C190 Won't You Chase Me Out

Kelvin looked directly at him. "The investigation also links him to one of the largest drug syndicates operating in the city." "He has connections everywhere." "If someone like him is still behind bars despite all those connections..." "...then the evidence against him must be overwhelming."

Ben unconsciously swallowed. His mind suddenly replayed the events inside prison. Jack always seemed to know everything. Even things that should have been impossible. He slowly muttered, "So..." "That's why..." "He already knew I had been granted bail before the warden even arrived." Kelvin nodded. "Exactly." Ben lowered his head. "So he really wasn't bluffing..." Tracy looked at him curiously. "What do you mean?"

Ben quickly realized he had said too much. He forced an awkward smile. "It's nothing, Mom." "I just..." "I didn't expect him to have that much influence." Kelvin watched him carefully. "You'd better stay away from him." "Men like that rarely do favors without expecting something in return." Ben remained silent. After thinking for several seconds, he finally said, "Dad..." "That's exactly why I want to help him." Everyone looked toward him.

Ben continued, "If I leave things as they are..." "I'll owe him." "I don't like owing people." "I'd rather understand his situation first." Kelvin thought carefully before nodding. "Fine." "You may visit him tomorrow." "But don't make any promises." "Ask questions first." "If the case truly allows for legal assistance..." "...then we'll discuss it afterward." Ben nodded. "I understand." The topic seemed settled.

Just as everyone relaxed once more... Kelvin suddenly looked at Ben again. "There is one more thing." Ben instinctively straightened. "What is it, Dad?" Kelvin's expression became serious. "I heard you mention a marriage contract earlier." "I'd like to see it." The moment those words were spoken... Samantha's fingers tightened around the edge of her chair. Her heartbeat quickened. Sarah quietly reached beneath the table and gently held her sister-in-law's hand.

Samantha glanced toward her. Sarah smiled reassuringly. Everything will be alright. Ben didn't seem bothered. Instead, he shrugged. "Of course." He stood up. "Excuse me for a moment." Without another word, he walked upstairs. Several minutes later... He returned carrying a brown document folder. He casually placed it in front of his parents. "There." "The agreement." "Written by Samantha."

Kelvin and Tracy exchanged glances. Neither of them reached for it immediately. Finally... Tracy picked it up. She carefully opened the folder and began reading every page. The dining room became completely silent. Samantha didn't dare lift her head. She already knew what was written inside. Every clause. Every signature. Every condition. She had accepted long ago that one day... Everyone would eventually find out.

Whatever happened after today... She would face it. Beside her, Sarah gently squeezed her hand once more. It was a silent reminder that she wasn't alone. Several minutes passed. Finally... Tracy closed the document. To Samantha's surprise... She smiled. Without saying a single word... She handed it to Kelvin. Kelvin adjusted his glasses before reading every page himself. His expression remained unreadable. Only the sound of paper turning could be heard throughout the room.

At last... He closed the file. He looked first at Samantha. Then at Ben. "So..." "You both signed this willingly?" Ben nodded immediately. "I didn't really have much of a choice back then." He gave a helpless smile. "But now..." "I've moved on." "I have Natalie." "So I don't have any objections." Kelvin slowly nodded before turning toward Samantha. Before he could speak... Tracy noticed Samantha's uneasy expression. She smiled warmly. "Sam." "Why are you sitting there so quietly?"

Samantha forced a smile. "I'm..." "I'm fine." Tracy chuckled softly. "No, you're not." "You've been sitting there looking like a child waiting to be punished." The room grew quiet again. Samantha slowly lowered her eyes. She had been preparing herself for this moment ever since Ben walked through the front door. After gathering every bit of courage she had... She finally asked in a trembling voice, "...Won't you chase me out?"

The dining room fell silent after Samantha's question. For a brief moment... No one answered. Then Kelvin smiled. His expression was no longer as stern as before. Instead, it carried the warmth of a father. "Chase you out?" He shook his head. "Why would we do that?" Samantha looked at him in disbelief. Kelvin continued calmly, "We all know why you married Ben." "You didn't marry him because you loved him." "You married him because of Monica."

He glanced toward his granddaughter, who was peacefully sleeping in Samantha's arms. "Back then..." "My son wronged you." "No one here will deny that." Samantha lowered her head. Kelvin picked up the agreement from the table once again. "I've read every page." "This isn't a marriage contract." "It's a promise." Everyone looked toward him. Kelvin gently tapped one paragraph with his finger. "It clearly states that Ben is forbidden from touching you..." "...unless you willingly allow him to."

He looked at Samantha. "Do you know what that tells me?" She slowly shook her head. Kelvin smiled. "It tells me..." "...that deep inside..." "...you believed there was still a chance." "A chance that one day..." "...you might forgive him." Samantha became speechless. She had never looked at the agreement that way. She had only thought of it as protection. Never hope. Ben suddenly frowned. "Dad..." "What are you talking about?"

Kelvin turned toward him. His expression immediately darkened. "Since when did your IQ become so low?" The room became awkwardly quiet. Ben scratched the back of his head. "Dad..." Kelvin interrupted him. "Instead of trying to repair your marriage..." "...you immediately looked for another woman." "Where is your commitment?" "Where are the vows you made on your wedding day?" Ben lowered his eyes.

Kelvin continued. "This woman..." He pointed toward Samantha. "Stayed beside you when everyone else had given up." "When you were arrested..." "She didn't cancel the marriage." "She protected your company." "She looked after your daughter." "She endured every insult thrown at her." "And the very first thing you did after walking out of prison..." "...was introduce another girlfriend."