Chapter 87 Chapter 87
Her reaction was far too genuine. Perhaps he had never imagined that a woman could muster the strength to devise strategies against him at that moment. Unable to hide his smugness, he rose and leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. "You're so ungrateful. Did I ever torment you? I've never served anyone else."
Grace breathed a sigh of relief yet continued to play the part of a woman consumed by desire. She spoke like a scheming, fiery villainess from the movies: "Really? Then the CEO of Norman Science, the renowned Mr. Norman, how good his oral skills are?”
Her sharp-tongued sarcasm made him both love and hate her.
This was exactly what he craved—a woman who submitted to him spiritually yet defied him physically and verbally.
A sexy, beautiful, intelligent, and stubborn woman—like a she-wolf, howling, fighting, and tearing at him with sharp teeth, yet belonging to him completely in spirit.
Benjamin leaned in to kiss her.
Grace flinched away, a fleeting look of disgust escaping her face.
He caught it but misinterpreted it. His hand cupped her cheek as he chuckled. "That's your own saliva. Taste it.”
Ignoring her resistance, he lowered his head and pressed a deep kiss upon her lips.
Outside, the night deepened. Inside, the lovemaking had only just begun.
After a while, Grace, exhausted, fell into a deep sleep. Benjamin, however, remained awake, sitting alone at the bedside with a cigarette between his fingers.
After a while, he turned his head, gently tangling his fingers in her hair and slowly caressing it. Using the dim light, he gazed at her face.
She slept soundly, utterly undisturbed by his presence. Her fair, delicate face bore slightly parted lips that were moist, tender, and faintly swollen.
That was his doing. As he watched, he found himself leaning down and gently nibbling her lips. Only then did she push him away drowsily and murmur indistinctly, "Stop messing around. Sleep.”
He smiled and finally let her be. Instead of lying down to sleep, though, he slipped on his robe and went out. Downstairs, Michael sat silently eating at the dining table. When he spotted him descending the stairs, Michael hurriedly stood up and called out, “Mr. Norman.”
Benjamin gestured for him to sit back down and continue eating. He just said, "Come to my study after you finish."
He had a separate study—not the reading nook in the living room, but a secure room that was even bug-proofed. Yet he rarely went in. It held too many traces of the previous "Benjamin," too many of his tastes. The tall bookshelves were packed with foreign-language editions, and just glancing at the densely packed spines made his head spin.
He disliked this place—or rather, the Alex within his soul disliked it.
A few minutes later, Michael followed him in, closed the door, and stood with his hands at his sides in front of the desk. He addressed him respectfully: “Mr. Norman.”
Benjamin gave a slight nod and asked, "How did things go?"
"Everything's been taken care of. Not just the file that came with us—all the earlier records have been wiped clean, too.” Michael briefly recounted his trip to Los Angeles before adding, "However, we haven't yet identified who's working for the Meyers. Many people had access to the files, so it's difficult to investigate each person. I've also checked Wendy and her grandmother's call records but found no leads.”
Michael paused, glancing cautiously at Benjamin, then continued, "There's no trace of the connection between Ms. Hill and them either."
Benjamin fell silent for a moment, then murmured to himself, "Who would've thought she could pull off so much right under my nose? I underestimated her.”
Michael understood the complex relationship between them and did not respond to Benjamin's remark. Seeing no further instructions, Michael hesitated before saying, "Mr. Norman, your grandfather already knows about the Garma incident the other day and called me back to question me."
Benjamin looked up at him. After a moment, he gave a sarcastic laugh. “If he's so uneasy, why doesn't he step in and run the company himself instead of parading this fake around as the real deal?”
Michael saw the anger rising in Benjamin and held his breath in fear. After a moment, he gathered the courage to defend himself. "Mr. Norman, I’m a servant of the Norman family. I cannot disobey my master's orders."
Benjamin sneered, "You're a servant, and so is Aron. One protects me, and the other handles my work at the company. Grandpa sure knows how to pick people—he's chosen some good subordinates for me."
Michael dared not speak.
Benjamin smiled and roughly propped his leg on the desk. He continued, "Go on. What else has he instructed?”
Michael swallowed dryly and replied cautiously, "He requested that you refrain from harming the Meyer family. They are different from Ms. Hill. With the Garma incident preceding this, targeting the Meyers—grandmother and granddaughter—risks provoking the police. While the Norman family isn't afraid of trouble, we shouldn't go out of our way to invite it."
Benjamin nodded slightly. “What else did he say?”
Of course, there were other words, but Michael dared not repeat them. He had been at Benjamin's side for over three years and understood him better than anyone did. This man might not be as skilled in strategy as the previous Mr. Norman, but he was far more treacherous, vicious, and utterly fearless.
Benjamin seemed to read his thoughts. "Never mind. It likely wasn't pleasant. Michael, after he passes away, who will become the head of the Norman family?"
Michael answered, "You."
Benjamin raised an eyebrow slightly. "Are you certain?"
Michael didn't dare speak, falling silent as cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
Benjamin spoke with measured calm, "Loyalty, regardless of its object, is ultimately a virtue. Michael, I won't press you on the past. I'll only say this: As my subordinate, you must obey my orders. Otherwise, even if it cost me dearly to kill you, I won't keep those who defy my commands.”
Michael, trembling with fear, murmured, "Yes."
Benjamin smiled. "Since I've been open with you, I have no fear of my grandfather learning this. But remember, if he questions you in the future and you haven't informed me beforehand, there's no need to tell me afterward."
He waved Michael out. Just as Michael was about to leave, Benjamin casually added, “Look into Wendy. Since the old one is too cunning, we'll start by investigating the young one.”
Michael froze, about to ask a question, when Benjamin added, with a hint of satisfaction, "Michael, Grandfather was right. I am petty, and I have no intention of changing. Anyone who dares to cross me will pay the price."