Benjamin held his gaze firmly without even blinking an eye. "You will apologize for your insult, Alejandro," he said, his voice calm. "you can't bribe your way with me with your burger change." Alejandro Reed chuckled— sharp and amusing. "You're too bold, Hayes," he said, "but I have seen a lot of men charge into war they know nothing about, thinking it is pride until they soak up in blood, a foolish death. Don't get relaxed. You're sitting on fire now." With that, he turned and started walking out of the place. "We shall see who will burn then." Benjamin concluded. Alejandro Reed paused, and turned with a hint of surprise in his eyes. He smiled tightly and turned away, stepping into his car and drove away instantly. His finger tightened around the steering wheel, his jaw clenched as anger bubbled inside like hot water on a pressure cooker. He had just been challenged by the same man he overlooked. He had walked into a lot of rooms and silenced powerful men with his presence, eve

The court fell into silence but battle brewed beneath the calmness. The Ashford against Benjamin. Benjamin sat at the right side, his expression relaxed, his eyes stared ahead while Hannah sat at the left side. She was stunning in a midnight blue gown that announced it's worth without effort. His mother, Lisa who had never liked Benjamin sat in the witness deck with Hannah's junior brother, Joan whose mouth was sharp as a razor blade.The court clerk, a man in his early forties called Jonathan Carter read out the case with professional ease."Case number 102, Hannah Ashbourne versus Benjamin Hayes regarding child's custody.The judge was an average woman, Elizabeth Foster. She sat behind her Polished mahogany desk in legal authority with keen eyes and acute hearing that was judgement and justice.Her voice cut across the hall with authority. "Good morning. We shall begin the hearing now. Officially state your name."Hannah spoke first. Her voice was smooth and honey cascading on a Sm

Benjamin walked out from behind the desk and produced evidence of financial control that made the judge's expression twisted in shock mixed with disbelief.The courtroom went completely still. The judge was quiet. The Kind of quietness that even made the Ashford shifted on their seat and leaned in with curiosity eating them up inside and carving in their faces."The judge must be in shock of his current account balance. Zero cent." "That look on her face is Pity." "He's going to embarrass himself here again. Good riddance. Hannah you're fortunate to dispose of the trash before he drags her name into mud. He's irresponsible." Joan sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.Hannah flinched. Something flickered across her eyes that was possibly discomfort.He knew the truth regardless of her hatred for Benjamin. Benjamin was responsible. But being responsible wasn't enough. He couldn't give her the kind of extravagant life she wanted.The judge leaned back but she didn't relax."The co

The ride back to the old apartment felt like temper when you unexpectedly lost a custodian case against a trash husband. Hannah's grip wrapped the steering wheel tightly, so hard her knuckles whitened on her skin.He slammed hard on the brake, the tyres screamed violently beneath loose gravels, dust billowed in the air as she forcefully pulled ever in front of the old rent she'd swore she'll never back come again, but she was there, the only place she could probably get an answer to unravel Benjamin's secret.Her heels struck the premises that had missing cobblestone, anger and bitterness radiated from her feature. Her oxblood gown, flamboyant earlier in the family courtroom seemed to tighten around her body, soaking in her blood.The main door of the apartment burst open as she stumbled in. The wooden door slammed so hard against the wall the rusted hinges squealed.Hannah burst into Benjamin's room. The same room she had refused to step into since her industry blew to the surface of

Inside of a room plunged into dimness, seventeen men seated around a long rectangular table with plates carrying seats numbers as identity in their front. They wore expensive suits, the air around them thick with tension as they watched the news of Darius arrest from the TV hanging on the wall.For some seconds, they listened to the news report and watched silently as FBI dragged Darius out from the building of figure eight into their Van.These group of people belonged to a Cartel organization called FIGURE EIGHT. They are gigantic organizations that operate shady business, control subsidiaries of loan companies under their establishment to extort the poor and vulnerable people and problematic rich people who are desperate enough to use the properties as collateral. Darius was just one among the several employees among about thirty companies scattered across the city.They operate like normal corporate companies in a chain, fund the subsidiaries to give loans to desperate people and