Chapter 100 Monica's Mother
Rachel, even though she didn't want to, stuck out her ankle for treatment so it could heal faster.
After checking her out, the doctor rummaged through his kit and said, "Ms. Williams is okay, but her almost-healed ligament got strained again. She needs to rest."
"Is it really that bad?" Michael wondered, seeing Rachel's face turn serious.
Just when she was about to ditch the crutches, she had to start all over again. She bit her lip in frustration, her chest rising and falling with anger.
The doctor finished up and left.
Rachel rubbed her temples, looking worn out. She said coldly, "Mr. Smith, you can go too. Every time you show up, you bring trouble. I hope you won't come around anymore."
Michael frowned, about to say something, when his phone rang. It was Mandy.
For some reason, he hesitated, especially with Rachel right there. The tension in the room thickened as he debated whether to answer.
Finally, he picked up, knowing Mandy would keep calling until he did.
"Mandy," Michael said flatly, but his eyes flicked to Rachel.
Weirdly, he expected some reaction from her, but she was just looking down, messing with her nails, her face blank and detached. It was like she didn't care who he was talking to or why.
That realization stung. A woman who didn't care about another woman in his life was proof enough she didn't love him anymore.
"Michael? Michael?" Mandy's voice snapped him back.
Michael's voice dropped. "What's up?"
"Why didn't you answer earlier?" Mandy sounded a bit annoyed.
"Sorry, I was just lost in thought and didn't notice. What's up?" Michael replied, still flat.
"Did you forget you're supposed to come over for dinner tonight?" Mandy's tone softened.
Michael blinked, remembering. "Sorry, I forgot."
"I thought so, that's why I called. By the way, where are you now?" Mandy asked gently.
Michael glanced at Rachel and said calmly, "Meeting a client."
Rachel raised an eyebrow, looking amused.
Michael felt a bit awkward, cleared his throat. "I'll be there soon."
"Okay, I'll wait for you," Mandy said with a smile.
Michael hung up.
Rachel crossed her arms, grinning. "So I'm your client now? Didn't think you'd lie, that's new."
Michael's face showed a flash of embarrassment before he composed himself. He turned to Rachel, "I'm leaving. About the divorce settlement, I hope you'll think it over."
"There's nothing to think about. I said I don't want it, and I won't take it," Rachel replied coolly.
Michael pressed his lips together, wanting to say more, but her indifference stopped him. He left without another word.
In the days that followed, Rachel threw herself into the lawsuit, going after Monica, the marketing account, and the netizens. The online crowd watched the case closely.
In the end, the marketing account managers got detained for three to five days, and the other slanderous netizens were fined.
Monica was hell-bent on appealing after losing the first trial, even though her lawyer warned her it was a long shot. At best, she might get a lighter sentence, but she wasn't getting off the hook.
Today was the day of the trial.
Rachel walked into the courthouse with John by her side. Her foot was healing up nicely. She couldn't run or jump yet, but at least she didn't need crutches anymore. Just as she was about to step inside, someone called out, "Ms. Williams."
Rachel stopped and turned with John. The voice belonged to a well-dressed, middle-aged woman who looked pretty worried.
Rachel asked politely, "Hello, who are you?"
The woman forced a smile. "I'm Monica's mother, Scarlett Gonzalez."
Rachel's expression turned a bit colder. "So, Mrs. Turner, what can I do for you?"
"Monica's dead set on getting off scot-free, so she's appealing, but it's not gonna change much. She'll still have to serve time. Her mom's probably here to ask you to drop the charges," John whispered in Rachel's ear.
Even though John spoke softly, Scarlett heard him. Her face turned a bit red. "Ms. Williams, Mr. Davis is right. That's why I'm here."
"Told you," John said, looking unsurprised.
Rachel rolled her eyes at him, then turned to Scarlett, her smile cold. "Mrs. Turner, I'm sorry, but I won't drop the charges."
Scarlett hadn't expected such a blunt refusal. Her face stiffened, and a hint of displeasure crept in.
But Scarlett quickly composed herself and pleaded, "Ms. Williams, I know Monica went too far, but she's realized her mistake. Could you..."
"No!" Rachel cut her off coldly. "Mrs. Turner, if she knows she was wrong, why hasn't she apologized to me? And as her mother, if you recognize her mistake, why haven't you guided her?"
John, with his hands behind his head, chimed in leisurely, "Exactly. All the way to the final trial, seeing Monica about to be sentenced, you rush over, without any gifts, just expecting Rachel to let Monica off. That's too insincere."
Scarlett clenched her hands, feeling ashamed and speechless. She had thought persuading Rachel would be easy. Who knew they'd be so firm?
Rachel, not wanting to continue with Scarlett, said to John, "Alright, let's go."
As they turned to leave, Scarlett suddenly grabbed Rachel's hand. "Ms. Williams, please let my daughter go."
Rachel frowned, trying to pull her hand away.
But Scarlett held on tighter, refusing to let go. "Ms. Williams, I'm begging you, please agree. If you do, I promise to bring Monica to apologize in person. Please, Ms. Williams."
"Mrs. Turner, I've made myself clear. I won't drop the charges, so your request is pointless. Please let go, okay?" Rachel said impatiently.
Scarlett seemed not to hear, staring at her with a determined look. "Ms. Williams, are you really this heartless?"
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