Cordelia returned to the dining area with a tray of steaming food. On the plate was a succulent piece of roasted meat, surrounded by a generous portion of fluffy rice. The plate also held a colorful mix of well-seasoned vegetables, enhancing the visual appeal and flavors of the meal. She placed it in front of Benjamin, the rich aroma filling the room."Here you go, Benjamin," she said, setting the fork and knife beside the plate. The combination of meat, rice, and veggies promised a delightful and well-balanced dinner. "Enjoy your meal. It's a little bit of everything to make it special.”Benjamin nodded and said thank you. Cordelia then said, “Let me get you wine too.” She then opened the fridge at the side and pulled out a bottle and started pouring. Benjamin nodded appreciatively as Cordelia mentioned getting some wine. As she poured, his eyes caught a glimpse of the small scratch on her hand. Concern immediately flashed across his face, and without hesitation, he got up and gently
Soon, Benjamin arrived at the market square, where he parked his car and got down. Although it was late, the market was still bustling with activities. People were still in their stores, selling. The market square, under the glow of dimmed lights, exuded a lively atmosphere. Vendors hurriedly attended to the remaining customers, and the night air carried the fragrance of various goods. Benjamin, unsure of the exact location of the manager's office, decided to seek guidance from someone familiar with the market square. He approached a vendor who seemed to be organizing his goods."Excuse me, sir," Benjamin politely began, "could you please direct me to the manager's office?”The vendor, taking a moment to pause his work, looked up at Benjamin. "Ah, you're looking for the manager, eh? Climb the stairs and go straight down this aisle, take a left, and it's the third door on your right.”"Thank you very much," Benjamin expressed his gratitude with a nod before following the directions gi
With blood now staining the manager's face and his pleas becoming increasingly desperate, Benjamin showed no mercy. The manager, disheveled and battered, begged for mercy, his words choked with fear and pain."Please, I didn't mean it! I'll do anything!" the manager pleaded, bloodied and broken, as Benjamin continued to mete out a punishment that seemed to have no end. The office echoed with the manager's anguished cries and Benjamin's relentless determination to extract justice for Cordelia."I'm teaching you just a light lesson," Benjamin declared. Saying this, he removed the manager's clothes, leaving him in a vulnerable state. "Not just to Cordelia, but this shouldn't be done to any lady," Benjamin stated firmly. With a stern expression, he delivered a single firm blow to the manager's pot belly.The manager, feeling the impact, fell to his knees, realizing the error of his ways. "I'm sorry for asking her for that, forgive me," he pleaded.Although the manager continued to plead
Benjamin smiled and said, "Good choice. So now tell me, do you have the ownership files here? And everything?"The market square owner nodded and replied, "Of course." He then walked over to a box in the corner and entered certain codes. The box opened, revealing a substantial file that he brought out and placed on the table. "Here."Benjamin looked at it and said, "Nice. Now tell me, how much are you selling this square?"The market square owner hesitated for a moment, his brows furrowing as he carefully weighed his response. After a thoughtful pause, he finally spoke, "Well, Mr, this square is indeed valuable. I was initially considering a higher figure, given its potential and strategic location."He took another moment, then continued, "However, for the right buyer, and considering your interest, I'm willing to sell it for $5 million." The market square owner anticipated Benjamin's response, half-expecting him to express reservations about the offered $5 million. However, to his
The boss sighed, understanding the gravity of the situation, and reluctantly walked up to Benjamin. With a tinge of hesitation, he began, "Benjamin, I know he messed up, but he's been with us for a long time. Can we find a way to resolve this without him losing his job?”Benjamin shook his head resolutely and said, "There's no way. How dare he hurt Cordelia?"The manager, now in a state of despair, cried, "I'll never even look at Cordelia twice. Please, I beg you, give me another chance. I'll change, I promise." His voice trembledThe boss, recognizing the severity of the situation, pleaded with Benjamin, "Benjamin, I understand the seriousness of his actions, but he has been a loyal employee for years. Can we consider a less severe punishment? Maybe a suspension or a probation period? Please, I'm asking for a chance to reform." Benjamin shook his head and firmly stated, "No need. He's going to work here only for three months, but he won't be the manager anymore. Please help me find
"No, you won't do that. You're not my boyfriend; you don't have that right, understood?" She raised a playful eyebrow."Understood, Chef Madam Winslow," Benjamin smiled before they both walked into the garage.Getting into the garage, Cordelia was amazed. Over 10 cars were all parked. It looked beautiful. She moved around, touching the cars, saying they're beautiful.Cordelia's eyes sparkled with admiration as she came across a sleek sports car. "Oh, the Aston Martin DB11," she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. "Benjamin, this car is stunning! The design, the curves—it's a work of art."She gently ran her fingers along the smooth surface, marveling at the craftsmanship. "I've always dreamt of sitting in one of these. It's like a dream come true." Benjamin smiled and asked, "Do you want this one, then, or should I buy you one?"Cordelia shook her head and said, "Come on, I'm joking. I've been in one but not mine. I don't need a new car for now." She was still talking when her eyes
Cordelia nodded and said, "Sure, Irene. You can join me. Anyone else?"A couple more students eagerly volunteered to join Cordelia in her car, leaving Benjamin feeling a bit annoyed but not expressing it. At the end, Cordelia only chose one person among to join Azuka. Taking a look at Benjamin, Cordelia could see the frown on his face, so she asked, "Benjamin, is everything alright?"Benjamin nodded and replied, "I'm fine," but he continued giving Cordelia some light frowns.Cordelia shook her head and said, "You'll also join me in the car, making three. The rest, please use the school bus.”"Okay, Ms. We'll do that," they all responded. Everyone picked up their bags and walked out of the classroom.Now left with Benjamin, Irene, and the other lady, Cordelia suggested, "Let's go out now. We'll move when the buses start to move."Irene nodded, and they walked out with the other lady, Cordelia following. Benjamin quickened his steps and whispered, "Why did you have to let Irene even j
"Wow, Maverick came with his girlfriend.""Aww, she's looking beautiful. Money is good.”Dorothy walked forward, radiating confidence in her stylish swimming costume. With each step, she shook off any trace of doubt, carrying herself with pride. The whispers only fueled her confidence, and she wore a proud smile. Benjamin had been staring at both of them amusingly. "He's able to live a luxury lifestyle because of me. He should thank God because the day I strike and take the hotel, he'll go to trenches," he thought with a smile.At that moment, Maverick and Dorothy walked forward and noticed Benjamin, prompting frowns from both."So, this shameless guy is still alive?" Dorothy chuckled at Benjamin, but he chose not to reply.She continued, smiling, "Have you seen my boyfriend's new car? Something I would have never felt if I was with you. Hahaha."Her words elicited laughter among those who heard, especially those present during the night of Maverick's proposal. They understood the co
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