Benjamin Wayne's Rise to Power

Chapter 3

“And who the hell are you?”

Benjamin’s adoptive mother managed to ask after some time, 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 Benjamin.

“Hellooo!” his adoptive mother called out. “You can’t just barge into my property and start giving out orders!”

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

For the next few seconds, everyone remained still, confused. Then the woman 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, Benjamin was standing alone while everyone else had been pushed back.

The woman finally turned to him and extended a hand.

“Come, Sir.”

Benjamin hesitated for a second.

Sir? Had she just referred to him as Sir?

He was uncertain, but something in her tone made refusal impossible. He stepped toward her, and she placed a steadying hand on his arm, as if bracing him from collapsing under the weight of whatever she knew—and whatever she expected of him.

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

Benjamin leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. “Pardon me, but… who are you?”

She met his eyes calmly, as though 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.”

His heart lurched.

“Personal—what?”

Before he could process it, his 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?”

The question landed like a punch. Even Benjamin felt it.

His adoptive father straightened, puffing up with pride. “We are the Lawson Family,” he declared, as though 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.

Benjamin’s adoptive father’s expression changed instantly.

His adoptive mother scoffed loudly. “Figures. Ignorant people always reveal themselves eventually.” She shot back, then lifted her chin triumphantly. “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?”

Benjamin’s 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 as though they were poorly written characters in a cheap novel.

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

“Two times more,” the woman repeated slowly, as though tasting the words. 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 Benjamin’s adoptive parents. His adoptive mother backed away, nearly tripping over the edge of the hallway carpet. His 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 his 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 Benjamin’s arm lightly. “Come, Sir. There is no need for you to witness this.”

He allowed her to guide him toward the entrance. His heartbeat quickened as he glanced back at the scene unfolding behind them. It was a warning delivered by professionals who did not intend to repeat themselves.

She opened the car door gracefully and gestured for him to enter. A knot tightened in his chest as he got in.

“They might get hurt,” he said.

She glanced at him 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 him.

Benjamin took his seat, still shaken, and the car pulled away from the Lawson residence, leaving his adoptive parents shrinking in the rear window.

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

He hesitated. Staying with the Lawsons was no longer an option, and he had nowhere else to go. Before he could answer, she spoke again.

“I know a place,” she said thoughtfully. “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. Just assurance.

Benjamin nodded. “That works.”

The relief in her expression was subtle but unmistakable. “Very well.” She signaled to the driver, and the car turned.

********

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

Ryan 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.”

“Okay… but why don’t we do something about tonight? You know… to get over this.” She ran a finger down his chest. “I’ve 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, noticing his expression.

“Get dressed,” Ryan instructed. “I’m 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’ll have our night, and I’ll 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 though saying goodbye to a cherished friend, while Rose tugged him forward excitedly, eager to enjoy the room he had begrudgingly purchased.

They finally reached 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 froze mid-step.

Someone was strolling through the hotel’s private garden.

Someone familiar.

Casual steps. Calm expression. Not hiding. Not sneaking. Walking as though 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?”