C130 A New Beginning

The shareholders' meeting had finally come to an end. One by one, the shareholders and stakeholders left the conference room, each wearing a different expression. Some looked relieved, others disappointed, while a few remained deep in thought after witnessing Tracy Wood's overwhelming authority.

As everyone dispersed, Tracy walked briskly toward the company exit. Her mind was still on Kelvin. She wanted nothing more than to return to the hospital and remain by her husband's side. Just as she reached the lobby, I walked toward her. "Good morning, Mrs. Wood." She stopped and turned around. The moment she saw me, a gentle smile appeared on her face. "Mike, my son. How are you? When did you get released?"

I smiled politely. "I was released yesterday, Madam. I came to the company today to finish the project Director Wood assigned to Alicia and me. I believe that if we work together, we'll complete it before the end of today." She nodded approvingly. "I'm glad to hear that." I hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "However, Madam... I'd like to ask you something." She glanced at the time on her watch. "I'm in a bit of a hurry, Mike. Please, go ahead."

I took a deep breath. "Yesterday, while I was in jail, I had plenty of time to think about everything that has happened. I also remembered the truth about the year-end function that Samantha told me." Tracy listened quietly. "The more I thought about it, the more I realized something. I never wronged Ben. No matter how many times he targeted me, I never fought back or tried to harm him."

She remained silent, allowing me to continue. "But there was one memory that kept coming back." I looked at her. "Before our final examination results were released, Ben and I were still close friends. We studied together, laughed together, and treated each other like brothers." I paused. "Then the results came out." "After that day, Ben completely avoided me." "My parents also punished me because they believed I had stolen Ben's study book." I lowered my head. "But I never stole it." Tracy frowned slightly.

I continued, "My question is... how did I offend someone simply by studying hard and finishing first in class?" "And why was I accused of stealing something I never even touched?" "I've always wanted to know what Ben told you that day." Tracy fell silent. My words seemed to awaken an old memory. After several long seconds, she finally spoke. "That evening... Ben came home extremely upset." "He said you had cheated during the examinations." My eyes widened.

She continued, "He told us he was supposed to finish first." "He also said you borrowed his study book, the one containing all his notes and exam preparations." She sighed. "He claimed you refused to return it and later told him you had lost it." I stood there in complete disbelief. "But, Madam..." "Whenever Chris and I studied together, Ben would always tell us he had already learned those chapters at home." "He even laughed at us for revising things he claimed to know already."

Tracy slowly lowered her eyes. For the first time, guilt appeared on her face. "I should have investigated properly." "I believed my own son without asking for your side of the story." I smiled faintly. "Thank you for telling me the truth, Madam." As she turned to leave, I quickly called out again. "Mrs. Wood." She stopped. "I've decided to resign from Wood IT Company."

I reached into my bag and handed her my resignation letter. "Ever since I was arrested, people gossip wherever I go. I don't want my presence to create more problems for the company." She looked at the letter but didn't accept it. Instead, she shook her head. "No." I looked at her in surprise. "What happened is partly my fault." "If I had taught Ben not to be greedy and jealous while he was still young, none of this would have happened." She looked at me sincerely. "So, Mike... you don't have to resign."

I respectfully answered, "Madam, this is still the Wood family's company." "No matter what I accomplish, someone can easily suppress my efforts." "I also don't get along with my team leader because of her daughter." "Besides, Samantha works here too." "If I attend meetings with her, Ben may misunderstand everything again." "I don't want more unnecessary conflict." Tracy checked her watch once more. "I understand everything you've said."

She smiled kindly. "But I still want you and Alicia to continue working here." "The new Interim Director will need both of you." I looked puzzled. "The new Interim Director?" "You mean... Ben?" She shook her head. "No." "The new Interim Director is Sarah." "My younger daughter." I couldn't hide my surprise. "So that's who everyone chose." She nodded. "Yes." I smiled. "Then Alicia and I will continue working until Director Wood recovers." "I'm sure he'll recover soon." "He's a fighter." "I believe he'll be back within a week."

Tracy's eyes softened. "I hope so." She took a step forward before speaking once more. "Mike..." "Please apologize to your parents on my behalf." "I'll visit them personally once Kelvin's condition becomes stable." "I will, Madam." She nodded before leaving for the hospital. I watched her disappear before turning back toward the office.

Alicia was already waiting outside our department. The moment she saw me, she smiled. Before either of us could speak, another figure appeared from the opposite corridor. Ben. His footsteps immediately stopped. His eyes widened in disbelief. "You..." He stared at me. "You were released?" I simply looked at him without saying a word.

Before the silence became awkward, Alicia suddenly walked beside me. Without hesitation, she slipped her hand into mine. She smiled brightly. "Honey, let's go." For a moment... Ben completely froze. He looked at our joined hands. Then at Alicia. Then back at me. His mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. Did she... Just call him honey? He stood there as we walked past him together.

His thoughts became increasingly chaotic. Why didn't Father die? Why did every one of my plans fail? Did Mother discover something? Am I being watched? Question after question flooded his mind. His irritation from losing the Interim Director position returned with even greater force.

When Ben reached his office, his secretary, Natalie, was already waiting. She immediately stood up. "Mr. Wood, don't worry. We'll find another solution." Ben glared at her. "Get out." Natalie immediately turned toward the door. Just as she reached it.. "Wait." She stopped. "Lock the door." Without thinking much about it, Natalie locked the office before walking back.

The moment she stood in front of him, Ben suddenly leaned forward and kissed her. Natalie froze. Her cheeks immediately turned bright red. The kiss lasted several seconds before Ben stepped back. He smiled. "We're going to a hotel later." Still stunned, Natalie slowly nodded. She depended on Ben financially, and refusing him wasn't something she believed she could easily do.

Meanwhile, Samantha returned to her office wearing a small smile. She still couldn't stop thinking about Tracy. Her mother-in-law had completely silenced an entire room filled with experienced businessmen. Not a single person had dared oppose her. Someday... She wanted to ask Tracy how she had developed such commanding authority.

Then Ben came to mind. Her smile disappeared. How had she ended up with a husband who neither respected nor trusted her? Without another thought, she opened her computer and drafted a formal agreement. It clearly stated that Ben was not permitted to enter her bedroom without permission, touch her without consent, or expect any form of intimacy unless both parties willingly agreed.

The document was soon reviewed and signed by a lawyer and sent it back to her. After signing her copy, she walked to Ben's office. She knocked lightly. "Come in." Inside, Natalie quickly moved away from the door before Samantha entered. Thank god she did not push the door, otherwise she would have known it was locked.

Ben laughed mockingly. "So, you voted against me and now you've come to apologize?" "I'm not interested." Samantha calmly placed the documents on his desk. "I've already signed my copy." "Read them." "If you agree, sign yours and send it back." Without waiting for an answer, she walked away. After she left, Ben lazily pushed the papers toward Natalie. "Read them."

Natalie skimmed through the pages. Her eyes widened. "Mr. Wood..." "This is a marital agreement." "Mrs. Wood says you may visit Monica whenever you wish, but you may not enter her room without permission." "She also forbids physical intimacy or any romantic relationship unless both of you agree." "There are lawyer signatures as well." With every sentence, Ben's face darkened.

Suddenly. Crash! Everything on his desk was swept onto the floor. Natalie flinched. Ben laughed coldly. "She thinks I can't live without her." He looked directly at Natalie. "If I divorce Samantha..." "Would you marry me?" Natalie forced an awkward smile. "That... can be discussed if it ever happens." Ben laughed again. "Throw those papers away."

Natalie hesitated. "If you don't sign them, there'll be no official agreement. If you do sign, then you'll have legal grounds to move forward later." Ben thought for a moment before extending his hand. "Fine." "Give them here." He signed every page before handing them back. "Send them to Samantha." Natalie quietly nodded and left.

In the Director's office, Sarah stood alone, looking around the spacious room that now belonged to her. She took a slow breath. These people are like foxes, she thought. Smile at them today, and they may bite you tomorrow. Instinctively, her hand rested on her lower abdomen. "Little one..." "Stay safe." "Mom is going to be under a lot of stress these coming days." "I haven't even told your grandparents about you yet."

A gentle smile appeared on her face. "But your father was so happy when he found out you existed." After standing there quietly for another moment, Sarah took out her phone, snapped a picture of the office, and sent it to Chris. A few seconds later, the message appeared beneath the photo. "My new workplace."