"Like you see," Samuel replied.
Benjamin raised an eyebrow, reminding him, "It seems my previous threat didn't make you speak more carefully."
Thinking of the dark room, Samuel's forehead was covered in sweat. He immediately changed his attitude, becoming more professional and respectful.
"Master, Lady is still wary of you," Samuel said.
Benjamin frowned; he knew that better than anyone. He turned on his heel, heading back to his bedroom, with Samuel following him.
Pouring himself a glass of wine, Benjamin sat down on the sofa and spoke sharply, "If you can see the problem, you should know how to solve it, right?"
Samuel swallowed. He understood that if he didn't provide a convincing answer, he would spend the entire day kneeling in the dark room.
Despite the anxiety, Samuel maintained his professionalism. He said, "Master, just last night, Lady experienced a horrifying event and woke up in an unfamiliar room. The relentless attacks from you only made her defenses stronger."
Benjamin furrowed his brow. In his mind, he begrudgingly admitted that Samuel might be right. His overly friendly approach had aroused more suspicion than gratitude.
Seeing his Master's dejected face, Samuel said, "Please don't worry too much. She did see your sincerity, but express it more subtly and cleverly."
Benjamin gave Samuel a sharp look, recognizing the sarcasm in his words. Previously, Benjamin had always reminded Samuel to handle things subtly and cleverly, as befitting a professional butler.
"Alright. Do you have any updates on my mother?" Benjamin asked.
"Of course, Master. The latest news is that there is no news at all," Samuel cannot hide from his true personality.
Benjamin was accustomed to this, so he always focused on the matter at hand.
"So, she genuinely believes that I won't harm Jane, doesn't she?" Benjamin said with a sly smile.
""I guess so. Until now I still don't know what move she will make with Lady's appearance," Samuel spoke up.
"If I keep her in this mansion long enough, she will undoubtedly take action, and we'll have a chance to find out what she intends to do," Benjamin raised his glass, savoring a sip of wine.
Samuel waited until his Master finished the process, then slowly said, "That's a good plan, but from the perspective of Lady's future butler, I don't agree with it."
Benjamin raised an eyebrow, glancing at Samuel, curious about what he was about to say.
"She still has a life outside, friends, ambitions, and family. You can't confine her to this mansion. It's like personally destroying her existing life, and she will resent you after enduring that miserable existence."
"I'm not intending to imprison Jane," Benjamin clarified.
"No, you are," Samuel asserted.
"I'm not," Benjamin insisted.
"You are," Samuel asserted once again.
"Don't exaggerate everything. I will let her continue living her own life, with just one small change—she will be in this mansion," Benjamin said, confident that he was right. In his mind, she would feel better in a luxurious mansion than in a cramped rented room. She would surely appreciate his proposal and agree immediately.
Samuel saw his Master's confidence and became disheartened by Benjamin's authoritative attitude.
However, he couldn't ask a mafia don to stop that attitude because it helped them survive in this harsh world.
"But in Lady's eyes, you're just a stranger. She won't feel safe living in the house of a stranger," Samuel explained. "But I can't stop you from doing what you think is right. So, ask Lady about it first. If she refuses, then stop."
Benjamin smirked, not believing he would lose. He always trusted in his abilities.
"Not a bad suggestion. Do you want to bet on it?" Benjamin said.
Samuel smiled, excited about the little game between him and the Master.
...
After wishing Benjamin good night, Jacqueline immediately locked the door. After confirming that no one could suddenly enter this room, she powered up her smartphone.
She hadn't contacted Madam Claire as agreed, so she was worried if Madam wasn't pleased.
Jacqueline thought Madam would call or text her, but reality contradicted her thoughts. Jacqueline didn't see any notifications of missed calls or messages.
Jacqueline checked again and fell into anxiety when she realized they indeed hadn't contacted her.
The lack of communication between them after completing her task made her uneasy because she didn't know what to do next.
Jacqueline proactively called the number Madam Claire provided. After a few rings, a masculine voice answered, "Good evening, Ms. Kelly."
Jacqueline was surprised that the person on the other end wasn't Madam Claire, but she quickly calmed down. Madam Claire was very busy, she thought.
"I'm calling to report on the mission," Jacqueline said.
"Yes, I'm listening," the man said.
"But first, I want to make sure I'm talking to the right person," Jacqueline said seriously, showing caution in her work.
"I am Adam Summer, one of Madam Claire's assistants. Next time you come to Madam's mansion, ask anyone, and they will confirm it for you," the man's tone remained unchanged. "Now, please report what happened."
Encouraged by Adam, Jacqueline began recounting the details of what had transpired.
"Sorry. This is our mistake. As you know, Mr. Turner holds a high position in the mafia society. So, he has many enemies who are very dynamic and daring. I will prepare the necessary things for you to defend yourself."
"Thank you," Jacqueline said, remembering the gun Rosalia had given her. It must still be in her handbag, Jacqueline thought. If someone discovered it, would she be suspected, Jacqueline wondered. Anyway, no one carries a gun on a date.
"Where are you right now?" Adam interrupted her thoughts with a question.
"At Mr. Turner's mansion," Jacqueline said. "He said I need to stay a few more days, and I don't know how to convince him to let me out."
"Mansion?" Adam murmured, and Jacqueline heard typing on the other end. "Do you know where it is?"
"Sorry, I have no information. But after dinner together, he took me for a walk in the apple orchard in the mansion. It's very large."