His Devious Rule

After receiving the call, Benjamin left Skylark and went to the warehouse which was under Matthews Industries.

Entering the warehouse hurriedly, he saw the man who had drops of perspiration on his forehead even in the cold. "What are you doing here? I told you to leave the city and hide somewhere." Benjamin fumed at the man who was one of the drivers of the trucks.

Swallowing hard, the driver uneasily looked at the side where a tall man in a neat black suit was standing. The driver was on the way to leave the city with the money Benjamin gave him but he was stopped mid-way by the men in the black suits. They brought him back to the warehouse where all those trucks were parked.

Benjamin's eyes widened when he saw the driver's look. He didn't want to become a punching bag between Alvin and Cordelia. If Casper gets to know about it, he would lose his job. He also feared the cops. Thus, without daring to look at who was there, he tried to flee from the warehouse.

The man in a black suit named Rick grabbed the box that was on the rack and hurled it at Benjamin swiftly. It hit on the head before Benjamin could exit the warehouse.

"Ahh…" Benjamin groaned in pain, falling to his knees, holding his head.

Rick was impressed Alvin identified the culprit so accurately. While investigating and reporting to Rob, both of them thought it was the work of Casper. It turned out to be Benjamin who was a coward to run away.

So who is the real mastermind behind the attack? Benjamin? Or somebody instigated him to do it? Who is that somebody?

Rick grabbed Benjamin's jacket collar and dragged him inside the warehouse. Alvin didn't ask him to bring anybody but find out the main person.

The warehouse was for storing the beverages. Since it was Saturday, there was nobody around. Rick didn't find anything he could use for frightening Benjamin. So he just faced Benjamin who was on the floor, afraid to meet his eyes.

"Benjamin Matthews," Rick's hoarse voice was intimidating. "Let's save our time. Who instructed you to attack my boss?" They just wanted a name. They weren't thugs to hit and do illegal things. So he hoped they could solve it smoothly.

Benjamin crawled away as he denied them to reveal the truth, "I-I don't know w-what you are talking about."

Rick stretched his neck and stayed calm. Rob had clearly told him that no violence as much as possible. They need a mastermind.

"Then why were you running away?" Rick asked, taking a step towards Benjamin.

Benjamin trembled, looking at the shiny black shoes as soon as Rick lifted his leg. His heart was thundering in his chest as he breathed hard.

If he reveals Cordelia's name, Casper might save her but he won't forgive him. If he doesn't reveal Cordelia's name, Cordelia might help him out. Won't she?

So he has to keep this matter down or else his life was going to turn upside down.  He stammered as he crawled back, "I-I thought y-you are a thief."

Rick laughed mockingly at the man. He didn't know people would run away from the thief instead of confronting him or calling the police. Even at this point, Benjamin didn't think of the police once.

Why will a criminal call the police by himself?

That laughter was a siren from hell to Benjamin. He was petrified, he didn't know what to tell or what to do to escape from there.

Rick gave another try, holding his patience, "Let me help you recall. Who did you meet in the Matthews mansion yesterday evening?"

Rick paused. He was there at the warehouse after a thorough inspection of Benjamin's actions. He circled around Benjamin on his long legs as he made the question even easier, "Option A: Cordelia Milton. Option B: Gianna Sallow. Option C: All the above." They could be chances for the two ladies to plan together.

Benjamin discerned they had looked into his actions in such a short time. Weren't Alvin and his team busy with the event? When did they get the time?

He stuttered as he looked around as Rick circled, "I-I don't know a-anything."

Alright, Rick suddenly sat on his toes in front of Benjamin. His brown eyes seemed to darken as the time passed. He dusted Benjamin's shoulder, "We have to return to the event. It won't be good if our suits crease. So be good and answer this question."

He gave a pause looking at Benjamin widen his eyes. "Why did you visit the Matthews mansion early in the morning?" Ricked smirked dangerously, "Option A: To report to Cordelia Milton. Option B: To report to Gianna Sallow."

Benjamin was pale hearing the same thing. Alvin was close to finding out but was stuck between two members. He wouldn't tell them, "I-I went to meet B-brother Casper on office work."

Rick stood up, he was itching to kick the man in the gut but held back, looking away from him. With a single powerful punch, Benjamin might get admitted to the hospital. To avoid this news falling into the master mind's ear, they will have to keep Benjamin safe and unharmed.

He turned behind where others were standing in black suits. They had got new suits to attend the events and celebrate the success. Looks like they weren't fated to enjoy.

He instructed through his teeth, "Get his son out. If we beat him, he will open his mouth."

Benjamin's eyes widened. As a minor Matthews family, they are living a comfortable, wealthy life under the main Matthews family. His son was enjoying his life in the name of Matthews. Now they were finding ways to join his son in Matthews Industries.

More than that, how could Benjamin see his son suffer for his silence?

"My son didn't do anything. I-its Aunt Cordelia. Cordelia Milton." He blurted. "I-I told her that Skylark bought lots of shares. Alvin could get a majority and take over the company. She asked me to do this. My son is innocent. Don't do anything to him."

Rick sent a message to Rob with just a name, [Cordelia Milton.] Rick wasn't surprised to hear it was Cordelia. Since they had deduced the two ladies, Gianna and Cordelia, they were mentally prepared for the old lady to be a snake.

Rick instructed others as he went towards the warehouse exit, "Make sure he doesn't inform anybody. Treat him royally and bring him to the banquet."

Rick paused and turned to the truck driver. The latter gasped and surrendered voluntarily, "I won't tell anybody and stay here, silently."

Rick glanced at Benjamin. Cordelia might be a poisonous snake but she didn't know who to choose for the job.

He left the warehouse and went towards the Skylark to represent as Chief Security Manager of the Skylark.

––––

On the other end,

Rob had changed the car to a Royals Royce Phantom which had a privacy divider so that he doesn't have to hear the couple flirting.

He wouldn't have followed them if the morning attack hadn't alerted them. He didn't want to take the chance on their safety.

He forwarded the message he received from Rick to Alvin in case Alvin didn't want to inform Anya.

Meanwhile, Alvin was watching his wife who was trying to keep her face stoic. He wanted to know how long she was going to maintain her composure when she was embarrassed due to Rob's effort to change their car and pull the privacy shield.

He was aware that she was still a girl who was inexperienced. So it was amusing to see her put on a strong front. He caught her chin and turned her to face him.

Anya whined covering her burning cheeks. Couldn't Rob behave like he hadn't heard anything? Now, she was embarrassed to face him.

'Beep,'

Alvin chuckled and let go of her. Fishing out his mobile, he checked the message from Rob.

Anya who saw his expression hardened, couldn't help but peek at his mobile. Alvin instinctively locked the mobile screen.

Anya knew she shouldn't invade his privacy, but she was concerned if there was any problem. She awkwardly smiled and went away, without knowing if she should ask him or not.