Ch. 121..130

Chapter 121 Is This Guy Her Friend

“Sure!”

Gavin smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits. Blushing, he kissed Arissa on her cheek.

Absolutely charmed by his cuteness, Arissa couldn’t help but kiss him again before putting him down.

“Sweetheart, go to school with your father. I have to get to work soon.”

She stroked the boy’s head lovingly.

I have another four kids in the house. I have to take them to school later, so I can’t have Benjamin sticking around.

“Let’s send Gavin off to school together before you head to work,” Benjamin said, extending an invitation.

Tucking her hair away, Arissa declined politely, “I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Graham. I will be driving to the company. You don’t have to go out of your way to do this.”

Upon noticing her somewhat distant attitude, Benjamin frowned.

“Go on, Gav. You need to get to school.”

Arissa pulled Gavin into her arms to lead him to the doorway.

Aware of Arissa’s predicament, Gavin showed his cooperation by dissuading Benjamin from the idea, “Come on, Daddy. Mommy isn’t used to sitting in your car yet. We’ll do this some other time.”

After checking on his son, Benjamin put on his shoes at the door.

Then, he held Gavin’s hand before reminding Arissa, “Don’t be late for work.”

Arissa’s lips quivered for a moment before she waved him goodbye.

“Drive safe, Mr. Graham. Bye-bye, Gavin!”

“Bye, Mommy!”

Gavin turned around to wave at Arissa, whose eyes narrowed as she smiled.

Before the father-son duo even got into the elevator, she shut the door.

The moment Benjamin heard that, he glanced back at the door with a frown on his face.

“Let’s go down, Daddy!” Seeing the morose expression on his father’s face, Gavin tugged on his hand as a reminder to get moving.

Benjamin retracted his gaze and led Gavin downstairs.

Incidentally, they bumped into Bradley, who had brought the car over. Bradley was about to go up the stairs just when the pair were about to exit the apartment complex.

“Hey-”

Although Bradley was delighted to see Gavin, he cut his greeting short when he got a close look of Benjamin’s face.

As Bradley studied Gavin, he realized he couldn’t tell him apart from his siblings.

He surmised that the grown man was Benjamin, whereas the young boy was Gavin.

It was his first time meeting Benjamin in person, and it turned out to be a terrifying experience.

After all, the man was born with an air of nobility.

His chilly aura was especially menacing to the point that Bradley couldn’t look him in the eye.

“Hello, Mr. Hinton!” Gavin took the initiative to greet Bradley.

He recognizes me?

Bradley’s eyes lit up as he waved at Gavin. “Hello!”

Gavin smiled demurely.

After nodding at Benjamin, Bradley entered the apartment complex.

With a frown, Benjamin lowered his gaze at Gavin. “Who is that man, Gavin?”

“He’s Mr. Hinton. He’s Mommy’s friend!”

Gavin looked at Benjamin. That was all the information the boy had.

Benjamin’s face fell.

Is that the friend Arissa’s talking about?

His frown deepened when he did a double-take on Bradley, who had an unconventional taste in fashion.

Is this effeminate guy her friend?

Benjamin jibed internally.

With a solemn look on his face, he led Gavin into the car before driving away.

At the same time, Arissa called out to her children in her apartment unit, “Sweethearts, you can come out now!”

Within a few seconds, the four children came in from the balcony with empty bowls and plates in their hands.

Astonished, Arissa exclaimed, “So that’s where you’ve been hiding!”

“Mommy, why did Daddy drop by?” Jessica pouted.

If her brothers hadn’t dragged her into hiding, she would’ve liked to meet her father.

“He came with Gavin.”

Arissa paused for a moment before pinching on Jessica’s nose smilingly.

“Why are you referring to him as your father? You haven’t even met him.”

Jessica narrowed her eyes as she chuckled. “I know he’s our father!”

Next, Arissa checked on her three sons. Her lips quivered at the look of determination on their faces.

 

 

Chapter 122 An Evil Glare

“Finish your breakfast quickly. We need to leave soon. I’ve called Bradley, but he isn’t here yet. Did he oversleep?”

Just as Arissa picked up her phone, the doorbell rang.

The four children looked at each other, wondering if they needed to hide themselves again.

Arissa let them continue eating.

She rushed to the door and looked through the peephole. Seeing it was just Bradley, she heaved a sigh of relief.

“It’s Mr. Hinton, everyone. Finish your breakfast quickly!” She opened the door and let Bradley in.

The corner of her lips quirked into a smile. “I thought you overslept.”

Bradley grinned good-naturedly. “I stayed up all night at an Internet café playing video games, so I never slept. It just slipped my mind.”

Arissa shook her head, smiling inwardly. She extended her hand to accept her new car keys from him.

“I already placed all the documents you need in the car, so don’t worry about it,” said Bradley. “I’ll come over later to help register your license plate number.”

“Oh, thank you!” Arissa placed a hand on Bradley’s shoulder. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

Bradley laughed and made a beeline for the dining room. “Nope!”

Arissa checked the time. They were cutting it close.

She saw that there were still two servings of oatmeal left, so she let Bradley have one bowl for himself. “Eat up and rest. I’ll be leaving soon, so just make yourself at home.”

“Alright, Boss.”

Bradley leaned toward the children. “I suppose the four of you ate everything?” he teased.

“No, it was Daddy!” Jesse replied.

Zachary, Oliver and Jasper nodded fervently.

“Yeah! Daddy and Gavin came here to eat.”

Hearing this surprised Bradley. “Did you meet them?”

The children both shook and nodded their heads.

Bradley laughed. “What are you trying to say?”

“We didn’t meet them here. But we saw Daddy through the surveillance cameras!” Zachary explained brightly.

Bradley saw that Arissa was approaching and hastily told them to get back to their breakfast.

“I saw Gavin and Benjamin downstairs while I was coming up, Boss,” Bradley informed her while he ate.

Arissa smiled. It was as she had guessed. “They came over for breakfast.”

“Gavin even waved to me. He recognized me!” Bradley smiled. “But that Benjamin gave me such a cold shoulder.”

Arissa was bemused.

Benjamin certainly gave most people a frightening first impression.

He appeared cold, intimidating, and expressionless.

“Is everyone ready?” Arissa looked to her children.

Zachary, Jasper, Oliver, and Jesse wiped their mouths and said in unison, “Ready!”

She nodded, “Get your schoolbags, then. We need to leave now, or Mommy’s going to be late to work.”

The four children said their goodbyes to Bradley and rushed off to get their bags.

“How about you go straight to work while I send them to school?” Bradley suggested.

“We can all go together. It’s along the way, anyway. Just eat and rest up. The circles under your eyes are so dark!” Arissa pointed them out, smiling.

Bradley chuckled.

“Enough video games!” she admonished.

Seeing that the children were ready, she led them to the door.

“Bye, Mr. Hinton!”

“Bye, kids!” Bradley waved to them, beaming.

Arissa opened the door. “Come on!”

They hurried outside.

Arissa brought them down the stairs, bundled them into the car, and started driving to their school.

The four children were excited to be in the new car and chattered all the way there.

Arissa dropped them off at the school with a smile on her lips.

She arrived at the office with only twenty seconds to spare.

Arissa sighed with relief, knowing that she wasn’t late.

Unbeknownst to her, someone was shooting her an evil glare with dark and murderous intent.

 

Chapter 123 Look Your Fill

Danna seethed from her car as she watched Arissa enter the Graham Group’s building.

Didn’t I get rid of this woman? What is she still doing here?

No wonder Benjamin had been so surly with her lately. It was all Arissa’s fault.

It had never crossed Danna’s mind that Arissa might work here.

She was gripped with mad jealousy, and a sense of unease settled in her gut.

Danna clenched her palm into a fist and glared daggers in Arissa’s direction.

Arissa had to be out of the picture. If Benjamin ever realized that Gavin wasn’t really her son, she would lose her place in the Graham family.

Even worse, it was likely that Benjamin’s instincts would compel him to probe further into the sordid events of the past.

Danna trembled as she thought about the other child.

She drove away at once.

Arissa had just stepped inside when Ethen instructed her to go to Benjamin’s office.

As she stood before the door of her CEO’s office, she straightened her clothing and knocked once.

“Come in!” A low, deep voice intoned, carrying a tinge of indifference.

Arissa gulped and opened the door.

Benjamin was reading documents behind his desk. He hadn’t even looked up.

Noticing that he appeared busy, Arissa stepped forward and waited in silence.

Her gaze lingered on him unconsciously.

He was extremely handsome in a way that would turn heads and attract attention in a crowd.

With dark brows, a straight nose, and eyes so deep one could lose herself in, it was as if his every feature had been perfectly sculpted. Here was a man who had been blessed by the heavens.

His intimidating expression made Arissa turn away, but he commanded a rich and compelling presence that drew her back in.

Arissa’s cheeks reddened, and her heart skipped a beat.

This man was the father of her children.

He was so wealthy and high-ranking to be practically unreachable.

If I told Benjamin the truth, would he help me?

Feeling her gaze, Benjamin finally looked up and faced her directly.

Arissa’s dazed expression gave him an odd sense of delight.

“Looked your fill yet?” His eyes flashed with a hint of derision.

Arissa had returned his gaze and looked away sheepishly. “My sincerest apologies, Mr. Graham!”

Her heart beat faster and she could feel her cheeks reddening.

Being caught in the act of openly staring at someone was plainly embarrassing.

“What are you apologizing for?” His piercing gaze compelled her to speak.

She gaped momentarily, then explained in a small voice, “I shouldn’t be daydreaming in your office, Mr. Graham.”

He stared at her intently. “What were you thinking about?”

Arissa raised her head, then flinched away from the intensity of his gaze.

There was no way she could admit to what she had really been doing back there.

“What did you call me up for, Mr. Graham?” Arissa asked, avoiding the question.

“You’re late!” Benjamin said suddenly.

Arissa’s jaw dropped.

“I wasn’t!” she protested weakly.

She had been cutting it close by a few seconds, but Arissa didn’t see how it meant she was late.

“Don’t you know that managers need to come in ten minutes earlier?” His eyes flashed sternly. “As a manager, being almost late to work doesn’t set a good precedent either.”

She was speechless.

Was this really all he had called her up for?

“I won’t do it again.”

Even though he had just come to her house to eat breakfast, it was as though he no longer recognized her.

It was said that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, but clearly, this statement didn’t apply to Benjamin.

Benjamin eyed her up and down, noting her lack of response. He raised an eyebrow. “Do you feel I am being unfair?”

Arissa stared blankly. “I’d never!”

Benjamin huffed. “Come here!”

She froze, not knowing what he wanted to do.

Is this even appropriate?

 

Chapter 124 Dine With Me

Benjamin tapped the table. “Well?”

Arissa couldn’t make sense of the man in front of her. His expression was completely impassive.

Her imagination was running wild, and she tried her best to tamp it down. Surely there was a proper explanation for all of this.

She walked forward.

Now, Arissa stood just a few steps away from him.

Benjamin’s gaze swept over her clothing and settled on her bare calves. He furrowed his brows.

Arissa shrank in on herself as she noticed his dark expression. Her heart thudded.

“Is this what you wear to work?” Benjamin’s gaze was sharp.

His expression grew darker as he remembered that there were mostly men in the IT department.

Puzzled, she looked down at her attire.

She wore a proper knee-length A-line skirt.

It wasn’t revealing in the least. Does the company really have such a strict dress code?

“This is how I dressed overseas, Mr. Graham. Is something wrong?”

Most white-collar women she knew dressed as she did. Arissa couldn’t find any fault with what she wore.

“I don’t care what you did overseas. Do not come to work like this again!” Benjamin commanded in a low voice.

The corner of her mouth twitched downwards, but she made herself reply, “I understand.”

Seeing that this man was still glaring at her legs, Arissa’s felt her face heat up. “Mr. Graham, does the company have a code of conduct?”

Benjamin’s gaze finally met her face. He raised a brow. “It does.”

“I’ll ask Mr. Frank for a copy and follow it exactly. Is there anything else, Mr. Graham?” Arissa couldn’t think of any other flaws, but clearly it was all up to him.

She couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. How could this man have so many rules?

Benjamin’s gaze swept over her a final time. “No, you can get back to work. Be early next time!”

“I will.” Arissa nodded and turned, leaving Benjamin’s office. She breathed a sigh of relief.

The first thing Arissa did was get a copy of the company’s code of conduct from Ethen’s office.

Now she could finally head back to her own office and start working through the main tasks of the day.

Afterward, she flipped to the section of the code of conduct outlining the company’s dress code. It clearly stated that a knee-length skirt was proper office attire.

Arissa grimaced, feeling dejected.

It appeared that Benjamin had just done that on purpose to make her squirm.

By noon, she and her colleagues went to the cafeteria for lunch.

Arissa had just sat down when her phone rang.

Seeing that it was a stranger’s number, she rejected the call immediately.

She had just picked up her fork when it started ringing again.

She answered reluctantly, “Hello?”

“Where are you?” A low, commanding voice was on the other end of the phone.

Arissa froze, realizing that it was none other than Benjamin Graham himself.

“Mr. Graham?”

“Where are you now?”

Arissa looked at her colleagues, all having their lunches. “I’m having lunch in the cafeteria. Is something the matter, Mr. Graham?”

“Come to my office at once!” Just like that, he hung up.

Arissa looked wistfully at her uneaten lunch.

She addressed her colleagues. “Enjoy your food, everyone. Mr. Graham is calling me up. Could someone help to bring my lunch back to my office when you leave?”

A few of her colleagues were nodding. “Go on ahead, Ms. York. You can leave it to us.”

Arissa rushed to Benjamin’s office and saw Ethen emerging with his own lunch.

As he saw her, he exclaimed, “Mr. Graham is waiting for you, Ms. York! Go on!”

“Yes, all right!” Arissa had the feeling Ethen was addressing her more respectfully than usual, which she couldn’t quite understand.

She stepped inside and saw Benjamin seated in the guest area. “Mr. Graham!”

Benjamin turned toward her. “Come and eat. We’ll talk later.”

Arissa was taken aback.

“You can speak with me right away, Mr. Graham. I have my own lunch, so I can just go back…”

“There’s a lot to talk about. Are you sure you’ll have enough time?” Benjamin interjected and gave her a long look.

Arissa sputtered. She saw that the table was laid with delicious food, compelling her to take a seat.

“Then I’d be honored to dine with you.”

 

Chapter 125 Father Of Your Children

Benjamin looked at her. “Gavin asked to call you up here for lunch!”

Arissa looked at him with surprise, though her eyes sparkled with delight. “Oh, Gavin!” she giggled.

Benjamin found himself furrowing his brows as he looked at Arissa’s bright smile.

“He’s such a good boy! Why didn’t he call me?” Arissa whipped out her phone as if to call him on the spot.

“Finish your meal first!” Benjamin snapped. “You’ve no time to make calls. We must discuss something after this.”

Startled, Arissa eyed the scowling man in front of her.

He was really impossible to figure out.

She set down her phone and started to eat rapidly.

Benjamin shot her a look. “Eat slower! I’m not forcing you to eat, after all.”

Arissa was speechless. She would probably get indigestion dining with him.

“It’s a bit stressful eating with you,” she replied breezily.

Benjamin noticed her plastered-on smile.

It was nothing at all like the bright expression she had when he had mentioned Gavin, and he felt struck by a pang of unhappiness.

Arissa was eating at a normal rate now, at least.

It was honestly a little awkward.

Neither of them spoke to each other.

The office was completely silent except for the sound of them eating.

Arissa suddenly felt very conscious of the sounds of herself eating, so she tried her best not to make any noise.

Her chewing became strained.

Hiccup!

She swallowed, thinking she could stifle the hiccup, but all it did was make her hiccups even more obvious.

Benjamin noticed it and walked around to her back, where he patted her back firmly.

“Thanks…” Hiccup!

Benjamin poured her a glass of water.

She felt much better after drinking it.

“You ate too fast, didn’t you?” It almost sounded like Benjamin was teasing her.

Arissa was fed up. “Ah, I’m not used to eating with you! I’m quite nervous!”

Benjamin shot her a look.

Arissa smiled awkwardly. “Thank you, Mr. Graham. The food is delicious.”

She didn’t dare to eat more in case she embarrassed herself further.

“Have some more if you like it.” Benjamin sat back down and passed her some more food. “You might say I’m a terrible boss who doesn’t even let his employees eat!”

Looking at his serious expression, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is that really what you think of me, Mr. Graham?”

He shot her a steely gaze.

Arissa blinked.

Moments later, she looked away. “Just ignore that!”

She bowed her head and ate. The food was certainly to her liking.

Gavin really understood her.

The thought made her heart swell.

Benjamin’s attention was fixated entirely on this woman who was simply enjoying her food. Her stunning makeup stood out to him first. He slowly realized that she possessed a certain beauty that stole one’s breath away.

“Do you know who the father of your children is?”

Arissa froze.

Her heart sped up as she met Benjamin’s gaze. “I don’t really know who he is…”

Arissa cast her gaze downward. She hadn’t known who their father was before she returned home.

She hadn’t even known it was him before they met.

Benjamin gazed at her sharply, and his eyes flashed. “You haven’t thought of finding him?”

“It’s too difficult.” Arissa continued eating.

The next few words tumbled out of her. “Why haven’t you married Danna?”

Benjamin’s brows arched sharply and he uttered, “I don’t like being schemed against!”

Eh? She stared blankly at him.

Benjamin continued eating. He didn’t elaborate.

Arissa looked at him carefully.

Is it possible that he knows Danna isn’t Gavin’s biological mother? If he does, why didn’t he look into it?

It was a little suspicious.

“Is she… scheming against you?” she asked quietly.

Benjamin looked up at her. “Would you like to know?”

Arissa gulped. Who wouldn’t want to know? She couldn’t get her words out.

She smiled awkwardly. “It’s fine not to tell me, Mr. Graham. I won’t press you.”

Benjamin’s gaze was fixed solely on her. “I’ll tell you, but only if you tell me who the father of your children is first!”

There was a deafening silence.

 

 

Chapter 126 Unloved

“Hehe!” Arissa chuckled. “I’m not interested!”

Benjamin remained silent.

“There’s only one reason why you haven’t married her yet, Mr. Graham. And that’s because you don’t love her enough!” Arissa said cheekily. “Am I right, Mr. Graham? Since you’ve already had kids together, yet you guys aren’t married. If it’s not because you don’t love her enough, then what else could it be? If two people love each other enough, they’ll always work their way through.”

Benjamin felt exposed and with a dour look written all over his face, he blurted, “Quite an analysis there, Ms. York!”

Arissa then smiled and said, “It’s just my opinion as an onlooker. I bet you have your own reasons, Mr. Graham.”

Benjamin averted his gaze. “So, you know who’s the father to the kids, Ms. York?”

A glint appeared in Arrisa’s eyes. “So what if I know?”

“Why don’t you look for him?” Benjamin frowned.

“Because he likes somebody else! I don’t wish to intervene,” Arissa said while looking straight into Benjamin’s eyes. She was hoping to see some reaction out of him.

However, Benjamin seemed unperturbed.

So Arissa retracted her gaze and continued eating.

“He told you that himself?” Benjamin sneered while eating gracefully.

“No, he didn’t!”

“Then why don’t you ask him?” Benjamin continued his questioning.

Arissa’s lips twitched. I just did, didn’t I?

“Don’t you want to be with him?” Benjamin asked flatly.

Arissa froze before she rolled her eyes and asked, “Then what would you do if you were him, Mr. Graham?”

In response, Benjamin just stared at her.

Arissa sensed that she might’ve offended him. As her cheeks started burning up, she exclaimed, “I meant it hypothetically!”

“Cut the crap,” Benjamin said coldly. “You should ask that particular person himself when it comes to this. Not me.”

Arissa went speechless. Doesn’t he know how to have a casual conversation?

As she felt increasingly awkward, Arissa took a glance at Benjamin nervously.

“So if this man doesn’t find out about the existence of his children, are you just going to keep it from him for the rest of his life?” Benjamin asked casually as he was eating.

“Well, it depends!” Arissa said cautiously.

Benjamin’s eyes flickered. “Under what circumstances would you finally tell him?”

Arissa then cast a glance at him. Must he ask so much? The man in question is him! What am I supposed to say now? I better not say anything by mistake. Otherwise, I’m doomed.

“Hehe, I don’t know!” Arissa chuckled awkwardly before changing the topic. “Mr. Graham, let’s eat! The food is turning cold.”

Then, Arissa started devouring her food.

Benjamin furrowed as he watched her eat ravenously. “Slow down,” he urged sternly.

Arissa felt pressured as she saw how Benjamin gracefully nibble on his food. “It’s so stressful eating with you, Mr. Graham!”

Benjamin instantly cast a glare at her upon hearing that. “Why? Have you done something wrong and you’re feeling guilty?”

“Huh? Why should I feel guilty?” Arissa snapped back and continued eating.

As she felt Benjamin’s glare still glued on her, she slowed down and started eating as gently as she could.

Feeling satisfied, a hint of a smile then flashed across Benjamin’s eyes.

After that, the two of them carried on with their meals without saying a word.

When Arissa was done eating, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, “I’m done, Mr. Graham. You carry on.”

 

Chapter 127 Increasing Her Workload

Benjamin gazed back at her and demanded, “Finish your soup!”

“But I’m full!” Arissa exclaimed as she looked at a bowl of mushroom soup.

“But Gavin ordered this just for you!” Benjamin answered coldly.

Upon hearing that it was her son’s idea, she couldn’t help but feel grateful. “Oh okay! I’ll have some of it and bring the rest home with me.”

“Finish it!” Benjamin instructed instead as his gaze swept over her.

Arissa had no choice but to comply after she saw how grim Benjamin looked.

In the end, she was still on her soup when Benjamin was already done eating.

Benjamin’s eyes were fixed on Arissa till she eventually finished the whole bowl of soup. She was stuffed.

“Mr. Graham, I’m done. What tasks do you need me to get done?” Arissa rubbed her bulging tummy discreetly.

Benjamin gave her a glance before returning to his desk. “Come over!” he ordered.

He then handed Arissa a thick stack of documents when she arrived at his desk. “Look through it. Let me know if you have any questions.”

Benjamin watched on sternly as she went through the documents at his desk.

The documents were filled with extremely challenging tasks for the IT department.

Benjamin planned to expand the research and have her assemble a team of her own to execute it.

It took Arissa an hour to go through all the documents. She then lifted her head toward Benjamin.

As Benjamin was busy with his own reading materials, he asked blandly, “Is there a problem?”

Arissa’s lips twitched slightly. Yes, a huge one. But challenge accepted!

“Mr. Graham, I get to set up my own team?”

“Yes, you may.” Benjamin looked at her and added, “You can select your own team members from the existing workforce. If needed, you could also hire new recruits.”

Arissa nodded. “I do have a person in mind in regards to recruiting. However, his involvement must be kept between us. As peculiar as it sounds, I can assure you that he’s trustworthy and he’ll not betray the company.”

At that moment, Benjamin stared at her steadily and ordered, “Bring him to me first!”

Arissa was stunned.

“If I can’t even meet him, how do I know if he can be trusted?” Benjamin continued.

Arissa nodded. “All right. I’ll think about it.”

Benjamin frowned. “What’s there to think about? It’s not a request!”

Arissa panicked and answered with an awkward smile, “I’ll let him know that it’s best if he agrees to meet up with you first!”

She then requested, “Can you give me more time, Mr. Graham? Because I’m caught up with the tasks in my department at the moment.”

“Are you so inefficient?” Benjamin glared at her.

Oh crap, I shouldn’t have asked! Seemingly without a choice, Arissa assured, “Don’t worry, Mr. Graham. I’ll complete this mission within the timeframe!”

“Good, I’m looking forward to it. In the meantime, please liaise with Ethen.” Benjamin nodded.

“Noted with thanks, Mr. Graham!” Arissa answered with a smile.

Why did he suddenly dump all this work on me? Is he putting my ability to the test? Or is he just testing my patience? “I’ll get back to work now, Mr. Graham!” Arissa said.

“Off you go!” Benjamin answered before Arissa left his office.

Upon arriving in her office, Arissa relayed Benjamin’s orders with her co-workers in a departmental meeting and announced, “Anyone who’s interested, or if you think you can contribute, you’re welcome to join the team!”

Rounds of discussions could be heard from all over the room as everyone at the meeting was fired up.

Arissa took a look at everyone present and said, “This project is extremely challenging. Hence, I hope that we can all work together on this.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up and one of them voiced, “We can all participate in it, Ms. York?”

Everyone in the room had unique talents of their own and they all jumped at the opportunity to participate in the project.

“Yes!” Arissa answered. She then stood with an intimidating aura and added, “I believe everyone here is competent. However, do note that this project might become increasingly difficult as we proceed. Does anyone have a problem with that?”

 

Chapter 128 Surrounded In The Streets

“No problem!” Everyone in the room was raring to go.

Arissa was very happy with the response. “Christian, please note down the names of those who intend to participate. We’ll still need to recruit new talents for this mission.”

“Noted, Ms. York!”

Arissa also reminded everyone, “Anything to do with this project is to be kept private and confidential.”

“Understood!” everyone in the room agreed.

Nodding, Arissa responded, “Get back to work!”

After Arissa returned to her office, she was buried with work until after working hours. That was when she realized that the kids were still at school. She slapped her own forehead and phoned Bradley straightaway to help her fetch the children from school.

Half an hour later, Bradley called and told Arissa that the kids were already picked up. Knowing that her kids were being taken care of, she continued to work overtime till eight o’clock.

When Arissa was on her way home, two cars came out of nowhere and trapped her in between. She was forced to stop her car by the road.

She then saw a gang of thugs exiting their cars and they were heading toward her. They were all armed with bats.

Arissa instinctively took out her pepper spray from her purse.

One of the thugs came at her and broke her car window. He then opened her door forcefully.

When the thug tried to grab her by her arm, Arissa reacted swiftly and kicked him out of her way. She then got out of the car and used her pepper spray on another thug who was charging at her. While he was temporarily blinded, she snatched away his bat and smashed it into his head.

In the blink of an eye, Arissa managed to take out two of them on her own. Evidently, the thugs weren’t aware of the fact that she practiced martial arts. Hence, they didn’t see this coming.

Suddenly, more than ten of them charged at Arissa at once. She was surrounded.

Fortunately for Arissa, Ethen was driving Benjamin past the area and he noticed the incident. Despite the chaotic scene, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. Upon a closer look, he spotted Arissa and stopped the car abruptly.

“What’s wrong with you?” Benjamin yelled as the abrupt stop caught him by surprise.

“Mr. Graham, isn’t that Ms. York?” Benjamin blurted as he was pointing at the commotion by the street.

Benjamin glanced toward the fight and saw that Arissa was surrounded by a gang of thugs. His eyes widened and he rushed out of the car to help her.

One of the thugs swung his bat at Arissa but she managed to dodge it. After she got up swiftly, she struck her bat into him. However, another of them was coming at her from behind. She suffered a blow to her hand and nearly dropped her bat.

Arissa then fell to the ground in pain. As soon as she looked up, she saw a bat heading toward her head. Without much time to react, she held up both her arms to take cover.

Yet, in the face of imminent peril, she was dragged away to the side.

Everything happened too fast and all Arissa saw was a dark shadow flashing before her eyes. It was so fast that all of a sudden, the thug who was about to hit her a second ago, was kicked to the ground.

Arissa was then shocked to see that it was Benjamin that came to her rescue.

Her eyes then quickly spotted a man sneaking up on Benjamin from behind. She grabbed her bat and charged toward him.

“Get away from here!” Benjamin yelled at Arissa.

Ignoring Benjamin’s warning, Arissa ran toward him and knocked out the fast-approaching thug.

“Let’s do this together!” Arissa said to Benjamin.

Ethen and Benjamin’s bodyguards joined in and they defeated the gang of thugs within a minute.

All of the thugs were on the ground and they were howling in pain.

Benjamin gave Ethen a signal with a look and then brought Arissa into his car.

Ethen understood the signal right away and proceeded to interrogate the thugs.

Benjamin closed the car door and stared at Arissa. “Where are you hurt?”

Arissa was still in shock but she composed herself and answered, “Thanks for your help, Mr. Graham. It’s just my hand.”

Benjamin was seemingly upset by what happened to her. He then took the first aid kit in the car and started applying some ointment to her hand. “Why didn’t you call the police?”

Arissa gulped and explained, “I had no time for that! Everything happened so quickly so I had to deal with them on my own.”

Benjamin squinted at her reply. “Any idea who were those people?”

Arissa took a glance at his blackened face and shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

Benjamin continued to rub on Arissa’s injured hand.

 

Chapter 129 It Was The Rogers Family

The injury was so painful that Arissa withdrew her hand from Benjamin when he was applying the ointment.

“Stop moving!” Benjamin ordered. He then grabbed her and continued treating her injury.

“Why didn’t you just run away when they came after you?” Benjamin questioned.

Arissa felt a sudden wave of warmth as she noticed how much Benjamin cared for her. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to! They came prepared. I took this route because it has less traffic, but who would’ve known they were already here waiting for me! I just wanted to get home faster, that’s all.”

“Who do you think might be behind this?” the stony-faced Benjamin asked.

“Except for Danna, I haven’t offended anyone else,” Arissa answered Benjamin cautiously while sizing him up.

Benjamin then paused and said in a deep voice, “I’ll get Ethen to find out more.”

“Thank you very much, Mr. Graham!” Arissa said.

Benjamin stared at her, trying to figure out what was going on.

After Benjamin was done applying the ointment, Arissa pulled her hand back. She rubbed the injured spot gently, but all she felt was pain.

Benjamin’s heart softened when he saw how bruised up Arissa’s hand was.

A few moments later, Ethen came to the car and he knocked on the window. “Mr. Graham, those people were sent by the Rogers family!”

Benjamin was infuriated.

Arissa was shocked, as well. So, it really was you, Danna.

She then looked at both of the men and exclaimed, “If the Rogers family was involved, then it had to be at Danna’s request!”

Ethen was surprised by how confident Arissa sounded in her claim. “How would you know that, Ms. York?”

Arissa then stared at him. “That’s what I’ve found out in my investigation before!”

Ethen immediately glanced over at Benjamin and waited for further instructions.

“Break their legs and send them back to the Rogers family personally,” Benjamin ordered.

“Yes, Mr. Graham!” Ethen answered and relayed Benjamin’s order to the rest of the subordinates.

One of the bodyguards then got in the car with Benjamin to send him back.

As Arissa was getting out of the car, she said, “Mr. Graham, thank you for saving me back there. I’ll go now.”

Just as she was about to leave, Benjamin pulled her back in and asked, “Are you sure you can drive with your injured hand?”

He then ordered the bodyguard to start driving.

Arissa blinked and said softly, “I think I’m okay to drive. Besides, my car is still…”

“I’ll get someone to fetch your car and send it for repair,” Benjamin interrupted.

Arissa then looked out the window and saw that her car window was severely smashed up. She couldn’t have been able to drive it home.

Ethen carried out the order and broke all of the thugs’ legs. Their cries of pain were so loud that chills ran down Arissa’s spines.

However, Arissa was unsympathetic toward them. After all, they were trying to end her life.

“Thank you, Mr. Graham!” Arissa thanked Benjamin again.

Benjamin glimpsed at her from the corner of his eyes and blurted coldly, “That’s all?”

Arissa locked eyes with his deep gaze. Her heart skipped a beat.

She was confused. “What do you mean, Mr. Graham?”

Benjamin pursed his lips and kept silent. He was always a man who carried himself with a mysterious and intimidating aura. As a result, people were often caught acting uneasily around him, including Arissa.

Still mystified by his deep gaze, she gulped and looked away anxiously. He’s always so bewildering when he doesn’t speak!

As Arissa was caught in her own thoughts, she looked out the car window and realized that she wasn’t being brought home. “Mr. Graham, my house isn’t this way.”

“Who says I’m sending you home?” Benjamin scoffed.

Arissa was taken aback. First, you told me not to go home by myself. And now, you’re not even sending me home? What’s your game? “So where are you bringing me?”

“You were already being followed. What makes you think it’s safe for you to return home now?” Benjamin swept a glance at her.

Arissa frowned as she realized that Benjamin had a point. How about the kids? But since Bradley is with them, they should be fine. They are in good hands. Besides, there’s a big possibility that I’m still being followed. Yes, I wouldn’t want to endanger them by going home now.

“So, where are we going then, Mr. Graham?” Arissa looked around and realized that she wasn’t familiar with the surroundings.

Despite Arissa’s question, Benjamin just shut his eyes and ignored her.

Arissa twitched her lips and decided not to ask further.

 

Chapter 130 Your Face Is Red

Half an hour later, they entered the driveway of the Graham residence.

The corner of Arissa’s lips twitched as she realized where they were.

She turned to look at the man resting beside her and felt her heart thumping non-stop.

“You brought me to your house?”

Benjamin was silent.

She stared at the man’s handsome features, unable to figure out what he was thinking.

Benjamin slowly opened his eyes, his gaze intense. It was like an endless vortex, effortlessly captivating you. A slight mistake, and you could fall into his trap.

Arissa met his gaze and felt her heart skip a beat.

“Mr. Graham, won’t I be a bother at your house?”

Even though this was the only way she could see Gavin, she was anxious. Her other kids were still at home.

“Gavin would be happy to see you.”

Benjamin’s gaze on her remained intense.

She blinked once, twice, and quickly averted her gaze. “I would be happy to see him, too.”

He glanced at the curvature of her lips, his expression darkening.

“Why do you like my son so much?”

He suddenly leaned towards her, his musky scent penetrating her nose.

She gulped and sank into the seat as much as she could at his sudden movement.

“Because he’s cute!”

She glanced at Benjamin, eyes twinkling at the thought of Gavin.

Their eyes met once more and she could feel her heartbeat accelerate.

The man’s intense pheromones invaded her space, and she could feel her ears turn red from how hot they were.

Her tainted pink cheeks made her look more attractive than she already was.

Benjamin’s gaze darkened as he closed the distance between them.

Arissa went stiff, not daring to make a single movement.

She could feel his warm breath on her face, and the sudden intimacy was overwhelming.

Luckily, the driver turned in his seat to inform them they had arrived.

“Mr. Graham, we have arrived…”

The driver quickly turned back to face the front when we saw the intimate scene behind him, not daring to take another look.

Benjamin silently glared at the driver and moved to get out of the car.

His expression turned bitter.

He returned to his usual arrogant self, a complete 180 from the version of him who was charming her moments ago.

Arissa was flushed red.

He opened the door and stood at the side of the car, slightly bending down to stare at her. “Aren’t you coming?”

She stole a glance at him and quickly averted her gaze, feeling awkward.

“Oh,” she answered and hurried to get out of the car.

The moment her feet hit the ground, she realized just how close Benjamin was to her. From a third-person’s point of view, it would seem like she was in his embrace.

She took a step back and looked up at him, stunned.

“Mr. Graham,” She cautiously called out to remind him of their inappropriate proximity.

Benjamin’s eyes flickered, but his face remained stoic. “Your face is red,” he said and turned to enter the house.

At that comment, Arissa’s face became even redder with embarrassment.

The corner of her lips twitched as she watched him calmly walk away, unfazed.

She quickly caught up with him and said, “Mr. Graham, thank you for your help, but I need to get back to my kids at home. I really can’t stay here. I need to go back!”

She couldn’t help but be anxious at the thought of the kids alone at home despite Bradley accompanying them.

Without looking back at her, Benjamin calmly said, “I already sent someone to bring your child here.”

What an aggressive man! B-But… Bring my child h-here?

She stared at the broad back of the man and gulped. But which child is he talking about? I have four!

“Uh… there’s no need. I can go back on my own. It’ll be all right as long as I am careful.”

Benjamin suddenly stopped in his steps, causing Arissa to knock into him.

Ouch!

She felt a sharp pain on her nose bridge as she held a hand up to nurse it.

He turned around and looked down at her. “Where are your eyes at?”

The corner of her lips twitched again as she chuckled dryly at his sneering tone, trying to refrain herself from yelling at him.

He was her boss and her source of income. He wasn’t someone she should offend.