Chapter 59
Clive’s breath hitched. He gaped, stunned into silence.
It was like a bolt of lightning hit him–his chest shook, and a weird tingle ran through his fingers, making his bloody hand twitch. The pain didn’t even register. He tried to talk, but nothing came out.
He stayed quiet the whole way to Blackthorn Hospital, where Regina dumped him off.
Regina stood outside the ER, glancing at her blood–soaked hospital gown.
It was covered in Clive’s blood.
Gross, she thought, frowning.
She happened to be wearing a t–shirt underneath, so she stripped off the gown and headed for the trash can.
Hospital gowns at Blackthorn were disposable, you could always buy new ones.
Yet, before she threw it into the trash can, she stopped right there.
she paused, reconsidering. She walked over to Clive and thrust the bloodstained garment at him. “Hey, my gown’s ruined.”
Clive looked rough, eyeing the huge bloodstain he’d caused.
“It’s cool, I’ll get you a new one,” he said weakly.
Regina wasn’t buying it. “Nah, this is what I had on when I saved your ass. It’s a keepsake. You should wash it.”
She pushed it closer. “Do it yourself.”
Clive made a face–he wasn’t about laundry. “I don’t even know how to wash stuff. I’ll have someone handle it for you.”
Regina’s face was expressionless. “Fine, never mind.”
She turned to leave. “I’ll just throw it away then.”
Clive was surprised, trying to sit up. “Why would you throw it away? You said it was a souvenir. Isn’t it the same if I have someone else wash it? I have a housekeeper; she can get it perfectly clean.”
Regina didn’t look back. “I don’t care anymore.”
She tossed the gown in the trash.
Clive scrambled off the bed, losing his balance and collapsing on the floor.
The doctor, who was about to examine him, was startled. “What are you doing? Get back in bed!”
Clive ignored him, pushing away the hands trying to help him. He stumbled over to the trash can, retrieving the gown and dusting off the grime.
Luckily, it was just blood, no other stains.
Clive looked at Regina’s retreating figure. “I’ll wash it, okay? Can I give it back to you then?”
Regina ignored him.
Clive sat on the floor, looking pathetic as he watched her go, hoping for some reaction.
But Regina gave him nothing.
She acted like she hadn’t heard him, walking away without a backward glance.
Clive was helped to his feet, clutching her gown tightly. He was dragged away, looking back over his shoulder every few steps.
Regina returned to the inpatient area, her ears picking up the faint sound of arguing from upstairs.
Someone yelled, “I’m telling you again, you can work, you can study cyberwares, you can be as eccentric as you want, but you can’t hang around Regina Mitchell!”
1/3
12 15 PM
Chapter 59
Regina stopped, trying to identify the voices.
Who was talking about her? She wondered.
Regina took the fire escape stairs, following the sound to the top floor.
The fire escape door on this floor was locked.
They must’ve lock the emergency exit to keep people out.
That seemed like a safety hazard.
Regina pulled out her trusty multi–tool and picked the lock with ease.
Problem solved.
No more safety hazard.
She entered the floor and found only a conference room and the chairman’s office.
The argument was coming from the office.
A young man was practically roaring, “I’m twenty–four years old! I can do whatever I want! Who are you to tell me what to do?”
A deep male voice responded, “I’m your older brother! I raised you!”
A more familiar voice retorted, “So what if you’re my older brother? I like studying Regina, is there a problem with that?”
Regina raised an eyebrow. ‘Studying me?‘
That sounded just like the long–haired school doctor.
She remembered his name was Stephen.
The deep male voice continued, “Stephen, Regina Mitchell is a level–ten cyberware host. I’ve looked into her background, and she’s bad news. You
can’t handle her.”
“She’s a champion in the underground boxing pits, she’s practically royalty among the gangs in the slums. Her posters are all over the underworld. She’s a legend down there!”
Regina blinked.
She hadn’t expected to hear about her underground exploits in the middle of the city.
It was kind of flattering.
“We have intel from our informant that Regina has a squeaky–clean reputation in the underworld,” Julian continued. “She’s known for her strength and loyalty. Even the most ruthless gangs give her face. The only reason her fame hasn’t spread beyond the underworld is that several gang leaders are actively suppressing it!”
Regina, cavesdropping outside, nodded in agreement.
Inside, Stephen’s interest was piqued. “Isn’t that a good thing? A positive reputation suggests she’s trustworthy. So, what’s the problem with me approaching her?”
“That’s precisely the problem.” Julian exclaimed, exasperated. “Someone with such a low Humanity can’t possibly be capable of genuine emotion. The fact that she’s perceived as loyal despite her lack of emotional capacity means her entire social interaction is a facade.”
*A manipulative killing machine,” he pressed on, “She’ll wrap you around her little finger, and you’ll be dead before you know it!”
Silence descended upon the office.
Regina, outside, rolled her eyes.
She thought to herself, mocking, ‘I just enjoy manipulating people. I don’t enjoy killing. I’m just a phony who likes having people fawn over me. Besides, her reputation in the underworld was hard–earned.
She’d gained favor with the gang leaders by strategically placing herself in positions to help them.
