Chapter 89 Chapter 89
She thought for a moment, then asked him earnestly, "Drinking, gambling, fighting, street racing—and chasing women? Maybe even the West Coast?"
Benjamin listened in stunned silence, feeling both amused and exasperated. "You've been watching too many movies, haven't you?"
She smiled sheepishly and continued, "When I was young, I actually envied those people, because they are freedom. I used to fantasize about sitting on a motorcycle, feeling the thrill of speed, and screaming at the top of my lungs while racing.”
He couldn't help but chuckle and nodded. “Actually, you still can.”
Grace froze. “Really?”
Benjamin nodded earnestly, suppressing a smile. "Find a motorcycle taxi. Pay a little extra, and you can get your fix.”
Only then did she realize he was teasing her, and her face flushed slightly. “Hey, Alex, stop making fun of me.”
She called him Alex, and he felt nothing. It was as if he had shed the heavy shell called "Benjamin" that had weighed him down, leaving only lightness and joy. Sitting across from each other, they chatted idly. A strange sense of tranquility washed over them, and before they knew it, night had fallen. She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand, and then startled at his sudden movement, letting out a low gasp.
Benjamin had already lifted her up, murmuring, "Let's go back to sleep."
He carried her back to the room, laid down on the bed, and held her close as they fell asleep. Her consciousness was fading, yet she heard him say out of the blue, "Grace, if you ever want to coax someone, whether sincerely or not, you can make them beam with joy."
She mumbled in response, "Mm, thanks."
He chuckled and said nothing more, simply holding her as they fell asleep.
At dawn, when she woke up, he was no longer in the room. Michael was absent from the stairs as well. Only the housekeeper was tidying up. Seeing her come downstairs, the housekeeper asked respectfully, "Ms. Hill, would you like breakfast now?"
Grace nodded and went to eat. Shortly after breakfast, Dr. Willie arrived. He carefully examined her wound, changed the dressing, and reminded her again of the necessary precautions. Grace thanked him and casually asked, "Will there be a scar?"
Such a deep wound would naturally leave a scar. Dr. Willie assumed she was merely concerned about her appearance. He replied, "A temporary scar isn't a big deal. You can get plastic surgery. The technology is so advanced now.”
Grace seemed intrigued and asked, "Can plastic surgery really remove scars completely, leaving no trace?"
Dr. Willie nodded with a smile. "Yes. I know several excellent plastic surgeons. If Ms. Hill needs it, I can refer her to one later.”
Grace smiled, thanked him, and went upstairs to rest in bed as instructed. It wasn't until bedtime that evening that Benjamin returned with Michael. After bathing, he came over to tease her. She pushed him away hastily, her face flushed. "No more teasing," she refused. “Dr. Willie said that I need to rest."
Benjamin froze, his spirits dampened. "Just looking, but no touching? That's torture!" he grumbled.
She gave him a gentle nudge with her foot. "Then go sleep somewhere else."
But he refused, insisting on sleeping with her. In the prime of his youth, his sexual energy was at its peak. By the next morning, the discomfort down below was unbearable. Yet she was still fast asleep, her tightly bandaged wrist resting beside her cheek. The sight made him hesitate to touch her. He got up, took a cold shower, and then left for work.
By the time he reached the office, Landon was already there, pretending to review documents while chatting animatedly with the secretary.
In a foul mood, Benjamin shot Landon a cold glance before striding into his office. Landon noticed and promptly dismissed the secretary. Just as Landon was about to follow and ask what was going on, Aron entered. Without glancing at Landon, he knocked and walked straight into Benjamin's office.
Landon could tell that this man looked down on him. He’d spit at him in his mind a thousand times, but he kept up his cheerful act. He waited outside for a long time until Aron left. Then, he knocked and entered. Glancing at Benjamin’s expression, Landon chuckled. "Bro, looking at your face, I’d say Ms. Hill didn’t quite satisfy you."
Benjamin glanced up coldly but ignored him.
Landon continued. “See? I hit the nail on the head.”
Only then did Benjamin pause his work. "I brought you here to learn, not to chase women."
“But Aron won't teach me!” Landon protested. "He just dumped a pile of books on me—each one as thick as a Bible. One glance makes my head spin; two, and I'm ready to meet my maker. What else could I do? Chatting with the girls was the only way to stay awake.”
Benjamin laughed at his frustration, though his expression suggested he saw no solution. "You'll just have to work harder on your own," he said.
Landon nodded eagerly and grinned, then leaned closer. "Still fighting with Ms. Hill? My advice? Ignore her for now. You can't coddle women. Once you do, they'll find every way to demand attention. Why don't you hit Garma tonight? Isabella says there are plenty of new girls.”
"No," Benjamin replied flatly, returning to his paperwork.
Landon hesitated, then tentatively suggested, "Or...maybe I could see if I can get that girl from the other night to come?"
Landon knew nothing about that night's events, nor did he know about Grace cutting her wrists later. Seeing Benjamin in low spirits for two days straight, Landon assumed he was troubled by matters involving Grace. Hoping to cheer Benjamin up with the pretty, innocent young girl, Landon thought that if Benjamin took a liking to her, it would count as a favor on his part.
But Benjamin merely gave him a cold glance. "I think you should just go back to Garma."
The remark stung, and Landon, feeling disheartened, withdrew.
He lingered at his desk briefly before heading over to chat with Michael. But Michael was nowhere to be found. His secretary didn’t know where he'd gone, either. It wasn't until late afternoon that Michael returned, carrying a leather briefcase, and headed straight for Benjamin's office.
Landon was curious and kept an ear out for what was happening over there. Michael stayed in Benjamin's office for less than fifteen minutes before coming out, but he didn't bring the file folder with him.
Landon was quietly puzzling over this when the phone suddenly rang. Benjamin instructed him, "Landon, come to my office."
Landon had been at the company for several days, and this was the first time Benjamin had ever called him over. Feeling puzzled, Landon entered Benjamin's office and asked, "What's up?"
Benjamin first motioned for Landon to close the door. Only after Landon sat down did Benjamin ask, "Do you have a way to get that little girl to come to Garma again?"