"Since you're just starting, I don't think payment is needed now. When everything is done, the building and sales begin, that's when I think I should start receiving payment," Olive suggested.Benjamin chuckled and nodded in approval. "That's a fair approach, Olive. However, for your initial commitment and efforts, I insist on providing you with $10,000. Consider it both as a token of appreciation and a resource for your personal use.”"$10,000?" Olive was visibly shocked. She questioned, "Without any work yet, $10,000? That's quite generous. Why such a significant amount?"Benjamin smiled. "Consider it an investment in your potential. You're going to work for me, and I believe in recognizing and rewarding dedication. Use it for yourself; you deserve to enjoy the quality you'll be contributing to our projects.""Wow, thank you so much, Master. I appreciate it," Olive expressed her gratitude.Benjamin nodded, and without hesitation, he initiated the transfer. As Olive left, Benjamin re
Cordelia nodded and said, "Thank you." She then looked at the car Benjamin brought in and remarked, "Is that your car? Looks new."Benjamin smiled, "Oh yes, I bought it yesterday. It's very beautiful, an Audi R8.""Thank you," Benjamin replied with a smile.Cordelia suggested, "Let's go inside then. It's already getting dark."Benjamin nodded, following Cordelia into the house. The interior was impressive, and he took a seat, glancing around.Cordelia asked, "Would you like to have anything?""No, thank you," Benjamin said with a smile.Cordelia nodded and suggested, "Come to my bedroom, that's where all the paintings are hanging."Benjamin nodded and followed her into her bedroom.As Benjamin stepped into Cordelia's bedroom, the ambiance immediately reflected her taste. The room had an elegant and feminine touch, with pastel-colored walls and tastefully arranged decorations. A soft fragrance lingered in the air, giving the room a pleasant and inviting atmosphere.The centerpiece of C
"I've been trained to recognize the subtle details," Benjamin explained. "The brushstrokes, color nuances, and even the aging patterns. It's all part of my expertise."Cordelia couldn't help but feel impressed, though a tinge of vulnerability lingered. The paintings were more than just art; they held sentimental value. Benjamin had exposed the deception, leaving Cordelia in a state of silent contemplation.As Cordelia examined Benjamin, a sense of astonishment filled her. Glancing at the time, it was already 30 minutes past 8. She looked at Benjamin and suggested, "I'm going to cook. What would you like to eat?"Benjamin shook his head, responding, "Just as you said, I should leave after my work is done, so I'll take my leave now."Cordelia sighed, hesitating before saying, "Benjamin, I'm... I'm..." Her words trailed off, and then she suggested, "Let me go and escort you? I'll drive.”However, Benjamin declined, shaking his head. "I came alone; I'll go alone, please. I don't want to be
"What?" Benjamin was stunned. He didn't expect Cordelia to apologize. He was quiet, not knowing what to say."Hey, are you there?" Cordelia asked, sensing the quietness."I am," Benjamin responded.Cordelia sighed and said, "I don't know, but I feel you're so mad at me. Tell me, how can I make it up to you? I'm really sorry for that. I forced myself to get angry and went overboard, you know. There were so many things we had to discuss, that's why I wanted to cook something for both of us, but you angrily left.”"Well, I'm also sorry for that. I shouldn't have held your waist nor flirt. Forgive me," Benjamin said."No, no, you're wrong, Benjamin. It's hard to say this, but I will. It was really a good feeling, that's why my heart started beating faster. But then I couldn't control it and forced out my anger," she said."Really?" Benjamin was stunned. "Haven't you been in love before?" he asked."Love!" Cordelia chuckled. "I don't want to be in love nor do anything relationship, and yes
“Of course that's an important person, surely there'll be guns.” Another said"Is that a celebrity? He's trying to stay incognito," one person suggested."No, I think he's some high-profile figure. Look at the security detail," another chimed in."Maybe he's a millionaire or a billionaire. Those cars and guards are too fancy for a regular person," someone speculated.The whispers intensified as the group moved along the sidewalk.At that time, a young girl looked at her mom and asked, "Mom, that uncle has got people following him with guns. Will they hurt us?""Keep quiet, don't talk," the little girl's mom replied nervously.Benjamin, who had overheard their conversation, walked in front of the little girl and knelt down to her level. The girl's mom was shocked but didn't say a word.Benjamin smiled, rubbing his hand over the little girl's hair, and reassured her, "They won't hurt you, okay?”The little girl looked at her mom, then back at Benjamin, and nodded.Benjamin smiled. The gi
Soon they arrived at NexaSky aerospace company. The doors were opened as the men stepped down. Benjamin, Ezra and Evelyn also stepped down followed by the guards. Benjamin was taken aback as he took a look at the big building covering the whole place, it was really big. He stared at it with mixture of trepidation and awe. The building itself was a marvel of modern architecture, a towering titan of glass and steel that seemed to defy gravity. Its sleek, aerodynamic curves whispered of cutting-edge technology and boundless ambition.Gleaming solar panels adorned the facade, reflecting the morning sun in a kaleidoscope of colors. As Benjamin drew closer, he saw holographic displays flickering to life, showcasing NexaSky's latest advancements: spacecraft poised for launch, intricate robotic arms assembling complex structures, and sleek, futuristic vehicles navigating the vastness of space.It looked like a world on its own. “Oh my, this is mine?” He thought with a smile. After approxima
"The boss is giving the grand tour!" Workers whispered among themselves as Suzzy led Benjamin through the aerospace marvels. "Comport and focus, everyone!" they echoed, quickly adjusting their posture and attention to reflect the arrival of their esteemed manager.Suzzy guided Benjamin through the aerospace wonderland with the assurance of a seasoned storyteller. As they approached the massive CNC machines, she gestured towards them with a gleam of pride in her eyes."Here we have our CNC machines, Master Benjamin," Suzzy explained, her voice carrying a blend of admiration and expertise. "These giants precisely carve intricate components for our aerospace wonders. It's a symphony of technology and craftsmanship.”They continued through the humming expanse, arriving at a row of automated robotic arms engaged in a mesmerizing dance of precision. "Meet our robotic workforce," Suzzy introduced. "They assemble with an accuracy that surpasses human capabilities. Each movement is a step clo
Benjamin then followed Suzzy to the upper floor until they reached a place with a door. "That's the meeting room, Master," she said.Benjamin nodded and said, "Okay, open it then."Suzzy nodded and opened the meeting room.Inside, a desk with six chairs was arranged, and four men and two women, all around the age of 50 to 60, occupied them, leaving one chair empty. At the high desk was a chair that looked distinguished from the rest.Benjamin also noticed his mom seated in an office chair with Ezra beside her, seemingly there to observe rather than actively participate in the meeting.The five people inside the room stood up together when they saw Suzzy and said, "Welcome, Manager Williams."Suzzy nodded for them to sit, which they did. She then walked towards Benjamin and said, "Master, that's your seat," pointing at the highest chair.The five individuals in the room exchanged glances, their initial shock evident in the raised eyebrows and slightly agape mouths. A subtle murmur of s
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