Ben and Clara III

Clenching his and into a fist, Ben gritted his teeth. He wanted to beat Philip black and blue but he blamed himself for whatever had happened too. He was also very mad over Clara for hiding such a big thing from him but it also made his heart ache when he thought about how much she had suffered.

"Remember a few months ago when you and Clara met in a hotel?" Philip asked.

Ben took a deep breath and nodded his head. How could he forget that night? That was the first time they had given each other their everything.

"S-she was very sad and happy after coming home. Clara told me that she would tell you everything about us and our fake marriage. I tried to make her understand that we would get busted if she takes that step but she didn't listen so I did something to scare her again."

Pausing for a while, he added, "I told her that Farak found out that you and Clara were together in the hotel for an entire night so now his men are looking for you."

"Damn brother Ben, if you don't punch this guy, I definitely will." Yushen shouted before gritting his teeth.

Each and everyone present in the living room was glaring at him with murderous eyes making Philip feel very uncomfortable but he knew that he was at fault.

"Yushen calm down," Singtan stopped his son whose face was already red in anger. Not only Yushen, everyone shared the same anger and hatred for Philip at the moment.

Keeping quiet for quite some time, Philip continued, "She panicked and begged me to do something. I-I told her that I would find a way out but she cannot see you in the future to which she readily agreed. Things went around like this for a while, I kept scaring her and forced her to maintain distance from you. I felt very bad for taking her trust for granted but I had no other choice. I was looking for a way to announce my relationship with Matt but I never had the guts to do so. Though I couldn't tell Clara the entire truth, I did tell her that everything is gonna be okay the moment I find a way out. Initially she would smile and nod her head but later she started saying that she didn't deserve to be with you and how you should be with someone who treasures you and your love."

"Why did you do that Philip? Clara believed in you and you broke her trust." Ben shouted.

"I had no other choice Ben, I was helpless too. I had to save Matt at any cost and I did this to protect my love. Look I may sound selfish but I can do anything to keep him safe. It's not like I don't feel sorry or guilty towards you and Clara. I do, everytime she cried for you, my heart ached for her. There were times when I made up my mind to reveal the truth but I could never gather the courage to do so. It's a very sensitive issue and I had to handle it well or else I would've lost Matt forever."

Pausing for a while, he added, "You know how it feels when you have to let go someone you love right? Maybe our love is a bit unique and different than the normal ones but it's still love. Love makes one go crazy and that is what happened to me, I lost my mind and failed to realise that I ruined a great love story to keep mine alive and going. Clara understood our relationship and me. She supported us through thick and thin but what did I give her in return? Pain and suffering. I have seen her crying day and night for you Ben but I can't take it anymore."

Ben mockingly chuckled and retorted, "And you realised this after you realised that she is missing? And yet you dare to say that you care about her? There were a hundred other ways to solve this Philip. You could've come to me and I would've definitely helped you out. Do you think I would've turned you down?"

"I wasn't thinking straight at that time and I couldn't think of anything as well. I was about to bring Clara here with me after I saw the news but when I arrived home, she was already missing. I tried looking for her everywhere but she was nowhere to be seen. I think—"

"I think what?" Ben shouted.

"I think Farak Lafit kidnapped her."

Grabbing his collar, Ben gritted his teeth, "If I find out that you are involved in this in any way then I swear on Clara that you are not gonna walk out of this mansion alive."

"He isn't lying brother Ben," Pausing for a while, Guang added, "He really has nothing to do with it. Mr Norway was in the hotel with his lover yesterday. I had my men following them everywhere. While investigating this matter yesterday I found out that the hotel reservation was under Isabella Collins who is Mr Norway's lover's sister. I had my doubts so I investigated further and found out that Isabella Collins left the country yesterday before the banquet. So when I contacted the hotel's manager, I found out that he was there with a man and not a woman."

Placing her hand on her chest, Qiang sighed.

"Qiang, you do know that you can't strip him naked with your eyes right?" Becca asked.

"Oh yes I can." Cupping her own cheeks, she asked, "Hmm is it just me or does he really look much hotter than he already is when he is serious?"

Helplessly shaking her head, Becca chuckled, "You are sickly and madly in love with him."

"Oh yes I am and I cannot wait for everyone to go away so that I can really strip him naked."

"What? Aren't you worried about brother Ben and sister Clara?" Becca asked.

"Duh, what is there to worry about? We are Li's and there is nothing we cannot solve."

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