Chapter 874: Encountering Janet Again
At noon, Benjamin swung by the Pinnacle Group office to tackle some overdue tasks. The truth about the shady hospital demolition scheme had finally surfaced, exposing a sneaky mastermind behind it all, causing quite a stir. Unfortunately, the culprit had already skipped town, leaving the Pinnacle Group high and dry without any compensation. On the bright side, the company's reputation had taken a turn for the better. Now that the truth was out, nobody was pointing fingers at Benjamin for cutting corners to make a quick buck. Celestoria's stocks, backed by some mystery investors, shot through the roof, hitting record highs. The Pinnacle Group's market value climbed back over ten billion dollars, inching closer to the twenty billion mark.
Benjamin knew this was just the start. The funds he got from Hudson through Celestoria would soon be in his pocket, boosting his net worth. In a way, he had become a player in the big leagues of finance. Even though he was still figuring out the ins and outs of the financial world, he was confident that over time, he'd untangle the whole web of events and get to the bottom of things.
Putting up a new hospital seemed like a far-off dream since waiting a year wasn't an option. It looked like snagging a building, whether new or used, to house the hospital was the only way to go for now. But it wasn't urgent, so he passed the task on to Jeremy's secretary to handle.
After tying up loose ends, Benjamin got a call from Thea.
"Thea," Benjamin answered.
"Hey, I tracked down Cameron. He's chilling in Valoria, hanging out at Vice President Herbert's pad with James," Thea reported.
"Looks like the Stormwind Sect is causing trouble again," Benjamin observed.
Thea nodded, "Yep, I also got word that Herbert's itching for a fight. And rumor has it they've got backup from some shady group."
"Got it," Benjamin said. "Hey, Thea, ever thought about joining the Dragon Corps?"
"Huh? Dragon Corps?" Thea sounded surprised. "Aren't they all about hardcore combat skills?"
"Not necessarily," Benjamin clarified. "We need a mix of talents, not just fighters. Right now, the Dragon Corps could use someone with your intel skills. I think you'd be a great fit for the tech department, where your smarts can really shine."
"Well, alright then. If you say so," Thea replied. "But don't blame me if I struggle to keep up."
"You won't fall behind," Benjamin assured her confidently. "You can count on me. Oh, and by the way, I'm planning to lead the Dragon Corps on a mission to Valoria to deal with Cameron."
"Huh? Benjamin, you don't have to do this just for me," Thea protested.
"It's not just for you," Benjamin explained. "I also have some unfinished business with someone who almost tore my family apart."
"Who?" Thea asked.
"Herbert," Benjamin replied slowly.
After ending the call, Benjamin activated the communication device, summoning all Dragon Corps members to head to Veridiania.
However, the Dragon Corps' reputation was too well-known globally. A massive deployment could easily spook the Valoria authorities, sparking alarm and potentially leading to military action against Benjamin. To avoid this, he decided to disguise himself and his team at the Veridiania border before entering Valoria.
That afternoon, Benjamin gathered the sixteen Dragon Corps members and boarded a private plane bound for Stonecrest.
By the time they arrived in Stonecrest, it was already late at night. Benjamin opted to stay the night, rest for a day, and set out the day after to find Janet.
The next morning, Benjamin rose early, rented an off-road vehicle, and embarked alone towards the tribe where Janet resided. He drove for four hours, from morning till noon, before finally reaching the destination. Without Janet's GPS coordinates, he would have struggled to locate her.
At noon, Benjamin reached the outskirts of the Whitethorn Tribe. It was a picturesque scene, with the midday sun casting a golden glow on the lush rice fields and the rolling hills painted in vibrant green hues. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of straw with each gentle breeze, creating a serene and natural ambiance. For anyone seeking solitude, this place was perfect.
As he approached the village entrance, the road disappeared, giving way to a complex terrain dotted with stairs and simple brick houses.
Given Janet's status as the chief's daughter, it wasn't hard to inquire about her whereabouts. Benjamin asked around and was directed to the largest courtyard at the highest point of the village.
Approaching the courtyard, Benjamin was halted by a brusque young man in blue, speaking in a dialect unfamiliar to Benjamin.
"I'm not from around here, I'm an outsider," Benjamin explained.
The young man, sporting colorful headbands, also conversed in an unfamiliar dialect upon realizing Benjamin's confusion. He inquired, "Who are you searching for?"
"I'm looking for Janet," Benjamin responded. "Does she live here?"
"Oh, you're here for Janet? And who might you be?" The young man's demeanor remained unwelcoming.
"I'm Benjamin," Benjamin introduced himself.
"Benjamin? Oh!" The young man's expression shifted, eyeing Benjamin curiously before exclaiming, "So, it's you! My sister talks about you all the time!"
Benjamin was surprised. "Your sister?"
"Yes." The young man grinned warmly, offering his hand to shake Benjamin's, saying, "Hey, I'm Gavin Saunders, Janet's cousin."
"Please, come inside," Gavin opened the courtyard gate, welcoming Benjamin in.
Stepping into the courtyard, Benjamin noticed an array of flowers and plants, including some exotic poisonous ones. Rumors about the Echo Region residents' fascination with poisons seemed accurate.
As he advanced, a girl's sharp voice erupted from a nearby room, filled with aggression, indicating a heated argument.
Recognizing Janet's voice but unable to comprehend the language, Benjamin turned to Gavin and asked, "What is your sister saying?"
Gavin explained, "She's adamant about not marrying that jerk Anson, no matter what!"
"Who's Anson?" Benjamin inquired.
Gavin sighed, "Anson is the Shadowthorn Tribe chief's son. They've always eyed taking over our Whitethorn Tribe. It's a longstanding issue for our family, given our inferior position against the Shadowthorn Tribe."
Benjamin smirked, "Don't worry, I'll handle it. What's the Shadowthorn Tribe? I can wipe them out if needed."
Despite living in a secluded area, Gavin was aware of Benjamin's prowess and remarked, "Alright, I'll let my sister know you're here."
"Janet, quit being upset! Come out and meet our guest!" Gavin called out.
In response, Janet's voice retorted, "I'm not interested! Is it that jerk Anson? Tell him I'm not marrying him, he can forget about it!"
Benjamin chuckled, teasing, "Janet, I'm here, and you're not even peeking?"
"Ah! Benjamin, you made it!" Janet's voice softened from the room.
"If I hadn't shown up, who'd handle Anson for you?" Benjamin quipped.
"Ah!" Suddenly, Janet dashed out of the room, throwing herself into Benjamin's arms, exclaiming affectionately, "Benjamin, I've missed you so much!"
Considering Janet like a sister, Benjamin remained composed despite her embrace.
"Yeah, missed you too," Benjamin replied, noticing Janet's teary eyes. He gently ruffled her hair, saying softly, "What's up, Janet? If you don't want to marry, then don't! No need for tears. Your eyes are all puffy from crying, not a good look!"
"Yeah," Janet nodded sadly. "Benjamin, Anson's goons cause trouble daily, hurting many in our tribe."
"Where's the Shadowthorn Tribe? I'll ensure they won't dare bother you again," Benjamin assured calmly.
"Really?" Janet's eyes lit up. "You'd do that for me?"
"Of course," Benjamin affirmed. "Hop in, we're heading there now!"
Just then, Janet's father emerged from the room, an elderly man with a weathered face. He inquired, "Where to?"
"We're off to the Shadowthorn Tribe to set things straight," Benjamin stated calmly.
"Alone?" The old man seemed surprised.
"Absolutely," Benjamin asserted. "I can handle the Shadowthorn Tribe on my own."
Janet added, "Dad, this is the Benjamin I always mention to you."
"Ah, Benjamin?" The old man recognized the name, a mix of joy and concern crossing his face. "The Shadowthorn Tribe is formidable. You might be outnumbered. Let me send some of our youth along."
"No need," Benjamin remained composed. "One capable person is sufficient."
Impressed by Benjamin's confidence, the old man advised, "Stay cautious. If things get dicey, return immediately. Don't take unnecessary risks."
"Understood," Benjamin assured. "I'll ensure Gavin and Janet return safely."
"Okay," the old man nodded.
Accompanied by Janet and Gavin, Benjamin departed the Whitethorn Tribe, hopped into the off-road vehicle, and under Gavin's guidance, set course for the Shadowthorn Tribe's main village.