Chapter 205
205:
Throwing up his hands, the angrier man blurted, “I must be losing my mind arguing with you! What’s the point of reasoning with an insane person? Claiming this cheap car’s worth millions? Please! If you’re so sure, say it for the camera—tell the whole world your little toy is worth millions, and that a minor scrape costs at least a million to fix.” He pulled out his phone, pressed record, and aimed the lens straight at Christina, determined to catch her on video. He figured the video going viral would be easy, especially with the gossip swirling around her name.
Eyes shining with a stubborn light, Christina faced the camera. “My car costs $9.99 million—believe it or not, that’s the math.” Her finger pointed firmly at the rear of the car. “There’s a warning right on the back that says, ‘Scratch it and you’ll pay dearly, stay away.’ I have warned you…”
Keeping up her charade, especially since the camera was on, Christina began, her eyes wide, “You kept recklessly swerving in front of me six times! I was terrified, and that’s exactly what caused the crash…”
Before Christina could finish, the burly man cut her off, his glare sharp as a blade. “Reckless? We barely edged into your lane. If anything, that’s what led to the rear-end collision…”
He loomed over Christina, bristling with hostility, forcing her to shrink back behind the traffic officer for cover. She dropped her gaze, her entire posture small and meek, the perfect picture of someone cornered and shaken.
A female officer caught Christina’s trembling form and leaned in, her tone gentle and reassuring. “Don’t worry. We’re here. They won’t lay a finger on you.”
“Okay,” Christina hoisted her head, sending the officer a look of gratitude. But when she met the man’s menacing scowl, she flinched, quickly ducking her head as if she were terrified.
Nobody caught the faint, almost sly curve to Christina’s lips. She knew too well that in conflicts, even if one was in the right, appearing aggressive often provoked bystanders’ instinctive opposition. Victims were always scrutinized for flaws by many online commentators.
gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰0𝗆; 𝓒𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝗍𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃
“Contact your insurance provider,” the male traffic officer demanded of the two men.
The two men exchanged nervous glances, shifting their weight. After a tense silence, one finally replied, “Our insurance lapsed… We didn’t renew it.”
The other man puffed out his chest and sneered, “No need for insurance. I’ll throw in a little extra—thirty grand, how’s that sound?”
Peering out from behind the traffic officer, Christina spoke up, her voice barely carrying. “Even ten times that amount wouldn’t make up for the damage you caused.”
The first man’s eyes narrowed dangerously, like he might lash out at any moment. “So that’s it? You’re just trying to exploit this mess?”
“I’m just telling the truth. I’ll call the insurance company right now,” Christina replied, already reaching for her phone.
“Go on! See if I back down!” the first man snapped, his threat laced with menace. “Try anything shady and you’ll regret it!”
Feigning panic, Christina fumbled with her phone, her hands trembling as she switched it on. Instead of contacting Chloe, the real car owner, she called Dylan, since Chloe’s current sight issue meant handling this situation might be beyond her capabilities.
In the conference room, tension was at its peak when a sharp ringtone shattered the silence.
.
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