When a Life Is Worth Only 100 Bucks のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 10

As I stared fixedly at the screen of my phone, a scene from years ago popped into my head. I remembered the way Alicia had cried at Dad's funeral and promised him she would take care of me for the rest of my life in his place.I could still remember the light in her eyes back then, but the light now shone on someone else.It was as if my phone had turned into a pile of bricks. I could barely hold onto it.With shaky fingers, I checked the comments on the post. I wanted to write something, but all I managed to type was a string of gibberish.Her second last post had been a photo of her and Randall holding glasses of red wine. The caption read, "Cheers to not spending 100 dollars on a cab."It was posted on the same day that Mom was killed, after the ransom deadline passed.Out of nowhere, I let out a hollow laugh that seemed to have been squeezed out of my chest by force. My fingers almost bore into the screen as I typed out, "That strapped for cash, huh? I'll give you an extra 20

"There's nothing going on between Randall and me," Alicia said. "He's just a childhood friend. I'm only helping him because—""Get lost!" I snapped icily as I threw her hand off me. "I don't care what you two are. It's none of my business what kind of sordid things you've done behind my back. I don't give a damn about the lengths you're willing to go to for that loser."Alicia's expression froze."Fine! So be it, Gregory! You want a divorce, huh? You're getting one! Don't come begging to get back together with me after that!" she screamed in humiliation before grabbing Randall off the ground. "Let's go!"I stood alone in the garden, taking in the house. Then, I slowly started cleaning up the mess. From now on, I would remain here to keep the memory of this house alive.…"Mr. Kane, the Fangorian court says there's still some key information missing from the evidence we've provided. Please come over as soon as possible. It's best if you can clarify things in person."After the ca

"That's impossible!" Alicia insisted. "Say that again!""It's true. I asked around and found out that no rescue team was ever sent out that day. The kidnappers killed her the moment the three-day deadline passed. The Fangorian court is already preparing to start the trial," the caller reported.Alicia's phone slipped from her hand with a clatter, the screen shattering when it hit the floor. She stumbled backward, her heels kicking up even more of the ashes."No… That's impossible…"She shook her head blankly before rushing up to me, questioning me, "Didn't you say everything was over? How could she be… He's lying to me, isn't he?"I slowly lifted my head, blood and tears blurring my vision. "Are you satisfied now?"Alicia became even more hysterical, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me violently. "Gregory! Why didn't you tell me!"Her nails dug into my flesh as she screamed, "You did it on purpose, didn't you!"I stared at her twisted expression before laughing. "Why didn't I

The slap split the corner of Randall's mouth. Alicia's palm went numb, but she wasn't satisfied yet. She raised her hand to strike again when, from the corner of her eye, she saw me stagger."Gregory!"She instantly threw down the metal bat and rushed over to catch me. All of her earlier aggression was replaced by tender concern as she held me protectively.Dazed, I looked at her face that was inches away from mine. Her sweat-soaked bangs clung to her forehead. Her red, swollen eyes were full of worry. Blood clung to the corner of her mouth, a result of the earlier fight.For a moment, I saw a face that was lifted straight out of my memory—the face of a teenage girl tutoring me in the classroom after school."You got this question wrong again," the 17-year-old Alicia said as she tapped my forehead with her pen. "You're hopeless."My parents would always invite her to stay for dinner, reserving the juiciest piece of steak for her.The day Alicia got accepted into her chosen col

I immediately threw myself back into the grueling task of gathering evidence for Mom's case. The process was far harder than I had anticipated.The kidnappers did a good job of hiding themselves. They didn't fear for their lives anyway, making their fortunes by kidnapping people in war-torn regions. They feared nothing and no one.To make matters worse, the local authorities were corrupt and badly run, unable to uphold even the most basic justice.I spent all my time collecting evidence. I hired the best lawyer I could find. I even went to the media and got the public to help apply some pressure.In the end, I succeeded.The day the court convened, I sat with the prosecution and watched as the court officers led in the once-arrogant kidnappers. They now looked glum and defeated, with no trace of their previous bravado to be found.When the judge read the final verdict, my hands trembled."The Court finds the defendants guilty on all charges. The defendants are hereby sentenced t