C144 Guest List

When Alicia returned home that evening, she looked more stressed than usual. The unfinished engagement outfits were still on her mind. She had been designing last night, but time had not been on her side. There was still work left to complete.

As she stepped into the living room, she immediately noticed that her grandfather, father, and grandmother were already waiting for her. Mark, Peter, and Georgia. Peter looked up first. "Child, you are late. Where have you been?" Alicia opened her mouth to respond, but before she could speak, Mark interrupted. "Forget that for now. We have serious matters to discuss." His tone was unusually firm. The room instantly felt different.

Peter and Georgia, who had been relaxed just moments before, straightened up. Mark was not usually this serious. Alicia frowned slightly. "Dad… what’s wrong?" Mark did not waste any time. "There are two important issues we need to decide on. First… the guest list." He paused. "Who exactly are we inviting to the engagement?" Peter leaned forward. "If we invite the big families… what about the Gomez family? What about the Wood family?" Silence filled the room for a moment.

Alicia thought carefully before responding. "No one will mess with us in our home." She looked up confidently. "So invite them all. If anyone tries anything funny, we will show them what we are capable of." A short silence followed. Then suddenly, Peter laughed. Georgia smiled warmly. Mark exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "My granddaughter is truly fearless." Peter chuckled. "We were worried about something so simple, and she solved it in one sentence." The tension in the room faded slightly.

But Mark was not done. "There is another matter." He leaned back slightly. "Kelvin called me today." Alicia’s expression changed immediately. Mark continued. "He asked for a favour regarding his son, Ben. He said Ben has been bullied in prison. He wants us to allow bail and promised he will personally discipline him so he never causes trouble again." The room went quiet again.

Peter sighed. "So your concern wasn’t unnecessary after all." He turned to Alicia. "What do you think?" All eyes turned to her. Alicia paused for a moment, thinking carefully. Then she spoke calmly. "Dad… Grandpa… Grandma… I just ate dinner with Mike and Chris, so I’m full." That immediately confused everyone. She continued lightly. "Let’s finish sending the invitations first. I’ll go upstairs and complete the outfits. After that… I’ll think about this properly." She smiled slightly. "And I’ll also discuss it with Mike."

The elders nodded in agreement. "Alright," Mark said. "We will handle the invitations." Alicia stood up and headed upstairs. As soon as she reached her room, Alicia didn’t waste time. She immediately picked up her phone and called me. I was already in bed when my phone rang. Video call from Alicia I answered immediately.

"Hey, wife." Alicia didn’t even react to the word. She was too serious. "Mike, we have a problem." I sat up slightly. "What happened?" "Kelvin has been discharged." I smiled lightly. "That’s good news. It means everything is settling down. We might be leaving soon." But Alicia did not smile back. Instead, she continued. "He called my father today." "He asked for a favour… about Ben."

My expression changed slightly. Alicia went on. "He said Ben was bullied in jail and requested bail. He promised he will personally discipline him and ensure he doesn’t cause trouble again." I stayed quiet for a moment. Then I spoke calmly. "If Mr Wood said that himself… I trust him." Alicia frowned immediately. "Just like that? You agree?"

I nodded. "Ben and I were once friends. I believe he has suffered enough these past days." I paused slightly. "I don’t hate him, Alicia. Even if he hates me… I don’t see him as my enemy anymore." Alicia stared at me in disbelief. "One day your kindness will be your downfall." She crossed her arms. "When we get married, I’m handling these decisions. You are too soft."

I laughed. "I’m too soft?" I leaned closer to the camera. "We will see on our wedding night." Alicia immediately blushed. "Pervert…" Then she quickly ended the call. After the call, Alicia went back downstairs. Mark looked at her immediately. "So?" Alicia nodded. "Mike agreed." Mark exhaled. "Good. Then I will inform Kelvin."

He then began listing the invitations carefully. "Smith Family… Mooney Family… Gomez Family… Chambers Family… Lucia Goods stakeholders… and employees." The list was growing longer. But it was clear, this engagement was not just a ceremony. It was an event that would involve all the major families.

At the Wood residence, the atmosphere was mixed with relief and emotion. Samantha and Sarah had just returned from work when they saw Kelvin at home. Sarah immediately rushed to him. "Dad! You’re back." Kelvin smiled warmly. "My director." Then he turned to Samantha. "And my vice director." Both daughters blushed slightly at his words.

Tracy joined them shortly after, looking tired but relieved. Kelvin’s expression changed slightly. "Today your mother and I went to visit your brother." Samantha and Sarah looked up immediately. Kelvin continued. "He was in bad condition. He has been bullied in prison." Tracy added softly. "We want to find a way to bring him home." Sarah hesitated. "After everything he did… you still want him released after only a few days?" Tracy nodded. "He has suffered enough." Silence fell over the room.

At that moment, Kelvin’s phone rang. A message. He opened it slowly. Then read it aloud. "Dear family and friends, you are kindly invited to the engagement ceremony of Michael Smith and Alicia Mooney." The room went completely silent. The weight of the words sank in instantly. Samantha froze. Her eyes darkened slightly, but she said nothing.

Kelvin lowered his phone slowly. "So… tomorrow night." Sarah looked away quietly. Tracy sighed. After a moment, Kelvin spoke again. "I’ve just come out of the hospital. I cannot attend everything myself." He looked at them. "Sarah, Samantha… can you attend on our behalf?" Then he hesitated. "Samantha… if you are not comfortable, Sarah can go alone. Or even your mother can go." Samantha stayed silent for a moment. Then she slowly shook her head. "No… Father." "I will go." Her voice was calm. But her eyes told a different story.

At the Gomez residence, dinner had just ended when Prince received an invitation. He opened it slowly. His eyes scanned the message. Then he looked at Bright, Laura, and Godness. “We have been invited to the engagement ceremony of Michael Smith and Alicia Mooney tomorrow.” Godness frowned slightly. “What do you mean?” Prince read the invitation aloud. “Dear friends and family, you are kindly invited to the engagement ceremony of Michael Smith and Alicia Mooney. Your attendance will be appreciated.” The room went silent.

Laura froze. Her spoon slipped slightly from her hand and hit the plate. “What…? Michael Smith and Alicia Mooney?” Her voice trembled slightly. “Mike is out of prison?” Everyone turned to look at her. She immediately realized she had spoken too loudly and lowered her gaze in embarrassment. Bright quickly asked, “Dad, are you going?” Godness smiled faintly. “Tomorrow we have a board meeting at the company. Your father wants to officially include Laura on the board.” She paused. “So we will not attend. You two can go instead.”

Bright was about to refuse, but Laura suddenly spoke first. “We will go.” Everyone looked at her in surprise. She blinked, realizing all eyes were on her. “I… I will go prepare my outfit,” she added quickly. Then she stood up and left the room. Laura’s Phone Call Once inside her room, Laura closed the door tightly. Her heart was beating fast.

She had not called her father in a long time. Not since moving in with the Gomez family. But tonight… she needed answers. She dialed Josh’s number. He answered almost immediately. “Laura, my child.” Her voice was soft. “Dad… Mike was released from prison?”

Josh sighed. “Yes. Alicia and her family arranged it. Their grandfather ensured his release.” Laura’s eyes widened. “How?”

Josh continued explaining. “He spent only two days in custody. After that, Ben’s confession was obtained. He admitted everything.” Laura froze. “Ben… is arrested too?” “Yes,” Josh replied. “Which means we are safe now.” Laura exhaled in relief. Josh added, “I even went to apologize to Mike. I told him everything I did… including forcing you into that statement and your marriage arrangement.” Laura listened silently. “He wasn’t angry,” Josh continued. “He even wished you well.” Tears slowly formed in Laura’s eyes. “Really…?” Her voice cracked slightly. “He doesn’t hate me?”

Josh softened his tone. “No, my child.” Before he could continue, the call suddenly ended. Laura had hung up. But instead of sadness, her heart felt lighter. For the first time in a long while… the burden in her chest was gone. She sat quietly for a moment, smiling through tears. Mike… was truly moving forward. And so was she.

She quickly wiped her face and stood up. “I told them I would prepare an outfit…” She opened her wardrobe in a hurry and grabbed two dresses without thinking. One was a short evening dress. The other was a night dress. She walked back downstairs confidently. “Mother-in-law… Father-in-law… which one should I wear?” The room went silent. Prince choked slightly. Godness blinked. Bright stared in disbelief. Laura looked at them, confused. Then she looked at the dresses in her hands. Her face turned red instantly.

She had picked the wrong ones. These were sleepwear options not engagement attire. She quickly hid them behind her back. The room exploded with laughter. Even Bright couldn’t hold it in. Laura turned redder and pointed at him. “Don’t laugh at me, husband!” Bright froze. “…Husband?” He repeated it slowly. Then suddenly stood up in shock. “Mom! Dad! She called me husband!”

He turned toward Laura, completely excited. “She said it! She finally said it!” Laura’s face turned crimson. “I… I didn’t mean it like that!” But it was too late. Bright was already smiling widely. “I love you, Laura! I love you!” Prince and Godness burst into laughter as the room filled with joy and teasing.