C239 Message From Anonymous

At the mall. The shopping trip had finally come to an end. Ben and Natalie slowly walked out of the shopping mall carrying several bags. Throughout the morning, Ben had been unusually cheerful. Ever since his father agreed to fund his casino project, he felt as though his future was finally beginning to take shape. For the first time in a long while, he believed everything was moving in the right direction. As they reached the parking area, Ben smiled warmly. "Honey, let me take you home."

Natalie immediately shook her head. "No, it's alright." Ben looked at her curiously. "You've refused twice already. Are you sure?" Natalie forced a gentle smile. "I still have somewhere else to go." She adjusted the shopping bags in her hands before continuing. "I don't want you driving all over the city because of me. Besides, you should probably head home and rest." Ben nodded without thinking much about it. "Alright." He stepped forward and hugged her gently. "Call me when you get home." Natalie returned the hug. "I will."

Ben smiled before kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Take care." "You too." After waving goodbye, Ben turned around and walked towards his car while Natalie remained standing where she was, watching him leave. Only after his car disappeared from the parking lot did the smile on her face slowly fade. She quietly took out her phone and looked at the screen. "So..." "The first step is done." "I wonder if that reporter did what i asked." She whispered softly before walking towards another exit of the mall.

Meanwhile... Ben climbed into his vehicle and placed the shopping bags on the passenger seat. He leaned back comfortably. "Things are finally getting better." He started the engine. Just as he was about to drive away... Buzz... His phone vibrated. He casually picked it up, expecting it to be a message from Natalie. Instead... The sender displayed only one line. Unknown Number. Ben frowned. "Who could this be?" He opened the message. His relaxed expression instantly disappeared. Only one sentence appeared on the screen. "A debt is meant to be repaid."

Ben froze. His heartbeat suddenly quickened. "What..." He reread the message. Again. And again. "A debt..." His fingers slowly tightened around the steering wheel. "The only debt I owe..." "...is to Jack." Cold sweat instantly formed on his forehead. He swallowed hard. "Could this be him?" His breathing became uneven. "But..." "How did he get my phone number?" His mind instantly became filled with questions. "What does he want?" "Is he asking for money?" "Or..." "...does he want me to help him with something illegal?"

Ben immediately checked whether there were any more messages. Nothing. Only those six words. He wanted to reply... But after staring at the keyboard for several seconds, he slowly locked his phone. "No." "I shouldn't reply." "If it really is Jack..." "...then replying immediately would only make me look desperate." Even so... The message refused to leave his mind. His grip tightened on the steering wheel. "I hope..." "...I haven't dragged myself into something I can't escape." With countless thoughts racing through his mind, Ben slowly drove away from the shopping mall.

Meanwhile... At Lucia Goods Headquarters... The atmosphere inside the company felt unusually heavy. Almost everyone had already heard about Finance Manager Charlie Kinlore's sudden resignation. Some employees looked confused. Others looked frightened. A handful, however... Looked genuinely nervous. Especially those who knew far more than they should.

Inside the Director's Office... I gently knocked before opening the door. Alicia was still sitting behind her desk. Several financial reports lay scattered before her. Although her eyes were fixed on the documents... I could immediately tell she wasn't reading anymore. Instead... She was thinking. Thinking very deeply. I smiled softly. "Wife." She immediately looked up. "Oh." "Is it already time?" I nodded. "It's almost twelve." "The board members should already be waiting."

Alicia gently closed the report in front of her before stretching slightly. "I've been staring at these reports for so long that my eyes are beginning to hurt." I chuckled. "You barely slept last night." She smiled. "I'll sleep once we've cleaned this company." I walked closer before gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Remember what the doctor said." "No unnecessary stress." "Our child comes first." Alicia looked down at her stomach before smiling softly. "I know." "I'll behave."

I raised an eyebrow. "You?" She laughed. "I said I'll try." We both laughed. The tense atmosphere immediately became lighter. She stood up before straightening her blazer. "How do I look?" I carefully looked her up and down. "The same." She frowned. "What does that mean?" I smiled. "The most beautiful Director in Scotland." A faint blush immediately appeared on her cheeks. "You've become smoother lately." "I was only stating the facts." That answer made her laugh even harder. "Whatever."

She gently linked her arm with mine. "Come." "Let's go." The two of us slowly walked through the executive corridor. Every employee who passed immediately greeted us respectfully. "Good morning, Director." "Good morning, Vice Director." Alicia acknowledged everyone with a simple nod. Although she remained calm on the outside... Inside... She had already made her decision. Today... Someone would become an example.

A few moments later... We arrived outside the Main Boardroom. The doors remained closed. I glanced at Alicia. "Nervous?" She smiled confidently. "No." "I've already decided what I'm going to do." "I only hope they don't force me to be even harsher." I looked at her for a long moment. "Wife..." She turned. "If things become difficult..." "...don't carry everything alone." "You still have me." Her eyes softened. "I know." "That's why I'm not afraid anymore."

She gently squeezed my hand before letting go. "Let's begin." I nodded. Together... We pushed open the boardroom doors. The room immediately fell silent. Every executive was already seated. The moment Alicia entered... Every pair of eyes turned toward her. Unlike yesterday... No one dared whisper. No one dared smile. The sudden resignation of Charlie Kinlore had already sent shockwaves throughout the company. Some people genuinely didn't know what had happened. Others... Were praying they wouldn't become the next target.

Alicia calmly walked toward the head of the table and took her seat. I sat beside her in the Vice Director's chair. The room remained completely silent. You could almost hear everyone's breathing. Alicia slowly looked around the boardroom. One face after another. She didn't rush. She deliberately allowed the silence to grow heavier. The pressure alone was enough to make several executives lower their heads.

Thomas Becker quietly wiped the sweat forming on his forehead. Edward McCarthy adjusted his tie for what felt like the tenth time. Neither of them realised... That the real meeting... Had only just begun.