Cordelia closed the door, went to sit down, and looked at the card with a deep frown. She tried to think but couldn't piece together what had happened. Eventually, she placed the card aside, frustration etched on her face. Meanwhile, back at Elysian, in a large villa with separate rooms, two men lay on their luxurious beds. These were Austin and Matthew, Benjamin's best friends. The villa was a recent purchase from Olive Lane company, owned by Benjamin without their knowledge. Austin lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling with a light smile. "After all this suffering, God finally remembered us. I drive a good car, earn well, Matthew drives a good car, earns well too, now it is..." He paused, sat up straight, and continued, "Benjamin. Where is Benjamin?" He got off the bed. "He once told us he had found his mom. Could it be that his mom has taken him away or what? No, he needs a better life like us, we've always been together." In the other room, Matthew was scrolling happily throu

Brianna looked at them earnestly and said, "Can we please focus on finding Benjamin? That’s really what matters right now."Matthew and Austin sighed and nodded in agreement. "Of course," Matthew said. "We need to find him. He's our brother."Austin turned to Matthew and asked, "You’ve never heard anyone talk about him or know his whereabouts?"Brianna hesitated for a moment, her expression troubled. Then she recalled a conversation with Maverick. "There is one person who might know something," she said slowly. "Maverick. He’s a popular, rich guy here.”Matthew and Austin exchanged confused looks. "Maverick? What does he have to do with this?" they asked. "We know him. Tell us more."Brianna took a deep breath and explained, "Maverick has been pursuing me for some time. When he learned that my thoughts were always on Benjamin, he told me that Benjamin was dead. I didn’t believe him at first; I thought he was just trying to get me to forget about Benjamin. But now… I’m not sure."Matth

Carrying their large loads filled with weapons, suits, and other equipment, Benjamin and Cipherella made their way through a narrow, open street. It wasn't particularly busy, but a few cars were passing by, and the occasional pedestrian walked along the sidewalks. The two of them moved carefully, mindful of their surroundings and the conspicuousness of their presence.Cipherella glanced at Benjamin and asked, “So, master, where are we going now?”“Al-Maliki,” Benjamin replied. “That’s where Darnell’s base is. We’ll stay in a hotel there for now.”As they continued walking, they noticed that people were staring at them strangely. Benjamin realized that it was likely because of their attire. Cipherella’s fitted coat and tactical pants stood out among the local women, who were dressed in long, modest clothing, their heads covered with scarves. The men, too, were dressed in loose, long-sleeved shirts and trousers. Their foreign appearance, combined with their heavy bags, drew more attenti

The streets of Damascus were lively, filled with the steady hum of activity. Cars of all shapes and sizes moved along the narrow roads, honking occasionally as they navigated the winding pathways. Pedestrians walked along the sidewalks, some carrying bags of fresh produce from the local markets, others in groups, engaged in animated conversations. The scent of spices and street food wafted through the air, mingling with the occasional puff of smoke from small roadside stalls roasting meats and baking flatbreads. Benjamin glanced out of the car window, taking in the scene. The city was a blend of old and new, with ancient stone buildings lining the streets, their facades weathered but charming, standing alongside more modern constructions. Some areas were more polished, showcasing wealth with upscale boutiques and cafés, while others displayed a more modest lifestyle, with small shops and vendors peddling their wares. The atmosphere was vibrant, yet not overwhelmingly crowded. Childre

Cipherella nodded, her expression thoughtful. “It’s perfect for what we need,” she replied.As Benjamin sat on the sofa, taking in the luxurious surroundings, he suddenly felt his stomach rumble. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was until that moment. He glanced over at Cipherella, who had moved from the window to inspect the room.“I’m hungry,” Benjamin said, standing up and stretching slightly. “Let’s go find something to eat. I guess the breakfast option will start tomorrow.”Cipherella nodded in agreement. “Good idea, Master. We should get something now.”They quickly gathered themselves, making sure to lock the door securely behind them before stepping out into the hallway. They then made their way to the elevator, descending to the hotel lobby.Once they arrived in the lobby, Benjamin approached the front desk, where the same receptionist who had greeted them earlier was now attending to another guest. After a moment, the receptionist looked up and smiled at Benjamin. “Excuse m