Ben stood in his sleek, modern office, with large windows offering a panoramic view of the busy street below. He held a short tumbler of deep amber liquid, swirling it gently as he watched the cars zip by. Each vehicle was a reminder of the frenetic life outside his sanctuary. Today felt different, though; the usual calming effect of the cityscape eluded him. On most days, when tensions ran high, he would turn to a glass of red wine, but today felt too heavy to handle that kind of strength. Instead, he found himself reaching for something stronger-something to quiet the storm raging within him.

Despite the serenity of his surroundings, anger churned in his gut like a thick fog. The thought of everything his partner endured, compounded by the painful experiences of her mother, gnawed at him incessantly. The injustice of it all-how certain behaviours of men perpetuated such suffering-stoked a fire in his chest that refused to be extinguished. He felt like a coiled spring, ready to snap.

Just then, the door to his office swung open, and Scott stepped in, a mixture of anticipation and professionalism on his face. "You called for me, sir?" he asked, his tone steady but tinged with curiosity. Ben turned away from the view to face him and moved toward his desk, where a file rested beckoningly under the dim office lights. He picked it up and let it fall with a gentle thud on the polished surface in front of Scott.

"I need you to review this contract," Ben instructed, his voice clipped but authoritative. "If it favours you, then you can sign it. The legal assistant position is yours. I was impressed with your performance during the interviews with me and Mr. MarQueen, but be clear: if you screw up, you're out. Understand?" He held Scott's gaze, wanting to convey the seriousness of his words.

Scott absorbed the gravity of the situation as he picked up the file, his heart racing with excitement at the offer of a new opportunity. However, he masked his elation, acutely aware of the tension thickening the air around him. He observed Ben, who seemed lost in thought again, retreating to the window with the glass still in hand, his expression shadowed by unspoken worries.

An urge bubbled within Scott to ask about what troubled Ben, to offer a listening ear, but he steered clear, sensing that probing might provoke further agitation. Instead, he nodded in understanding, conducting himself with the decorum required in moments like these. He took a steady breath and made his way out of the office, closing the door softly behind him, leaving Ben to wrestle with his thoughts in solitude.

As Ben stood by the expansive window of his office, the cool breeze wafted through the slightly ajar pane, but his attention was firmly fixed on the scene unfolding outside. His eyes zeroed in on a sleek black car parked across the street, its polished surface gleaming in the morning sun. He watched intently as Nathan emerged from the vehicle, his movements nonchalant as he strode purposefully toward Ben's firm. An uneasy tension coiled within Ben, a battle between the urge to confront Nathan and the promise he had made to Shelley to keep his distance. Thoughts of giving Nathan a piece of his mind flooded his mind relentlessly.

With an abrupt determination, Ben downed the last remnants of his drink, the bitter liquid lingering on his palate, and made his way downstairs, each step echoing his internal conflict. As he reached the ground floor, the murmurs of construction filled the air, mingling with the distant sounds of the city waking up. There, he spotted Nathan in conversation with a burly construction worker, their voices low yet animated.

Ben's heart raced as he approached, driven by a mixture of fury and apprehension. The moment Nathan became aware of Ben's presence, a disarmingly cheerful smile broke across his face, a façade that only intensified Ben's frustration. "Good morning, Mr. Adam. It's really nice to run into you here! How have you been?" Nathan's tone was casual, almost mocking, as if their history held no weight.

Ben, fueled by a simmering rage and unwilling to engage in pleasantries, turned to the construction worker, his voice sharp as he requested, "Could you excuse us for a moment?" The air crackled with tension as their eyes met, the unspoken animosity thickening the atmosphere around them.

"Nathan, right? I have been informed that the major construction work for my firm's renovation is complete. All that remains are a few minor tasks, correct?"

"Correct."

"Good. I want you to know that David will be taking care of the remaining tasks. Your services are no longer needed." Nathan was about to respond when Ben interrupted him. "Don't worry, you will still receive your full payment. That said, I would like you to leave my firm."

"Mr. Adam, hold on a moment. Are you not satisfied with my work at your firm? Is that why you are terminating my contract? I have done an excellent job with the renovation while preserving the architectural design of your firm. So, why are you letting me go?"

"No one doubts your professionalism," Ben reassured him, his tone calm yet firm.

"Then what exactly is in the doubt here, sir?" Nathan asked, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice.

"The thing is, I prefer to trust my colleagues, but I've realized you're not one of them." Ben shrugged. "It's nothing personal."

"That’s absolute nonsense, and you know it," Nathan exclaimed, his voice laced with fervent anger as he clenched his fists, the tension palpable in the air around them. "I don’t know what Shelley told you about me, but that woman is nothing but a fabricator. Surely, you won’t take her word over mine."

Ben stepped forward, invading Nathan’s personal space with an intense, unwavering gaze. “I’m only going to say this once,” he warned, his tone low and steady, "so if I were you, I’d listen very carefully. Shelley may have her flaws, but dishonesty isn’t one of them. I advise you to tread very lightly in this matter. If you dare to come anywhere near her, I will ensure you live to bitterly regret it." The threat hung in the air, heavy and charged, as the two men faced off, their conflicting emotions swirling like a storm.

"Are you really trying to threaten me, Mr. Adam?"

"Nope! Just consider it a warning. Now, I would like you to leave my firm before I have to ask security to escort you out," Nathan said with a sinister laugh. "Tell me, Mr. Adam, what do you think Shelley will think of your little threat?"

Ben stared Nathan dead in the eyes. "I don’t care what Shelley thinks about it. When it comes to her, I will do almost anything to protect her, whether she agrees or not.

Oh, one more thing—how is the court case regarding the acquisition of that land for your project coming along?" Ben asked with a devilish smile.

Nathan turned and walked away without saying a word.

***

Ben sat at his cluttered desk, surrounded by papers and contracts, the soft hum of his computer filling the air. He was deeply engrossed in his work when the door swung open without warning. David stepped into the office, his expression a mix of irritation and disbelief. "Adam," he began, using Ben’s last name in a tone that suggested a confrontation was brewing, "what on earth is this I hear from Nathan about you terminating his contract? I was the one who brought him on board for this project, and I find it hard to believe you would make such a unilateral decision without consulting me first."

Ben lifted his head from his paperwork, slightly taken aback by David's sudden intrusion. "I apologize for not discussing it with you beforehand," he said, attempting to keep his tone calm and measured. "I didn’t want to involve you in this situation, so I thought it best to handle it myself. Please just let it go."

David, arms crossed defiantly over his chest, narrowed his eyes. "You didn’t want to involve me, you say? That’s hard for me to swallow. Now, can you explain what this issue with Nathan has to do with a woman named Shelley Dickson? I can’t help but notice that her last name bears an uncanny resemblance to my cousin’s."

Ben let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of the conversation pressing down on him. "Why are you asking me this? If you’re curious, why not just go to Nathan and ask him directly? I really wish you would just drop it," he urged, rising from his chair, the tension in the room palpable.

David, undeterred, retorted, "Fine, if you won’t give me the information, I’ll go straight to my cousin and get her take on the matter." He took a step toward the door, clearly intent on pursuing his inquiry.

But just as David’s hand reached the doorknob, Ben called out, stopping him in his tracks. "Alright, alright," he relented, the resignation evident in his voice. "I’ll share what I know, but you have to promise me one thing: don’t ask Shelley about any of this, and please don’t mention your connection to Nathan in front of her.”

"Alright, I won't. Now speak," he says, settling on the couch.

A/N: Hey everyone! I'm really curious to hear your thoughts on this chapter. What did you all think? Let's dive into the details together!