C142 The Visit

The following morning, I woke up earlier than usual. Knowing Alicia had stayed up late designing our engagement outfits, I figured she would probably oversleep. Smiling to myself, I picked up my phone and called her. The ringtone echoed for a long time, but no one answered. I tried again. This time, after what felt like forever, she finally picked up.

Her sleepy voice came through the speaker. "...Hello..." I couldn't help laughing. "Good morning, Wifey." "Are you still asleep?" She let out a soft yawn. "Yes..." "Why are you calling this early?" I smiled. "Hurry and wake up. We still have a project to finish." There was a brief silence before I suddenly heard her gasp. "Oh no!" She hurriedly checked the time. "I overslept!"

Just then, someone knocked on her bedroom door. "I'll talk to you later," she said hurriedly. "Someone's knocking." Before I could reply, the call ended. Alicia quickly opened her bedroom door. Standing outside was Georgia. She smiled gently. "My child, aren't you going to work today?" Alicia rubbed her sleepy eyes. "I just woke up, Grandma." "I'll take a shower immediately."

Georgia nodded, but before leaving, her eyes wandered into the room. Several sketchbooks were scattered across Alicia's desk. Pages filled with elegant clothing designs covered nearly every surface. Georgia smiled knowingly. "You stayed up designing these, didn't you?" Alicia nodded shyly. "I lost track of time."

Georgia walked over, picked up one of the sketches and admired it. "Our granddaughter truly is talented." She gently placed it back down. "Don't overwork yourself." "You'll need your strength for tomorrow." Alicia smiled. "I know." After Georgia left, Alicia quickly rushed into the bathroom.

Back at the Smith residence, I finished my shower and went downstairs. Mom and Dad were already having breakfast. "Morning, son," Quinton greeted warmly. "Morning." Mary smiled as I sat down. "Mike, tomorrow is your engagement." "Your father and I were discussing what we're supposed to wear." She looked genuinely curious. "Shouldn't our outfits match the same theme?" "The same colour?"

Quinton nodded. "That's right." "So..." "What colour did our future daughter-in-law choose?" I smiled awkwardly. "I... actually don't know." "I'll ask Alicia when I get to work." Mary aughed. "So much for the groom." After breakfast, I headed to the office. Chris was already waiting outside with his bicycle. We stood there chatting while waiting for Alicia.

Nearly ten minutes later, her Maserati finally pulled into the parking lot. Chris folded his arms dramatically. "There she is." "The famous bride-to-be." The moment Alicia stepped out, Chris grinned. "Next time you're going to be late, at least send us a message." "We've been waiting for you." Alicia smiled apologetically. "Would it really matter?" "Mike and I are leaving the company soon anyway."

Chris looked offended. "But Ben has already been arrested." "So why are you two still resigning?" Alicia folded her arms confidently. "Who said we were running away?" "I, Alicia Mooney, am not afraid of Ben." The three of us laughed. I then remembered something. "Honey..." "What colour are our engagement outfits?"

Chris immediately looked between us. "Wait..." "You seriously left such an important responsibility to her?" "I know several professional designers." "They would've done it for a reasonable price." I stared at him. Chris continued dramatically, "If Alicia is designing everything..." "Then what exactly am I supposed to contribute?" I laughed. "Don't worry." "You'll still have an important role." "You're my best man."

Chris nodded proudly. "I already knew that." "But every best man has duties." "So what's mine?" Before I could answer, Alicia smiled mischievously. "Actually..." "I think the refreshments still need someone." "You can organise the catering and drinks." Chris's eyes widened. "What?" "Out of every possible responsibility..." "You chose the most difficult one?" "Why not let me prepare the guest list instead?" "I already know several people who definitely shouldn't be invited." We burst into laughter.

After joking around for a few more minutes, we headed inside. Walking through the corridor, I turned to Alicia. "If everything goes according to plan, we'll finish the project today." "Tomorrow we'll review everything one last time." "Then..." "We'll hand it over and leave." She nodded confidently. "Let's finish it properly." Together, we entered my office and immediately got back to work.

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Tracy happily packed the last of Kelvin's belongings. After weeks of treatment, he had finally been discharged. Once everything was ready, they slowly walked out together. Their family car was already waiting outside. As the driver started the engine, Kelvin suddenly spoke. "Take us to the prison." Tracy looked at him in surprise. "The prison?" "Why?"

Kelvin looked out the window. "Ben is still our son." "If we don't visit him..." "He'll think we've abandoned him." Tracy quietly looked away. Although she was still deeply disappointed in Ben, she said nothing more. The car quietly drove toward the prison. Meanwhile, inside the prison, Ben had just woken up. He had barely sat up on his narrow prison bed when two muscular inmates stopped outside his cell. One of them grinned maliciously. "Hey, bootlicker!" "Come polish my boots again." The other burst into laughter.

Ben's face immediately turned pale. He instinctively moved backward until his back touched the cold wall. Ever since entering prison, these two men had made his life miserable. Every day they found a new excuse to humiliate him. Just as they were about to enter, another figure slowly stood up. Jack.

He stretched his neck before walking calmly toward the cell door. "Antonio." "Steve." His voice was low, yet carried an invisible pressure. "This man is under my protection." "If either of you touches him..." "...you'll answer to me." Antonio frowned. "Jack, why are you protecting some rich kid?" "We've known each other for years." Jack remained expressionless. "And because you've known me for years..." "...you should know I don't repeat myself."

The atmosphere instantly became tense. Antonio and Steve exchanged glances before eventually backing away. "Fine." "We'll let him go." "For now." The two men disappeared down the corridor. Only after they were gone did Jack return to his bed. He looked at Ben with a faint smile. "You see?" "I solved your problem." Ben let out the breath he had been holding. "Thank... thank you."

Jack leaned against the wall. "Now let's talk business." "When are you paying me?" Ben blinked. "...Paying you?" "Of course." "I protected your life." Ben hurriedly nodded. "I'll give you money." Jack laughed loudly. "What use is money while I'm locked inside here?" He scratched his chin before smiling. "Forget it." "I know your family is rich." "When I get released..." "...I'll come collect my debt." Ben didn't even think about negotiating. He nodded repeatedly. "Fine." "I promise." Jack smiled in satisfaction.

A few minutes later, a prison officer stopped outside the cell. "Benjamin Wood!" "You have a visitor." Ben immediately stood up. His heart raced. Samantha... It must be Samantha. Surely the mother of his daughter wouldn't abandon him. He quickly followed the officer toward the visiting room. When he arrived, however... He froze.

The person sitting behind the glass wasn't Samantha. It was Natalie. She looked exhausted, yet the moment she saw Ben, relief filled her eyes. She picked up the telephone. "So..." "Vice Director..." "How are you?" Ben slowly picked up his own receiver. "Natalie..." "You came?" She nodded. "I've been worried about you." "They aren't mistreating you, are they?" Ben forced a smile. "I'm fine." "Don't worry about me." "I'll be out soon."

Natalie bit her lower lip. "But..." "If they treat you badly..." "How will we have children after we get married?" Ben stared at her in surprise. "Even after everything..." "...you still want to marry me?" Natalie lowered her head shyly. "If you're serious..." "I won't object." A genuine smile finally appeared on Ben's face. For the first time since being arrested, someone had made him feel wanted.

He leaned closer to the glass. "Don't worry." "My father has connections." "I won't stay here for long." "In the meantime..." "...don't forget our night at the hotel." Natalie's cheeks turned bright red. She nodded softly. "I won't." The visiting time ended far too quickly. Before leaving, Natalie pressed her palm gently against the glass. "I'll come again." Ben mirrored her gesture. "I'll be waiting."

After returning to his cell, Jack immediately looked up. "So?" "Was it your father?" "Did you tell him you owe me?" Ben shook his head. "No." "It was my girlfriend." Jack rolled his eyes dramatically. "So you're enjoying romance while in prison." Before Ben could respond, the prison officer appeared once again. "Benjamin Wood." "You have another visitor." The officer chuckled. "You're quite popular today." Ben looked confused. "Another one?"

He followed the officer back toward the visiting room. This time... His footsteps slowed. Behind the glass sat Kelvin and Tracy. The moment Ben saw them, all the courage he had been pretending to have disappeared. His eyes instantly turned red. "Dad..." "Mom..." The tears he had been suppressing finally rolled down his face. Kelvin's heart ached. No matter what Ben had done... He was still his son.

Ben grabbed the telephone with trembling hands. "Dad..." "They bully me here." "They beat me." "They force me to do things." "If Jack hadn't protected me..." "...I don't know what would've happened." Kelvin clenched his fists. His face was filled with pain. "My son..." "I'm sorry." "I should've come sooner." Ben cried even harder. "I don't belong here." "I really don't."

Even Tracy, who had insisted Ben deserved punishment, couldn't stop the tears gathering in her own eyes. Seeing her son wearing a prison uniform... Watching him cry like a frightened child... Her heart softened despite everything. Kelvin took a deep breath before speaking firmly. "Don't worry." "I'll get you out." "I promise." Ben nodded repeatedly. "I knew you wouldn't abandon me." "I knew it." The prison officer soon announced that visiting time was over.

Kelvin slowly stood up. Before leaving, he looked at Ben one last time. "Take care of yourself." "I'll contact my lawyers immediately." Ben watched helplessly as his parents disappeared behind the heavy steel doors. For the first time since entering prison... Hope returned to his eyes. Outside the prison, neither Kelvin nor Tracy spoke for several minutes. Only after getting into the car did Kelvin finally take out his phone.

He immediately called his legal team. "I want every possible option." "Bail." "Appeal." "Whatever it takes." "My son is coming home." Tracy silently turned her head toward the prison gates. She knew Ben deserved punishment. She knew innocent people had suffered because of him. Yet... No matter how hard she tried... A mother's heart could never completely abandon her own child. She closed her eyes and whispered softly, "I just hope..." "...bringing you home won't become the greatest mistake of our lives."