12:12 PM &
Chapter 18
Chapter 43
Brad blinked, then cracked up like it was a joke. “Preston, dude, are you nuts? This is all just guesswork. Why’re you losing it over this?”
Preston snapped back, “Does it matter if it’s true or not? What matters is that she’s someone who lights up with just a bit of kindness!”
Steve’s face stiffened as he recalled the way Regina beamed when he gave her the blade.
Roy glanced down at his own hand held by Regina before.
Her warmth still seemed to cling to it.
Preston’s voice shook with a mix of anger and conviction. “She’s so easy to make happy, and yet nobody ever bothered. That’s the real issue here!”
Brad grew frustrated and defensive. “But Regina barely have any Humanity! What’s the use of treating her well? She’s just a maniac who could kill anyone at any time!”
Preston’s voice boomed. “So what if she doesn’t have Humanity? I’ve got enough for both of us!”
The room went dead quiet again, everyone too stunned to say a word.
Preston cooled off a bit and turned to leave. “If nobody else is gonna treat her right, I will. She’s got me–that’s all she needs.”
Roy’s face darkened as he quickly followed after him.
Steve trailed behind, muttering in confusion. “What’s with this impulsive tantrum? He’s already roped me in without asking. Did I ever say I wouldn’t treat her well?”
One by one, the other boys followed suit, leaving the lounge.
Brad and Clive remained behind, isolated and frozen like statues.
They felt utterly powerless.
Even though they hadn’t done anything, it felt as if they were already condemned.
“We didn’t do anything wrong!” Brad muttered darkly, his face clouded.
He kept yelling, “Getting angry at us for something we didn’t even do–how insane is that!”
Clive, however, wasn’t surprised. “Have you just met Preston? He’s always been this impulsive. Once he gets mad, nothing else matters.”
With that, he took a step forward. “Let’s go see what’s going on.”
Brad hesitated. “But… what if it’s true? What if we really did have mistreated Regina?”
“That’s why we need to watch.” Clive’s eyes deepened. “We’ll observe Regina and find out if she’s really been reborn.”
Preston burst into Regina’s hospital room, only to find it empty.
His heart tightened. “Regina?”
He rushed out of the room. “Regina?!”
There was no answer.
He roamed around like a headless chicken until he spotted her standing by a dessert display case.
Her gaze lingered on the beautifully crafted pastries behind the glass, as if she couldn’t look away.
Preston’s heart instantly settled, and he walked up behind her. “You’re walking around after being shot? Aren’t you afraid of making your injury
worse?”
Regina turned and gave him a practiced smile. “Oh, you’re here.”
Preston’s brow furrowed slightly.
He had just seen Regina give a genuine smile earlier.
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12:12 PM
Chapter 43
He could tell this one was fake–a mask for polite conversation.
Bitterness spread through his chest as he glanced at the display. “You want some cake?”
Regina’s eyes flickered before she clasped her hands behind her back. “No, I don’t.”
Preston saw right through her and teased, “If you don’t want it, why are you staring so hard?”
He turned to the cashier. “One of everything, please.”
Regina was startled and quickly stopped him. “No! That’s way too much; it’ll go to waste.”
Preston shrugged and went along with her. “Fine, then pick what you want, and I’ll get it for you.”
Regina blinked, then glanced at the display hesitantly. “Actually, I can buy it myself, but I don’t have my phone with me, and I haven’t set up a payment cyberware yet.”
She looked slightly embarrassed. “Can you cover it for me for now? I’ll pay you back later.”
Preston chuckled. “It’s just a piece of cake, literally. My treat.”
Regina’s face scrunched up. “No way. If you won’t let me pay you back, I’m not eating it.”
Preston stopped short, like something clicked, and leaned down to meet her eyes. “Regina, wait a sec–don’t tell me you’ve got no clue how to make friends.”
Chapter 41
Chapter 44
