C188 Who Is The New Vice Director

Several minutes later... The two walked downstairs together. Ben grabbed his father's car keys from the table. "I'm taking you home." Natalie immediately shook her head. "Don't." Ben looked confused. "What do you mean?" Natalie smiled awkwardly. "I mean..." "You already gave me money." "I wanted to buy something to eat." "And maybe get my hair done." "Would you mind taking me to the mall instead?"

Ben laughed. "Of course." "But I can't stay long." "I still have to come back." Natalie nodded happily. "No problem." As they drove away, she secretly sighed with relief. "That was close." "If he had insisted on taking me home immediately, my plans would have been ruined." She looked out the window quietly while hiding the thoughts inside her heart.

At the Chambers residence... Chris had just finished taking a shower. Still overwhelmed with excitement, he almost skipped down the stairs. Valeria was getting ready for her night shift while David sat comfortably on the sofa reading a book. "Dad!" "Mom!" Chris announced proudly. "I'm finally a real man!" Valeria stopped putting on her shoes and stared at him. "What?" David slowly lowered his book. "And what exactly makes you a man overnight?"

Chris grinned. "Just let me finish." "This morning..." "Sarah and Samantha picked me up." David smiled. "And that alone made you a man?" Chris laughed. "No." "They took me to register our marriage." "Sarah and I are officially husband and wife!" He waited... Expecting applause. Instead... Both parents simply stared at him. Chris blinked. "Why aren't you happy?"

David finally spoke. "Did Kelvin approve this?" Chris nodded. "Yes." David sighed. "Then why wasn't there an engagement?" "No wedding ceremony?" "No family gathering?" "What about exchanging rings?" Chris shrugged. "Does any of that really matter?" "As long as Sarah and I love each other." Valeria folded her arms. "It matters." "Our traditions matter." "I've been waiting to give Sarah our family's heirloom." "Now what am I supposed to do?"

Chris laughed. "Mom." "Aunt Mary gave Alicia the Smith family heirloom without knowing they would end up together." "You can simply give Sarah ours too." Valeria shook her head. "You really think everything is that simple?" Chris smiled mischievously. "Exactly." "And Sarah is already my legal wife." "So sooner or later she'll wear it anyway." "Besides..." "The certificate wasn't just for us." "It also protects my position." "If Ben comes back and causes trouble, he'll think twice."

He winked. "Everything is under control." David laughed loudly. "I like your confidence." "If that's how you want to live your life..." "Then your mother and I will support you." Valeria smiled helplessly. "You've really grown up." Chris grinned. "I told you." "I'm a real man now." The three laughed together before sitting down to enjoy dinner. Soon afterward... David retired to his bedroom. Chris also went upstairs. Valeria picked up her handbag before leaving for her night shift.

Unlike Chris, who was happily relaxing at home, my day was far from over. After we left the company, I thought Alicia would drive me back to my parents' house as usual. Instead, she smiled mysteriously and drove in the opposite direction. I looked at her in confusion. "Wife... where are we going?" She kept her eyes on the road and smiled. "You'll find out soon." About twenty minutes later, the Maserati slowly pulled into a professional driving centre.

I turned to her, surprised. "A driving school?" She nodded proudly. "Yes." "This morning you drove quite well, but you're still too nervous." "So today, your wife will be your instructor." I couldn't help laughing. "You? this late?"She raised an eyebrow. "Do you doubt my teaching abilities, Husband?" I quickly shook my head. "No... not at all." She laughed before handing me the car keys. "Come on." "Get in the driver's seat."

I took a deep breath and switched places with her. As I adjusted the seat and mirrors, Alicia patiently explained each step. "Relax your shoulders." "Don't grip the steering wheel too tightly." "If your hands become stiff, the car will also feel stiff." I nodded seriously. "Like this?" She reached over and gently adjusted my hands on the steering wheel. "Better." "Now slowly release the brake." "Don't rush." The car began moving smoothly around the practice course. "Good." "Now check your mirrors."

I glanced at them. "Excellent." "When turning, don't look only at the steering wheel." "Look where you want the car to go." Following her instructions, I slowly made the turn. To my surprise... It was much smoother than before. Alicia clapped happily. "See?" "I told you that you could do it." I smiled confidently. "Maybe I'm more talented than I thought." She giggled. "Don't become arrogant after one good turn." "For now, you're still my student."

For nearly an hour, she patiently guided me around the course, correcting my mistakes, teaching me how to change gears, encouraging me whenever I improved, and laughing whenever I became overly cautious. Little by little, my confidence behind the wheel grew. By the time we finished, the sun had already begun to set. "It's getting dark," Alicia said as she took the driver's seat again. I nodded. "Let's head home." The Maserati quietly left the driving centre and drove toward the Wood residence.

I noticed she wasn't taking the road toward my parents' house. "Wife..." "Aren't you dropping me home?" She smiled without looking at me. "No." "Tonight you're staying with me." Unable to argue, I simply smiled, took out my phone, and sent a message to my mother. Mom, don't wait up for me. I'll be spending the night at the Mooney residence with Alicia. A few moments later, my phone buzzed with a reply. "Take good care of your wife. Good night, my son." I smiled as I put my phone away, while Alicia secretly glanced at me and couldn't hide the smile spreading across her own face.

Back at the Wood residence... Ben returned after dropping Natalie at the shopping mall. The moment he entered the dining room, he froze. The dining table was full of food. Kelvin... Tracy... Sarah... Samantha... Even little Monica was sitting in her high chair laughing happily while the maids entertained her. The moment Ben entered... The laughter stopped.

Kelvin looked toward him. "Son." "I sent one of the maids to call you." "She said your room was empty." Ben calmly pulled out a chair. "I was taking my girlfriend to the mall." No one responded. He quietly began eating. The silence became almost unbearable. Finally... Ben put down his chopsticks and looked toward his father. "Dad..." "Who is the new Vice Director?"