C333 A Dangerous Friendship

Tracy tried to comfort her son once again. “Ben, don't worry. You made a mistake, but we will figure out what to do.” Ben nodded silently, though the worry on his face did not disappear. Samantha slowly stood from her seat. “Mom, Dad, I think I will go and get some rest. I'm tired.” Kelvin nodded. “Alright, my child. Go get some sleep.” Tracy looked at her daughter. “Aren't you going to comfort your husband?”

Samantha paused and looked at Ben. She gave him a small smile before shaking her head. “I should be comforting Sarah, Mom. She is the one who might suffer because of his actions.” Kelvin immediately choked. Tracy sighed before nodding. “Fine. Go and talk to her.” Samantha nodded and headed upstairs. At the Gomez family residence, Laura was helping her mother-in-law prepare dinner. She moved around the kitchen happily, humming to herself as she helped arrange the dishes.

Godness noticed her cheerful mood but said nothing. She simply smiled. When dinner was finally ready, Laura and Godness carried the dishes to the dining table. Prince and Bright were already there, discussing some family matters. The moment Bright saw his wife, he smiled. Godness looked at him and said teasingly, “Son, it seems your wife is in a very good mood today.” Bright laughed. “She has been like this ever since she became friends with my director.” Prince looked at him curiously. “Your director? Isn't her new friend the director of Lucia Goods?”

Bright nodded. “Yes. Both Alicia and Sarah are her friends now. See? My wife is very capable.” Laura laughed as she placed a dish on the table. “You two are talking about me as if I'm not here.” Everyone laughed. Soon, the family began eating. For a while, the conversation remained light. However, after dinner, Godness finally turned her attention toward Laura. “My child, can you tell us what is making you so happy today?” Laura smiled. “Mom, I think I'm going to become powerful very soon.” Prince raised an eyebrow. “Powerful?”

Laura nodded enthusiastically. “Yes.” She paused before explaining. “My friend Alicia opened a training facility at Lucia Goods. I will be training there from now on.” Bright's smile disappeared. He looked at her carefully. “Wife... did you actually go there today?” Laura nodded. “Yes. It was fun.” Bright stared at her. Prince and Godness exchanged confused glances. Prince finally turned to his son. “Bright, where exactly did she go? I almost forgot to ask.” Bright slowly took out his phone. “Dad, check the trending boxing topic.”

Godness's expression changed immediately. “Laura wasn't involved in something dangerous, was she?” Prince opened his phone and searched the trending topics. A moment later, his eyes widened. “What?” He scrolled through the videos. “Two vice directors are fighting each other?” He continued scrolling. “Wait... there are women fighting too.” His eyes widened even further. “Isn't that Nicolas's daughter?” He slowly turned toward Laura. “What did you mean when you said you were going to become powerful?”

Laura smiled. “I mean exactly what I said. My friends want us to train and learn self-defence, so I will be training with them.” Bright froze. He remembered the conversation they had during their previous visit to Lucia Goods. “Wife...” Laura looked at him. “Yes?” “You remember those contracts they talked about, right?” Laura nodded. “Of course.” Bright swallowed. “Did you sign one?” Laura smiled. “Husband, they are my friends. Obviously, I chose the second contract.” Bright immediately choked. “Cough! Cough!” Prince looked at him in confusion. “Son, what's wrong?”

Godness also looked concerned. “What contracts are you talking about?” Bright shook his head. “No, Laura. I don't agree with this.” Laura's smile faded slightly. “Husband, don't overreact.” “How can I not overreact?” Bright asked. “You signed a contract without even thinking about the consequences.” Laura remained calm. “You know that being friends with them means that if something happens to them, I could also be affected.” Bright shook his head. “Some things are better viewed from a distance.”

Prince suddenly slammed his hand lightly against the table. “Enough.” He looked at both of them. “Tell us exactly what is going on.” Laura looked at Bright, feeling wronged. “Husband, you can't say that. Think about it. The Gomez family has security. If danger comes, there are people who will protect the family.” She paused. “But my father lives alone. If those people really are dangerous, they could start with him.” Bright fell silent. That argument had clearly reached him. After a moment, he looked at his father. “Dad, Lucia Goods has built a training facility.”

Prince nodded. “I heard.” “They are preparing for a dangerous enemy,” Bright continued. “An enemy that apparently kills without hesitation. They asked their employees to volunteer for defensive training so they could protect themselves and the company if they were ever attacked.” Prince frowned. “And what's wrong with learning self-defence?” Bright sighed. “That's not the problem.” He looked at Laura. “Alicia created two contracts. The first is for people who simply want physical and self-defence training.”

He paused. “But the second contract is different. Anyone who signs it pledges their loyalty to Alicia and Mike. They are essentially agreeing to stand beside them and fight for them.” Godness's eyes widened. “Fight for them?” Bright nodded. “Yes.” She looked at Laura in disbelief. “And you signed that?” Laura nodded. “Yes.” Godness couldn't believe it. “My child, how can you dedicate your life to something like that?” Laura remained calm. “They are my friends, Mom. And now everyone knows that.” She looked toward Bright. “If they train while I stay behind, won't I become the weakest link?”

Bright frowned. “Laura.” “If their enemies cannot reach them,” Laura continued, “what stops them from coming after the people around them?” She paused. “If they can't defeat my friends directly, they could target me or my family.” Prince shook his head. “Just when I thought you had made powerful friends, your life suddenly became dangerous.” Laura smiled. “Dad, it's not about seeking danger. It's about being prepared.” She looked down at her hands. “If I learn boxing, shooting and self-defence, then even if that war never happens, I will still know how to protect myself.”

Prince studied her face. He could see that she had already made up her mind. But he wasn't satisfied. “What happens if they call you one day and tell you to kill someone?” Laura's smile disappeared. “Kill?” Prince nodded. “What if you are caught in a fight and someone dies? What if you are the one who gets killed?” Laura looked down. "Father, I won't kill anyone. I will just beat them up if they come after me." Prince's expression became more serious. “You know the future of the Gomez family depends on you and Bright.”

Bright added quietly, “Wife, you can't expect to enter a war without casualties.” Laura looked at him. “You think I don't understand that?” Bright sighed. “You've played those games where your team is sent into battle. What happens when the mission starts? Do they simply beat their enemies and walk away?” Laura shook her head. “Video games are just games.” Bright nodded. “Exactly. Real wars are different.” He paused. “When you fight someone in real life, there are consequences. Whether you injure them or kill them, you create an enemy.” Laura's expression slowly became serious.

Bright continued. “Alicia told us herself what happened to her family. Her enemies couldn't reach her grandfather, so they went after her mother.” Laura lowered her eyes. She didn't answer. The room became quiet. Prince sighed. “Child, you should reconsider this contract. You cannot put your life in danger because of someone else's revenge.” Laura looked at him. “Dad... I can't betray my friends.” Her voice was softer now. “They have treated me well. And I'm certain that if I ever needed their help, they would stand beside me too.”

She paused. “Even Sarah Wood, who is pregnant, signed.” Bright quickly interrupted. “That's because Sarah is married to one of them.” Laura looked sharply at him. Bright immediately stopped talking. Godness noticed his reaction. “What?” She looked between them. "Sarah Wood is pregnant?" “And you said Sarah Wood is married to their friend?” Bright sighed. “Yes.” Prince looked at him. “That Kelvin's little girl is married?” Laura suddenly grinned. “Husband, why can't you keep a secret?” Bright gave her an annoyed look. Godness became even more curious. “Who is Sarah Wood's husband?”

Bright finally answered. “Chris Chambers.” Godness froze. “Christopher Chambers?” Bright nodded. “Yes.” Godness stared at him in disbelief. “Christopher Chambers is married to Sarah Wood?” Bright nodded. “Yes, Mom.” Prince leaned back in his chair, still trying to process the revelation. The family fell silent for a moment. The conversation about Laura's contract had suddenly opened the door to an even bigger secret.