Chapter 50
After Regina finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence.
Brad’s surprised expression slowly transformed into one of hatred.
He suddenly grabbed Melinda’s shoulder and slammed her against the wall!
“You hurt Mom?” he squeezed those words out of his gritted teeth.
His hand clamped around her throat, face twisted up in fury. “Mom’s been nothing but good to you all these years. Gave you whatever you wanted. Why would you do this?”
Melinda wheezed, smacking at his arm. “I didn’t do it!”
Leaping to the edge of fury, Brad’s pupils constricted sharply. “You’re still lying now?”
Tears broke loose, streaming down his face like they’d been held back too long. “Just tell the truth for once! Why are you doing this to her?!”
Melinda gagged, choking under his grip, finally snapping. “Because she’s screwing with my money!”
Everyone froze.
Brad’s grip on her loosened, and he, too, stood stunned.
Melinda shoved him off, rubbing her neck and yelling, “Irene figured me out and said she’d cut me off–no inheritance, nothing. Why wouldn’t I take her out?!”
Her voice shot up, loud and wild. “I’ve played the perfect sister, the perfect daughter, sucking it up for years. I’ve earned that cash–why should she yank it from me?”
Brad’s hands shook. “So it’s all been an act?”
Melinda roared back, “Yeah, an act! Because you all eat up the fake me!”
She jabbed a finger at Regina. “Regina’s the real one, but do you even like her? Weren’t you trashing her behind her back?”
The three of them exchanged startled looks and turned toward Regina.
Regina raised an eyebrow, curious. “Oh yeah? What’ve they been saying?”
Melinda smirked. “They called you a cold–blooded nutcase. Said you’ll never run the family business or get on the family list. It’s just me and the brothers who count. You? Not a cent.
“They even said you’ll die alone–none of them is ever going to love you.”
Regina’s eyes widened. “Oh! That sounds like a blessing, doesn’t it?”
The Mitchell men were all silent, mouth agape.
Hugh, deep in humiliation, clenched his jaw. “Don’t buy her crap! Just get her in the squad car. Lock up this liar who’s been playing us for over a decade!
The police acted swiftly, hauling Melinda away.
She thrashed a bit but gave up quick, throwing one last glare at the family. “What, you think you can ditch me and roll out the red carpet for Regina? Good luck with that!”
Melinda swung her gaze to Regina. “Regina, this family’s been trashing you since day one. Hugh even called you a freak–he can’t stand you outshining his boys.
“They don’t deserve a scrap of pity. If you let them off, I’m gonna laugh at your in hell!”
Regina’s eyelid twitched, and she shot her a mocking glance. “In hell? You have a good time there. I ain’t going down.”
Melinda blinked, and then burst into crazy laughter.
Regina turned her eyes away in disdain.
1/2
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50
dapter 50
She had never taken Melinda seriously
She hadn’t planned on doing anything at this moment.
But now that Melinda had exposed herself, she was going to shut her down for good.
A defeated fool shouting orders at her-
How amusing.
Hugh caught Regina’s jab, and his face softened, like he thought he might still have a shot at forgiveness.
Regina didn’t even glance at him. “Of course, I know I only have one set of parents–the ones who died in the slums. If you want to be my new parents, you’ll have to be as dead as they are.”
Hugh’s relaxation was gone.
Brad and Clive turned pale, looking awkwardly at Regina.
Melinda, excited, looked at Hugh. “Did you hear that, Dad? She doesn’t even recognize you as her father. You deserve it, haha!”
Hugh remained silent, watching as the police led Melinda away. He walked up to Regina, his face filled with guilt. “Regina, I—”
Regina cut him off. “Get lost.”
Hugh froze.
Brad, unable to stay silent, stepped up to Regina. “Why are you talking to Dad like that? He just wants to apologize.”
Regina, dismissing him, said, “Get lost.”
Brad froze as well.
Clive approached Regina, his face clouded with frustration. “We understand you’re angry, but we were deceived as well. Just give us a chance, we-
Regina cut him off sharply, “Why don’t you three take a cab and get lost?”
The men from the Mitchell family froze all paused at once, standing there like three statues.
