Chapter 4

I turned to leave, but Vivian snapped at me.

"Nathan, I don't want to fight with you today. Fine. We'll use one chance."

With the certainty of someone who had already won, she ordered, "Come here and apologize to Caleb."

The moment I heard her, my steps stopped completely.

Vivian repeated calmly, "Come here. Apologize to Caleb."

She was certain I would agree.

Certain I would fulfill her indulgence of Caleb, just like the ninety-nine times before.

When I didn't move, Caleb gave the people around him a look.

They understood immediately and began speaking over one another.

"Mr. Reed, you can't say that. How could you not know us? You're the one who hired us. Three hundred each. You said we had to help you get justice."

"Didn't you say we should beat him until he admitted fault? Were we not harsh enough?"

"Exactly. You said Mr. Quinn killed your child, and you said no matter what, we had to make him pay with his life. The chat records are still here. Look, and the transfers too..."

The chat logs and payment records on their phones looked real enough to fool anyone.

One by one, they swiped their screens and showed the "proof" that I'd ordered them.

I laughed, speechless.

Caleb had really gone to great lengths to frame me.

After seeing what seemed like solid evidence, Vivian folded her arms and stared down at me.

"Nathan, what else do you have to say?

"Everything can be discussed properly. Why do you have to be so hostile toward Caleb? Yes, he was wrong to speed, but you also failed to protect me. Otherwise, the baby wouldn't have died."

What a perfect reversal of blame.

I didn't argue anymore. I only exhaled and asked her with utter seriousness, word by word, "Are you sure you want to use one chance?"

Vivian scoffed, utterly dismissive.

"Since we made the bet, both of us should be able to play by the rules. Don't tell me you're backing out."

I pulled my lips into a bitter smile, walked over to Caleb, and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Quinn. I shouldn't have hired people to hurt you."

The moment I finished, Vivian froze and seemed about to step forward.

Caleb suddenly shivered, instantly drawing her attention.

"Leave."

That was all she said before she turned around and cared for Caleb attentively.

The roomful of people followed me out of the ward, gloating.

"Mr. Quinn is so generous. Three hundred for sitting in a ward for an hour, haha."

I stopped suddenly, and they shut their mouths.

After leaving the hospital, I went home and packed quickly.

Then I printed the divorce agreement my father had sent me, signed it, and took a photo.

Once everything was done, I left for the airport.

I could play by the rules.

I hoped Vivian Blake could too.

In the ward, Caleb's condition remained poor. He looked dazed and unstable.

Vivian, in a fit of anger, rushed out of the ward and grabbed the group of people.

"Where's Nathan? I'm calling the police for Caleb. He needs to suffer a little before he'll learn!"

The moment the group heard "police," they panicked and started calling for Caleb.

"We don't want to go to jail over three hundred dollars. Mr. Quinn, when you hired us, didn't you say there'd be no police?"

Vivian's face went blank.

Then her phone rang several times.

She unlocked the screen and saw my message.

You used up all one hundred chances, Vivian Blake. It's time for our divorce.