Chapter 85

“I left my phone in the kitchen.”

“Do you want it now? Or do you want to wait until you are a bit calmer?”

“I know it sucks to make decisions in the heat of the moment, but I don’t think everything about Vanessa is worth thinking twice about.”

“It still baffles me how she has managed to remain confident over the years, knowing she has been a source of sorrow to so many people.”

Debbie shrugged. “That’s how evil people are. They have no heart, so they don’t feel anything when they hurt people. They don’t care as long as they get what they want.”

Hailey sniffled, trying hard to stop crying, but she didn’t know why she was finding it difficult.

“It’s okay, babe. Please don’t cry anymore. You are already feeling unwell, and I don’t want your sickness to get worse. I also don’t want Ollie and Enzo to see you like this.”

“I’m trying not to. But the tears won’t stop. I don’t know if it’s the hormones or the fact that Vanessa involved my innocent mother in her schemes. I would honestly overlook every attack from her—not because I am stupid or don’t know how to fight for myself—but because I have always known she is a bitter person, so her actions don’t usually bother me. But she really got me this time.”

“I was sad when she pulled a stunt on Cole—sad and furious. But this… this feels like I’ve been stabbed in the back. I remember seeing one comment wishing me dead.” Hailey pointed at herself.

“Humans are cruel. Very cruel.”

“Now I wish I hadn’t shown you the post.”

“I would have known regardless. If we turned on the TV, I’m sure this would be trending on gossip news. I’m not at work, but I’m sure my staff would be aware of this. The whole world, even. This is definitely going to affect my kids, too. Parents could start telling their children not to be friends with the twins.”

Debbie sighed deeply. “I’m so sorry this happened. But I agree with you. Vanessa has to be held accountable this time. Let me go get my phone.” Debbie rose to her feet and left for the kitchen. She returned in two minutes with her phone.

“I gave the boys some healthy snacks to keep them occupied,” Debbie said, taking a seat beside Hailey. She unlocked her phone with Face ID and handed it to Hailey. “What do you have in mind?”

“To send a four-man gang to her place who will beat her up, then hand her over to the police.”

“I wish she weren’t pregnant,” Hailey added.

“Yeah, she’s with child. That makes it so hard to deal with her personally.”

Hailey looked away from Debbie and turned her attention to her phone. She went to the call log and began dialing. She placed the phone on speaker between herself and Debbie.

Debbie wasn’t surprised that Hailey was dialing a number offhand. She knew numbers were Hailey’s thing. Hailey could recite the phone numbers of people close to her, even in her sleep.

“Hello, Ludacris Jenrol speaking.” The deep masculine voice came through.

13:30 Sat, 6 Jul Chapter 85

Hailey heaved a deep sigh, hoping no one would notice she had been crying. “Hi Cris, it’s Hailey.”

“Hailey, I called you already. I figured you were busy, so I texted you.”

“Yeah, my phone’s somewhere I don’t know,” Hailey mumbled, massaging her temple with one hand while holding the phone with the other.

“I guess you’ve seen or heard what happened.”

“Yes, and I’m so sorry about that. I didn’t want to make any decisions without consulting you first. Do you want us to pursue this civilly or criminally?”

“Can we do both?” Hailey asked.

“Sure! We can claim damages for defamation—civil claims—and then bring criminal charges so she’s sentenced for her actions.”

“Good. I want her in jail for a very long time, and I’m demanding $500 billion in damages.”

Debbie’s eyes widened.

“I think $500 billion is low, though. I was thinking $700 to $800 billion. Her lawyers will try to bargain, so we need to set the bar high.”

“Okay, $500 billion for general damages, and the remaining $300 billion for specific damages, payable immediately,” Hailey said.

“I don’t know how you’re going to do it, Cris, but I want her behind bars. If not forever, then for a very long time.”

“I didn’t do anything when she made accusations against Cole because I was considering the baby she’s carrying. But I can’t stand her anymore.”

“I understand, Hailey, but I promise you she will be fine in jail. She won’t be the only pregnant woman there. It’s just that the law wouldn’t throw pregnant women in jail until there’s sufficient evidence that they’re harmful to society. Or she could be under strict monitoring; then her sentence would start after the child is born and weaned.”

“Okay. I’ll have someone from the office send you evidence of her involvement in fraud. I really wish she hadn’t covered her tracks so well regarding my accident. She’d be in jail right now.”

“Don’t worry, Hailey, she’s going down for real this time.”

“I really hope so.”

“Trust me. Let me get to work. I’ll get back to you before the end of the day.”

“Thank you,” Hailey mumbled. She was about to end the call when he stopped her.

“Would you like to give any response to the accusations? Like an interview?”

Hailey stared at Debbie, who shrugged.

“….I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it. But what do you think?” Hailey asked her lawyer.

“It’s up to you. You can choose to respond, or you can choose not to. It’s not certain Vanessa would clear the air, so you might want to. But think about it and let me know what you decide.” Chapter 85

“Okay, thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” the lawyer said, ending the call.