C327 You Dedicated Your Lives To Them

Kelvin's eyes remained fixed on the screen. Then the title appeared clearly. Vice Director Chambers of Wood IT Company vs. Vice Director Smith of Lucia Goods. Tracy froze. She looked at Kelvin. “Kelvin...” He didn't respond. He simply stared at the video. After a few seconds, he scrolled down. Another video appeared. Development Department vs. Production Department. He scrolled again. Then another title appeared. Vice Director of Wood IT Company, Mrs. Wood vs. Lucia Goods HR Head. Kelvin slowly lowered the phone. Tracy stared at him. Neither of them spoke.

For several seconds, the living room was completely silent. Finally, Tracy whispered, “They really went there to box?” Kelvin looked at the screen again. He shook his head slowly. “I think they did more than just watch.” Tracy moved closer. “Play it.” Kelvin tapped the screen. The video began. Both of them leaned forward as they watched. A few minutes later, Sarah and Samantha finally came downstairs. Ben followed behind them. Sarah smiled when she saw her parents sitting together. “Dad, Samantha...” “Shhh,” Kelvin interrupted without even looking away from the television. “You are disturbing us.” Sarah stopped. She looked at Samantha, who was also staring at the screen.

The two women exchanged confused glances. Sarah leaned closer and whispered, “Do you know how to cook?” Samantha nodded. Sarah smiled. “Then come with me. I want you to teach me.” Samantha laughed quietly. The two women turned around and walked toward the kitchen, leaving Kelvin and Tracy completely absorbed in the match. Ben remained behind. He sat down slowly, although he clearly wasn't as interested as his parents. He glanced at the screen, then at his parents, wondering what had happened while he was away.

The match continued. The crowd became louder as the fight reached its final moments. Then the referee raised Samantha's hand. “Mrs Wood wins!” Tracy immediately jumped up from her seat. “My child can fight!” She pointed excitedly at the screen. “Look at that! Did you see how she locked that girl down?” Kelvin laughed. “Did you see that punch?” He shook his head in amazement. “Samantha has really grown. She knows how to defend herself now.” Ben remained quiet. He watched the screen for a few more seconds before finally asking, “When was this?”

Kelvin laughed. “Only they can explain that.” Ben said nothing. He simply continued watching the screen. In the Kitchen, Sarah and Samantha had entered the kitchen. The maids had already started preparing dinner, but Sarah politely asked them to leave everything to them. Once they had left, Samantha continued preparing the food. Sarah stood beside her, watching carefully. “So what do I do next?” Samantha smiled. “First, you need to...” She stopped and demonstrated what Sarah needed to do.

Sarah listened carefully. Every now and then she asked another question, and Samantha patiently explained. Before long, the two women were laughing as they cooked together. It wasn't long before the smell of freshly prepared food filled the house. When everything was finally ready, they carried the dishes toward the dining room. The moment they entered, Tracy and Kelvin looked at Samantha. “Samantha, you can fight?” Samantha's excitement returned immediately. “Yes, Father!” She smiled proudly. “Look at how I defeated Faith on their own turf.” Everyone laughed.

Ben, however, still looked serious. “When did this happen?” Samantha answered casually. “Today. We went to Lucia Goods for the opening of their training facility.” Sarah nodded. “Dad, we also signed the contracts.” Kelvin's smile disappeared. “What?” He looked directly at Sarah. “My child, I clearly told you that I didn't want you to get involved.” Sarah calmly pulled out a chair and sat down. “Father, they are my friends. My husband is also very close to them. And besides, they didn't force me to sign anything.”

She paused. “I signed willingly.” Kelvin sighed. “But my child, it's dangerous.” Sarah smiled gently. “You don't have to worry, Father. My big sister-in-law will protect me.” Tracy immediately looked at her. “What does that mean?” Samantha cleared her throat. “Mother... I also signed.” Everyone became quiet. Samantha continued. “I will be joining Mike and Alicia for training.” Tracy stared at her. “You too?” Samantha nodded. “I've always told you that I wanted to become strong and independent. This is my chance.”

She paused and looked down for a moment. “If I can become strong enough to defend myself against anyone who wants to harm me, then I want to do it.” Her expression became more serious. “I also have to be strong for my daughter.” Tracy didn't immediately respond. She looked at Samantha, then at Sarah. The decision still didn't make sense to her. They knew exactly how dangerous their enemies were. They had heard the stories. They knew people had already been killed.

Yet both women were sitting there calmly talking about training. Kelvin finally broke the silence. “I remember you two talking about two contracts.” He looked at Sarah first. “So which one did you choose?” He paused. “It should be the first one, right? The physical-fitness training contract?” Sarah and Samantha exchanged a glance. Neither woman answered immediately. Kelvin noticed. His expression slowly changed. “Sarah?” Sarah remained quiet. Tracy looked between them. “Wait.”

Her voice became nervous. “You two didn't choose the second contract, did you?” Sarah and Samantha slowly nodded. Tracy's eyes widened. Ben also stared at them. “You two dedicated your lives to helping them?” His voice was filled with disbelief. “What happens if you die and they survive?” Sarah looked at him calmly. “Why would we even reach the point of dying?” Ben stared at her for a moment. Then he shook his head and said nothing.

Tracy, however, couldn't remain quiet. “Sarah, you are pregnant.” Her voice trembled slightly. “How can you just decide to sign such a serious contract?” She turned toward Samantha. “And you, Sam? Monica is still young. What happens if something happens to you?” Sarah smiled reassuringly. “Mom, please don't worry.” She gently placed a hand over her stomach. “Because I am pregnant, my training will be different.” Tracy listened carefully. “I signed both contracts, but the first one is for light training. I won't undergo serious training until after I give birth.” She paused. “Only then will the second contract become active.”

Tracy still looked worried. Sarah smiled. “So you really don't have to worry about me right now.” Samantha nodded. “And Mom, if something ever happens to me, Monica will be left in her father's care.” She smiled faintly. “She is our daughter, after all.” Ben suddenly choked. Sarah looked at him and burst out laughing. The tension in the room finally eased. Sarah pointed toward the food. “Anyway, Mom and Dad, we just cooked dinner.” She smiled. “Why don't you taste it first and tell us whether we can actually cook?” Tracy laughed. “Fine. Let's see what you two have made.” Everyone finally settled around the table. For a while, the earlier conversation was forgotten as they began eating.

Meanwhile, Alicia and I had been driving for quite some time. The city was already far behind us. The roads had become quieter, and the buildings had slowly disappeared. I kept glancing at the unfamiliar surroundings. Eventually, I couldn't hold back anymore. “Wife... are you sure this is the right direction?” Alicia looked at me and smiled. “Yes.” She looked ahead through the windshield. “Just keep driving.” I frowned slightly. “We've been driving for quite a while.” “I know.” She smiled again. “We're almost there.”

I didn't ask anything else. I simply followed her directions. The road became narrower. Soon, even the occasional houses disappeared. Trees surrounded us on both sides, forming what looked like a wall around the road. The forest became unusually quiet. I slowed down slightly. “Wife...” She looked at me. “What?” “Where exactly are you taking me?” Alicia smiled. “I don'tknow.” I sighed. “You really enjoy keeping secrets from me.” She laughed softly. “Just a little longer.” We continued driving. After several more minutes, the trees finally began to thin out. Then I saw something in the distance.

At first, I couldn't make out what it was. As we got closer, the structure became clearer. A huge residence stood beyond the trees. It was surrounded by tall walls, large gates and several security checkpoints. There were guards positioned around the entrance, and security vehicles were parked nearby. I slowed the car. I stared at the heavily guarded property. “Wife...” Alicia looked at me. “We're here.” I looked at her. “This is where we're meeting your grandfather?” Alicia didn't answer immediately. Instead, she looked toward the residence. Her expression changed.

The smile disappeared from her face. She took a slow breath. “Yes.” She looked at me again. “My grandfather is inside.” I looked through the windshield at the heavily guarded residence. For some reason, I suddenly felt uneasy. Neither of us said another word. The car slowly approached the gates.