Chapter 13 Please Show Me Some Respect

• Serena's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her moist, thin lips parted in surprise as she looked at Benjamin. “What are you doing here?”
• “A friend invited me to dinner,” Benjamin replied steadily. “You just got out of the hospital and haven't fully recovered. You should try not to drink too much alcohol. It would be best for you to go home and rest.”
• “Well, well, well, what a great husband,” Walter sneered, his tone mocking as he eyed Benjamin. “Does that mean I can't invite Ms. Yates for a couple of drinks?”
• Serena furrowed her brows and suddenly looked at him icily. “You should go back first. Mr. Whitman is a very important client for our company.”
• From what Benjamin could remember, Serena was typically an aloof individual who rarely participated in social drinking gatherings. However, due to recent company crises, she had no choice but to reluctantly attend such events.
• With a smirk, Walter raised his glass and said, “Did you not hear Ms. Yates tell you to go home, you piece of trash? It's a pity that Ms. Yates values such a worthless man like you. Ms. Yates, why don't you divorce him and marry me instead? I'm sure our marriage could take our companies to greater heights.”
• Serena's expression turned even more indifferent as she picked up her wine glass and poured it directly onto Walter's face. “Mr. Whitman, I'm his wife. Please show me some respect.”
• Everyone in the private room was stunned. They hadn't expected Serena to actually throw a drink in Walter's face to defend her seemingly useless husband.
• Benjamin hadn't expected it either. In his previous life, he hadn't interacted much with Serena, and he felt that his presence in her heart was insignificant, as if their marriage were merely a result of familial pressure. He even thought of himself as a cover she used to shield herself from her family's interference in her life.
• Benjamin felt a surge of emotion as he witnessed Serena pour a glass of wine over someone to defend him.
• “Darn it, what's wrong with you?” Walter exclaimed, fumbling to wipe the wine stains off his face. Angrily, he added, “Do you really see yourself as a goddess? If you're in the business world, you should understand its rules. You might be acting all high and mighty in front of me now, but God knows how many men you've slept with to seal those business deals!”
• In the private room, a few others, who were also business associates, apathetic upon hearing Walter's harsh words.
• Serena clenched her fists, her bright eyes clouded with determination. As a woman who single-handedly held up Grace Cosmetics, she was no stranger to the rumors that circulated about her in the business world.
• Walter continued with a sneer. “And now you're playing the victim. Last time, Andrew Keller from Lushtopia sold you raw materials at five percent below market rate. Don't tell me that happened without you sleeping with him. If you can sleep with him, why act all innocent in front of me right now?”
• “What nonsense are you talking about?” Serena retorted, her face flushing with anger.
• Before long, a loud bang echoed through the room. A wine bottle crashed against Walter's head, shards of glass flying everywhere, blood splattering across the walls.
• Everyone turned to see Benjamin clutching the broken wine bottle, the sharp edge pressed ominously against his neck. “Apologize to Rena.”
• “W-How dare you hit me?” Walter stammered, covering his head as blood seeped through his fingers, his face contorted in pain.
• No one had anticipated that the seemingly ordinary Benjamin, long rumored to be a good-for-nothing, would possess such a fierce temper.
• With a swift motion, Benjamin thrust the jagged edge of the bottle into Walter's shoulder. The glass tore through flesh, causing a gushing spray of blood. Walter collapsed to the ground, letting out a scream akin to that of a slaughtered animal.
• “I'm giving you another chance to apologize to her,” Benjamin warned, his voice calm yet icy. “Or else, be prepared to face the consequences.”
• The atmosphere in the private room stiffened, tension palpable in the air. Serena glanced at Benjamin, her beautiful eyes shimmering with a mix of emotions. This was not the weak and incapable man she remembered; he felt like a completely different person.
• As Benjamin's cold gaze bore into him, Walter's heart raced, fear washing over him. It was as if a chill had settled over him, crawling from the crown of his head down to his spine. He realized with dawning horror that if he didn't apologize, he might not leave this room alive.
• “I-I'm sorry, Ms. Yates,” he stammered, desperation creeping into his voice. “I was speaking nonsense earlier. Please, don't take it to heart. I understand my mistake now.”
• His courage ebbed away like a receding tide, leaving only fear behind. Walter knelt on the ground, desperately begging for mercy. Concentrating energy at his fingertips, Benjamin lightly tapped the nape of Walter's neck. Unless a miracle occurred, this man was destined to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
• The energy had directly damaged the nerves in his spine, to the point where even advanced technology wouldn't detect the injury.
• Serena picked up her purse from the table, turned on her heel, and left the private room. Benjamin followed her out in silence.
• As they settled into the car, an oppressive quiet enveloped them. Neither spoke a word during the journey.
• After a lengthy pause, Benjamin rolled down the window and lit a cigarette, taking a slow puff before finally breaking the silence. “Rena, I understand the order from that man's company must have been important to you. After what happened today, I'm afraid...”
• Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Serena took a deep breath. “The company is indeed in a tough spot right now, but what I said has nothing to do with you. You shouldn't... don't assume that I have feelings for you.”
• Benjamin paused, absorbing her words. A slight, wry grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.