Everyone was quiet hearing Cordelia's question, their attention fully captured by the cold expression on her face."I won't want to repeat myself again. What is going on here?" she asked.A nervous gulp echoed in the room before one lady got up and confessed, "Ms. Winslow, it's all because of Irene. She was the one who came in to say you gave Benjamin a lift, and Benjamin is claiming the car is his, which made all of us laugh at him.”"You fool!" Irene muttered under her breath, shooting a disapproving glare at the girl who had spoken up.Cordelia turned her gaze toward Benjamin, who, surprisingly, didn't seem bothered by the situation. After observing him for a moment, she redirected her attention to Irene and asked, "Irene Azuka, is that true?" The room held its breath, awaiting Irene's response.Irene got up and said, "I'm sorry, Ms. Winslow. It won't happen again."Cordelia continued to stare at her and sternly remarked, "I thought I warned you guys the other time about mocking ea
Cordelia's eyes widened in surprise, but a magnetic force seemed to hold her in place as she found herself unable to separate her lips from Benjamin's.After a minute of a lingering kiss, Benjamin gently separated his lips and pressed a soft kiss to Cordelia's forehead. "Your lips taste nice to me," he whispered, a smile playing on his lips.Cordelia, rendered speechless, stood there, her gaze fixed on Benjamin.Smiling, Benjamin whispered, "Do you remember when you asked how you could cheer me up? I think I'm better now, thank you." His hand remained locked, keeping Cordelia in a gentle embrace.Cordelia shook her head slightly before finally finding her voice. "That wasn't the kind of help I could offer."Curious, Benjamin pulled her a bit closer, his hand securely holding her waist. "What kind of help could you offer then?"Concerned, Cordelia responded, "Stop this; someone might see us, and I'll be in trouble.”With a carefree attitude, Benjamin tried to reassure her. "Come on, wh
The taut rope strained against the combined force of both teams. Dust rose from the ground as sneakers gripped the grass in a desperate attempt to gain traction. Veins bulged on determined faces as the teams strained against the opposing force.Spectators held their breath, the atmosphere charged with energy. The cheers and encouragement from classmates resonated, creating a rhythmic cadence in sync with the teams' efforts.As the struggle continued, it became apparent that one side was gaining the upper hand which was the accounting department. Slowly but steadily, the determined efforts of the winning team started pulling the opposing side across the marked line. The intensity grew, and a collective gasp swept through the audience.The winning team from the accounting department huddled together, their faces reflecting determination and confidence. "Come on, team! We've got this! Pull together!" shouted their captain, rallying their spirits. Each member locked eyes, exchanged nods,
Cordelia looked at the leader and said, "Have you seen how strong the accounting department team is? You guys should match it well, or else you might lose, understood?"They all nodded in acknowledgment and moved into position. Cordelia then turned to Benjamin and wished him, "All the best."Benjamin remained silent, acknowledging her words, and walked away towards the field.As Benjamin approached the field, the sports teacher gave him a cold look. The teacher had already developed a sense of dislike towards Benjamin, influenced by what he perceived during the incident in the class.Picking up the microphone, the sports teacher declared, "Now, it's going to be a tug of war challenge between the accounting department and the business department. The accounting department has already won a lot; will they win this one too, or will they be defeated? We'll watch." He added, "Please, all the leaders, when you're pulling and feel tired, you can quickly hand over to those at your back givin
Cordelia, sensing the frustration, tried to calm the rising tension, but the damage was done. Meanwhile, just as Benjamin approached the dreaded red line, where defeat loomed large, an unexpected shift occurred. With a sudden surge of determination, Benjamin planted his foot firmly on the ground, as if rooted like an immovable tree. His posture conveyed an unexpected strength, and the dynamics of the tug of war transformed in an instant.As the accounting department continued their forceful pull, expecting an easy victory, Benjamin defied expectations. With controlled strength, he not only halted their progress but began to pull back, creating distance from the ominous red line. His strategic maneuver caught both teams and spectators off guard, as if he had tapped into an unseen reservoir of strength.The field echoed with gasps and murmurs as Benjamin, against all odds, showcased resilience and strategic prowess. The tide had turned, and the business department, once on the brink of
As the final victory of the business department unfolded, the crowd erupted into a symphony of cheers and jubilation. The air vibrated with the collective elation of the spectators, and within the business department, the joy was palpable.Cheers cascaded through the air like a waterfall as members of the business department embraced each other, celebrating their unexpected triumph. Among the exuberant voices, praises for Benjamin echoed with genuine admiration, "He did it! Benjamin turned the game around!""What a comeback! That was pure brilliance.""Who knew we had a tug of war strategist in our midst?""Benjamin, you're a hero! What a leader!""I can't believe we won! This is incredible!""Madam Cordelia must be proud. Benjamin really proved himself today.”The five members, including the one who initially led the tug of war, shared a moment of joyous celebration. The leader, who initially harbored doubts about Benjamin's ability to secure victory when he exchanged positions, no
The pace was deliberate, almost deceivingly slow. It was a strategic move to lull the accounting department into a false sense of security. The rhythm of the pull seemed to echo the ebb and flow of anticipation on the field.The accounting team, initially confident, found themselves surprised by Benjamin's unconventional approach. They had prepared for a fierce and immediate struggle, but instead, Benjamin orchestrated a gradual, methodical pull.As the rope inched towards the red line, Benjamin, with a knowing smile, unleashed the surprise. In a sudden burst of coordinated effort, his team reversed the direction, catching the accounting department off guard. The slow-paced pull had served its purpose — it disarmed the opponent, setting the stage for a swift and unexpected counterattack that left the accounting team scrambling to regain control.“Pull at once with a force.” Benjamin yelled. Without wasting time his team pulled at once and then won the accounting department. Wow!” Unbe
"Are you asking why?" the manager frowned."Of course, sir. I'm eager to know why because I don't understand why all of a sudden prices would be increased by 30 percent," Cordelia repliedThe manager leaned back in his chair and explained, "Cordelia, the Market Square attracts a significant number of visitors, contributing to the consistent flow of customers to your supermarket. It's our collective effort to maintain high standards here, which, in turn, reflects positively on your business, enabling you to thrive and make good profits.”Cordelia’s brows furrowed as she attempted to reason with the manager. "I understand the need for adjustments, but the current prices are already higher than the standard. Adding another 30 percent makes it more than just an increase; it's becoming exorbitant.”The manager, visibly angered, slapped his hand on the table. "How dare you? You question something I've taken time to calculate as abnormal? Are you insinuating that the prices are too high? Do
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