C123 A Condition

The next morning, I was awakened by the sound of metal keys rattling against the bars of my cell. "Mike Smith," a police officer called. "You have a visitor." I slowly stood up. My body still ached from spending the entire night on the cold concrete floor. I had barely slept, and my mind felt heavier than ever. The officer escorted me to the visitation room.

As I stepped inside, I was surprised to find Peter Mooney sitting calmly across the table. The old man looked at me with sharp, experienced eyes. "Sit down, young man." I nodded respectfully before taking a seat. For a few moments, neither of us spoke. Finally, Peter broke the silence. "I came here because my granddaughter wouldn't stop begging me."

A faint smile appeared on his face. "Yesterday, Alicia cried more than I've ever seen her cry in her entire life. She spent the whole day searching for evidence to clear your name." I lowered my head. "I know." Peter nodded. "Yes... I believe you do. It has become very clear that Alicia cares deeply about you." I remained silent.

There was no point denying something I had already noticed. Peter leaned back in his chair. "Before we discuss why I'm really here, there are a few things you need to know." My heart suddenly became uneasy. "What happened?" He sighed.

"Gomez family announced early this morning that they have accepted Laura tryon as their daughter in law." My breathing stopped for a brief moment. Although I had already decided to let Laura go, hearing those words still pierced my heart. Peter continued. "Your parents were also dismissed from the Wood family yesterday." I immediately looked up. "They told me about it, but do you know why?" "They were fired by Ben while Kelvin was in surgery."

I clenched my fists beneath the table."Ben..." I closed my eyes. After a long silence, I looked back at Peter. "You said you came here for a reason." He nodded. "Yes." "I have a condition." I frowned. "What condition?" Peter folded his hands together. "Mike, even if you're proven innocent, this arrest will remain on your record." He paused before continuing. "Whether people believe it or not, employers often judge someone by their criminal history. Finding another good job won't be easy."

I quietly listened. "So," Peter continued, "I can help you leave this place... but only if you agree to my condition." I couldn't help feeling confused. Everything he had said so far seemed to benefit me. It almost sounded too good to be true. Peter noticed the confusion on my face and smiled faintly. "You must be wondering why an old man like me would help someone he barely knows." I nodded honestly.

He looked out of the small window before speaking again. "The truth is... this has very little to do with you." I blinked in surprise. "My family recently spent 1.2 billion dollars acquiring eighty percent of Lucia Goods." His voice became heavier. "That wasn't a small investment." "I know." "The problem," he continued, "is that Alicia refuses to become the company's Managing Director." I remembered our previous conversation. She had indeed rejected the position several times.

Peter sighed. "I'm getting old, Mike." "I don't know how many years I have left." "I need someone capable to stand beside Alicia." He looked directly into my eyes. "I've watched the way she behaves around you." "She listens to you." "She trusts you." "If you're by her side... I believe she'll eventually accept the responsibility of leading Lucia Goods." I remained speechless.

Peter continued honestly. "I know you still love Laura." The words struck my heart. "I also know Alicia may not even love you in return." He smiled bitterly. "This arrangement isn't based on romance." "It's a gamble." "I'm betting on the future of my company." The room became completely silent.

Finally, Peter placed several documents onto the table. "If you agree..." "You'll sign these papers." I glanced down. My eyes widened. They were engagement agreements. Peter calmly explained, "The papers state that you willingly agree to marry Alicia after your release." "If you sign them, I'll personally use every connection I have to clear your name."

He paused. "Afterward, you'll become Alicia's husband." "The two of you will work together to manage Lucia Goods." I looked at the papers for what felt like an eternity. One signature... could completely change my future. Let me think about it. I will let you know by tomorrow.

Meanwhile... Laura slowly opened her eyes. The bright hospital lights forced her to blink several times before her vision finally cleared. She immediately saw Josh sitting quietly beside her bed. He looked exhausted. Dark circles surrounded his eyes. When he noticed she was awake, relief filled his face. "Laura..." She stared at him silently. Josh slowly lowered his head. "I'm sorry."

Laura frowned slightly. "For what?" "For everything." His voice was filled with regret. "I treated you terribly." "I forced you into making choices you never wanted." "I even blamed you when none of this was your fault." Laura remained silent. Josh took a deep breath. "I also owe you my life." She looked at him in confusion. "If you hadn't signed that statement..." Ben would've killed me." "I didn't realize it before, but now I do." "I should never have joined hands with him."

His fists tightened. "I regret helping Ben." "I regret accepting the arranged marriage." "But..." He laughed bitterly. "It's too late now." Laura quietly looked away. For the first time in a long while... she noticed something different about her father. He wasn't shouting. He wasn't giving orders. He was speaking gently. Respectfully. Almost like the father she had always wished for.

A painful smile appeared on her face. "Dad..." She softly interrupted him. "You don't have to apologize anymore." Josh looked at her. "I betrayed Mike." Tears slowly rolled down her cheeks. "I lied to the police." "I destroyed the person who loved me the most." She lowered her head. "He'll never forgive me." The room became silent.

After several moments, Laura wiped away her tears. "Maybe..." "This marriage is for the best." Josh looked surprised. "If I move to another city..." "If I start over somewhere else..." "Maybe one day I'll stop hurting." She forced herself to smile. "I'm still young." "Maybe life will eventually become easier." Josh reached over and gently held her hand. Neither of them realized... some wounds could never truly heal.

At the Wood IT Company, things had already fallen into chaos. Early that morning, an emergency shareholders' meeting was called. Every major shareholder and stakeholder had either arrived in person or joined through a video conference. The atmosphere inside the conference room was extremely tense. With Kelvin lying unconscious in hospital, someone had to make immediate decisions.

Ben stood confidently before everyone. "I propose that both Mike Smith and Alicia Mooney be dismissed immediately." The room erupted into whispers. Ben continued, "Yesterday's rape scandal has severely damaged the company's reputation." "We cannot continue employing people involved in criminal cases."

Before anyone else could speak... Samantha calmly stood up. "I oppose." Everyone turned toward her. She looked directly at Ben. "Personal grudges should never interfere with business." "The company's decisions should be based on performance, not private matters." She continued firmly, "Mike has consistently exceeded every performance target." "Alicia has also contributed greatly to the company." "If we begin firing employees over incidents unrelated to their work, then none of us are truly safe."

Several shareholders nodded. Others frowned. Soon, the room divided into two clear factions. Those who respected Mike's work immediately sided with Samantha. Those loyal to Ben and Josh supported Ben's proposal. The arguments became louder. Neither side was willing to compromise.

Realizing he couldn't force his decision through, Ben quickly changed the topic. "Since Father remains unconscious, we should appoint an Interim Director." That suggestion caused another explosion of arguments. Every shareholder had a different candidate. Some supported Ben. Others believed Samantha should take temporary control. Several senior executives proposed independent board members instead.

For the first time, Ben realized something unexpected. Samantha wasn't nearly as weak as he had believed. She had supporters. Powerful supporters. After nearly two hours of heated debate, the chairman finally struck the table with his gavel. "Enough!" The room instantly became silent. "A formal vote will be held tomorrow at midday." "Every shareholder and stakeholder is required to attend." "Official invitations will be sent immediately."

Within minutes... Emails and online invitations spread across the company. Sarah received hers while sitting beside Kelvin's medical reports. Tracy's phone vibrated inside the hospital ward. She slowly opened the notification. As she read the meeting invitation, she looked at her unconscious husband and whispered, "Kelvin... everything is beginning to fall apart." Outside the ward, the battle for Wood IT Company had already begun. And this time... there would be no turning back.