Chapter 6 Resolving the Crisis

When Benson returned to the manor, the night was deep, and sparse stars adorned the sky like countless eyes silently watching his return. The tranquility of the manor starkly contrasted with his tumultuous emotions. He thought of Yvonne, the woman he had neglected for many years. Yvonne, his wife, had always been busy outside, unwilling to come home. Whenever he occasionally visited his parents, Yvonne always greeted him with a warm smile filled with warmth and anticipation. Every time he came home, Yvonne would prepare all his favorite things in advance, from his favorite dishes to his accustomed bed. Every detail revealed her care and love for him. Every time he saw Yvonne, her eyes were full of love for him, a deep and sincere emotion. Benson's gaze closely followed Yvonne's figure. He noticed that today, Yvonne was vastly different from before. Her steps were firm and powerful, each step exuding decisiveness, as if declaring her determination and strength to the world. Her eyes no longer held the usual tenderness; instead, they were calm and distant, as if she had wrapped herself in an invisible armor to fend off all external disturbances and emotional fluctuations. Benson felt an unprecedented sense of unfamiliarity. The Yvonne he once knew, the one who always wore a warm smile and looked at him with gentle eyes, seemed to have vanished. The current Yvonne was more like a warrior, a strong woman fearlessly advancing on the battlefield of business. Every action and every word from her exuded an undeniable authority and confidence. Benson felt a surge of complex emotions. He was proud of Yvonne's growth and strength, yet a bit saddened by her change. He knew that Yvonne's transformation was not just due to work pressure but also because of her inner growth and self-awareness. She was no longer the woman who needed to rely on him but a strong individual capable of facing all challenges independently. The light from the phone screen cast a cold glow in the room. His gaze fell on the numerous missed call notifications, mostly from Thomas, but Yvonne's name was absent. This fact hit him like a heavy blow, making his chest tighten with pain. Benson stood in the manor's living room, lightly tapping the phone screen with his fingers. After a moment of hesitation, he finally called Thomas. Thomas's slightly tired voice came from the other end, "Hello, bro, I'm still at the factory. Where are you?" A surge of unease rose in Benson's heart. He asked, "Is Yvonne at the factory too?" His tone carried a hint of doubt, despite the factory indeed having issues, he thought it shouldn't be too hard to handle. Thomas's response made Benson frown, "Yes, she's still at the factory." Benson's tone revealed impatience, "Can't handle this little issue? What is Yvonne even doing?" Thomas sensed Benson's dissatisfaction and couldn't help but feel sorry for Yvonne. He explained, "It's not about her ability. The original seven rubber suppliers have been providing us with materials, but due to the large quantity of this batch, some inferior raw materials were mixed in. This caused one production line to shut down, and the repair expert is not in the country. Now we only have two production lines left. Yvonne has already arranged additional manpower to remove the inferior materials, working overtime to ensure production." Benson fell silent, realizing his previous words were too harsh. He began to reflect, understanding that Yvonne had always been diligent and responsible, and she shouldn't be questioned because of temporary difficulties. Guilt welled up in Benson's heart. He took a deep breath and told Thomas, "I understand. I'll head to the factory as soon as possible to see what I can help with." After hanging up, Benson drove straight to the factory. By the time he arrived, it was already late at night. The factory was brightly lit, with workers bustling about in the workshop. Benson immediately saw Yvonne standing by the production line, directing workers on how to quickly and effectively remove the inferior materials. Her face was etched with exhaustion. Yvonne's features were delicate like a sculpture, her skin glowing with a natural radiance, and her fair complexion resembling uncarved jade, pure and flawless. Even dressed in a monotonous sterile suit, she couldn't hide her inner charm. Her presence was like an unmissable sight in the workshop; even the simplest attire couldn't conceal her stunning beauty. Benson walked to Yvonne's side and softly said, "I'm sorry, I didn't know the problem was this serious." Yvonne looked up at Benson in surprise. She didn't expect an apology from him. Standing at the factory door, the night breeze gently blew through her long hair, her emotions complex and heavy. Benson's words echoed in her ears; it was the first time in years she heard his genuine acknowledgment. Her nose tingled, and a wave of indescribable emotions surged in her heart. All these years of effort and dedication were finally recognized by him, yet it happened on the day she decided to divorce. Not wanting Benson to see her vulnerability, she turned away, trying to control her emotions and said, "It's my duty, especially since I also have shares in the company." Her voice trembled slightly, but she tried her best to sound calm. Then, both fell into silence. Her profile looked particularly gentle in the night, her fair neck glistening softly under the light. Benson looked at Yvonne and slowly spoke, "I don't know you well, but my parents highly regard and like you, which shows you're an excellent person. However, I already have someone in my heart. I promised to marry her and can't break my word. But if you ever need any help, I'll support you unconditionally." His words were filled with helplessness and determination, his stance clear and firm. Standing at the door, the night wind gently blew, taking away the day's warmth and bringing a hint of chill. However, what made him more uneasy was another scent in the air—another woman's perfume. This familiar yet strange scent drifted in the air like an invisible needle, piercing Yvonne's heart. Standing inside, Yvonne's gaze fell on Benson's back through the half-open door. A wave of indescribable pain surged in her heart. That scent seemed to silently tell of Benson's betrayal, making her feel an unprecedented sense of loss and loneliness. Tears welled up in Yvonne's eyes. She choked and said, "I hope you will be happy."