In the Lap of Luxury by Unsweetened Chestnuts

"You're impossible." Grace turned around. "I don't want to see you again."

She strode off. Benjamin reached out a hand to try and stop her, but he missed.

Grace's dress flared, and Benjamin caught sight of her bandaged ankle.

He frowned. He had seen that kind of bandaging before. Anyone who had graduated from the police academy would know how to do it.

Every New Year, Alexander refused to return to Hawkins Manor. It always made Elizabeth rather sad, so she would arrange for things to be delivered to him.

Once, Benjamin had been roped into it and had gone to see Alexander.

It had been raining heavily that year, and the police academy had been in a remote location.

As they had been driving, a landslide had occurred. Both Benjamin and the driver had been buried in it. The students from the police academy had rescued them. Alexander had been one of them.

He had been surprised to see Benjamin, but he was mature beyond his years. "You're Benjamin."

"...you're Alexander."

"A stone fell on your foot, but I've bandaged it up for you. You'll just have to rest for a few days."

Alexander hadn't lingered around after he'd finished speaking. He had grabbed his water bottle and left to fill it up.

interacted much with him. All he had known was that the two of them looked

had surprised himself when he had called out, "Come back home for the New

had paused in his tracks for a moment, but

of his memories and narrowed his eyes. The bandage on Grace's ankle looked exactly like the one Alexander had done for him

to the table, she began wolfing down her

even downed several glasses of alcohol, one after the other, shocking Noelle,

felt slightly better once she had filled her stomach. "Nothing much. I just

a sharp intake of breath. He looked compassionately at Benjamin and mouthed, "You bear

come

of staying. She picked up her bag and said a

was a commotion at

out. "It's Elysium Bank's honor

Joshua?

in a suit. He seemed to be about 40 years old. He had

my first

is why I came here to greet the industry leaders.

your help in my future

and I are old friends. This is a win-win

treated Joshua with great importance. He made a toast to the latter and looked toward Noelle.

She glanced at Timothy, who looked sour, but she couldn't

She had no cho