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Chapter 18 - Slow torment

I was completely taken aback when out of nowhere, Benjamin materialized right in front of me. With a swift motion, he seized Luke's arm and forcefully propelled him aside, causing him to land unceremoniously on his rear end.

The sound of commotion filled the air as the employees grew louder. The atmosphere became lively and spirited.

Benjamin's presence exuded an icy aura, as if he was shielding me with an invisible shield. The reason behind his protectiveness still remained a mystery to me. Slowly, he turned his attention towards me, extending his hand with utmost care to inspect mine.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" he inquired, his voice filled with genuine concern.

"No, I'm alright," I replied, forcing a small smile that faded all too soon.

He fixed his gaze on me for a while and I couldn't help but ponder if this man was genuinely concerned about his reputation at all. He had just entered this scene, and his employees were all eyes, observing his every move.

He shifted his gaze away from me, his eyes sweeping the room with caution, taking in the sight of the crowd now congregating on the lower level. It was as if a silent understanding passed through the air, compelling everyone to vanish into thin air. With a single glance, he wielded an invisible power, prompting each person to scurry away in haste, leaving behind a strange stillness.

I was totally taken aback by what I witnessed because his vibe spoke volumes. He spun around to face Luke, who had risen to his feet, his head lowered. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead, a clear sign of his anxiousness about the unfolding events.

"I'm really sorry, boss. I had no idea she was your fiancée," he choked out, his voice filled with the least emotion.

"Wife," Benjamin corrected with a frigid tone, his words slicing through the air like icy daggers.

As I observed Luke's gaze shifting towards me, a look of surprise spread across his face. It was the kind of expression that seemed to ask, 'When did you two tie the knot?'

Seeing him in such a state brought a sense of satisfaction, and I couldn't help but hope that he would endure even more. After all, he had deceived me for five long years and this was just the beginning of his reckoning.

"I apologize, Boss," he murmured once more, his head bowed in contrition.

This time, Benjamin didn't reply immediately. Instead, he scrutinized Luke with a discerning gaze, taking in his perspiration-drenched appearance.

"You're relieved of your responsibilities in the property development industry, to resume work immediately as my personal assistant."

"Oh no, boss, please! I had no idea she was your wife," Luke pleaded, his voice trembling as he sank to his knees, desperation evident in his cracked voice.

"You've got until today to move out of the company house, and the car will be taken away from you as well. I don't want to get to my office and not meet you there. You should be grateful you still have a job," Benjamin stated, his gaze deliberately meeting mine with a calculated intensity.

"Let's go," he urged, gently clasping my hands, his urgency evident.

I didn't get why Luke was begging at first, but now it hit me hard that the company took everything from him. Where's he gonna stay? But why should I even care? He never gave a damn about me. I glanced at the man holding my hands and couldn't help but wonder what kind of guy he really is. He made two of his own employees suffer just because they said some words to me.

We reached his office, and there I was, back on the couch while he settled into his chair. Without skipping a beat, he plunged back into work mode, completely disregarding my presence.

My eyes remained fixed on him, captivated by his presence, until I witnessed him slowly raising his head from the file. His gaze met mine, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still.

"Is there something you want to say?" he inquired

"I... I'm really sorry about what happened," I stammered, my voice filled with genuine remorse. "I never intended for any of this to occur."

He released his grip on the pen, carefully setting it down on the file. Folding his arms, he spoke with a hint of frustration, "I'm seriously reconsidering if you should continue working at all. The past 24 hours have been anything but peaceful. Is this what being married to you entails?" Letting out a weary sigh, he continued, "Perhaps it's best if you just stay at home, and I'll take care of everything. You'll still have your shares in the company, but you won't have to work. I'm not lacking in wealth, I earn more than enough."

As his words sank in, I found myself unable to respond. The weight of his offer hung in the air, and I couldn't help but wonder why he was showing me such kindness. In all my struggles, no one had ever extended such a generous offer or saved me in this way before. The question lingered in my mind: Why was he being so unexpectedly kind to me?

"Since you aren't replying, I'll guess that's a yes."

"I can't, I have to work. I'm sorry if my actions have..." My words faded as a knock echoed through the door.

Luke entered, his complexion drained and an unexpected frailty enveloping him. Avoiding eye contact, he stared down at his feet, unwilling to meet any of our gazes.

"You owe my wife an apology," Benjamin asserted, his voice retaining its icy demeanor.

I observed Luke's hesitation, his body language frozen in time. Moments passed before he mustered the courage to meet my gaze, his eyes filled with an coldness. Surprisingly, I wasn't taken aback by his demeanor, for deep down, I knew he was despicable, and his coldness came as no surprise.

"I'm sorry," he uttered softly, his words carrying a weight of simplicity.

I couldn't bring myself to accept his simple apologies, knowing that our paths would cross more frequently now that he was Benjamin's assistant. I couldn't just let him off the hook so easily. No, I would make sure to slowly torment him, to make him feel the weight of his actions. And in that moment, all I could do was nod silently, refusing to respond to his words, for I was determined to maintain my own facade.