Me, The Sovereign of the World? [Modern Evolution]

Sitting on the sofa, Zoe Carter gazed absently around Benny’s living room, momentarily distracted from his sudden dash into his bedroom. The space had evolved since her last visit before the New Year, yet it retained an irresistible charm, a palpable artistic essence that seemed to breathe life into every corner.

The clothes rack by the entrance stood as a testament to craftsmanship, a sculpture carved from exquisite wood. Nearby, a display cabinet—crafted from a type of wood she couldn’t quite identify—showcased an array of delicate porcelain. The walls were adorned with replicas of the greats: "The Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci, "Starry Night" by Van Gogh, "The Tower of Babel" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, and "Napoleon Crossing the Alps" by Jacques-Louis David.

Yes, each iconic piece had been rendered in multiple versions, and on an easel stood a half-finished "Last Supper" by da Vinci, all imitated by Benny’s skilled hand.

From Zoe’s modest understanding of art, she knew Benny’s talents could easily rival many contemporary artists; perhaps even surpass them. Each time she visited, she found new pieces—both in oil and ink. Yet, her lack of deeper knowledge left her unable to appreciate the nuances of his imitations. They simply mirrored her impressions of the originals.

After a cursory glance, she returned her attention to her thoughts. Sometimes, she felt fortunate that her artistic insights were limited; otherwise, she might have realized just how many invaluable items filled this small room. It was a treasure trove that could land Benny in serious trouble, if not worse.

In truth, she often wondered if one of these masterpieces might be genuine. But regardless of her suspicions, her stance towards Benny had always been one of careful detachment. Just as he had gradually allowed her into his world, she had chosen not to delve too deeply into his secrets.

This understanding between them had solidified over time. Benny had begun to shed his former guard, revealing more of himself to Zoe.

Yet, there remained one truth she would never share: the unique situation that had recently altered her life. This wasn’t a matter of friendship; rather, it was a prudent choice for her own safety. Until she could be certain that her newfound condition wouldn’t be exploited, she would keep her close acquiantances in the dark.

Lost in contemplation, Zoe was pulled from her thoughts by the creak of the bedroom door swinging open. Benny emerged, clad in a tailored navy suit that hugged his form, a briefcase in hand. The red butterfly tie was meticulously adjusted, adding a touch of flamboyance to his otherwise serious attire.

Yet, with his Mediterranean hairstyle and rotund figure, he presented a peculiar mix of solemnity and absurdity.

“What’s this all about?” Zoe raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Benny’s attire.

“I could help you with information, but we’re in a legal society now—no room for those irregular hacker techniques.” Benny’s chest puffed out proudly.

“Ah, what a wonderful world, isn't it? So it’s time for some legal finesse,” he added, giving his tie a slight tug as if it were a badge of honor.

“Legal finesse?” Zoe repeated, her curiosity piqued. The sight of Benny dressed as he was prompted her to piece together the puzzle, though she hesitated to voice her thoughts.

“Call me Bernard, thank you,” he replied with an exaggerated grin.

Zoe hesitated before asking, “You’re still a… lawyer?”

It was a question that lingered between them, heavy with implications. If true, Benny’s accomplishments were impressive: a lawyer, an artist, a hacker—how many hats could one person wear? It was almost too remarkable for her to fathom.

Silence hung in the air as Benny flashed a bright smile, revealing his white teeth. “You can check my Phoenix University degree and my practicing certificate. Earned through sheer merit, no fakes here—just raw talent.”

He seemed to bask in his self-satisfaction, but Zoe felt a familiar itch of irritation. A fleeting urge to deliver a playful punch to his shoulder passed through her, but she held back. Given their friendship and her current need for assistance, it was wiser to restrain her impulses.

“Do you have confidence in this?” Zoe couldn’t help but inquire, eyeing Benny as he straightened himself.

“Not much,” he admitted, his grin unwavering. “Let’s say ninety-nine percent.”

With a flourish, he spread several freshly printed A4 sheets from his briefcase, the scent of ink still clinging to them. Zoe peered down at the documents, her brow furrowing as she scanned a meticulously detailed list of offences committed by a popular online store.

“You had this prepared already?” she asked, her surprise evident.

“Not exactly!” he replied with a playful glint in his eyes.

“You mean while you were indulging in those counterfeit Australian Wagyu beef dishes, you were gathering intel on this store?” Realization struck her as the implications of his words settled in.

Considering the myriad of wrongdoings detailed—substituting subpar products and leaking surveillance footage—Zoe couldn’t help but admire Benny’s tenacity.

“If you can handle that store’s leaks, what about the Hampsterburgg Morning News?” she asked, her intrigue piqued.

“That medium-sized media company? Piece of cake. You can relax,” Benny assured her, his confidence evident.

Zoe took a moment to process his words. “And the commission fee? This is a bit different from your usual tasks. I can’t just treat you to dinner for this.”

“Commission fee? Not necessary. You showed some serious combat skills yesterday,” he replied, his grin returning. “How about you accompany me to a place in a couple of days? Just to have backup in case things go sideways.”

“Wait, what are you planning? Who’s out to get you?” Zoe frowned, the gravity of the situation settling in.

“I had a bit of a spat with the owner of an educational training institution online before the New Year. I wanted to teach those French blokes a lesson, but they were on holiday. Now that they’re back, I managed to scout them out yesterday.” Benny chuckled darkly.

Understanding dawned on Zoe—his purchase of educational materials was a ruse. This was not a simple vendetta; it was a calculated plan months in the making.

“I won’t do anything illegal,” she stated firmly, hesitation creeping into her tone. She didn’t want to become embroiled in his schemes, uncertain of the repercussions.

“Don’t worry. I won’t breach the law or any ethical guidelines either. I just heard that the boss is quite superstitious. He recently bought a money tree for good fortune.”

“So… you’re planning to water the tree with boiling water? How charming,” Zoe shot back, giving him a wry look.

“Exactly!” Benny’s chilling smile returned, and Zoe felt a shiver run down her spine.

“Fine, I’ll do my best to keep you from getting killed,” she relented, though a part of her wished she could turn back the clock to a simpler time.