Sage immediately recognized thenky figure as the man who had covered her face with a cloth. Upon


    realizing she was awake, he chuckled and called out, "Sir, she''s awake."


    As he spoke, he inched to the side to make way for someone else. Soon, they heard a flurry of


    footsteps as a man with a beer belly and wearing a dark jacket entered the dpidated room.


    Seeing Benjamin walk in surprised Sage. She couldn''t help but wonder, "Shouldn''t he be under police


    questioning? Why is he here?"


    Her heart sank. Benjamin harbored a grudge against her and had even gone as far as sending his men


    to warn her previously. Moreover,n had taught him a lesson, which likely deepened his animosity


    toward her. Now that she was in his clutches, she knew he wouldn''t go easy on her.


    "Wow, you look even better in person than in photos,” Benjamin remarked with a malicious gleam in his


    eyes. "Shall I address you as Sage or Mrs. Hob?"


    This was Sage''s first time speaking directly to Benjamin. He looked disheveledpared to thest


    time she saw him at the hotel.


    His hair was unkempt, and a bald patch was visible. His jacket was creased and stained at the sleeves.


    He looked nothing like a sessful businessman.


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    After scrutinizing him for a moment, Sage tried to reply calmly, “It doesn''t matter. Call me whatever you


    like."


    Upon hearing this, he arrogantly ordered his subordinate, "Help Mrs. Hob up. How could you let


    her speak to me while lying on the ground?”


    Thenky man hurried over and dragged her over, attempting to force her to kneel in front of Benjamin.


    Feeling humiliated, Sage resisted against the fierce-looking man, who didn''t bother to handle her


    gently. She had no choice but to let herself be thrown in front of Benjamin, falling onto her knees.


    The cold, hard concrete floor caused her knees to ache. Her arms were bound behind her back,


    making it impossible to move.


    Benjamin scanned her from head to toe, relishing in her plight as he let out a mockingugh. "What''s


    so special aboutn Hob''s wife? She''s in my grasp in the end.”


    "Why have you brought me here, Mr. Xenith?" Sage attempted to conceal her fear.


    "Why, you ask? You little bitch—younded me in this situation! I sent my men to warn you, didn''t I?


    But you ignored my warning, and I''m not going to let that slide!"


    Sage was well aware of Benjamin''s pariah status in the industry. His reputation had been tarnished


    beyond repair.


    Facing potential imprisonment, he had nothing left to lose. She knew better than to provoke a man at


    his breaking point.


    She said quietly, "Mr. Xenith, I admit that I helped Prisci, but it was all for personal gain. You can''t


    use me of hurting you. I don''t have a grudge against you."


    "Enough with your deceitful words. I''ve heard from others how you went out of your way to cause me


    trouble.


    "But setting that aside, I must make you pay for what your husband did —sending me to the authorities


    and causing me to lose my winery!" Benjamin''s fury escted with each word. He pped Sage


    across the face, sending her sprawling to the ground. Her ears rang, and her cheeks stung.


    As Benjamin''sckey hoisted her back up, Sage realized reasoning with Benjamin was futile. Through


    gritted teeth, she whispered, "Mr. Xenith, as I''ve said, I do not hold a personal grudge against you and


    had no reason to ruin your life. Given your circumstances, I can offer you some financial assistance if


    that''s what you want."