Using money to measure a life, a family, is truly too cruel.
Elisha’s wife trembled all over. “He, before he went out, our son told him he wanted to eat the candied fruit from the street corner, but… but…”
She couldn’t continue, and Callie averted her gaze, unable to bear the sight.
“When our family was at its lowest, Elisha said he wished he could get hit by a car to get compensation for our son’s medical treatment.” She spoke numbly, tears streaming down her face. “I never thought it would actually come true.”
Jaquan took a deep drag on his cigarette.
After a long while, Elisha’s wife finally stood up. “I want you to be responsible for my son’s medical and nutritional expenses from now until he recovers.”
This request was not excessive; it could even be considered very kind.
Jaquan frowned. “Of course, and besides that, you can ask for more compensation.”
“He died for this; I don’t want to turn his death into a tool for making money.” The woman had suffered enough in life but still managed to maintain the dignity of her and her husband.
Callie almost admired her.
After speaking, Elisha’s wife dragged her weary body towards the hospital room. At the door, she paused, took a deep breath, and then walked in.
In the empty corridor, only Callie and Jaquan remained, staring at each other from a distance, feeling the weight of life.
“You knew all along.” Leaving the hospital, Callie stood in the wind, feeling the cold that cleared her mind.
Jaquan took out another cigarette from the pack and lit it.
“You knew about Elisha’s family situation and chose his construction team for this project. He was no different from a desperado; once something happened, he could take all the blame for you.”
The competition in business always instilled fear.
The smoke Jaquan exhaled swirled around him. “Don’t pretend you know me so well. I never thought that way.”
“The facts in front of me tell me otherwise.” Callie felt estranged from the man beside her.
From the beginning of their interactions, she sensed that he was a mysterious and sinister man. She must have been blinded to think he was lonely and had a conscience!
Jaquan didn’t speak. After a while, Callie looked up and was surprised to see his hand holding the cigarette trembling. The bloodstains on the back of his hand made him look even more like a desperado.
He took a deep breath and gave his final answer. “No matter what you think, I didn’t intend to kill anyone.”
Callie continued walking forward.
“If this hadn’t happened, I should be at the Ellison family estate right now, clinking glasses with those hypocrites instead of standing here in the cold wind.” Jaquan’s voice followed her, repeating, “I didn’t want this, Callie.”
Hearing this, she finally stopped.
So Jaquan was supposed to be at the Ellison family today for New Year’s. No wonder Regan found out about the project’s accident immediately.
Seeing her stop, Jaquan approached and grabbed her cold wrist with his large hand. “What about you? Spending New Year’s alone at home? You got here so quickly.”
Callie glared at him with cold eyes. “I came because I was worried something had happened.”
Jaquan’s mouth curled into an unintentional smile. “Really? If Nelson were with you, he wouldn’t have let you come.”
“He’s not that kind of person!” Callie tried to break free, feeling that this man was being unreasonable.
“You don’t need to deny it because I know where Nelson is tonight.”
She froze.