C290 Staying With My Inlaws

The next morning, the sunlight slowly filtered through the curtains, filling our bedroom with a warm golden glow. I slowly opened my eyes and turned toward Alicia. She was already awake. However, unlike her usual energetic self, she remained lying on the bed with her eyes half closed, looking unusually exhausted. I smiled faintly. "Wife..." She turned her head to look at me. "Hmm?" "Are you feeling alright?"

Alicia sighed before sitting up carefully. "I'm fine." She stretched her shoulders before looking at me with a slightly accusing expression. "Because of you, I never finished reading my mother's diary last night." She folded her arms. "And on top of that, I didn't even plan the rest of today's activities." "I promised Sarah I'd help her plan everything." I couldn't help laughing. "You always worry about everyone else." She narrowed her eyes. "Except when it comes to me." Alicia immediately glared at me. "Exactly!" She pointed at me. "You tortured me the whole night."

She gently rolled up one sleeve and showed me her arm. "Look." "There are little red marks everywhere." She looked even more offended. "And your nails..." I couldn't stop myself from laughing. "Well..." "That's how the job is done." Then, unable to resist teasing her, I added, "Unless..." "...you still want it again." Alicia's eyes widened. "What?" She immediately jumped off the bed. "I am going to take a shower." Still laughing, I watched her disappear into the bathroom. A short while later she came back looking refreshed, dressed neatly and ready for the day.

After she finished, I went in for my own shower. By the time I came out, Alicia was already waiting near the door. "Come on," she said. "We're already late." Hand in hand, we walked downstairs. The moment we entered the dining room, everyone turned to look at us. Mark glanced at the clock before smiling. "You two finally decided to wake up." He shook his head playfully. "Look at the time." "It's already eight o'clock." He turned toward Alicia with concern. "My daughter... are you feeling alright?"

Alicia smiled reassuringly. "I'm perfectly fine, Dad." "I was reading Mother's diary last night." "And today is going to be quite busy." Georgia looked curious. "What do you mean?" "Aren't you simply going to inspect the renovations today?" I answered instead. "Grandma, we're going to see Chris first." "After that we'll head to Lucia Goods." Mary smiled happily. "My child..." "I'm glad you haven't forgotten Chris." I looked at her in confusion. "Why would I forget him, Mom?" Mary's smile became gentler. "He stood beside you during the hardest period of your life." "Never forget people like that."

I nodded sincerely. "I never will." Alicia laughed quietly. "Chris changed a long time ago." Mary chuckled. "That innocent, carefree child?" "He'll always be like that." "Even his own mother has accepted it." Alicia nearly choked. "Mom..." "You really don't know the real Chris." "He's far from innocent." Everyone laughed. Before anyone could continue teasing Chris, breakfast was served. Soon the room became peaceful as everyone enjoyed their meal.

Halfway through breakfast, Quinton suddenly looked toward Peter. "Mr. Mooney..." "I think today is a perfect day for another game of chess." "How about I challenge you after lunch?" Peter burst into laughter. "If my granddaughter can defeat you so easily..." "...then you're still far too weak." Quinton laughed as well. "That's exactly why I want to improve." Peter's eyes lit up mischievously. "If you truly want to improve..." "...then prepare yourself." Quinton looked puzzled. "What do you mean?" Before Peter could answer, Alicia quickly interrupted. "You don't want to know."

Everyone looked at her curiously. She smiled knowingly. "Grandpa will take you to his secret place." Peter laughed loudly. "So you still remember?" "You even defeated that old man who wouldn't stop bragging." I nearly dropped my spoon. "What?" The entire table burst into laughter. Alicia's face instantly turned red. "Grandpa!" She pointed at him dramatically. "Please keep those stories to yourself." "Don't tell them!" The laughter only grew louder. Unable to take the teasing any longer, Alicia quickly stood up. "Come on, Husband." "We're leaving before Grandpa embarrasses me even more." Still laughing, I followed her outside.

At the Wood residence... Ben woke up unusually cheerful. For the first time in days, he felt as though everything was finally moving forward. Regardless of what anyone thought... He had already decided. Today, he would pay the one hundred thousand dollars for the warehouse. During breakfast, Kelvin looked toward his son. "So..." "What have you decided to do about Mr. Weatherby?" Ben calmly continued eating before answering. "I'll transfer the one hundred thousand." "The money you deposited yesterday has already reflected in my account."

Sarah frowned. "I'm confused." "He clearly told you before that the warehouse cost two hundred and fifty thousand dollars." "Are you seriously going to pay only one hundred thousand?" Ben looked directly at her. "To you..." "...is two hundred and fifty thousand dollars really a reasonable price for an abandoned warehouse?" Sarah and Samantha exchanged silent glances. Tracy asked gently, "My son..." "What exactly do you mean?" Ben calmly placed his spoon down. "Whatever happened between Mr. Weatherby and Jack has nothing to do with me." "The only thing that concerns me is the contract."

He looked around the table. "And according to the signed document..." "...the agreed selling price is one hundred thousand dollars." "I'm not generous enough to increase it myself." He paused before continuing. "He tried to scam me." "How can anyone expect me to pay two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for an empty warehouse that isn't even worth half of that?" He clenched his fist. "What's the difference between him and Natalie?" "She also took my money." The dining room became silent. Even Sarah had no immediate reply.

Finally Kelvin spoke. "But where is your humanity in all this?" Ben laughed bitterly. "So I must show humanity to everyone..." "...even when nobody shows any to me?" He looked directly at his father. "Natalie stole my money." "You all told me to forget about it." "Now another man tried to overcharge me by two hundred thousand dollars..." "...and you still expect me to remain quiet?" Kelvin opened his mouth. Then closed it again. He had no answer. Sarah slowly stood up. "Well..." "Mom... Dad..." "I've got a busy day ahead." "I'm spending it with my husband." "And tonight I'll be staying at my in-laws' house."

Tracy smiled. "So you're staying with the Chambers family?" Sarah nodded. "Yes." "That's what Ben kept asking about the other day." As she reached the doorway, she turned back with a mischievous smile. "Oh..." "Try not to fight while I'm gone." Everyone smiled except Ben. Samantha stood up as well. Before she could leave, Ben suddenly spoke. "And where exactly are you going?" "She gets to visit her in-laws..." "...yet you don't even acknowledge me as your husband." "You happily accept being treated like a daughter-in-law."

Samantha smiled calmly. "What's wrong with talking to my sister?" She looked at him steadily. "You should spend more time reflecting on your own actions." "Even now..." "You're insisting on paying only one hundred thousand dollars because your so-called friend threatened the warehouse owner." Without waiting for another reply, she walked outside. Ben remained sitting there, speechless. Outside, Samantha caught up with Sarah. "If you leave me alone with your brother..." "...I'm honestly a little afraid."

Sarah laughed softly. "Don't worry." "He won't do anything to you." "I'll be back tomorrow." She gently squeezed Samantha's hand. "Until then..." "Keep thinking about the investment options we discussed." "When I come back, we'll go through them together." "We might even find more opportunities." Samantha finally relaxed. She hugged Sarah tightly. "Be careful." Sarah nodded before getting into her car and driving away. Samantha watched until the car disappeared before returning inside the house.

The moment she stepped into the dining room, she heard Kelvin speaking. "Ben..." "If you're really going to pay only one hundred thousand dollars..." "...then I'll personally meet Mr. Weatherby..." "...and pay him the remaining balance." Ben shot to his feet. "Dad... what?" "Have you gone crazy?" "He already agreed to give us the discount..." "...and now you want to pay him the full amount?"