The old man warned Malayah Smith that this assignment carried a certain level of danger. Not only would she have to protect Ricardo Patterson's life, but she might also face threats to her own, even possibly having to take a life. Malayah was taken aback, her heart nearly pounding out of her chest.
"Seriously, don't freak me out like that! I've got a weak heart, and I can't handle such a scare!" Malayah exclaimed, clutching her chest and casting a nervous glance at her mentor.
The old man chuckled, blending gravity and humor in his tone as he said, "Did you think a ten-million-dollar advance would be a walk in the park? Without some risks, how could it be possible? You're not getting cold feet now, are you?"
Understanding the seriousness of the situation, Malayah quickly put the files and photos back on the coffee table, shaking her head vigorously. "No way! I'm not taking on something so dangerous. Sure, money matters, but my life is more important. Besides, you know how squeamish I am—I faint at the sight of blood..." Malayah rattled off every reason she could think of to avoid the task, trying hard to dodge it.
The old man, however, wasn't swayed by her excuses. "An apprentice should always uphold her commitments. Malayah, are you really behaving like my apprentice?" he said, his voice stern.
"Master, I've made a mistake! You should kick me out of your tutelage!" Malayah's eyes filled with tears as she heard his words. "I don't deserve to be your apprentice! I've embarrassed you—just let me go!"
The old man, seemingly anticipating her tactics, responded unsympathetically, "Alright, you can leave, but you must repay the money you owe me first. Otherwise, forget about leaving."
"Okay, okay! How much, Master? I'll pay it back." Malayah, grasping at a glimmer of hope, quickly pulled out her wallet. She had just received her paycheck that day.
Eyeing her wallet, the old man let out a sarcastic laugh, bent down to pick up the calculator from the coffee table, and said calmly, "From the moment I took you in off the street to this day, let me tally up the costs." His fingers tapped rapidly on the calculator, which beeped occasionally.
"Ah, there it is! A total of nine million, nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine. And that coffee you just drank? Let's add one more dollar. That's an even ten million!" The old man held up the calculator for Malayah to see, chuckling. "Pay up!"
Hearing the old man's declaration, Malayah felt like spitting out the coffee she had just drunk. Yet, it was already in her stomach, and she couldn't do anything about it. Tears welled up in her eyes out of frustration.
"Master, you're bullying me! I don't have ten million. There's only a thousand dollars in my wallet, and I'm not worth that much even if you sell me!" Malayah's hands trembled as she held her wallet, her big eyes glistening with tears.
The old man, who knew Malayah's personality well, waved his hand dismissively and chuckled. "You don't have it now, but once you accept this assignment, you'll have ten million! Haha." With that, he stood up, stretched his back and neck, and smiled, "Malayah, there's no other choice—you either take this case or pay me back immediately. I'm heading back to my room to sleep. Think about it." The old man finished speaking and walked away, leaving Malayah and the amused Selena Stewart behind.
"Big Sis, you have to help me! You have so much money—could you lend me ten million? I promise I'll pay you back!" Malayah pleaded, her last hope resting on Selena. She hurriedly sat beside her, almost in tears.
Selena gently tapped Malayah's furrowed brow with her fingertip, smiling affectionately. "You need to grow up, kitten. You're no longer a little girl. If you need money, you should earn it. Besides, I don't have ten million right now either. You know my income is high, but my spending is just as high."
"So, if you really want to repay Master, you should take his advice and accept the case," Selena advised, observing Malayah's tear-streaked face with a smile.
Malayah shook her head vigorously, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Sis, you know I'm not cut out to be a bodyguard. I'm more of a gourmet. My life's dream is to have lots of money and live happily. Protecting others? Someone should be protecting me!"
Selena stood up, adjusted her vintage-style dress, and looked at Malayah's tearful face. She bent down to gently tap Malayah's forehead and smiled. "You've grown up, Malayah. Some decisions you have to make on your own. Sometimes, you need to prove yourself, even just a little. Alright, I'm tired. I'm going to sleep. It's been ages since I've rested properly." With that, Selena headed to her room, leaving Malayah alone in the living room.
"How did it come to this? That darn old man! It's just ten million—does he have to push me to the edge? I'm so mad!" Realizing she was alone, Malayah vented her frustration by tossing the couch cushions onto the floor.
Once she calmed down, Malayah turned her attention back to the photos on the coffee table. She picked them up, studying the man in the pictures carefully. Despite the task being dangerous, the client was undeniably handsome, like a movie star, with a natural charm that outshone most celebrities.
"Fine, fine. I can run, but I can't hide. If I don't take this assignment, the old man will nag me forever. My ears will never have peace," Malayah thought, resolutely stuffing the photos and documents into her bag. Slinging the large bag over her shoulder, she stormed back to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. After a day and a night of contemplating, she realized she had no choice but to accept this perilous case. A mountain named "Ten Million" weighed heavily on her, forcing her to make the critical decision to become the personal bodyguard for Ricardo Patterson.
