Ch. 196..200: Begging For A Reconciliation Chapter 196-200

Chapter 196

It was noisy where Ron was; Leah could hear people talking in the background.

“Ron, is your girlfriend calling you?” “Ask her to join us! It’s been a while.” “Girlfriend? Ron, you have a girlfriend now?” “……”

Leah frowned. The noise finally stopped after a while. Ron spoke mischievously, “Have you borrowed from a loan shark? Or has someone tried to mess with you?”

“No to both your questions,” Leah replied, “Now you should answer my question.”

Ron answered, “First of all, loan shark harassment is an offense. Secondly, loan sharks who dare to do such things are usually backed by the cops. So, the cops would simply turn a blind eye to unimportant cases like this.”

Ron pulled out a cigarette. He took a puff before he continued. “I’d say anyone who’s borrowing from loan sharks is pretty shady. Why are you asking anyway? Is someone you know borrowing from loan sharks?”

Ron raised an eyebrow. Leah’s heart sank hearing his answer. The cops would not care about such cases; she should have known it. She sighed, “It’s nothing. Just asking.”

Not buying her answer, Ron asked impatiently, “Tell me if you’re in any trouble. I’ll take care of it for you.” Leah refused his offer, “It’s really nothing.”

“Fine. If you say so,” Ron shrugged. He asked instead, “Where are you now? I’ll go to you.”

“Why?” Leah was puzzled. Ron put out his cigarette as he chuckled, “I miss you.”

At a loss for words, she ended the call abruptly. She thought Ron was a nice guy, but he talked too much nonsense for her taste.

After breakfast, Leah was about to leave for money withdrawal, when she saw a black Bentley outside her house. She was startled for a moment and she continued walking.

Han watched her from his car until she was out of his sight. He tightened his grip. He knew she saw him in the car, but why did she ignore him?

Leah kept walking for a while before turning around to see if Han was following her. She was relieved to find no car following her.

She thought maybe he was simply passing by and maybe he did not intend to look for her. He had lost his memory, hadn’t he? He should have forgotten where she stayed by now.

Leah went to the bank to open a new account. She deposited 40 thousand dollars into the account.

At 6 p.m., she began to make a move to the abandoned chop shop Jack had asked yesterday to meet at. The sun was setting and it started to get chilly.

She wrapped herself tightly with her jacket and she made sure her dagger was in place. She hid a dagger by her waist underneath her black jacket. Feeling secure with her dagger, she slowly walked into the abandoned chop shop.

The rusty gates squeaked and echoed in the space as she pushed them open. Her heart raced as she entered the chop shop.

Someone called out to her. “Hey, you’re early. Got the money?” Leah was shocked. She took a deep breath to stifle the urge to scream.

“Where’s Regina?” Leah tried to remain calm. “I need to know she’s safe.” Her soft voice echoed in the abandoned chop shop.

Jack grinned as he examined Leah from head to toe. Leah was wearing a black jacket over a dress which showed off her long legs. She was undoubtedly a stunning beauty.

He lifted a satisfied smile, “Bring her here.” Following his order, a few men went away and they returned with Regina. Regina was starving and she looked terrible; Her makeup was smeared and her hair was unkempt.

Seeing Leah there, Regina yelled at her, “Stay out of my business, you nosy bitch!” Leah pursed her lip and she was relieved to see Regina unharmed otherwise.

“Now, where’s my money?” Jack asked, grinning. Leah slowly took out a bank card from her purse, “I’ve deposited 40 thousand dollars into this account.”

Jack’s eyes gleamed with greed. He was about to grab the bank card when Leah took it away. He frowned. “What are you trying to pull here?”

Leah glanced at Regina and she said as calmly as she could, “How do I know if I can trust you? Let her go first, and then I will give you the money.”

“Bitch, don’t try to mess with me,” Jack scowled. Leah replied, poker-faced, “I have no reason to trick you. I only want to make sure she’s safe and the money’s all yours.”

Jack looked at her and Regina. Even if they were to try to pull a fast one, they wouldn’t be able to run away from him and his men. He made up his mind.

He walked toward Regina. With a mocking grin, he lightly tapped her face. “You should be grateful your bestie is here to save you.” Regina glowered, “She’s not my bestie! She’s a busybody and nothing more.”

“I don’t care,” Jack pushed Regina toward Leah. Regina staggered and Leah quickly tried to help her steady herself. Annoyed, Regina frowned at Leah.

Regina had never thought Leah would save her after what Regina said. She hated Leah’s guts for taking away what belonged to her. Now this woman was here to rescue her.

“Are you okay?” Leah asked Regina with a concerned look. Regina avoided eye contact with her and she simply shook her head.

“It’s not the time to catch up now. Where’s my money?” Jack urged. Now she had made sure Regina was safe, Leah threw the bank card toward Jack. “Take it.”

As Jack tried to grab the card, Leah attempted to leave the chop shop with Regina.

Chapter 197

Leah and Regina wobbled toward the exit. Before they reached it, someone stopped them in their tracks. “Stop right there! Who says you can go now?”

Two thugs swiftly blocked their way and they locked the exit. Leah’s heart sank seeing their only way out taken away from them right in front of their eyes.

She frowned at Jack, who was carefully placing the bank card into his pocket. He grinned at the two women. Leah’s eyes glinted with hostility. “Why can’t we go now? I have already given you the money. Are you going back on your word now?”

Leah had learned from the time she spent with Han to become cold and menacing when the situation called for it. Jack was briefly intimidated by the way she glared at him.

He approached Leah while checking her out from head to toe. “How can I be sure you won’t go to the cops the minute I let you go?”

Leah hid Regina behind her and she tried to remain calm. “I’ve made a promise I won’t go to the cops. I will never go back on my word.”

“Unfortunately I don’t know you enough to trust you,” Jack said, smiling. Leah’s blood turned cold. She knew he was up to something. She asked coldly, “How can I earn your trust then?”

She could feel Jack’s eyes devouring her. He said with a mischievous smile, “All you have to do is let us take a few pictures. Then, we’re good.”

Leah hesitated. “What kind of pictures are you talking about?” Jack scowled at her, “What else? We both know you’re soiled goods. Don’t try to play the innocent here.”

She realized instantly what Jack wanted – her nudes. He would threaten to release her nudes if she went to the cops. Her face turned pale. She took a deep breath and she refused blatantly, “No fucking

way.”

“Well, it’s your choice. No pictures, no leaving this place,” Jack said in a menacing tone, “What’s the big deal anyway? You’re already selling your body.”

Regina’s face fell. She didn’t expect Jack to ask for such an impossible request after they gave him the money. Leah was Han’s woman; there was no way she would agree to this.

“I’ll do it,” Regina bit her lip, determined, “You’ll let her go.” Jack sneered at her, “Come on! Everyone’s seen your body. Your nude is not worth a dime.”

Regina’s face went as white as a ghost. Leah scowled at the giggling men, “Show some respect to the lady, will you?”

“Or what? Are you going to beat us up?” Jack chuckled, looking at Leah with disdain. Leah pursed her lip and she instinctively moved to touch the dagger by her waist.

She kept the dagger hidden and she asked, “So are you saying you’re not letting us go without taking my nudes, even if we have already given you the money?”

“Nobody is leaving without taking nudes,” Jack said and he turned to signal his men. Two men began walking toward Leah. She held her breath, ready to fight for her life.

They left her with no choice but to fight back now. She took out her dagger when the two men were merely a few steps away from her. The dagger gleamed in the dim light of the chop shop.

Leah stood in front of Regina, holding the dagger tightly. She threatened, “One step closer and you’re dead!” Jack was stunned momentarily; he didn’t expect her to be prepared.

The thug on Leah’s right laughed and he challenged her, “Show us what you’ve got! Do you dare to stab me in the neck?” He thought she was bluffing and she wouldn’t hurt him.

Feeling confident, the thug charged toward her. Caught off guard, Leah swung the dagger around while screaming. The thug yelled in pain as blood oozed from his wrist.

Leah was startled. She didn’t expect the thug to charge at her and she could actually hurt him. Her face turned pale and she was so overwhelmed she couldn’t move.

Regina swiftly reacted. She grabbed Leah’s arm, “Let’s go now!” Leah panicked and she remained still with her dagger.

This gave Jack an opening to attack Leah. He rushed toward her to grab her dagger. Leah instinctively backed away, “Stay back!”

Regina knew they had to leave now or never. She tried to force Leah to move toward the exit, but Jack wouldn’t back down.

Jack and Leah struggled to take control of the dagger. He was furious; he didn’t expect her to be so stubborn. Outraged, he grabbed Leah’s wrist to turn the dagger toward her instead.

Leah was so focused on gaining control of the dagger, she didn’t notice what he was doing. She felt someone gripping her shoulders, “Watch out!”

Before she could react, Regina had thrown herself between Leah and Jack. She turned pale and she coughed blood. Her hands fell from Leah’s shoulders.

“Regina!” Leah screamed and she held Regina in her arms. She could feel blood on her hands. Leah shook like a leaf at the sight of Regina’s blood.

Jack was also stunned to see Regina taking the hit for Leah. He never thought Regina was capable of being selfless.

“Help! Call the ambulance!” Leah held Regina tightly and she tried her best to stop Regina’s bleeding while screaming in agony.

Chapter 198

Jack and the thugs looked at one another and their faces turned pale. It was a no-brainer they weren’t calling the ambulance.

More importantly, they couldn’t let the two women live to call the cops on them. Jack swiftly took the dagger from the ground.

Leah could only focus on Regina right now. Regina was stabbed in the back and she was soaked in blood. Her body became cold and she was shivering.

“Why?” Leah mumbled in a quavering voice, “Why did you take the hit for me? I thought you hated me. Why did you save me?”

Regina’s arms were lying weakly beside her body. The blood had drained from her face. She lifted a faint smile, “You’re not wrong. I hate you because Han loves you.”

Leah took her phone with a trembling hand. “Shhh, stop talking now. I’ll get you an ambulance and I’ll make sure you’re okay. Then, you can talk as much as you like.”

Regina smiled weakly. “Leah, you’re still so naive.” Does Leah truly believe they could walk out of this chop shop alive?

Leah had always been a naive and simple girl since high school. Regina approached Leah with the ulterior motive to snatch Han away from her, but Leah thought they were friends and she told her everything.

“If you weren’t so naive, I wouldn’t be able to get close enough to steal your cell phone,” Regina said feebly. Her mind became crystal clear as she was on the brink of death. She thought about her life and she tried to remember as much as she could.

Regina tugged at Leah’s sleeve with her bloodstained hand. “Even though you’re so naive, I’m jealous of you for getting Han’s attention. You’ve been loving him the past ten years, and so have I.”

“Do you remember the only text Han ever replied to you? You’ve probably forgotten all about it. I remember you asking Han to stay and go to college together. He replied saying yes. I also remember the day he snapped a picture of you using your cell phone when you were asleep. I’ve been so jealous of you. I wanted so badly to be you…” Regina’s voice faltered.

Leah’s mind went blank. She didn’t recall any of these, but tears were rolling down her cheeks as she listened to Regina. “Will you please stop talking? Tell me more after we get out, okay?”

“Did you truly believe we could walk out of here alive?” Regina sneered at her and she coughed more blood. “Don’t be naive, Leah.”

Trembling, Leah wiped away Regina’s blood. Leah’s warmth reminded Regina of her dying body. She lifted a weak smile. “I used to hate your gut because you took away the love of my life. Now I can no longer hate you.”

She paused to take a deep breath. “Why did you have to get me water miles away in the dead of winter? Why did you have to help me with homework until late at night? Why did you have to take the blame for me to run around the field?”

Her voice was faltering and her vision became blurry. She grabbed Leah’s hand, “I wish we had never met, Leah. Maybe then, my life will end differently.”

Leah couldn’t stop sobbing. Regina was dying and Leah couldn’t do anything to help. She could only hold Regina tightly, begging her to stay alive, “Please, stop talking. You’ll be okay, I promise. When you’re healthy again, you can tell me anything you want.”

Despite Leah desperately trying to keep Regina alive, Regina slowly shut her eyes. Before she drew her last breath, Regina muttered, “I’m glad I got to know you, Leah.”

Regina fell silent in Leah’s arms. Leah couldn’t believe it. She cried in despair, “Help! Can someone save her please?” Nobody was there to help them.

Jack walked toward her, grinning. “Don’t worry, you’ll be with her soon enough.” Leah didn’t hear him. All she could think of right now was Regina and their memories together in high school.

Taking advantage of the situation, Jack pointed the dagger at Leah’s back. He was about to stab her when someone barged into the chop shop. The thugs shouted in surprise, “Ron!”

Ron was standing by the exit. He instantly saw Leah kneeling on the ground. After the call with Leah this morning, he went to do some investigations and he found something fishy.

He got here following the leads he found and all he could see entering this place was a blood-soaked Leah. He was boiling with anger. Furious, he kicked at Jack and Jack fell.

The men tailing Ron were in a rage. “How dare you touch Ron’s girl? Do you want to die?” One of them asked Ron, “What should we do with them?”

Ron replied coldly, “Kill them all.” Jack’s blood turned cold. He fell to his knees and he begged for forgiveness. “I’m sorry! I didn’t know she was your girl, Ron. Please forgive us!”

His pleas fell on deaf ears. Before he could finish his sentence, Ron’s men took him away – they wouldn’t kill him in front of Leah.

It was quiet again in the chop shop. Ron approached Leah cautiously. He gently touched her shoulder, “Are you okay?”

Leah looked at Ron with her tear-stained face. She saw a gleam of hope in him. “Ron, you’re here. Please save her…”

 

Chapter 199

Ron glanced at the lifeless woman in Leah’s arms and he knew instantly Regina was dead.

In the many years treading the underbelly of the city, he had killed countless people and it was clear as day to him Regina was beyond saving.

Ron sighed and he took Leah’s hand. “Let’s take you home first, and then I’ll take care of this woman, alright?” Leah shook her head, seemingly in a daze. “No, we have to send her to the hospital. She needs treatment. She cannot die like this.”

His heart clenched in his chest looking at a crestfallen Leah. He shouldn’t feel anything by now seeing Regina dead, but he cared about Leah.

Leah couldn’t accept the fact Regina was dead. She wouldn’t allow her friend to die in front of her, especially when Regina sacrificed herself for Leah.

Ron knew he had to tell her the truth no matter how cruel it was. “She’s dead. There’s nothing a doctor can do now. If we send her to the hospital, the cops will get involved and they’ll find out about Jack and us eventually.”

He had tried his best to analyze the situation, hoping Leah would return to her senses. She was choking back tears as she mumbled, “No, she’s not dead. You’re lying. Stop lying to me!”

She wasn’t listening to him. He stepped forward to carry her in his arms. He said softly, “I’ll take good care of her body, alright?” Leah tugged at his shirt and she cried her heart out.

Leah knew what was happening, but she couldn’t accept it. She couldn’t accept the fact Regina died because of her. I thought you hated me! Why did you risk your life to save me?

Ron’s heart ached with pity for her. He let out a deep breath. He told his men to take care of things and he carried Leah to the White residence.

After a shower, Leah stopped crying, but she still looked dazed. While she was showering, Ron quickly whipped up some pasta.

“Hungry? I’ve made pasta. Get over here and grab some,” he asked, seeing Leah fresh out of the shower. Her hair was still wet but she didn’t seem to care.

She sat down by the dining table, but she didn’t feel like eating. Ron was nervous as this was his first time cooking for Leah. Even though he had made pasta before, he wasn’t confident Leah would like the taste.

Leah eventually thanked him and she took a bite. She had barely eaten when she started sobbing again. She asked Ron, “What did you do with her body?”

She looked pale, but she was calm. Her heart ached when she thought of Regina’s lifeless body in her arms. Ron answered swiftly, “My boys have sent her to a funeral home. They will take care of everything from there, so don’t worry.”

Leah sighed. “I haven’t even told her I’m sorry.” Ron sat down beside her, “It’s not your fault.” Leah shook her head, “No, it’s my fault.”

“If I hadn’t looked for her last night; if I hadn’t brought a dagger; if I hadn’t stayed after giving the money, would she still be alive now? Maybe she wouldn’t be dead now.” She buried her face in her hands, weeping uncontrollably.

Ron tried to comfort her. “It’s not your fault. It’s not, alright?” Leah was inconsolable. She continued crying for almost an hour before she finally fell asleep.

He waited until she was sound asleep before he gently carried her back to her bed. He tucked her in and he quietly left the room.

Leah was in a bad place for a long time after Regina’s death. She barely gathered herself to deal with Regina’s funeral together with Ron. Two weeks later, they found Regina’s final resting place and she was given a proper burial.

Regina’s funeral was carried out on a rainy day, attended by only Leah and Ron. Ron followed Leah silently, holding an umbrella over both their heads.

As the coffin was lowered, Ron asked, “Should we inform her stepfather?” Leah recalled how Regina despised the man for beating her and selling her to Colors. She pursed her lip and she shook her head. “No, he doesn’t deserve to know.”

Ron nodded and he took over a paper box from his men. “Well, my boys took a trip to Regina’s place and here are all her things in this box. It’s not a lot.”

Leah took the box. It was light. For the 25 years Regina had lived, she had only left behind this much. She glanced up at Ron, “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” Ron waved his hand. Leah opened the box with a smile. Even though it was raining, she could see the contents of the box without getting wet, as Ron’s umbrella was big enough to cover both of them.

There weren’t a lot of things, but Leah found quite a bit of unexpected stuff. For example, there was a stack of love letters addressed to Han; Regina wrote a letter every year during high school.

There was also a photo album. Leah found Regina’s pictures from young until she was a grownup. She was seen together with her family in some of them when she was still a carefree girl, smiling from ear to ear.

Leah turned a page and she was stunned. She saw two girls in a photo with the same hairstyle, smiling at the camera. It was a photo of Regina and Leah taken during high school.

She took the photo out. At the back of the photo, someone wrote, “Regina’s best friend at 16.” Leah stared at the words and tears began to well up in her eyes.

Regina did consider Leah as her best friend for a time. Perhaps it was all Leah needed to know.

Chapter 200

With Regina’s belongings in her arms, Leah walked out of the cemetery with Ron.

The rain had stopped, and the sky turned sunny again. Ron put away his umbrella and looked at Leah. “Where are you going? Let me drive you there!” he said

Leah had been very depressed lately. Ron was afraid that something would happen to her and wanted to keep her company.

After thinking for a while, Leah looked at Regina’s belongings in her arms. Regina wrote ten letters to Han every year, but none of them were delivered to him.

Leah recalled what Regina said while holding her hand tightly, “I love him as much as you do!” Regina loved Han deeply, and she should let Han know about it.

Leah held the box tightly and said, “Let’s go to the Howard Group.”

Hearing that, Ron frowned and asked, “Are you going to look for Han?”

“Yes, I want to give Regina’s belongings to him,” Leah answered.

Although Ron did not want Leah to meet Han again, he had no choice seeing her firm attitude. He could not help but sigh. “Okay. I’ll drive you there.”

The two drove to the Howard Group. Leah had worked in the company for two months before, so she was quite familiar with the people in the company. She also knew the two girls at the front desk. It should not be a problem for her to go see Han after talking to them.

With the box in her hands, Leah walked to the reception. Ron was waiting for her at the door. In fact, he hated the place. He stood at the door with his arms crossed over his chest. He then lit a cigarette and began to smoke.

However, as soon as Leah walked in, the receptionists’ expressions changed at the sight of her.

“I’m looking for Han. I have something to give him. Can you help me inform him?” Leah asked politely.

In fact, people in the company kept slandering and spreading rumors about Leah when she worked there, but she never cared or tried to defend herself. Everyone thought she was easily bullied, so they only took her silence as acquiescence and looked down upon her. Not only that, the whole company was still talking about how Molly fired her. As soon as Leah appeared, the girls at the front desk looked at her contemptuously.

“I’m sorry, Ms. White. CEO has made an announcement that he won’t see you if you come to look for him.”

Leah was used to hearing such contempt. Their words did not affect her feelings at all. She held the box and said expressionlessly, “Really? Then I’ll wait here for him.”

There was a small couch in the lobby for guests. Leah sat down with the box in her arms. She knew Han had to go out for lunch. She planned to give the box to her when she saw him.

The girls at the front desk looked at each other and were stunned. Leah was not a bit embarrassed at all even though they tried to disdain her with their words.

“TSK! TSK! She’s so shameless. Why is she still waiting here when Mr. Howard already said he refuses to see her?”

“Yeah, she was so arrogant when she left. But look at her now. She comes back to ingratiate herself with Mr. Howard again.”

“But Mr. Howard gets back with Ms. Lamere? She has no chance at all.”

Hearing their sarcastic words, Leah was not a bit affected. She did not know how long she had been waiting. When she was about to lose her patience, the door of the VIP lift suddenly opened.

Leah quickly picked up the box and stood up. As soon as the lift opened, Han walked out with several people around him.

When the girls at the front desk saw that, they quickly greeted Han nervously, “Good afternoon, Mr. Howard.”

At the same time, they observed Han’s reaction, fearing that he was unhappy. After all, Han had scolded them for neglecting Leah before.

However, Han walked out of the lift and walked out as if he did not see Leah at all.

Seeing that, Leah immediately stopped him. “Han, I have something to give you.”

As expected, Han halted, but he did not turn around. Leah rushed toward him.

However, as soon as Leah looked at him, she saw a touch of impatience in his cold eyes. Han looked at her as if she was a stranger.

Leah was stunned.

The next second, Han asked impatiently, “What is it?”

Leah opened the box and took out ten letters. ”These are ten love letters from Regina…”

However, before she could finish her words, Han interrupted her coldly, “Love letters?”

Leah frowned. She did not like Han interrupting her.

Ignoring her, Han sneered and looked at the letters in Leah’s hands with disdain. “Ms. White, please, we are all adults. and I’m not interested in these things.”

“No, you must take them. They are from Regina…” Leah said again.

“You want money, I already give it to you. Why are you still pestering me? Don’t you think you’re cheap?” Han’s voice was as cold as ice.

In fact, every word Han said seemed like a knife, stabbing Leah’s heart. Leah could not help but frown. Why is he suddenly behaving like that? He is not like that before! she mused.

“Get out of my way!” Han ordered coldly.

Leah gritted her teeth. However, thinking of Regina who had died in her arms, she plucked up her courage and said, “No matter what, you must take these letters!”

“What?” Han raised his hand and took a letter from Leah’s hand.

A bad feeling rose in Leah’s heart.

The next second, Han tore the envelope in half in front of her.

Leah looked at Han in disbelief. How could he do that? When did he become so cold-hearted? she wondered.

Leah bit her lip and could not help quivering. No, he has always been like that. I was the one who thought he had changed. Does he return to who he used to be now that he has lost his memory?