Chapter 131: Revenge
If Brad hadn't shown up in time, I'd be a wreck.
And it all started with Zoe, kneeling by my bed, looking pitiful.
No need to ask for proof; my gut said it was her. I was sure of it.
No one else would be this cruel; no one else hated me enough to do something so evil.
Seeing her, my anger and fear surged. I wanted to tear her apart to calm the rage inside me.
My expression must've been fierce because Zoe, usually bold, stepped back. She tried to grab Daniel's hand, but he pushed her away.
For the first time in over five years, Daniel pushed Zoe away for me.
Maybe Daniel was not all bad. He could tell right from wrong. Zoe's past mistakes were minor and forgivable. But this time, it was criminal, and Daniel made the right call.
Zoe knelt, trembling. If I didn't know her true nature, I might've been fooled by her frail act and thought I was the guilty one.
"Jane, I interrogated those two. Zoe paid them. I didn't know beforehand, but it started because of me. Now they're here. It's up to you how to deal with them."
Daniel's face was ice-cold. "Zoe, you're vicious. I underestimated you. No matter what Jane decides, you owe her a sincere apology. You can never repay what you owe her."
"Daniel, I didn't mean for this to happen. I just wanted them to beat Jane up, not rape her."
Brad's face turned to rage.
Daniel, standing close to Zoe, stepped forward and kicked her shoulder.
Already kneeling, Zoe fell to the ground, screaming in pain.
Early morning in a hospital, such a scream could make people think someone just died.
"Zoe, shut up, and you might suffer less. Talking nonsense won't end well for you; understand that."
Daniel was Zoe's support, and now even he was against her. She looked at the three of us, realizing no one would help her. She became more obedient.
In a few breaths, her eyes filled with tears. Struggling up, she crawled to Daniel and hugged his leg, crying pitifully.
"Daniel, I'm a girl too. How could I do something so terrible? I just wanted them to beat Jane up, nothing more. And I knew they were unreliable, so I recorded our conversation. I really didn't tell them to do that."
"Yes, it's Jane. She's too beautiful, and those two couldn't control themselves. It has nothing to do with me, really, Daniel. Listen to the recording. I'm not lying. I'm not as evil as you think. I was just jealous of her. I never thought it would get so serious. I was wrong, Daniel. I was wrong. Please don't abandon me."
Even now, she was dodging responsibility, ignoring the damage she caused me.
How could she not see that if those two had succeeded, my life would be ruined?
"Vicious and shameless, Zoe, how could you be like this?" I was speechless at her words and actions.
Daniel took the phone, pushed her away, and hit play.
The recording was short, less than ten minutes.
Zoe paid them two thousand dollars to beat me up, as long as they didn't kill me.
These two were just thugs who never do anything legit. When they heard they could get paid for beating someone up, they happily agreed and promised to do a good job and satisfy Zoe.
The recording didn't mention rape. I didn't know if Zoe really hadn't said it or if the recording had been edited to remove that part.
If it was the former, maybe I could let Zoe off after she learned her lesson.
But if it was the latter, and she had deliberately tried to ruin me, then there was nothing more to say. She had to go to jail.
As the mastermind, her crime wouldn't be any lighter than those who committed the violence.
An apology was just the first step in her redemption.
"It's not just about forgiveness now. Your actions broke the law, and explanations won't cut it. Zoe, I've forgiven and tolerated you for all your past excesses. But for this, you must take responsibility."
Daniel looked down, feeling ashamed and unsure about what would happen next.
Zoe paused, then realized what Daniel meant. She turned and threw herself on the bed, hugging my leg. "Jane, forgive me. Daniel treats you so well, I was just blinded by jealousy. I never intended to ruin your reputation. I swear, if I ever had such malicious thoughts, I'd deserve to drop dead. We don't have any deep-seated hatred; I could never go that far. Believe me, Jane, I'm not that bad."
She shook my leg, and my knee, which had hit the ground when I fell, started to ache.
Brad, who had been cold-faced since Zoe and Daniel entered, became even colder and more frustrated when he saw my furrowed brow.
I wanted to speak, but Brad stopped me with a look, telling me to rest and leave everything to him.
He said he would ensure a fair outcome for me.
Daniel and Zoe were taken out of the room by Brad for a talk.
I didn't know where they went or what they discussed, nor did I want to know. I just told Brad that wrong is wrong, and I wouldn't accept any out-of-court settlements.
With Brad handling it, I felt reassured.
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