The rain outside got heavier and heavier, the sound of raindrops battering the poor old Beetle like a relentless drumbeat. Rosemary's anxiety heightened with each passing minute as she peered at her watch. Over half an hour had gone by, and there was still no sign of Jacqueline emerging from the Turner family mansion. Frustration welling up within her, Rosemary pounded her hands on the steering wheel in a mixture of impatience and worry.
Rosemary's family might not be wealthy, but due to the nature of their family business, her father had established partnerships with several prominent figures in the city. Among them, one of the most respected and influential figures was Benjamin Turner. Benjamin, the sole heir of the Turner mafia family was someone her father held in high regard. When she started learning about her family business, he had been the first person her father talked about.
From his very birth, Benjamin had been destined to inherit the power and influence of the Turner family. Many enemies had hoped that the decision of Benjamin's father, Mr. Turner, would be a mistake in the future as he did not give more inheritance opportunities to others. They just needed to assassinate Benjamin when the time came and the Turner family would completely collapse. But Benjamin delivered a painful slap in their faces. Through his rigorous self-discipline and excellence, he demonstrated that no one was more worthy to be an heir to the Turner family than he was.
Rosemary's forehead met the steering wheel in exasperation, she knew all too well that Benjamin had achieved his position through ruthless actions. The business and mafia circles whispered about a horrible tale—at the age of 13, Benjamin's father hired assassins to assassinate his son to test his mettle. It was a brutal test. But the horrifying twist was that Benjamin had killed the assassin and fed the body to the wolves he raised as his pets. It was a bone-chilling display of fearlessness and ruthlessness. That could not be what a 13-year-old can do.
The words "domineering," "ruthless," and "aloof" was perfect to describe him. He was a true titan in the mafia world, where was supreme by cruelty and authority reign. Although he was a tyrant, he had fallen prey to the most unexpected of emotions: love. This was strange and absurd! No mafia allowed themselves to love someone. Because in the cutthroat world of the mafia, love was a luxury few could afford. Love equated to weakness, and in a world fueled by the pursuit of power and prosperity, weakness was dangerous.
Jacqueline, with her timid and self-effacing nature, stood defenseless against him, a lamb among wolves unless he allowed it.
Upon learning of Micah's deteriorating condition, Rosemary spared no expense in securing the best medical care for him. Yet, her property couldn't afford to take care of an almost completely debilitated Micah. She bit her lip. Guilt, and helplessness at not being able to help her only best friend filled her mind.
As Rosemary's thoughts whirl, she was suddenly jolted by the passing of a sleek and expensive SUV. Her gaze met the intense and piercing gunmetal blue one of the man who was seated inside. The encounter left her feeling as though she is face-to-face with a formidable wolf that was poised to strike. A shiver ran down her spine, making her almost suffocate.
The SUV's door was lifted. It was not until it glided into the mansion that Rosemary escaped the obsession of those eyes.
Her fingers instinctively reached her left chest, feeling the rush heartbeat of fear. Damn it! He's too dangerous and intimidating.
A sudden knock on her car window startled Rosemary, causing her panic. Relief washed over her as she realized it was only the guard. She rolled down the window and listened to his words.
"Lady, it's my fault for keeping you waiting outside, please drive inside the mansion," his tone now polite and accommodating— a sharp contrast from his previous demeanor.
It was better to leave Jacqueline alone.
Led by a maid, Rosemary found herself in the mansion's grand living room. Maids received her with impeccable politeness and respect She took a sip of the tea the maid brought up. The tea's purity and freshness, as well as its unmistakably high quality, left her in awe. She'd only tasted such tea once before, but that memory was always etched vividly in her mind.
"Are you satisfied with it, lady?" A maid respectfully asked. Rosemary nodded with a touch of embarrassment at this extremely special treatment. She did not think she was such a significant guest.
Amidst her mixed emotions, Rosemary heard a voice in the distance. It was a man's voice, "Master, Madam is currently engaged in a business discussion with a valued partner. Please be patient!"
"An important partner, you say? Then all the more reason for me to join in. I'll assist her in convincing her partner," another voice chimed in, deeper and carrying an even more authoritative tone.
Rosemary looked over her shoulder. Her heart raced when she saw the man who had locked his intense gaze on her. She looked back and gulped but she still focused on listening to the conversation, which was going on.
"Thanks for your good intentions, however…"
"Mr. Butler, Where are Madam Claire and her important partner?" The man's interruption was swift and potent, his voice radiating an authority that not only scared the butler but sent shivers down Rosemary's spine from afar.
Rosemary heard powerful footsteps, it looked like someone was moving.
The butler's voice sounded urgent once more, "Master Benjamin, Please behave properly!"
What? Benjamin? Was he the notorious Benjamin Turner? Panic welled up in Rosemary's mind. Why he was here? Jacqueline was here for discussions with Madam Claire. If he uncovered...
Rosemary took a deep breath, wrestling down her fear of his supremacy aura. She needed to take action to help her dearest friend.
"Overseing?" Jacqueline couldn't believe what she was hearing. To oversee a mafia don? It sounded ridiculous. "But... why?"
"As I mentioned earlier, I didn't invest a fortune just for Benjamin to have a bride," Madam Claire responded, her gaze sharpening. "I require more than that. And I believe Lady Kelly will be the right one to provide it."
Jacqueline found herself bewildered by this unexpected task. Living under the same roof as a mafia don was already a perilous undertaking, and now she was being tasked to keep an eye on him.
Her fingers clenched her skirt and her shoulders trembled as sweat beads formed on her forehead. The innate fear of death whispered in her ear, tempting her to reject this mission. But when she thought of her father whose body weakened to the brink, she could not utter the word "no" to Madam Claire.
That meant she was going to be a pawn of Madam Claire in the Turner family's war for power. Though shy and unassuming, she possessed enough intelligence to understand the problem. Simultaneously, questions stirred within her about the dynamic between mafia don Benjamin and his mother, Madam Claire.
Jacqueline closed her eyes momentarily, attempting to steady her trembling hands. Then, these turquoise eyes opened with overwhelming determination, "So, what exactly does 'overseeing' entail? What exactly I have to do?"
Madam Claire leaned back on the sofa, her words measured, "You'll keep me informed of Benjamin Turner's whereabouts when I request it, and occasionally help me obtain the necessary documents."
Despite her trembling shoulders, Jacqueline found herself staking her life on this contract. Madam Claire's swift reassurance quelled some of her fears. "In return, I'll ensure your father's safety and provide him with the best care through my hospital, Turner-Hall Hospital."
Turner-Hall Hospital! Being the largest private medical facility in the country, it was renowned for its cutting-edge technology. With that revelation, Jacqueline's fear completely vaporized, "I agree. Shall we proceed with signing the contract?"
The door swung open abruptly by a forceful kick. The maids in the tea room quickly moved towards the intruder while Madam Claire remained unperturbed, savoring her freshly replenished tea.
"So, this is the partner you've mentioned, Mother?" A deep, masculine voice filled the room.
Jacqueline's heart skipped a beat, and her attention turned toward the source of the voice. Her gaze met a man. At that moment, Jacqueline found herself captivated by his striking presence - an epitome of male perfection, akin to Apollo himself.
His gunmetal blue gaze locked onto her. Despite his rude behavior, Jacqueline didn't feel the danger in his eyes, instead, she blushed. She suddenly turned her face away as soon as she felt her cheeks turn hot.
That's why she couldn't catch his smile, whose a wolf when locking on its prey.
Madam Claire's measured voice broke the tension, effectively dispelling the awkwardness that had covered the room. "What's the matter, Benjamin?"
Benjamin? Was he Benjamin Turner, the notorious mafia don?