The next day, Charlotte climbed out of bed as the sun shone brightly outside her window. She glanced at the time; it was exactly 7:30 a.m. She got up, changed her clothes, and walked to the dining room where a beautiful breakfast was already on the table.
Charlotte's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Wow! It smells so good. It's my favorite food!" She quickly took out her cell phone, snapped a few pictures, and shared them with Kingsley.
At that moment, Charlotte's cell phone suddenly rang. It was Sherry calling. Charlotte picked up the phone.
"Charlotte, have you heard about what happened to Ben and his family? Does it have anything to do with you?" Sherry's voice immediately rang from the phone.
"What happened? I got up late and haven't checked the news. What happened to him?" Charlotte asked, confused.
"Mendel Group took a turn for the worse last night and is on the verge of bankruptcy," Sherry explained without hesitation. "And Ben seems to have disappeared. Some say he was injured by the company's shareholders by mistake and went abroad for treatment. Others say he has been targeted by mysterious forces and was thrown out of the country. But the specifics are still unclear; this is just what I've heard."
"Wait! I saw a message notification!" Sherry suddenly exclaimed. "The Drama Club announced that Ben won't be participating in the subsequent drama rehearsals."
"Really?" Charlotte frowned slightly, her eyes reflecting a few moments of thought.
Did Aaron do all this? Would he have "punished" Ben so hard? It shouldn't have been so bad, should it? He might have taught the Mendel family and Ben a lesson, but he shouldn't have harmed Ben or threatened his personal safety.
Was this news true?
"He's not participating in the Drama Club's rehearsals? And is he still coming to school?" Charlotte asked out loud.
If Ben didn't even come to school, then it proved that something had really happened to him.
Sherry shook her head. "I don't know; the school hasn't notified it yet."
"Charlotte, why don't you take the time to ask Aaron about the exact situation?" Sherry suggested. Charlotte nodded.
She felt a little uneasy, not because she was worried that this matter would involve her, but because the situation with Ben seemed to be spiraling out of control.
After hanging up the phone, Charlotte finished breakfast.
Kingsley was already waiting downstairs.
It was still Carl driving, while Kingsley and Charlotte sat in the back of the car.
"So, you like Italian food?" Kingsley asked out of the blue.
"Mmm." Charlotte nodded. "Favorite Italian food my mommy makes. Too bad she's traveling now; I'd love to have it again."
"Hmm, I'll make a note of that," Kingsley said. "I'll learn from my future mother-in-law."
Charlotte sniffed and let out a 'pfft' laugh.
Soon, the two arrived at the school.
After Kingsley send her to the school and turned around, his face became somber.
"How's Ben doing?" Kingsley asked.
Carl froze for a moment before replying, "He was left with a ruined arm and leg, and was dropped off last night at the location you specified. We've warned the Mendel family, and they wouldn't dare to rescue him, at least not for a while."
Kingsley stood with his arms folded, his fists and bones clenched as he exhaled a cloudy breath. "Release him," he said.
After saying this, he walked directly towards the lounge.
Carl watched his back, a trace of dismay sweeping across his eyes. Then, as if he had figured something out, he looked back in the direction Charlotte had gone, his eyes growing more complicated.
He hadn't thought that Kingsley could go this far for Charlotte.
If they stayed together longer, perhaps Kingsley could really get rid of all that darkness and bondage completely, and truly become a normal person.
After gazing for a moment, Carl took out his cell phone and dialed Kingsley's sister's number.
As night fell and the sky drizzled, a black car suddenly made an emergency stop at the intersection. In the next second, the ragged Ben stumbled out of the car.
"Remember, this is just a small lesson. Don't expect things that don't belong to you if you want you and your family to be safe." As soon as the words were out, the car sped off.
Ben crossed the highway, covered in mud and gasping for air, and finally saw the roof of his house.
He stood on the corner of a busy street and saw his apartment building from a distance. It was a luxurious high-rise that always made him feel at ease and proud on weekdays. But today, a sense of foreboding gripped him.
As he approached, he realized that many people were gathered under the building, and the sirens of fire trucks pierced the night sky.
Ben's heart sank, and he ran quickly towards the crowd.
When he looked up, he saw that the floor where his home was located was burning, flames pouring furiously through the windows and smoke billowing out.
"The house is on fire!" Ben's mind went blank.
He rushed to the door and saw that tongues of fire had engulfed most of the house, the walls crackling harshly in the flames. He screamed for help as he tried to rush in and rescue any family members who might still be inside.
"Sir, please calm down!" A police officer stopped him. "This building is in the middle of a fire rescue. You can't go in!"
"My family is still inside!" Ben hissed, his eyes filled with anxiety and fear.
As the rain gradually stopped, Ben sat on the side of the road, his gaze fixed as he watched the rescuers carry out one charred body after another.
Remorse and anger flooded his mind.
With scarlet eyes, one person immediately came to his mind—Kingsley.
"It must be him!" Ben's heart burned with rage. He gritted his teeth and said, "I'll make him pay!"
But then it occurred to Ben that he had lost everything, so what could he use to seek revenge on Kingsley? And Charlotte—it was all because of her!
Ben clasped his head in his hands in powerlessness and indignation, and the anger in his heart seemed to be tearing him apart.
At that moment, his cell phone suddenly rang. A familiar number was displayed on the screen. Ben hesitated for a moment; his eyes lit up, and a glimmer of hope surfaced. He picked up the phone.
"Ben," a low and familiar voice came from the other end of the line. "I know what you're trying to do now, and I can help you." The voice carried a hint of sarcasm. "Meet me at the usual place."
The call ended abruptly.
Ben gripped the phone, his fingers trembling slightly. Filled with strong hatred and unwillingness, Ben took a deep breath and turned to leave.