Ben and Clara II

Running his hands through his face, Philip sighed, "I almost gave up and started looking for someone else but Farak made things very easy for me."

"Farak Lafit?" Zixin asked.

Philip nodded his head and continued, "Yes, that boy is sick and he is solely responsible for the Lafit family's bankruptcy. He is a drug addict and spends all the money on women."

"Not only that, Farak Lafit is into illegal businesses as well. He smuggles drugs and illegal weapons in the docks." Guang added.

"Yes, that is true and he is mentally unstable too."

Pausing for a while, Philip added, "Farak approached me to talk about the collaboration between our companies. When I saw his desperation, I-I decided to use him as a bait. I told him that Clara doesn't want to marry because she already has you so I cannot help their company but if she agrees to marry me, I'll surely do something."

Clenching his hand into a fist, Ben was about to punch Philip right on his face but Quin stopped him. "Let him complete." Patting his shoulder, he added, "Calm down son."

After taking a deep breath, Philip added, "Before leaving my office, Farak promised that Clara would marry me. At that time, I had no idea about his abnormal mental health and his illegal businesses. I just wanted to find a way to keep Matt close and safe but who would've thought that Farak would end up doing something so horrific."

"What did he do?" Ben asked.

"You know that Clara is an adoptive daughter of the Lafit family right?" When Ben nodded his head, Philip continued, "After Farak was born, the entire Lafit family completely ignored Clara and started treating her poorly. The only person who genuinely cared for her was her second uncle George Lafit. I guess you have met him too."

Ben frowned and nodded his head. Yes, he had met George Lafit and even had dinner with him. Clara always told him how much her uncle loved her and he was the most important person in her life. She also told him that if uncle George approves him, they had nothing to worry about.

When Ben met uncle George, he was very warm and welcoming. He even told Clara that he was happy with her choice and gave them his blessings.

"When the whole family was forcing Clara to marry me, George Lafit faught with everyone for you and Clara but when everyone refused to accept you both, he decided to leave the mansion along with her but at that moment, Farak did something really very terrible."

"What did he do?" Sam asked.

"He killed George Lafit." Sighing in desperation, Philip continued, "He pulled out a gun and killed uncle George before he could step out of the mansion along with Clara. I-I don't know what happened after that but the very next day I received a call from the Lafit family saying that she is ready to marry me."

"After a couple of days when I met Clara, she looked so different and lost. Later when I found out about uncle George, I asked her about it and she broke down. She said that the Lafit family did not even organise a funeral for uncle George and his body was just taken away from the mansion. Farak Lafit then threatened her saying that if she refused to marry me, he would kill Ben too."

Lowering his head, Philip continued, "I knew that Farak would never be able to touch you but I guess Clara had no idea how capable the Li family is. She was terrified and very worried about your safety. She also told me that she doesn't want anyone to harm you and she cannot marry any other man as well. I know I should've told her the truth but I didn't because I had no other choice. I had to do something and convince her to marry me so I manipulated her and told her about Farak's illegal businesses. I told her that he is dangerous and can really harm you."

Jerking off Sam's hand, Ben pounced at Philip and threw a punch straight on his face before grabbing his collar and throwing him away.

"I'll kill you," Ben shouted before kicking his right thigh.

Philip groaned in pain and tried to explain himself, "Ben listen—"

"Listen? You want me to listen?" Ben shouted and kicked him again.

Shaking Zixin's arm, Yumi said, "Zixin go and stop brother Ben."

"You kidding me babe? He deserves some thrashing."

Yushen frowned and nodded his head. "Hmm, I am actually itching to join big brother Ben and beat him black and blue."

"But—"

"Stop it,"Quin shouted before grabbing Ben's hand. " I know you are angry and so are we but this isn't the right time for this. Remember that she is still missing. We need to find out where she is."

Coughing vigorously, Philip got up from the floor. "I told you that you cannot lose control."

"You are so lucky that you are standing inside my house and there are people who are stopping me otherwise you would be dead by now." Ben shouted.

After taking a few deep breaths, Philip continued, "I then told Clara about my sexuality and how this marriage would benefit both of us. Ben would be safe and Farak wouldn't harm him and Matt would be safe too. She hesitated for a while but when I told her that it will be a fake marriage and I'll let her go after I figure out a way to be with Matt."

Pausing for a while, he continued, "After discussing everything, we mutually decided to only act like we are married. She told me that I could still see Matt and she would help me cover up everything but in return I have to make sure that Farak doesn't harm you in any way. She has always felt very guilty for not having the courage to fight for your love Ben. She often calls herself a coward and how she let you down."

…..