C246 End Of Partnership

Lindsey's lips trembled. Samantha continued, "Ever since I was little..." "You always told me to endure." "When Dad shouted..." "I should understand." "When he made decisions for my life..." "I should understand." "When I was forced into a marriage..." "I should understand." "When he cared more about business than my happiness..." "I should understand."

Her voice gradually became heavier. "But Mom..." "When does someone understand me?" Lindsey's eyes instantly turned red. "My child..." "I..." She could not finish her sentence. There was nothing she could say. Because Samantha was right. Nicolas slowly clenched his fists. His own daughter was exposing every mistake he had made throughout the years. Unable to bear it any longer, he lowered his head once more. "My daughter..." "I truly am sorry."

Samantha looked at him for several seconds. Then she spoke quietly. "Sorry alone cannot erase years of pain." Silence. No one dared interrupt her. She slowly turned toward Ben before looking back at her father. "You know..." "I cannot say no one manipulates people." She smiled bitterly. "At least some people do it openly." Her gaze settled firmly on Nicolas. "But you..." "You hide behind Mom." "You make the mistakes..." "...then leave her to fix everything."

Lindsey immediately lowered her head. Those words pierced straight into her heart. Because deep inside... She knew they were true. Nicolas stood frozen. For the first time in many years... His daughter was no longer afraid of him. She was speaking honestly. Without fear. Without hesitation. The old Samantha would have remained silent. This Samantha... Was different. Sarah quietly smiled. She could see the change happening before her eyes.

Samantha slowly wiped the tears from her cheeks before turning toward Sarah. "Sister..." Sarah looked at her. "Should I tell them..." "...or will you?" Sarah smiled warmly. "As you wish." Samantha thought for a moment before smiling. "No." "You do it." Everyone's attention immediately shifted toward Sarah. Even Kelvin leaned forward slightly. "What exactly are you talking about?"

Sarah slowly stood up. She looked directly at Nicolas. "Mr. Heaps..." "I was actually wondering how you would react if I informed you over the phone." She chuckled softly. "But..." "You made things much easier." Nicolas frowned. "What do you mean?" Sarah's smile disappeared. Her expression suddenly became completely serious. "Today..." "You threatened the Director of Wood IT Company." She paused. "And because of that..." "There will be consequences." The entire dining room became deathly silent.

Sarah took a deep breath before making her announcement. "On behalf of Wood IT Company..." "I officially declare that the partnership between Wood IT Company and Heaps Group..." "...has been terminated with immediate effect." It felt as though time itself had stopped. No one moved. No one spoke. Even the ticking wall clock suddenly sounded unusually loud. Kelvin's eyes widened. Tracy covered her mouth in disbelief. Lindsey stood frozen. Only Samantha remained calm. She simply lowered her eyes, as though she had expected this outcome all along.

Nicolas was the first to react. "W-What?" His face instantly turned pale. "No..." "That can't be." He looked desperately toward Kelvin. "Mr Wood..." Kelvin remained silent. He then looked at Tracy. She avoided his eyes. Finally, he looked back at Sarah. "How can you do this?" "We became family!" "We married our daughter into the Wood family because of this partnership!" "The scandal today already damaged our reputation!" "And now you want to end everything?"

Sarah remained perfectly calm. Before she could answer, Tracy spoke softly. "Sarah..." "What they are saying is true." "You weren't here when the agreement was made." Sarah turned toward her mother. A gentle smile appeared on her face. "I know." She nodded once. "And now..." "I'm here." Her words echoed through the room. "And because I'm here..." "I'm ending it." Tracy opened her mouth... But no words came out. Even she could not argue against her daughter's authority.

Across the table... Ben suddenly laughed. "Heh..." "This just became even more interesting." Nicolas' face instantly turned red. "It can't end like this!" "I demand an explanation!" Sarah smiled once more. "The explanation is very simple." She looked directly into his eyes. "You insulted..." "...the Director of Wood IT Company." She paused deliberately. "And..." "...the Vice Director of Wood IT Company." Nicolas frowned. "What?" "I never insulted my daughter!" "I was simply angry!" "I only asked her what was happening!"

Sarah smiled calmly. "Mr. Heaps..." "If you still don't understand..." "You'll receive your explanation soon enough." She glanced at the staircase before looking back at everyone. "I'm tired." "I've said everything I needed to say." With that... She slowly stood up. At that moment, Nicolas Heaps felt as though the ground beneath his feet had disappeared. Sarah's announcement had shattered every hope he had of salvaging the partnership with the Wood family.

The future he had carefully planned for the Heaps Group had crumbled in a matter of minutes, and for the first time in years, he found himself completely powerless. His face was pale, his lips slightly parted, yet no words came out. He knew that no amount of pleading would change Sarah's decision. The room remained silent until Ben suddenly broke the tension. "You're leaving already?" Ben asked as Sarah reached the staircase. "Don't you want to hear what I wanted to tell Dad?"

Sarah stopped halfway up the first step. She slowly turned around and looked at her brother with an amused smile. "What is there to hear?" she asked calmly. "Instead of explaining why you were photographed holding hands with your side chick, you suddenly have something important to tell everyone?" Ben sighed dramatically before shaking his head. "See? You're starting again." He pointed at her helplessly. "I finally managed to calm myself down after everything that happened today, but you're still attacking me."

Sarah simply shrugged, refusing to let him change the subject. Ben then narrowed his eyes mischievously and asked, "By the way... when are you planning to visit your in-laws? Didn't you just announce to the whole world that you're married?" A faint smile appeared on Sarah's face. "I will go downstairs after I take a shower," she replied casually. "In the meantime, please entertain your in-laws for me. I'm sure they'll appreciate your company."

Without waiting for another response, she turned and gracefully walked upstairs. Ben watched her disappear before clicking his tongue in frustration. Although she had won yet another argument, his question continued echoing in Sarah's mind. For the first time since returning home, she found herself wondering whether it was finally time to visit the Chambers family and officially fulfill her role as Chris's wife.