C118 The Trap Springs

I slowly pushed the front door open and stepped inside. Just as I expected, both of my parents were waiting for me. Mary folded her arms and looked at me with a suspicious smile. "So," she began, "when did she arrive? And more importantly... did she spend the night here?" Quinton chuckled. "Honey, why are you asking questions you already know the answers to?" He looked at me with a grin. "Son, tell me. Did Laura's father finally approve your relationship?"

I let out a long sigh and sat down opposite them. "No... things became even worse." Their smiles slowly faded. I told them everything from the beginning. "Last night Laura called me. She said her father had already reached an agreement with another family. They're arranging for her to marry their son." My mother covered her mouth in surprise. I nodded. "She thought last night might be the last time we'd ever see each other, so she came here."

I scratched the back of my head awkwardly before continuing. "She... she also wanted me to be her first." Mary suddenly began coughing violently. "What?!" My father quickly handed her a glass of water while trying not to laugh. After calming down, she glared at me. "And what about my Alicia?" I blinked. "What about her?" She pointed a finger at me. "You cheated on her!" My eyes widened. "Mom!" "Not only did you cheat on Alicia, but you even had the nerve to wake her up before sunrise just so she could come and pick up your girlfriend."

The word cheated struck me once again. Exactly as I had expected. I rubbed my forehead helplessly. "Mom, Alicia and I aren't..." Before I could finish, I remembered the kiss we had shared in my office. My voice stopped. Mary immediately noticed. "Look at him!" "He can't even defend himself anymore." Quinton burst into laughter. I could only sigh. "I owe Alicia a huge favor." "I'll repay her someday." Mary shook her head. "You'd better."

The awkward atmosphere gradually disappeared as we finished breakfast together. Although my parents kept teasing me, having breakfast with them somehow eased the pressure in my heart. Soon afterward, I got ready and rode my bicycle to work.

When I arrived at the company, Chris and Alicia were already waiting near the entrance. "Morning," I greeted them. Chris smiled. "Morning." Alicia, however, wore a mischievous smile. The moment I walked closer, she folded her arms. "Brother..." "You don't look tired at all." I looked at her in confusion. "What do you mean?" She smirked. "You spent the entire night... working." Chris frowned. "What are you talking about?" "Don't tell me you both slept together.." Alicia rolled her eyes dramatically. "Honestly..." "Has your IQ dropped that much?" Chris stared at us for several seconds before his eyes suddenly widened. He pointed at me. "Laura?" Neither Alicia nor I answered. Chris slapped his forehead. "Brother!" "So you're finally a real man now?" I couldn't help laughing. "You two are impossible."

The three of us laughed together, completely unaware of the car that was approaching. A black luxury car slowly came to a stop. Samantha stepped out. The moment she saw us laughing together, especially seeing Alicia standing so close to me, her heart tightened. She lowered her eyes. "That should have been me." The bitterness inside her grew stronger. Without saying a word, she quietly walked past us and entered the building. Soon after we followed.

At almost the same time... Josh hurried into the Vice Director's office. Ben looked up impatiently. "What is it now?" Josh looked extremely anxious. "We have a problem." "I already arranged the marriage, but my daughter confessed that... she's no longer a virgin." Ben frowned. "Is that really something you rushed here to tell me?" Then he suddenly paused. A slow smile spread across his face. "Wait..." "So she admitted it?" Josh nodded. Ben leaned back in his chair. "I think it's finally time." Josh looked uneasy. "What do you mean?" Without another word, Ben opened a drawer and placed a bank card on the table. "There is two million dollars in this card." Josh's breathing became heavier. "You'll have it..." "...if you do exactly as I say."

Josh slowly picked up the card. "What do you want me to do?" Ben smiled coldly. "Report Mike to the police." Josh's eyes widened. "Say that he sexually assaulted your daughter." "Make sure Laura testifies." Josh froze. "But..." Ben interrupted him. "I'll personally explain everything to Bright beforehand." "He won't blame Laura." "As long as Mike disappears, everyone wins." Josh stared silently at the card. His conscience struggled for a brief moment. Then... Greed won. He slowly nodded. "I understand." After Josh left, Ben leaned back in his chair. "Mike..." "Your days are over." A few minutes later, Ben called Bright into his office. Bright arrived looking nervous. "You wanted to see me, Vice Director?" Ben nodded. "I heard you'll soon be marrying Mike's girlfriend." Bright stiffened.

Ben smiled. "Relax." "Josh and I planned everything." Only then did Bright slowly nod. Ben continued. "My real target has never been Laura." "It's Mike." "You may hear some unpleasant news today." "But don't worry." "Your marriage with Laura will still go ahead." Bright didn't fully understand, but he nodded anyway. Before dismissing him, Ben asked for Prince Gomez's phone number. Bright gave it to him without hesitation. Several minutes later, Ben ended the call with a satisfied smile. "Everything is ready." After Bright left, Ben made one final phone call using a banner phone. His expression became colder than ever. "Today." "It must happen today." "And remember..." "This can never be traced back to me." He ended the call immediately. The trap had been completely set.

After leaving Vice Director Ben's office, Josh didn't return to work. Instead, he hurried straight home, his expression darker than ever. When he entered the house, everything was quiet. "Laura!" he shouted. No one answered. His face darkened further as he marched upstairs and banged heavily on Laura's bedroom door. "Laura! Open this door!" Inside the room, Laura slowly opened her eyes. Having barely slept after everything that had happened the previous night, she was still exhausted. She rubbed her eyes before getting out of bed and opening the door.

The moment she saw her father standing outside, she looked surprised. "Dad? Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Before she could react any further.. Slap! Josh's hand landed heavily across her face. Laura stumbled backward, holding her burning cheek. Tears immediately formed in her eyes. "D-Dad..." "You... you hit me?" "What did I do?" Josh glared at her furiously. "Do you think I'm a fool?" "You sneaked out last night!" Laura's heart skipped a beat. He knows... But how? Countless questions flooded her mind.

Josh reached into his briefcase and pulled out several documents before throwing them onto the table. "Because of your foolishness, I embarrassed myself in front of the Gomez family!" "They agreed to let Bright marry you only because Vice Director Ben personally begged them." "Now I've become a laughingstock." Laura looked at him in confusion. "What does that have to do with Mike?"

Josh's eyes turned ice-cold. "Everything." "I owe Vice Director Ben a favor." "He has asked me to repay it." He pointed at the blank statement lying on the table. "You are going to the police station." "You are going to report Mike." "You will tell them that he sexually assaulted you." Laura froze. For several seconds, she simply stared at her father, unable to believe what she had just heard. Then tears burst from her eyes. "Dad..." "Are you even human anymore?" "Why have you changed so much?" "You're asking me to destroy the man I love!" "You're asking me to lie!" "That's evil!"

Josh slammed his fist onto the table. "I raised you by myself after your mother died!" "I sacrificed everything for you!" "And this is how you repay me?" He pointed toward the paper again. "Write it." "Before I slap you again." Laura shook her head while crying. "No." "I won't do it." "I can't." Josh stared silently at her. Then his expression slowly changed. The anger disappeared, replaced by a sorrowful smile. He knew exactly where his daughter's greatest weakness lay.

Ever since Laura watched her mother die in that tragic accident years ago... She had feared only one thing. Death. Josh lowered his voice. "If you refuse..." "Then prepare to lose your father too." Laura's entire body froze. Josh continued in a trembling voice. "Vice Director Ben isn't someone we can offend." "If I fail to repay this favor..." "He won't simply fire me." "He'll destroy me." "He'll kill me." He looked directly into her tear-filled eyes. "So tell me, Laura..." "Do you also want to watch your father die..." "...just like you watched your mother?" Those words pierced straight through her heart.

In an instant, memories she had buried for years came rushing back. The twisted metal. The shattered windshield. Her mother's lifeless body lying on the road. The helpless little girl who could do nothing except scream. "No..." Laura whispered as her body trembled violently. "No..." "I can't..." Fresh tears streamed down her face.

Josh slowly walked toward her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. Unlike before, his voice was soft. "My daughter..." "It's your choice." "A father..." "Or your boyfriend." "I won't force you." "Whatever you decide..." "I hope it brings you happiness." He turned around and slowly walked toward the stairs. Just before disappearing downstairs, he spoke one final sentence. "I'll prepare my funeral documents." "If you choose Mike..." "Then perhaps today will be the last day your father is alive."

The house became completely silent. Laura collapsed onto the floor. Her heart felt as though it had been ripped apart. She loved Mike with everything she had. But... She couldn't lose her father too. Since the day her mother died, Josh had raised her alone. He worked tirelessly to pay her school fees. He made sure she never lacked food. He celebrated every birthday with her. He comforted her whenever she cried.

Without him... Who would pay her tuition? Who would pay the rent? Who would keep her company when she felt lonely? Who would she call "Dad"? She knew Mike loved her. But his family could never suddenly become her family overnight. If Josh died... She would truly become an orphan. Laura buried her face in her hands and cried louder than she ever had before. "I'm sorry, Mike..." "I'm so sorry..." Minutes passed. Her tears never stopped.

Finally... With trembling hands... She picked up the blank statement. Every word she wrote felt like a knife piercing her own heart. Each sentence betrayed the man she loved. By the time she finished writing, the paper was stained with her tears. Downstairs, Josh had been waiting in complete silence. When Laura slowly walked down the stairs holding the signed statement, she looked like someone who had lost the will to live.

Josh took the paper without saying a word. Then, together... Father and daughter silently left for the police station. Neither of them spoke during the entire journey. One had sacrificed the man she loved. The other had sacrificed his daughter's happiness. Both carried guilt in their hearts.