Chapter 108 Chapter 108
Upon returning to Seattle, Benjamin noticed that fresh green shoots had already emerged from the shrubbery outside the estate. Benjamin emerged from Old Norman's study and stood in the hallway. He instinctively glanced northward for a few seconds before stepping outside.
As he exited the gate, he encountered Vito, who was returning from outside. Spotting him, Vito halted immediately, hesitated, then called out, "Benjamin"
Maybe he had been taught by Old Norman or maybe he had witnessed Benjamin's ruthlessness firsthand, Vito's demeanor toward him had grown considerably more respectful since returning from Canada. He no longer dared call him "Alex," much less utter any words of provocation.
Benjamin shot him a cold glance. "If you don't want to go back, then stop hanging around Garma all day. Come to the company and work.”
Vito froze, then grasped the implication. He bowed his head and replied, "Got it."
The Norman family had a rule: to prevent internal strife during the transition between old and new leaders, any descendants competing with the incoming head were sent away. They would remain distant from the seat of power until the new leader had fully consolidated control; only then would they be allowed to return.
Old Norman had two sons, both of whom died in middle age, leaving behind one son each: Benjamin and Vito.
Nine years ago, twenty-year-old Benjamin was chosen as the next leader. It was then that Vito was sent abroad. Although it was officially presented as a study abroad program, it was, in reality, a family exile.
Vito never complained about this until three years ago. His revered cousin, Benjamin, underwent secret plastic surgery. He arranged for a death-row inmate who bore a striking resemblance to him to be transferred from prison to die in his place.
Vito was filled with rage and despair over this decision made by his grandfather and cousin. He couldn't understand why his grandfather would choose an illegitimate son of unknown origin as the new leader nor why his cousin would willingly forfeit the remaining year of his life to die prematurely.
He couldn't comprehend it. He couldn't fathom why they both looked down on him so much.
Benjamin ignored him and continued walking out. Outside the estate, a car had been waiting at the gate for some time. As soon as Benjamin got in, Michael, who was sitting in the front seat, turned around, handed him a phone sealed in a plastic bag, and said, "This is Officer Niko's phone. I just retrieved it from LA. I found images of the files inside. It looks like he took the photos with this phone.”
Benjamin examined the phone and asked, "How did you get it? Did he suspect anything?”
“Not at all,” Michael replied with certainty. "We hired a pickpocket to shadow the cop for two days. The pickpocket snatched the phone when the officer wasn't paying attention. The cop never suspected a thing.”
Benjamin nodded slightly. He disassembled the phone himself, removed the memory card, and prepared to destroy it. The lighter was already flicked on, but his hand paused involuntarily. After a moment of stunned silence, he gave a self-deprecating chuckle and held the memory card over the flame. From that moment on, Alex ceased to exist in this world. Only Benjamin remained.
He handed the phone back to Michael and said flatly, "It's been taken care of."
Michael acknowledged the return, glancing at him cautiously and hesitating to speak.
"Go ahead," Benjamin said softly.
Michael replied, "There's news from Ms. Hill's school. On the first day of term, the college received her handwritten resignation letter, mailed from Toronto.”
Michael glanced at Benjamin as he spoke but found his expression almost unchanged.
He hesitated before asking, "Should we send someone to investigate?"
Benjamin shook his head. "No need. They won't find anything there."
A woman that cunning would never leave a trace. The location on the letter was merely a deliberate diversion.
Benjamin gave a faint, cold smile. After a moment's thought, he instructed Michael, "Search her parents' house again. Look thoroughly. See if you can find any clues. Also—” He paused, then added, “Don't let up on the school, either. See if anyone came to collect her personal belongings from her office.”
Michael took note of each instruction and led a team to search Grace's parents' home again, but they found nothing. Not only had the Hill family properties remained untouched since she escaped Benjamin, but even the bank accounts under Grace and her parents' names had remained untouched. The Hills seemed to have severed all ties with their assets, sacrificing everything to flee Benjamin's control.
Nearly every possible avenue had been investigated—school, home, friends—yet Benjamin still couldn't locate Grace. He'd even probed Adrian's background, tracking down his long-remarried mother, yet still found no clues.
By May, Benjamin had gradually accepted that Grace had truly escaped and would never return.
Simultaneously, he began taking over all Norman family enterprises, both legitimate and illicit. In mid-June, he traveled to Mexico. Upon his return, Old Norman formally announced his retirement, making Benjamin the head of the Norman family.
Landon and the others threw a banquet in Garma to celebrate. After drinks, Landon had a gift box about half a man's height carried into Benjamin's room. Leaning drunkenly on Benjamin's shoulder, Landon whispered, "Ben, wait until we're gone to open this. It's a real surprise.” With that, he winked at Benjamin before leading his crew out.
Silence filled the room. Benjamin glanced at the box absently, uninterested. He stripped and headed to the bathroom. Only after bathing did he emerge, nudging the box with his toe and lazily commanding, "Come out."
There was a rustle from inside, but no one emerged. Benjamin had no patience for games. He simply kicked the box over. The woman hiding inside let out a startled cry and tumbled out. She looked at Benjamin in panic. "They wouldn't let me come out," she explained.
The instant Benjamin saw her face, his body froze. It took him a few seconds to regain his composure. He looked at the woman, who bore some resemblance to Grace, and reached out to lift her chin for a closer look. Seeing the panic and bashfulness in her eyes instantly made him lose interest. He released her and said flatly, "Get out."
The woman hesitated, cautiously calling, "Mr. Norman?"
Benjamin had already turned to leave, adding, "Don't make me say it twice."
Startled, the woman did not utter another word, retreating quietly. Moments later, the door knocked again. Landon entered cautiously. First, he apologized to Benjamin, then explained, "We just wanted to cheer you up."
Benjamin lay on the sofa, lifting his eyes to meet Landon's. "From now on, don't use Grace to try to cheer me up. Seeing her doesn't cheer me up.”
“I'm sorry,” Landon said quickly.
Only then did Benjamin wave his hand, signaling Landon to leave.
Silence quickly returned to the room. Benjamin took a cigarette from the pack but didn't light it; he simply held it between his fingers.
Just as the quiet settled in, the text notification sound from his phone suddenly rang out beside him. Benjamin glanced over. It was a brief message from Wendy: Are you asleep?
He glanced at it, smirking derisively. He didn't pick up the phone or reply.
Love was always a game in which the first person to take it seriously became the loser. Just like with him and Grace, and with him and Wendy.
She was far too gullible, so easily deceived that he’d lost all interest in continuing the charade. Yet, he hadn't let her go. Not for her sake, but for the sheer thrill of imagining Grace’s reaction if she ever returned to find this girl—whom Grace had risked everything to rescue—now willingly by his side, offering him her love and body. Wouldn't that shock and enrage her?
Just picturing her fury brought him pleasure.
Yes, he was a pervert. She was absolutely right about that.
This twisted man hated her deeply yet thought of her madly every single night.
Benjamin felt as if he had been split in two. The daytime version was lofty and glamorous, while the nighttime version was dark and sordid.
The days passed as he lived two utterly different lives until he finally died.
In October, through Old Norman's arrangements, Benjamin went on his first blind date. The girl was a young heiress whose father had been steadily climbing the political ladder for years. Though not yet in the innermost circles, he showed tremendous promise and was likely to become a major figure in Seattle.
Truthfully, marrying anyone made little difference to Benjamin. Yet, upon meeting her, he unexpectedly found himself intrigued.
The woman was slightly plump but quite attractive. At first, Benjamin merely admired her. Upon closer inspection, however, he noticed a striking resemblance between her features and Grace's.
She possessed an exceptionally straightforward personality. Noticing his gaze, she asked, "Mr. Norman, why are you staring at me like that?”
Benjamin snapped back to reality and offered a faint smile as he replied, "I just realized how beautiful you are, Miss Taylor."
The woman burst out laughing. "Thank you."