's throat felt dry as he swallowed hard. He couldn't tear his gaze away from the card in his mother's hand. It was surreal to imagine such an astronomical
Evelyn nodded and said, "Yes, NexaSky Aerospace Innovations belongs to us and now it's fully going to be yours to manage it.""What?" Benjamin was stunned. His ears couldn't believe what he was hearing. NexaSky aerospace was a name that resonated with prestige and power in Elysian, never would he have believed even if an astrologer had told him he'll one day have the opportunity of becoming the CEO of the biggest Aerospace company in the country."Moreover, so many times he had heard the students studying Aerospace Engineering in his school talk of their dream of working for NexaSky and two of these people were none other than his best friends Austin and Matthew. A light smile appeared on Benjamin's lips. "I'll surely grant my friends wishes when I step in as the CEO of NexaSky." He muttered Evelyn, who noticed her son's expression, asked what was wrong. Benjamin cleared his throat and said, "But mom, I have no knowledge about Aerospace, how do I manage it?" He asked. Benjamin ask
Stepping out with Ezra, Benjamin's eyes widened in amazement as he took in the sheer size and beauty of the entire estate. It seemed like it would take hours to explore every corner. He noticed a number of men in black stationed strategically around the house."Butler, who are they?" He asked pointing at the men. "These are the bodyguards, they're very strong and can protect you from danger." Ezra saidBenjamin nodded about to reply when his gaze fell upon a sleek Range Rover parked nearby. He asked in astonishment, "Is that for my mom? And which Range Rover model is that? It looks different from the other Range Rovers I've seen."Ezra nodded and explained, "Yes, Master. This is just one of the cars your mom uses when she's in Elysian City. It's the Land Rover Range Rover 4.4 Petrol LWB SV, valued at $500,000.""Damn! 500,000 dollars?" Benjamin muttered, walking over to the car to get a closer look. He couldn't resist the urge to open the door and sit inside, relishing the luxurious
Ezra nodded and said, "I understand, young master. It's okay to be emotional. It's time to live life to the fullest."Benjamin nodded, his heart filled with gratitude. He started the car, driving around the garage under Ezra's instructions, reveling in the exhilaration of it all.The next day, Benjamin was still in bed, savoring the comfort of his luxurious room and the spacious bed. Suddenly, there was a knock on his door. He opened his eyes and inquired, "Who's there?"A lady's voice replied, "Young master, breakfast is ready. Madam Evelyn is in the dining room waiting for you.""Alright, please tell my mom I'll be there in a few minutes," Benjamin said, getting down from the bed. He stretched and looked around at his beautifully appointed room. "I had a good sleep today, the first time in more than 19 years," he mused, a contented smile gracing his face.After selecting a shirt from the well-organized wardrobe, he freshened up. Then, he stepped out of his room. Making his way to t
Maverick, turning heads, suddenly locked eyes with Benjamin, and he was taken aback. His astonishment stemmed from two main reasons: firstly, he had expected Benjamin to be seriously injured, but here he was, seemingly unscathed. Secondly, Benjamin was clad in a Louis Vuitton ensemble, from his top to his sneakers."Benjamin Hayes?" Maverick called out, the surprise evident in his voice. Dorothy, who was at his side, swiveled her attention towards Benjamin, equally stunned by the transformation.They both were stunned seeing Benjamin. Maverick brought Dorothy to the phone office to buy her a phone and since the phones at that place are expensive, they never thought the popular broke guy would be seen around. "Oh my God, isn't that Benjamin? Why does he look so... different?" She thought, her expression tinged with a hint of anger.Meanwhile, Benjamin, fully aware of their gaze, paid them no mind. He simply moved forward to stand beside them, patiently waiting to discuss his intended
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