Chapter 48
The second Regina dropped that bomb, the Mitchells lost it. Their anger had nowhere to go, so it all crashed down on her.
Brad’s voice boomed. “Regina, you think I’m that stupid? You’re pinning this on my Melinda for no reason!”
Clive sneered. “Regina, you just love to create chaos and slander innocent people like Melinda, don’t you?”
Hugh’s face twisted, hands twitching like he might swing. “You little brat! Always trying to set up my girl–I oughta straighten you out!”
Melinda shrank behind her brothers and dad, eyes big and teary, playing the victim. “Regina, how could you say that? I’ve always been so tight with
Mom!”
Even Scarlett looked at Regina, thrown. “Regina, you got anything to back this up? You can’t just throw out accusations.”
Regina got straight to the point. “The proof is on her left shoulder–those upward–splattered blood drops.”
Everyone froze and instinctively looked at Melinda’s shoulder.
Sure enough, there they were–tiny blood droplets sprayed across Melinda’s shoulder, so faint you’d miss them unless you were looking hard.
Melinda’s face instantly paled as she caught sight of the blood herself.
She had no idea when the blood got there.
She’d been so sure she’d covered her tracks.
The officer’s face hardened as he took a closer look. “Cuff her
The officers surged forward.
Melinda darted behind Brad and Clive, freaking out as she begged, “No, no, no! This is a mix–up–I just hugged Mom! Of course I’ve got blood on me!”
The officer smirked, not buying it. “We’ll figure out what’s ‘normal‘ in the investigation. Struggling like that just makes you look guiltier.”
“But I’m innocent. I don’t want to be arrested!” Melinda cried, clinging to her brothers. “Help me, please!”
Brad and Clive were pale, staring at her in confusion.
Melinda, with her wide, tearful eyes and innocent demeanor, looked utterly pitiful. “It’s Regina. She’s framing me!”
Hugh, his heart aching for his daughter, turned to Regina and barked, “Blood splatter as evidence? What if she just hugged her mother but couldn’t lift her?”
Regina was momentarily taken aback. That was, indeed, a plausible explanation.
After all, gravity could also cause splatter.
But Melinda had told the doctors earlier she’d only hugged Irene quick–too torn up to lift her, scared to mess with the wounds.
Things would get complicated if Melinda pulled that as a proof.
Regina let out a soft laugh, dripping with sarcasm. “Hugh, let me ask you–if Melinda actually killed your wife, would you sign off on a forgiveness deal for her?”
Hugh’s eyes nearly popped out, his face red with rage. “Why the hell would I do that? I just want proof! You think I’d cover for her if you can show me something solid? But you’re tossing out wild guesses with nothing but some bloodstains. How am I supposed to buy that?”
Regina let out a light laugh, unfazed. “Give me three million dollars, and I’ll get your family the evidence in three minutes.” Hugh just froze.
The Mitchell brothers were speechless as well.
Getting the evidence in three minutes? Sounding totally absurd.
They were all sure that it would be impossible.
1/3
Chapter 48
And was she shaking them down for three million, which sounded mere like a rob.
The officer glanced at Regina in confusion. “How are you going to get the evidence? Even we’re at a loss.”
Regina shrugged, a little smug. “That’s why it costs. This is how I do business.”
Adrian was intrigued. “Kid, let’s not talk about the money for now. How could you possibly find evidence in three minutes?”
Jessica nodded in agreement. “Yeah, three minutes is way too short.”
Regina lifted her chin confidently. “I said three minutes, and I’ll make sure of it. Not a second more. Usually, I wouldn’t even charge for something like this, but since Hugh keeps accusing me of slander, I’m not about to let him get this evidence for free.”
She smirked. “Basically, I was gonna let it slide, but Hugh’s big mouth is pissing me off. So now there’s a jerk tax.”
She turned to Hugh with a provocative look. “Well? Are you paying up or not?”
Hugh’s nostrils flared, huffing like a ticked–off bull. “You’re dead sure you can do this in three minutes?”
Regina nodded decisively.
Hugh gritted his teeth, pulled out his phone, and made the transfer. “Fine, I’ll pay.”
“But if you screw this up, you’re gonna regret it!” he said, grinding his teeth.
Regina just shrugged, bored. “Oh, then I’m out.”
“What?” Hugh was dumbfounded.
Regina’s interest flatlined. “I’m the only one who can prove who attacked your wife, and you’ve got the guts to threaten me? Nah, keep your money.”
She turned and started walking away.
Hugh panicked and blocked her path. “You can’t just walk away. Your mother is still lying in the ICU!”
Brad added anxiously, “Regina, this is too much. She gave you life, after all!”
Regina chuckled coldly. “If I could turn back time, I’d suggest you skip having me and painlessly adopt Melinda instead.”
Brad was stunned.
Hugh stared in disbelief. “What?”
Regina’s expression remained indifferent. “As I said, your attitude is bad. It’s put me in a bad mood. Three million isn’t enough anymore. If you want the evidence, pay more. If not, don’t waste my time.”
Hugh’s expression froze.
Regina have walked past him.
His hands shook as he clutched his phone. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Fine, how about five million?”
Regina didn’t even pause.
“Ten million?” he offered desperately.
Still no response.
“Fine, Twenty million!” he yelled.
That got her. Regina stopped, spinning back with smooth, unbothered swagger. “Send it now, and you’ll have your evidence in three minutes- guaranteed. Sweet deal, huh?”
Hugh was just speechless.
Three minutes for a sky–high twenty million, and she was calling it “sweet.” Yeah, sweet for her, sure.
Even a mafia blackmail would fade next to her quote.
Hugh wanted to say something, but hesitated and shut up.
2/3
12:12 PM
Chapter 48
He just reluctantly transferred the money.
The second the cash landed, Regina lit up. “Thanks for the business! First sale of the day.”
Hugh was officially out of words.
She whipped out her phone and scrolled her contacts. “If I’m right, it’s the Specters behind this. They’ve got no morals–slip them some cash, and they’ll cough up everything: call logs, bank records. Once we’ve got that, it’ll point straight to who sicced them on Irene.”
The cop blinked at her, stunned. “The Specters? That crew from the slums? They’re ghosts–use the layout down there to dodge us like rats in a maze. How did you know it was them?”
Regina locked eyes with him, steady as a rock. “I just did. They tried pulling me in once. One of their boss’s flunkies even bought me dinner, all polite and proper. I clocked their style right away.”
“Wait.. What?” The officer blinked in shock.
Hugh was equally dumbfounded.
The others stared at her, wide–eyed.
That was a gang of dangerous outlaws.
And they wanted her in their ranks?
