<b>Chapter </b><b>568 </b>
“What?”
Benjamin had just returned from an overseas business trip and was on his way to Club No.8 when he got Caitlin’s call.
Hearing that Wendy had been bullied, his handsome face darkened and his brows furrowed. “Got it. I’ll take care of it.”
Right after the call, Benjamin contacted his assistant. “Ten minutes. I want a full report on what happened between Wendy and the customers at Orange Grove Café.”
Back at the café, Wendy returned to work. Vicky hadn’t reported what had happened earlier, so the store manager and regional supervisor were still unaware.
As long as Sydney didn’t file an officialint, Wendy would be fine.
About an hourter, the door chime rang.
“Wee!” Vicky greeted instinctively.
Wendy nced up, caught sight of a very familiar tall figure, and immediately ducked down behind the counter.
Crap!
When did he get back?
Why the hell was he suddenly showing up now?
Vicky noticed a ridiculously handsome man walk in and was about to call Wendy’s attention to him–only to see Wendy crouching down.
Benjamin stepped into the café, exuding a chilling, intimidating aura. His sharp eyes swept across the customers, then locked onto the counter.
“Sir, what would you like to drink?” Vicky asked cheerfully, unaware of his connection to Wendy.
“I want her to take my order<i>,</i><i>” </i>he said tly, pointing his gaze toward the woman hiding behind the counter.
Vicky blinked, surprised the customer had directly requested Wendy. She quickly nudged her. “Wendy, someone wants you to take
their order.”
Damn it, who’s calling me out like that?
Wendy had no choice but to stand up, forcing a <b>stic </b>smile as she approached the counter. “Good afternoon, sir. What would you
like?”
“A coffee that makes you fat after one sip.”
Wendy rolled her eyes so hard they nearly fell out. Typical Benjamin nonsense,
That wasn’t even a real drink, but she got the hint.
She rang up a mocha and went to prepare it–adding extra sugar and milk.
Let’s see how you like drinking pure syrup.
“Here’s your coffee, sir.”
She ced the cup in front of him.
Benjamin didn’t take it. Hands in pockets, he turned and tossed out casually, “Bring it to my car.”
“Hey-”
But he was already out the door.
Vicky was a bit puzzled, but nudged Wendy. “He asked you to bring it out. You better go.”
Wendy sighed and reluctantly followed, carrying the coffee out.
Outside, Benjamin’s van was parked at the curb. As she approached, the <i>door </i>slid open.
“Here’s your coffee,” she called in.
“Bring it inside,” he said coolly.
Wendy climbed in and found him lounging on the sofa inside.
“Here’s your drink. I’m leaving.”
She ced it on the table and turned to go, but Benjamin grabbed her wrist and pulled her down–straight into hisp.
“Let go of me!”
He held her tightly, taking in the strong coffee scent clinging to her. “Why are you covered in coffee?”
“I work in a café. What do you expect? Now let me go! Someone might see us. I have to get back to work.”
“Sir? Really? You’re calling me sir now?<i>” </i>Benjamin’s tone grew cold.
“If you want to leave,” he said with a smirk, “you’ve got two options. One–kiss me. Two–drink the coffee. Otherwise, you’re not going anywhere.”
Wendy red at him, seething.
If there were a third option, she would’ve decked him.
But she knew if she didn’t y along, he’d cause a bigger scene and jeopardize her job.
Clenching her fists, she asked, “You promise you’ll let me go if I kiss you?”
“I swear,” he replied smugly.
“Fine.”
Wendy leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
She immediately tried to bolt–but Benjamin wasn’t done.
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Before she could move, he pulled her back and kissed her hard on the lips.
She struggled, her fists pounding against him, but he didn’t let go until she was gasping for air.
“You jerk! That’s assault!”
Benjamin grinned. “Kissing my own woman isn’t assault.”
“I’m not your woman, you creep!” she snapped, shoving him off and storming out of the van.
Watching her retreat in fury, Benjamin chuckled, a smug smile tugging at his lips.
Wendy returned to work like nothing had happened. But not long after, the manager arrived with the regional supervisor–and Sydney.
Vicky, startled, greeted them. “Manager, Supervisor–you’re here!”
“Thepany received a formalint,” the supervisor, Nick, said sternly. “We’ve reviewed the surveince footage. Wendy, you engaged in a verbal altercation with a customer and then threw coffee on them. Care to exin?”
The manager stood beside him, nodding and bowing as if afraid to breathe.
Wendy nced at Sydney, who smirked arrogantly and crossed her arms.
“Nick,” Wendy said calmly, “if you watched the footage, you should’ve seen she threw coffee at me first. I simply reacted.”
Nick scoffed. “She’s the customer. Even if she threw coffee at you, your job is to smile and take it. Do you understand what ‘the customer is always right‘ means?”
“I’m sorry,” Wendy said bluntly. “But if your idea of customer service includes letting people throw whatever they want at me and smiling through it, then no–I don’t understand.”
“Wendy!” Nick barked. “Do you have any idea how serious this is? Apologize now, or I’ll escte this to corporate. You’ll be fired.”
“I’m not apologizing,” Wendy said firmly. “She attacked me first. If anyone’s apologizing, it should be her.”
Sydney sneered, “You all heard that, right? This is the kind of attitude she has. Arrogant, rude, unprofessional, I demand justice!”
Nick, fuming, pointed at Wendy. “That’s it. You leave me no choice. I’m terminating your employment–effective immediately!”
“I’d like to see who dares to fire her.”
Azy, deep voice echoed from the doorway.