Chapter 5: A Dangerous Encounter

“Shine bright like a diamond...” a man echoed loudly, singing into the air while holding the back of a wine glass against his mouth.

The executive lounge was alive with music, laughter, and flashing lights.

Men and women gathered around the luxurious seating area cheered at his performance while raising their glasses.

“Come, let's drink!” he shouted excitedly as he swayed his body to the rhythm of the music. “Tonight we celebrate!”

The people around him laughed.

“Here, Mr. Clay.” A young woman standing nearby danced closer with a bright smile on her face as she stretched a filled glass of whiskey toward him. “Have a drink!”

The man, Wesley Clay, grabbed the glass from her hand and emptied half its contents into his mouth before throwing his head back dramatically.

Cheers erupted around him.

He laughed loudly and continued moving his shoulders to the music.

Then his eyes landed on Petra.

She was seated quietly a short distance away from the group.

Unlike everyone else in the lounge, she wasn't drinking. She was far from the excitement in the room.

She sat with both hands wrapped around her handbag, forcing a polite smile whenever someone looked her way.

Wesley's grin widened.

He stopped dancing. Shook his head.

Then made his way directly toward her.

Petra noticed him approaching and instantly tensed.

Her fingers tightened around her purse.

A second later, Wesley dropped into the seat beside her.

She instinctively shifted away.

“Petra, you need to drink!” he said, his voice rough from alcohol as he pushed the half-filled whiskey glass toward her mouth. “We can't close the deal if you don't drink!”

Her mother’s hospital bill had accumulated so drastically that the hospital was now threatening to discharge and quit further medication should she fell to meet at least half of the bill.

To meet the hospital bill, a friend of hers linked her with Mr. Clay for a business deal. He’d arranged for the meeting here instead.

Petra's heart skipped nervously.

She shifted away again.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Clay,” she said as she turned toward him and forced a professional smile. “I can’t drink today.”

Her hands trembled slightly.

To avoid offending him completely, she reached for a bottle of water sitting on the table.

She quickly poured some into an empty glass.

“I... I'll make a toast with water instead!” she said as she raised the glass toward him.

Her heart was already pounding.

This meeting had been important.

Very important.

Ever since her divorce, money had become a constant source of worry.

Her mother's medical bills continued piling up. The hospital expenses never seemed to end.

She desperately needed this business contract.

But Wesley wasn't interested in business.

He was interested in her.

Wesley's smile slowly disappeared.

Without warning, he snatched the glass from her hand and placed it back on the table.

Petra froze.

Her eyes remained fixed on him.

“I heard you're divorced and taking care of your mother who's in a coma,” Wesley said, his words slightly slurred from alcohol. “That must be tough.”

Petra remained silent.

A bad feeling settled in her stomach.

“Come.” He pushed the whiskey glass toward her mouth again. “Drink this, and I'll take good care of you!”

The meaning behind his words couldn't have been clearer.

Petra's pulse quickened.

Wesley set the glass down and reached for her hand. He attempted to guide it toward the drink.

Petra immediately pulled away.

“Mr. Clay!” she burst out. “I’m pregnant! I really can’t drink!”

The words escaped before she could stop herself.

Wesley stared at her. Then he laughed.

“Playing hard to get?”

He pointed at her while shaking his head.

Then a strange smile spread across his face.

A smile that made Petra deeply uncomfortable.

“Come, let me rub your belly,” he said as he rubbed both palms together. “And I’ll know how far along you are.”

Petra's eyes widened.

Before she could react, Wesley suddenly grabbed her waist and yanked her toward him.

She screamed.

The room instantly fell silent.

“Let go of me!” Petra struggled desperately.

Wesley tightened his grip.

Panic surged through her body.

Without thinking, she gathered all her strength and kicked him hard.

“Agh!”

Wesley flew backward.

His body crashed onto the floor. The entire lounge gasped.

Petra immediately stood.

“I... I suddenly remembered I have things to do,” she blurted out while grabbing her purse. “I’m leaving now. Get out of the way!”

She didn't wait for a response as she turned and ran.

As fast as she could.

A woman hurried over to help Wesley back onto his feet.

His face twisted with rage.

He pointed toward Petra's retreating figure. “You bitch, stand there!” he screamed furiously.

Petra didn't stop.

She kept running.

Wesley's anger exploded.

He shoved aside the woman helping him and stormed after her.

******************

Elsewhere inside the hotel, Benjamin Shaw walked calmly through a luxurious hallway.

Beside him was Nathan, his assistant and close friend.

And occasionally, his greatest headache.

“Hey, the partners have arranged a lot of programs to entertain you,” Nathan said as they walked side by side. “Why not enjoy yourself first?”

He pointed toward the executive lounge nearby.

“I’m not interested,” Benjamin replied.

Nathan sighed dramatically.

“Look at you,” he said while repeatedly opening and closing his eyes. “You're the richest man in the country, yet you're not interested in women.”

Benjamin ignored him.

“Come on,” Nathan continued. “Being sterile doesn't stop you from finding a woman.”

Benjamin's expression remained unchanged.

Nathan was used to it.

Years ago, Benjamin had accepted the reality that he would never have biological children.

Since then, he had thrown himself entirely into business.

Relationships never lasted.

Work always came first.

The two men continued walking. Then suddenly Nathan stopped.

His eyes widened.

“Look!” he exclaimed as he pointed ahead of them. “All men like to party with the ladies! You should find one.”

He turned toward Benjamin.

But Benjamin wasn't listening.

His gaze had already locked onto something farther down the hallway.

Nathan followed his line of sight.

What Nathan initially thought was a couple flirting was actually something far more disturbing.

A man was pinning a woman against the wall.

The woman struggled desperately.

One large hand gripped her neck.

Her face had turned pale as she fought for air.

Nathan couldn't see her clearly.

But Benjamin did. And he recognized the woman.

And the sight immediately ignited anger inside him.

“Come on, Benjamin,” Nathan continued, tapping lightly against Benjamin's chest. “You should find one. Nobody knows how obedient Vanessa is, she's not your flesh and blood. What if she turns out to be devious?”

Benjamin didn't respond.

His hand slipped into his pocket.

His expression darkened.

Then suddenly he started walking. Towards the man and the woman.

“Hey, hey!” Nathan shouted as he hurried after him. “What are you doing?”

********************

“How dare you fake a pregnancy?” Wesley growled through gritted teeth as his arm remained stretched out against the wall. “Try running away again!”

Petra struggled desperately beneath his grip.

Fear consumed her.

“I... I was really pregnant!” she managed to say as tears gathered in her eyes. “It's not fake!”

“Hahaha!” Wesley burst into laughter. “You expect me to believe that?”

The sound echoed through the hallway.

His face twisted with fury. Then his large palm flew to the air, ready to land on Petra.

Petra's heart dropped. She knew what was coming.

Instinctively, she lowered her head, close her eyes, ready to receive the impact.

But it never came.

Confused, Petra slowly opened her eyes.

Wesley's hand remained suspended in midair.

Someone was holding it.

A powerful hand had seized his wrist from behind.

“Aw! Aw!” Wesley cried out immediately.

Pain distorted his face.

The grip tightened mercilessly.

“Let go!” Wesley shouted. “Do you know who I am? Let go of me!”

Benjamin's expression remained cold.

Without a word, he yanked Wesley backward and then kicked him.

Wesley stumbled several feet away before crashing into the wall.

He slid to the floor.

“I'll deal with you!” Wesley cried while gasping painfully. “You'll regret this!”

Benjamin ignored him completely, turning toward Petra.

She remained frozen against the wall.

Her breathing was uneven. Her eyes were filled with shock.

He remembered the face. That night, at the hotel.

Nathan finally caught up.

“Who are you?” he asked as he approached Wesley with both hands inside his pockets.

“Mind your own business, brat!” Wesley snapped while clutching his injured wrist.

Nathan smirked. “Let me enlighten you, fool,” he said calmly. “Don't you know the CEO of Shaw Group?”

The color immediately drained from Wesley's face.

His eyes slowly shifted toward Benjamin. Fear replaced his anger instantly.

The CEO of Shaw Group?

Benjamin Shaw?

The most powerful businessman in the country?

His body began shaking.

“Get lost!” Benjamin barked, his voice shaking the entire hallway.

He didn't even bother turning around.

“Y-Yes, Mr. Shaw!” Wesley stammered.

He bowed repeatedly.

“Get the fuck out!” Nathan thundered from the side.

“I... I'm leaving!”

Wesley quickly scrambled to his feet.

A moment later he was running down the hallway as though his life depended on it.

Silence returned.

Benjamin slowly stepped closer to Petra

Her pulse raced.

The distance between them disappeared. Then Benjamin stretched one arm against the wall behind her.

His body leaned slightly forward.

His eyes focused directly on hers.

Petra shivered. She could hear her own heartbeat thumping, as though it was going to escape her chest.

Benjamin's gaze moved briefly toward her stomach.

Then back to her eyes.

A faint smile appeared on his lips. “You’re pregnant?” he asked