"Sir, the paid leave you granted hasn’t ended yet. I still have 15 more days," Albert's calm voice replied.

 Before Albert could say more, Benjamin ended the call abruptly, the dial tone ringing in his ears. Albert looked at his phone, slightly puzzled, before returning to the kitchen to continue cooking for his wife, his mind lingering on the abrupt end to the conversation.

 Benjamin couldn’t shake off the thoughts of Isabella. Her face, her voice, even her scent seemed to haunt him. He didn’t like how she seemed to occupy his mind, but he couldn’t help it. She was different, and it bothered him. He had never gone to such lengths to investigate a girl before, and the fact that he was doing it for Isabella left him confused and frustrated.

 His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden intrusion. The door to his office burst open, and Edwin walked in, clearly agitated. Edwin placed both hands on Benjamin’s desk with a loud thud, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. His usually calm demeanor was shattered, and the panic in his eyes was unmistakable. Spotting a glass of water, he grabbed it and drank it all in one gulp, feeling slightly refreshed.

 Benjamin watched him with concern, his own heart beginning to race. "What happened?" he asked, leaning forward, his voice tinged with urgency.

 "Did you know someone attacked Mr. Perry's grandson and granddaughter?" Edwin blurted out, his voice shaky with panic.

 Benjamin's eyes widened at the news. He knew Ledvic had tried to harm Isabella, and she had cleverly outwitted him. His sister had also tried to hurt her, pushing her and causing an injury to her temple. Hearing about the attack made Benjamin furious, but it also confused him. Why did he care so much about Isabella’s welfare?

 "Why am I so bothered about her?" he muttered to himself, trying to ignore the lingering concern that gnawed at him. He felt a pang of guilt mixed with anger, a confusing cocktail of emotions he wasn't used to dealing with.

 Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that Isabella was different. She had an effect on him that no one else had, and it was unsettling. Benjamin looked at Edwin, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts, his hands gripping the edge of his desk.

 "Why would anyone attack them?" Benjamin asked, his voice a mix of anger and concern. His eyes searched Edwin’s for answers, his mind struggling to process the information.

 Edwin shrugged, still catching his breath. "I don’t know, but we need to find out. This is serious, Ben." The fear in his eyes mirrored the urgency in his voice.

 Benjamin was furious when he heard the news, but then he asked himself why he was bothering about her welfare. He tried to ignore it, but something lingered inside him, gnawing at his thoughts.

 "Yes, I told you she is cunning. It will be someone whom she sent..." Benjamin said, smirking, convinced of his own conclusions.

 "But... your men have been following her wherever she goes. How do you expect her to meet someone to harm them? And seriously? Do you think she is capable of doing that? You're nuts!" Edwin exclaimed, his voice rising with frustration.

 "You never know what could have happened. She is more than you think... just like those who act all innocent in front of rich people and do all devilish tricks!" Benjamin retorted, his voice cold and hard. The sound of a fist slamming on the desk interrupted him.

 "No... she is not that kind of person, and you know it very well. Your heart is dying to fall in love, but it's you who keeps holding back. You know pretty well that she is not a spoiled brat like others. She has been thrown out by her parents, her foster parents passed away. She has no friends, she doesn't even have spare time in her life... How could you say something like this?" Edwin’s words tumbled out, surprising even himself with their intensity.

 Edwin rubbed his hair in frustration, his bloodshot eyes blinking rapidly. His breath was audible in the otherwise silent room, a heavy contrast to the usual calm.

 "I'm sorry, Ben... Don't mind me. Sorry that I took your time. I should go now... Take care," Edwin said, turning to leave. His voice had softened, but the emotion was still raw.

 Benjamin was left in a state of confusion, a rare occurrence for him. Never in his life had he seen Edwin so vulnerable. Edwin, usually a beacon of joy and kindness, seemed almost broken. The thought crossed Benjamin's mind that Edwin might be in love with Isabella, and the idea ignited a spark of jealousy within him. But he quickly dismissed it. Why should a skilled and capable man like Edwin fall in love with such a girl?

 Maybe Edwin just didn’t like hearing people speak ill of others. But that made Benjamin reflect on his own behavior. "I was not a man who used to speak ill of others... How did I end up like this? Why am I so bothered? This is f***ing frustrating!" Benjamin thought as he stood up, reaching for a cigarette. 

 The office soon filled with the acrid smell of smoke. Benjamin took out his phone and glanced at a picture of a crying Isabella. The image stirred something deep within him. His heart clenched at the sight of her pain, yet he kept telling himself that she was no different from others. Edwin’s words echoed in his mind.

 "No... she is not that kind of person, and you know it very well. Your heart is dying to fall in love, but it's you who keeps holding back...."

 Benjamin felt a wave of confusion and frustration. "Am I that desperate to fall in love? What rubbish am I talking about?" he muttered to himself.