Benjamin Wayne's Rise to Power

Chapter 3

Benjamin’s POV 

“And, who the hell are you?" 

My adoptive mother managed to ask after sometime, her voice sounding like someone who had just been snapped out of a trance.

The woman didn’t spare her a glance. Her focus remained on me.

"Hellooo!" My adoptive mother called out. "You can't just barge into my property and start giving out orders!" 

Once again, the woman said nothing, and my adoptive mother just stood there, stunned into silence. 

For the next few seconds, everyone stood still, confused. But then she turned to the men beside her and spoke. “Clear them.” 

Two of her men stepped forward almost instantly, guiding the housekeeper and the others aside with swift, practiced efficiency. No violence—just undeniable authority and within a few seconds, I was standing alone while everyone else was pushed back.

The woman finally turned to me and extended a hand toward me.

“Come, Sir.”

I hesitated for second. Sir? Did she just refer to me as Sir? I was hesitant but still, something in her tone made refusal impossible. I stepped toward her, and she placed a steadying hand on my arm as if to steady me from collapsing under the weight of whatever she knew—and whatever she expected of me. 

Up close, she looked even more striking—sharp-eyed, composed, and absolutely certain of every movement she made. She was a stranger but her touch felt reassuring.

I leaned in slightly, my voice low. “Pardon me, but... who are you?”

She met my eyes calmly, like she had been waiting for that exact question.

“I am the CEO of Mercury Corporations,” she said, “and your personal assistant, appointed directly by the Wayne Family.”

My heart lurched. “Personal—what?” 

But before I could process it, my adoptive mother cut in sharply.

“Wait just a damn minute. Assistant? CEO? Who do you think you are grabbing our people like that?”

The woman turned to her at last, her expression completely unreadable.

“And who,” she asked coolly, “exactly are you supposed to be?”

That question hit like a punch, even I felt it.

My adoptive father straightened, puffing up with pride. “We are the Lawson Family,” he declared, as if the title alone should shake the earth. “You—whoever you are—should show some respect.”

The woman blinked once. Slowly.

“Never heard of you.” She said and my adoptive father's facial expression changed instantly.

My adoptive mother scoffed loudly. “Figures. Ignorant people always reveal themselves eventually.” She shot back, then lifted her chin in triumph. “However, I also think it very important that you know the Lawson Family just signed a partnership with the Carlton Family—yes, the Carlton Family. Our influence is growing, our name is expanding. We don’t have time to entertain nobodies." She waved dismissively.

“Now, here’s what will happen. You will leave our property right now, and we’ll pretend this little display never occurred. Consider it... mercy.”

The woman’s eyebrow lifted barely a fraction.

“Mercy?” she repeated. “Is that a threat?”

My adoptive father took a step forward. “We are giving you a chance.”

“And what if I don’t take it?” She asked calmly.

“Young lady,” he said, “you do not understand who you are dealing with.”

The woman tilted her head, studying them like they were poorly written characters in a cheap novel.

“If you leave now we will let bygones be bygones,” my adoptive father started. “But if you refuse, whatever you do today, we would do two times more.”

The woman’s response came slowly, almost too calmly. “Two times more.” She repeated the words as if she was tasting them. Then she smiled, not warmly but with something close to pity. “So your answer is to strike.”

The moment the word left her mouth, her bodyguards moved. Their steps were quiet but decisive as they closed in on my adoptive parents. My adoptive mother backed away, nearly tripping over the edge of the hallway carpet. My adoptive father raised his hands in a mixture of shock and indignation. The men did not hit them. They simply advanced with such controlled force that my parents stumbled back on their own, overwhelmed by the territorial pressure of people who clearly did not consider them worth any real effort.

The woman touched my arm lightly. “Come, Sir. There is no need for you to witness this.”

I allowed her to guide me toward the entrance. My heartbeat quickened as I glanced back at the scene unfolding behind us. This was a warning delivered by professionals who did not intend to repeat themselves. 

She opened the car door gracefully and gestured for me to enter. But a knot tightened in my chest as we got into the car. “They might get hurt.”

She glanced at me with steady confidence. “They know their limits. They are trained. Your adoptive parents will be frightened, not injured. You should know that anyone who offends you offends the Corporation I manage. And that is something I cannot allow.”

Her certainty soothed the panic rising inside me. I took a seat, still shaken, and we pulled away from the Lawson residence, leaving my adoptive parents shrinking in the rear window.

As we drove off, she turned her attention back to me. “Where will you be staying tonight?”

I hesitated. Staying at the Lawsons was no longer an option, yet I had nowhere else to go. Before I could come up with an answer, she spoke again.

“I know a place." She said with calm consideration. "A top tier resort. You may stay there temporarily. If you agree, I will escort you there and have the manager come out to receive you. After that, I will leave for a meeting.”

There was no pressure in her voice as she spoke. Just plain assurance. I nodded. “That works.”

The relief in her expression was subtle but unmistakable. “Very well.” She gave a signal to the driver, and the car made a turn.

***

“Hold still,” Rose muttered as she dabbed ointment on Ryan’s bruised cheek. Her frustration made her movements sharper than necessary. “I still cannot believe he hit you. And on today of all days.”

The second male lead winced. “He didn't just hit me. That bastard had the guts to ruin our night, and made me look pathetic. You saw how he shoved me, right?

"Yes, my love. He's nothing but a pained jerk who certainly can't come to terms with our love."

"I know right.." Ryan concurred, then sighed. "I cannot let this slide.”

“Ok... But, why don't we do something about tonight? You know... to get over this.” She said, running a finger down his chest. “I have been waiting to experience you... Properly. Don't tell me you're going to let a little bruise ruin everything?”

He straightened with masculine indignation. “No! Of course not. You know what?"

"What?" Rose asked seeing Ryan's expression.

"Get dressed." Ryan instructed. "I am taking you to the most expensive hotel in the city, the Golden Front Hotel."

Her annoyance melted instantly. “Golden Front Hotel? Seriously?”

“Yes. The best room they have. We will have our night, and I will make sure no one interrupts it this time.”

***

The Golden Front Hotel rose tall and pristine, its lights reflecting across the pavement like a promise of luxury. 

Ryan paid reluctantly at the front desk, counting each bill as if saying goodbye to a cherished friend. While, Rose tugged him forward excitedly, eager to enjoy the room he had begrudgingly purchased.

They finally made it to the elevator, already laughing about what they planned to do first, but just as the doors opened onto the private garden walkway that led to their suite, both of them froze mid-step.

Someone was strolling through the hotel’s private garden. Someone familiar.

Casual steps. Calm expression. Not hiding, not sneaking, but walking as if the place belonged to him.

Rose squeezed Ryan’s arm. “Is that—not Benjamin?”

Ryan squinted. “How the hell is he here? Isn't he supposed to be in his storage room?”