C140 An Apology

That afternoon, news of Ben Wood's arrest spread throughout the company like wildfire. Every department was buzzing with discussions. Employees gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves, unable to believe that the once-arrogant Vice Director had finally been arrested.

Inside Ben's office, Natalie sat quietly at her desk. The office felt strangely empty without him. She stared absentmindedly at the documents before her, but her mind was elsewhere. If Ben is really going to prison... what will happen to my future?

She had always dreamed of earning enough money to build her mother a proper house. She also wanted to help her cousin attend university. If Ben disappeared now... Would all those dreams disappear with him? After thinking for a long time, Natalie quietly made up her mind. "I'll visit him," she whispered to herself.

When work finally ended, Chris was already waiting outside the company entrance. The moment he saw Alicia and me walking out together, he burst into laughter. "The lovebirds are finally here!" "When did you two become this inseparable?" Alicia smiled. "Brother, you seem very happy today." "Did your lunch date go well?" Chris grinned proudly. "You'll hear all about it."

Before he could continue, another figure slowly approached us. It was Josh Tryon. Unlike the proud man we had known before, today's Josh looked exhausted. His shoulders drooped, and his face was filled with regret. He stopped in front of us before greeting us respectfully. "Mr. Smith." "Mr. Chambers." "Miss Mooney." The three of us looked at him quietly.

Josh lowered his head. "I came to apologize." "I know that no apology can erase what I've done." "Some of my actions were because I wanted to protect my daughter..." "...and others were because I allowed myself to be manipulated by Mr. Wood." "I failed as a leader." "I failed as a father." "I only hope that one day you'll forgive me." Silence followed.

Alicia looked at him calmly before speaking. "Mr. Tryon..." "I don't mean to be rude." "But an apology doesn't erase the damage you've caused." "You destroyed someone's future simply because of greed and social status." "The fact that you weren't arrested doesn't mean you didn't commit a crime." Her voice remained gentle, but every word carried weight. "You were fortunate that Laura survived." "But do you honestly think she'll ever forget what happened?"

She paused before looking toward me. "Do you think Mike will ever forget?" Josh lowered his head even further. Alicia continued, "You judged someone because he came from a poor family." "That is something I can never agree with." "So..." "I'm sorry." "I cannot forgive you."

Josh accepted her words without arguing. He simply nodded. I looked at him for a few moments before speaking. "Mr. Tryon..." "I understand why you wanted to protect your daughter." "I truly loved Laura." "My intention was always to marry her." He slowly looked up. "But because of everything that happened..." "I found someone who loves me just as much."

I turned toward Alicia, who was quietly standing beside me. "A woman who's willing to stand beside me even when the whole world stands against me." Alicia's cheeks immediately turned red. I smiled before looking back at Josh. "I sincerely hope Laura finds happiness." "And..." "If you're willing..." "I'd like to invite you to my engagement ceremony." "Perhaps Mr. Mooney will also get the chance to hear your side of the story."

Chris's eyes widened. "Brother!" "What are you saying?" He immediately stepped forward. "You're inviting a fox to your engagement?" He folded his arms before looking directly at Josh. "Mr. Tryon..." "Enjoy the two million dollars Ben gave you." "I hope it lasts." "Because when that money runs out..." "You'll have no one to rely on except the very daughter whose happiness you ignored."

"Did you ever stop to think about her?" "About how she's coping?" "Whether she's comfortable living with a stranger?" "The same stranger who exposed her private life to the entire company?" Every word struck Josh like a hammer. His face turned pale with guilt. He realized that coming here hadn't eased his conscience at all.

Instead... It had forced him to confront the consequences of his actions. Before he could respond, Alicia suddenly looked at me. "Husband..." She smiled shyly. "Am I really that beautiful?" Chris immediately laughed. "Look at her." "She wants you to compliment her in front of us."

I chuckled. "You are." "You have the most beautiful smile I've ever seen." "Whenever those dimples appear..." "I forget everything else." "Your eyes..." "They're always full of warmth." "And every time you blink while looking at me..." "My heart skips a beat." "But what I love most isn't your beauty." "It's how fiercely you protect the people you love." "That's what makes you the most beautiful woman in my eyes."

Alicia covered her burning cheeks. "Okay..." "That's enough." "I heard you." Chris burst into laughter. Josh smiled bitterly. "Thank you..." "Even if you haven't forgiven me." "I've said what I came to say." "I'll take my leave." As he slowly walked away, he could still hear us talking behind him.

Chris puffed out his chest proudly. "My girlfriend bought almost every dish in the cafeteria today." "After lunch..." "I even asked her for a kiss." "And guess what?" "She actually kissed me." He looked at Alicia with a grin. "Unlike some people..." "Whose girlfriends blush just from receiving compliments."

Alicia raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" "So you're provoking me now?" Chris laughed. "I certainly am." "Today I am happy, you just can't do anything about it." Alicia smiled mischievously. "I just hope you'll still be laughing this loudly when Sarah finally tells her parents about the two of you." Chris's smile instantly froze. "You always ruin my happiness."

Alicia giggled. "And why does your happiness depend on my silence?" The three of us laughed together. After chatting for a while, we finally went our separate ways. Chris and I rode away on our bicycles. Alicia followed slowly behind us in her Maserati, smiling as she watched us race each other down the road.

At the Gomez residence... Laura was slowly adapting to her new surroundings. Everyone in the Gomez family treated her kindly. Their jewelry business fascinated her, and each day she learned something new about gemstones, diamonds and precious metals. Yet... None of it could fill the emptiness inside her heart.

Every beautiful necklace reminded her of how Mike would have smiled while teasing her. Every kind gesture from Bright reminded her of how naturally Mike had cared for her. Sometimes she found herself staring out the window for long periods, wondering how everything had changed overnight.

The future she had once dreamed of... Had disappeared in a single day. Bright quietly noticed the sadness hidden behind her smile. Although she tried to adapt... Her heart had never truly left Mike.