Chapter 135: I Have Superpowers

Benedict was still washing the dishes, but this time, he kept his phone close.

Outside, Jessica was helping Susie with her reading.

Benedict answered the call.

Albert's voice was cold as he explained the situation.

Benedict felt a slight headache but stayed calm.

"Okay, I get it. Thanks for handling this, Albert. But you sound pretty upset."

"Benedict, how do you expect me to be happy about this? I thought you had changed, that you were a good husband and a decent guy. But you used your wife as a bet. Do you even respect Bella? Do you see her as just an object? Isn't this going too far? If you were here, I'd want to punch you!"

Albert was genuinely angry.

Benedict replied calmly, "Albert, sometimes the process doesn't matter, only the result. And the result is, I won everything."

Albert was taken aback but continued, "But what you did was still wrong, wasn't it? Bella is really hurt and upset. You gave her a glimmer of hope, and now it's shattered. She doesn't want you to gamble; she wants you to be a decent person and do something meaningful. Do you get that?"

"I get it, Albert."

"But you're still gambling."

Benedict moved closer to the kitchen window and spoke softly, "Albert, a gamble with an unknown outcome is a gamble; a gamble with a known outcome is not a gamble, it's a superpower! Have you ever played a game with cheats?"

Albert was stunned because he had played some cheating games too. "Are you saying you only bet when you're sure you'll win?"

"I told you, it's not gambling. You could say I cheated. But those people weren't good guys. Cheating them to win back my house, car, and money isn't wrong."

Albert was silent.

"Alright, Albert, thanks for everything. Your help on this trip to Imperial was invaluable. When you get back, I'll treat you to a nice meal. And you start at the new company the day after tomorrow!"

"The day after tomorrow?"

"Yes, my life is on a winning streak. I can help you win too."

Albert was silent.

He said, "Mr. Capulet, it looks like David wants to ruin you. Aren't you afraid?"

"As someone who's already died once, what do I have to fear? I'm not afraid!"

After the call ended, Albert wanted to go to the hotel.

To tell Bella that Benedict only bet when he was sure he'd win.

But he decided against it, as he was supposed to protect her secretly.

And he didn't want to upset Bella with his presence.

Bella returned to the hotel.

Her mind was a mess.

She thought about Benedict's past: drinking, gambling, losing money, hitting her, yelling at their daughter, fighting with Eugene, and being disrespectful to Jessica.

Then she thought about his recent changes: cooking, doing housework, taking care of the kids, using his medical skills to help people, and helping Jessica with her pregnancy.

He started a real estate company in her name, and the profits would be hers.

He won a Bentley for her, gave cars to Jessica and Eugene, and gave Eugene a million dollars to travel and get treatment.

But then she thought about Benedict gambling with Dennis, using her as a bet. What if he had lost?

She also thought about David.

Their past life was poor but happy.

Now they had money, but his personality had changed.

Aside from the joy of their reunion, she felt only confusion, pain, and disappointment.

She couldn't sleep.

She sat silently on the hotel bed, not wanting to call home to say she'd be back tomorrow.

She wanted to call Benedict and yell at him but didn't have the courage.

Her mind was in turmoil.

She felt sad and cried.

Tissues were scattered all over the floor.

Anyone who didn't know the situation might think something terrible had happened in the room.

Meanwhile, Benedict finished washing the dishes.

He left the kitchen; it was past seven in the evening.

He told Jessica and Susie to go to bed early because he had to go out.

Jessica's mood was unpredictable these days. She frowned, "What are you going out for at night? Are you going to gamble again?"

Susie was scared.

She ran over and hugged Benedict's leg. "Daddy, please don't gamble anymore. Gambling is bad! Susie doesn't want you to gamble, Daddy, please!"

Tears rolled down her chubby cheeks.

Jessica's heart ached.

Benedict's heart ached too. He picked Susie up and said, "Daddy isn't the same as before. I won't do anything I'm not sure of. I won't gamble anymore. Be a good girl, Susie."

"But what are you going out for at night, Daddy? I'm afraid you'll really go gamble! Mommy said your gambling addiction is like a drug addiction; once it starts, you can't control yourself."

Susie wiped her tears and sniffled.

Benedict had no choice but to say, "Susie, I'm going to pick up Mommy. Is that okay?"

"Really?" Susie was excited. She hadn't seen her mom in days.

Jessica was shocked. "Are you crazy? Driving to Imperial at night? That's five hundred miles! You can't go!"

Her pregnancy made her temper even worse.

Benedict said, "I want to surprise Bella. It's part of my change. I rested well during the day. I can drive at night. Besides, I hired a driver to switch with me. Remember Albert, the security captain from Bella's old job at the electronics factory?"

Jessica nodded, remembering Albert. He was one of Bella's suitors.

Benedict continued, "I already ordered flowers in Imperial. They're being delivered tomorrow morning. If I don't go, the money is wasted. Over a thousand dollars, isn't that a shame?"

Jessica felt a bit of a pinch at the thought of the money. "Okay, fine. But be careful. Driving at night can be dangerous."

"It's fine. The highway is the best at night. Except for big trucks, there aren't many cars."

"Still, be careful!"

"I know. Don't tell Bella. Let's surprise her, okay?"

"Okay, Daddy, Susie can do that. I was just about to call Mommy, but I won't now, hehe."

Jessica nodded too. "Alright, you have the right idea. Bella is lucky to have you."

So, Benedict got ready and left.

He drove onto the highway.

Speeding all the way.

In 2010, highway surveillance wasn't strict.

There weren't many cameras, and he could just brake when he saw one.

The Maybach sped like a black lightning bolt.

Five hundred miles was nothing.

Thanks to his morning runs, Benedict's physical fitness had improved a lot.

He drove for four hours straight.

He was twenty miles from Imperial.

Benedict stopped at a service area.

In the car, he took out a pack of Camel cigarettes Kenneth had given him.

"If Kenneth wants to treat me, I'll smoke one to stay awake."