C492 Who is Aunt

Ben slowly looked at them. “Father, do you still remember the dream I had of opening a club?” Kelvin sat down. “I remember.” He looked at his son seriously. “But right now, you need to tell us what is going on. Who did you get pregnant?” Ben sat up straight. “Mother. Father.” He took a deep breath. “My original plan was to start a club that could eventually be inherited by my children.” Kelvin nodded. “I remember you telling us that.” “I also told you that I planned to run it with my girlfriend, Natalie.” Ben's expression darkened. “Then Natalie betrayed me.” He paused. “But that didn't mean my dream died.” Kelvin watched him carefully. “A dream doesn't die while its owner is still alive.” Ben looked toward the room. “Over the past few months, the club has been doing well. And somehow, I found someone who has helped me run it.” Tracy remained silent. Ben continued. “She is different from Natalie. She isn't after my money. She has never stolen from me. She actually cares about me and the club.” He smiled faintly. “And now she's pregnant.”

Tracy listened carefully before finally asking the question that had been sitting in her mind. “So there really is no going back to Samantha?” Ben shook his head. “Mom, I tried.” He looked down. “And I failed.” Tracy frowned. “Samantha is always with her friends on their dangerous missions. She never really cared about me as her husband.” He paused. “The way she showed concern for her injured friend was completely different from the way she treated me.” Kelvin frowned. “Are you trying to find an excuse for your actions again?” Ben immediately shook his head. “No, Father.” His voice became serious. “This time I'm being completely honest.” He looked across the room and noticed Monica sitting on the floor, playing with her large teddy bear. “Monica.” The little girl looked up. “Come here, my child.” Monica stood and walked toward him. “Dad.” Ben smiled and gently placed his hand on her head. “Tell me again. Who calls you every day before you go to sleep?” Monica smiled. “Auntie always calls me and Mom.” Then her expression changed. “But yesterday I went to sleep early. Mom said Auntie called, but I was already sleeping.” She looked at Ben. “I miss Auntie, Dad.” She smiled. “Can you call her?”

Kelvin and Tracy exchanged a confused look. Kelvin slowly turned toward Monica. “Who is Auntie?” Monica looked at him. “Grandpa, Auntie is beautiful.” Tracy was still confused. “Beautiful?” Monica nodded. “Mom said I should call her Auntie.” She paused. “But Mom always calls her honey.” Tracy suddenly choked. “What?” Ben quickly rubbed Monica's head. “Okay, sweetheart. Go and continue playing. We will call aunt later.” Monica nodded and returned to her toys. Ben watched her for a moment before turning back toward his parents. “You see?” He sat back down. “Samantha and I are history.” He spoke calmly. “I appreciate that she is the mother of my beautiful baby girl, but we also have to face reality.” He looked at his parents. “Sam has moved on.” He paused. “And so have I.” Tracy remained confused. “I still don't understand.” She sighed. “But it's okay. I'll ask Samantha myself when she returns.” She then looked at Ben. “Now tell us about your girlfriend. Why have we never met her?”

Ben smiled. “I introduced Natalie Maguire to all of you, and she betrayed me.” His smile disappeared. “My sister even made fun of me and called me a crybaby.” He shook his head. “That's why I decided to wait this time.” Ben looked at both of them. “But now that I've told you about her, when my sister and Samantha return, I'll invite her here.” Kelvin nodded. “If you put it that way, then we'll be waiting to welcome her.” Everyone nodded. The conversation eventually ended. After dinner, the family went to bed. But Tracy couldn't sleep. She lay beside Kelvin, staring into the darkness. Something about Ben's story wasn't sitting right with her. Tracy turned toward Kelvin. He was already half asleep. “Husband.” Kelvin opened his eyes slightly. “Yes?” “Do you think I'm that old?” Kelvin frowned. “No.” He looked confused. “Why?” Tracy stared at the ceiling. “Ben said his girlfriend helps him run the club right?” Kelvin nodded sleepily. “Yes.” Kelvin opened his eyes properly now. “Wife, what are you thinking about?” Tracy immediately shook her head. “Nothing.” She turned away. “Let's sleep.” Kelvin stared at her for a moment. He knew his wife well enough to understand that she was definitely thinking about something. But he was too tired to argue. He closed his eyes again.

The next morning, Lucia Goods employees arrived as they normally did. The atmosphere inside the company was ordinary. Employees moved through the building, preparing for another working day. Shortly afterward, everyone gathered around the boardroom for the morning debrief. Leon was preparing to begin when his phone suddenly rang. He looked at the screen. Then he looked toward Edwards. “Director is calling.” Leon quickly answered. “Director.” Alicia smiled from the other end. “Leon, I'm sorry to disturb you, but there is something urgent I need.” Leon smiled. “Director, anything.” Alicia laughed softly. “Well, my friends Laura Gomez and Amanda Stokes are coming there.” Leon nodded. “Yes, Director.” “Do you still remember them?” “Yes, Director.” “Good.” Alicia continued. “I asked them to fetch eight employees.” Leon immediately reached for a pen. “Okay.” “I need you to inform Colen, Kayla, Henry and Daniel.” Leon wrote the names down. “Colen, Kayla, Henry and Daniel.” “Yes.” Alicia continued. “And then Jessica, Lucy, Sophie and Elizabeth.” Leon quickly wrote down the remaining four names. “Jessica, Lucy, Sophie and Elizabeth.” “That's correct.” Alicia paused. “Inform them to pack their things. They will be joining us.” Leon looked surprised but smiled. “Yes, Director.” “Thank you, Leon.” “You're welcome, Director.” The call ended.

Leon looked around the boardroom. Everyone was waiting for an explanation. He stood up. “Colleagues, I just received a call from Director Alicia Mooney.” The room became quiet. “She asked me to call upon the following employees.” Leon looked at his notes. “Colen, Kayla, Henry, Daniel, Jessica, Lucy, Sophie and Elizabeth.” The eight employees immediately looked at one another. Leon continued. “Director Alicia asked me to inform you that you will be joining her and her team.” The eight employees stared at him. “Her friends are already on their way to pick you up.” The employees looked even more surprised. Leon smiled. “You have all shown dedication during your training, and the Director has noticed your work.” He looked at them proudly. “Even though your departure will affect your respective departments, I want to congratulate all eight of you.” He paused. “And remember something.” His expression became serious. “Protect our Director at all costs.” For a moment, the eight employees simply stared at each other. Then their faces suddenly lit up. They jumped excitedly. Some laughed. Others congratulated one another. Leon laughed. “Hold on!” The room gradually became quiet again. “You should be on your way now.” He pointed toward the door. “Go and say goodbye to your families. Pack a few of your things.” The eight employees nodded. “Celebrations can come later.” They all bowed respectfully. “Yes, Director.” Then they hurried out of the boardroom. Leon watched them leave with a smile. Edwards laughed. “They certainly weren't expecting that.” Leon nodded. “Neither was I.”