C77 One Move 3% of Market Value Lost

Reality finally hit Ben like a heavy hammer. Everything he had carefully hidden over the years had been exposed in a single morning. His parents knew about France. They knew about the waiter, the drugged drink, Kelly Wellington, and even the damage his actions had caused to Wood Corporation. Yet despite the overwhelming evidence, his pride refused to let him admit defeat.

For the first time since the conversation began, Ben stopped arguing. He simply lowered his head and sat there in complete silence. His silence was enough. Kelvin no longer needed a confession. A guilty man often revealed more by remaining quiet than by speaking.

Looking at his son, Kelvin let out a long, disappointed sigh. "Your silence tells me everything I need to know." His voice was no longer filled with anger but with sorrow. "I spent years believing that one day you would become an honorable man... someone worthy of leading this family."

He slowly shook his head. "But today, you've disappointed me more than you could ever imagine." Ben clenched his fists beneath the table but still refused to say a word. Kelvin continued. "Do you understand the consequences of your actions?" "What you did during the Year-End Celebration resulted in Monica being brought into this world."

He paused, his expression becoming even more serious. "And now your actions in France have created another disaster." "They haven't only damaged the company's reputation." "They've destroyed the trust of the people closest to you." He looked toward the staircase where Sarah had disappeared earlier that morning. "Your own sister couldn't bear staying under the same roof with you." "She left because she was disappointed in the brother she once admired."

Ben slowly closed his eyes. Sarah... He had never imagined she would actually leave. Kelvin's voice remained calm. "And she's not the only one." "Samantha has distanced herself from you as well." Those words caused Ben to look up immediately. Kelvin met his eyes without hesitation. "Yesterday, after learning the truth, we asked Samantha whether she wanted to cancel the wedding."

Ben's heartbeat quickened. Genuine panic appeared on his face. Kelvin continued. "She didn't." "Not because she forgave you." "Not because she feels something for you." "But because she was thinking about Monica's future..." "...and our family's reputation." "The very same things that you should be thinking." "But you keep Provoking Mike." "And what worse is that you keep making a fool of yourself, he doesn't entertain your foolishness." "All the things you did to him, not even once has he retaliated." "Simply turning a blind eye. That maturity."

Every sentence pierced Ben's heart. Kelvin leaned back before speaking again. "The wedding will proceed as planned." "But don't misunderstand the situation." "Samantha is no longer yours." Those words echoed through the dining room. "From today onward, your relationship with her will begin from zero." "If you truly want her back..." "...then earn her love." "Win her heart through honesty, respect, and responsibility." "Not through manipulation." "Not through schemes." "And certainly not through the disgusting methods you've been using."

Tracy silently wiped away a tear. She had never imagined hearing her husband speak so harshly to their son. Kelvin wasn't finished. "I've already instructed one of the maids to prepare the bedroom next to Sarah's room." "From today onward..." "Samantha will sleep there." "That will be her bedroom." "You will no longer share the same bedroom."

Ben's expression changed completely. "Dad..." His voice was barely audible. Kelvin immediately raised his hand, stopping him. "No." "You've spoken enough." "It's time you listened." His gaze became frighteningly cold. "What you did to Samantha at the Year-End Celebration wasn't simply a mistake." "It was a crime." "A woman whose judgment is impaired cannot give meaningful consent." "You drugged her." "You took advantage of her." "And if the authorities pursue the matter..." "...you could be arrested for rape."

Ben's breathing became uneven. Kelvin continued without showing the slightest mercy. "And what happened in France is no different." "You attempted to drug another person." "You fabricated evidence." "You manipulated the media." "Do you honestly believe those actions won't eventually catch up to you?"

Silence filled the room once again. Then Kelvin added something that made Ben's entire body tense. "If the Police Minister decides to reopen these cases..." "...I will not protect you." Ben looked at him in disbelief. "Dad..." Kelvin slowly shook his head. "No." "I've protected you enough." "I've ignored too many warning signs because you were my son." "But not anymore." "If you break the law..." "...then you will face the consequences of your own actions."

He took a slow breath before adding, "You've already seen what the Police Minister is capable of." "One decision from him caused Wood Corporation to lose nearly three percent of its market value overnight." "If he truly decides to pursue legal action against you..." "...I don't even want to imagine what he'll do next." The room became deathly quiet.

Ben felt as though every escape route had been blocked. His father was no longer speaking as the chairman of Wood Corporation. He was speaking as a father who had finally reached his limit. Kelvin slowly pushed his chair back and stood up. He looked at Ben one last time. "Oh..." "I almost forgot." His voice softened slightly. "You owe your sister an apology." "The truth affected her more than you realize." "She admired you." "She defended you." "She trusted every word you said."

A trace of pain crossed Kelvin's face. "But today..." "...you shattered that trust." He turned toward Tracy. "Let's go." Without waiting for another response, Kelvin walked away from the dining room. Tracy looked at Ben with tears in her eyes. She wanted to comfort him. She wanted to tell him everything would be alright. But after everything she had learned... She couldn't. She was deeply hurt as well.

Instead, she quietly followed her husband, leaving Ben sitting alone at the dining table. For the first time in years, the enormous mansion felt painfully empty.