A deal with the devil

Chapter 94

Benjamin refused to see any reason

Suddenly, Shirley thought of racing. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she blated out, “I want to compete in next month’s international championship!”

Benjamm looked up at her with him eyes.

Shirley exclaimed enthusiastically, “I want to make our country prod

Benjamin ceplied dry. “Tost don’t embarrass me.”

Shirley grinned with confidence. “Ton’t worry I won’t embarrass you, I can’t guarantee the international championship, but I’ll finish totop threen the nationals for sure.

Benjamin snorted, unimpressed. “If you’re going to race, you might as well get first”

you don’t win, don’t expect to leave this house for the rest of the year.”

Shirley hesitated for a split second biting her lip, but then nodded firmly. “Tine. It’s a deal.”

a

he decided to let it slide this time, especially since she had been helping Damian learn to write and

his oatmeal, Benjamin left for the office.

the food wasn’t something

a sense of

Damian woke up. His soft, rosy cheeks, messy

his cheek. “Damian, how about I take you out to

great mood so

wonderful You’re such a sweet boy.

Damian

cheeks flushed red, and his face lit up. Without a word, he dashed off to grab his drawing board. Standing in front of Shirley, he carefully wrote,

“Damian, you’re amazing! Your handwriting is even better than yesterday’s

• the board before sending it to Benjamin. Then, she took Damian’s hand, and led him

breakfast, Shirley and Damian left the

to check on Nancy and find out if she’d been hurt when she went to confront Jessica the previous night. The thought had been nagging at her

right time to retrieve it. If Samuel had followed through, the house staff would have already passed it

along

the car moved through a bustling commercial area, Shirley noticed a large crowd gathered outside a department stove. Reporters with cameras jostled for position among the onlookers. It

so she wasn’t particularly curious. But amid the crowd, she

was a