Chapter 645: Investigations From the Past

What did it feel like to be cursed to hell by one's own mother? It probably felt like having one's heart relentlessly stabbed by a knife, then crushed to pieces.

Cecilia maintained a calm demeanor, her chest aching uncontrollably, yet showing no discomfort. She forced a smile. "Madam Paula," she said, "what you should be considering now is your impending imprisonment, and the future livelihoods of you and your daughter after I reclaim my father's inheritance. I know most of what the Evans family possesses is built on the foundation laid by Smith Corporation."

Disregarding Paula's furious gaze, Cecilia stood to leave. She had taken only a few steps when a crash echoed behind her. Paula had fallen from her chair. Her eyes were glazed, she clutched her stomach, and her legs twitched uncontrollably. Cecilia stared, unsure what was happening. Is she acting again?

Soon, a doctor arrived and took Paula to the hospital. Stepping outside, Cecilia felt a tangled mess of emotions. Her attorney, Norman Jenkins, waited. "What did Paula want?" he asked.

"She asked how much it would take for me to drop the charges."

"She was responsible for Martha's death, embezzled Mr. Smith's inheritance, and now wants you to drop the charges? Absurd!" Norman had always disliked Paula's superficiality. "It's a shame Regas loved her so deeply, but at least he saw her true self eventually and left an extra will for you."

Cecilia recounted Paula's collapse and convulsions.

"Feigning illness to escape again?" Norman assumed.

Cecilia shook her head, unsure. "Don't worry. No matter what she does, she won't escape jail time," he reassured her. He then shared some information. "I investigated Paula long ago. Truthfully, I've always considered Mr. Smith's death a mystery."

Cecilia's eyes widened in shock.

"I never told you this before," Norman continued, "but prior to Mr. Smith's death, we attempted to check whether his car had been tampered with."

"And then?"

"I was too late. The vehicle had been scrapped. Over the past few years, I finally located the dashcam footage. The driver braked suddenly; it seems almost… deliberate." A loud ringing echoed in Cecilia's ears. "I remember Paula saying my father's death was caused by a drunk driver's accident." The driver died instantly, leaving no confirmation.

Norman's brows creased. "Smith family vehicles are meticulously serviced; this has never happened before. I checked the garage logs; Paula drove the car the day before the accident. All these years, the idea of proving Paula's involvement seemed impossible, but I dare say she was certainly involved."

In the past, Cecilia wouldn't have believed it. But seeing Paula transfer all her assets to Regas… this woman never truly loved her father. Ralph was her true love; Cassandra was the embodiment of that love.

Cecilia gazed at the falling rain. She murmured, "Thank goodness Dad never found out." Otherwise, he would have been heartbroken.