C273 There Is no Betrayal Without Consequences

The next morning, Alicia and I woke up earlier than usual. Neither of us had slept deeply. Although we had finally settled on the renovation plans for Lucia Good's new training facility, the thought of the Harris family lingered at the back of our minds. After freshening up and getting dressed for work, we headed downstairs together.

The dining room was already lively. Everyone had gathered around the breakfast table. The aroma of freshly baked bread, eggs, bacon and hot coffee filled the room, creating the warm family atmosphere that had quickly become part of our daily lives. The moment Mary saw Alicia walking downstairs, she stood up with a smile. However, Alicia immediately noticed something different. Dark circles had formed beneath Mary's eyes. It was obvious she hadn't slept well.

Alicia frowned slightly as she walked over. "Mom..." "Did you sleep well last night?" Mary paused for a second before forcing a smile. "I did." Alicia shook her head gently. "No, you didn't." She pulled out a chair and sat beside her. "Your face tells a completely different story." She smiled softly. "Is the new room making you uncomfortable?" Before Mary could answer, Quinton burst into laughter. "Haha..." "I told you she'd notice the moment she saw you."

Mary shot him an embarrassed look. "You really had to say that?" I looked at them curiously. "Dad..." "What happened?" Mary sighed before answering honestly. "The room is wonderful." "It's comfortable." "There isn't a single problem with it." She lowered her gaze for a moment. "I simply couldn't sleep." I frowned. "Why?" Mary looked at both Alicia and me. "Because I kept worrying about the two of you." Quinton laughed again. "The two of them?"

Mary nodded without hesitation. "Yes." She looked at me first. "My son has already grown up." "I believe he can look after himself." Then she turned toward Alicia. "But..." "My daughter..." "The thought of you going against dangerous drug syndicates..." "It gives me goosebumps." Her eyes became slightly red. "I kept imagining all kinds of terrible things." "I couldn't stop thinking about yesterday's conversation."

The dining room became quiet. Peter suddenly laughed heartily. "Hahaha!" "What are you worrying about?" He looked proudly at Alicia. "This girl is much more capable than she looks." Georgia nodded in agreement. "That's true." She smiled teasingly at Mary. "So..." "You spent the entire night worrying about Alicia?" Mary smiled without feeling embarrassed. "Of course." "I don't see anything wrong with worrying about my daughter-in-law."

The atmosphere instantly lightened. Everyone burst into laughter. Mark shook his head helplessly. "It seems someone worries more about my daughter than I do." Mary immediately looked at him. "That's because you're used to seeing her solve problems." "I'm still getting used to it." She gently held Alicia's hand. "My child..." "I know you're brave." "I know you're intelligent." "But promise me one thing."

Alicia smiled warmly. "What is it, Mom?" "If something becomes too dangerous..." "...run." "Don't think about pride." "Don't think about winning." "I'd rather have you come home safely than become a hero." For a brief moment, Alicia became speechless. She squeezed Mary's hand gently. "I promise." "I'll always come home." Only then did Mary smile with relief. Peter clapped his hands once. "Enough worrying." "If we keep talking like this, breakfast will become lunch."

Everyone laughed again before finally beginning their meal. The cheerful conversation continued throughout breakfast, making the worries of the previous night seem much lighter. Before long, Alicia and I stood up. "We're leaving." "Have a wonderful day," Georgia said with a smile. "You too," Alicia replied. We waved goodbye before driving toward Lucia Goods.

Meanwhile... At the Wood Residence... The atmosphere was completely different. Everyone slowly made their way downstairs for breakfast. Even Ben appeared. The moment Tracy saw him, she stopped in surprise. Compared to the broken man who had gone upstairs the previous evening... Ben looked completely different. Although he clearly hadn't slept much, his expression was calm. Too calm. That worried Tracy even more. "My son..." She gently pulled out the chair beside her. "Sit down."

Ben smiled faintly before taking his seat. Breakfast was served, but no one immediately picked up their utensils. Tracy looked at him with concern. "Ben..." "What are you planning to do now?" Ben calmly picked up a piece of toast. "I'm planning to eat breakfast." A few people chuckled. Tracy shook her head. "You know that's not what I meant." She looked at him carefully. "What are you going to do about everything that happened yesterday?" "The money..." "The business..." "Natalie..."

Ben remained silent for several seconds. Finally, he answered. "The business continues." Kelvin nodded slowly. "What about the remaining three hundred thousand dollars?" "Where should we transfer it?" Ben didn't hesitate. "Into my own account." Sarah immediately raised an eyebrow. "Really?" She leaned back in her chair. "So why didn't you tell Dad to transfer everything into your account from the beginning?"

Ben looked at her before answering honestly. "Because..." "I had just been released from prison." "I didn't trust myself." "I thought..." "If Natalie and I managed the money..." "...it would be safer." He laughed bitterly. "It turns out..." "I was the fool." Sarah couldn't help smiling. "There." "You finally admitted it yourself." Ben nodded. "Yes." "I was fooled." His eyes slowly narrowed. "But..." "She fooled the wrong person."

A dangerous smile slowly appeared on his face. "Now she'll discover my other side." Sarah folded her arms. "Don't you think it's a little late for that?" Ben calmly met her gaze. "To you..." "Maybe." "But to me..." "It's only beginning." "I'll make sure she regrets betraying me." Samantha coughed awkwardly. The determination in Ben's eyes unsettled her. Kelvin quickly changed the subject. "So..." "The casino project still continues?"

Ben nodded confidently. "Of course." "My original plan hasn't changed." "I'll start with the bar." "Once the business grows..." "I'll convert it into a casino." Kelvin slowly nodded. "Good." "But remember our agreement." "The five hundred thousand dollars was all the support you'll receive." "After that..." "...you're on your own." Ben nodded. "I understand." "The remaining three hundred thousand should be enough for renovations." "I'll figure out the rest myself."

Sarah stood up, picking up her handbag. "Come on, Sam." "We're getting late." Samantha also stood. Before leaving, Sarah looked at her brother. "You know..." "I actually do feel a little sorry for you." She smiled mischievously. "But at least your business dream is still alive." She paused deliberately. "Despite your stupidity." Ben laughed quietly. "Don't worry." "My bar will survive." "It'll surprise everyone..." "...especially my enemies." He casually added, "My friend is going to help me."

Sarah and Samantha stopped walking. Both slowly turned around. Sarah frowned. "Friend?" "Since when do you have a friend willing to help you?" Ben answered casually. "Yesterday..." "I called Jack." "We're meeting today." The entire dining room fell silent. Kelvin's face immediately became serious. "What?" "You're still involved with him?" Ben quickly shook his head. "No." "I'm not getting involved." "I simply owe him." "I promised I'd help him after prison." "I just want to know what he wants."

Tracy looked confused. "If you're only returning a favour..." "Then which friend were you talking about?" Kelvin immediately understood. He looked at his son sharply. "Ben..." "You aren't planning to ask him for help, are you?" Ben remained quiet. Kelvin's voice became firmer. "Son..." "Those people are dangerous." "Once you step into their world..." "...getting out won't be easy." "I don't want to see you make another mistake."

Ben slowly looked around the table. His expression became unexpectedly cold. "So..." "I'm not dangerous?" He laughed bitterly. "Someone steals my money..." "Runs out of the country..." "And I'm supposed to forgive her?" He shook his head. "No." "I'm done being the fool." "If people think they can betray Benjamin Wood without consequences..." "...they're mistaken." Sarah and Samantha exchanged worried glances.

Without another word, the two sisters quietly left for work. Behind them, the dining room remained unusually silent. Kelvin, Tracy and Ben continued eating breakfast... But the warmth that usually filled the Wood family dining table had completely disappeared.