<b>Chapter </b><b>232 </b>
Carmen remarked calmly, “Mr. and Mrs. Mansell, let’s be realistic. You can’t bring the dead back to life. However, money is something tangible you can possess, wouldn’t you agree?“,
Leia struggled to hold back her anger as she red at Carmen. ‘How can she smile after taking my son’s life? Who cares about her filthy money?<i>” </i>she seethed internally.
Under the table, Levi tightly sped Leia’s hand. Unlike Leia, who openly expressed her hatred, he maintained a calm exterior. He understood all too well that Carmen held significant power in Rithol City–they stood little chance against her. ‘I had to do as Ms. Miller instructed, Levi thought.
“Miss Wilson, I have a question,” Levi said, his voice hoarse but steady. “Before Nigel’s ident, he ended a livestream early due to health issues and was fined 300 thousand dors. Heter submitted a hospital report, but the tform rejected his appeal without exnation. Were you aware of this<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Carmen paused, recalling only after her assistant’s gentle reminder. She had established the policy of evading punishment herself, officially. Only intentional evasion would incur penalties, but in practice, anyone reported would inevitably face consequences.
Carmen didn’t care whether it was intentional or not. Every evasion meant profit, kept the streamers hooked, and gave the tform free publicity–a triple win. She would, of course, take full advantage of it.
Nigel’s report, escted to Carmen due to his particr health circumstances, barely registered with her–she didn’t even nce at it. She instructed her subordinates to handle it as they usually would. Carmen responded tly, “I’m vaguely aware of it.”
Levi managed a grim smile for the first time since they’d met. “Because of that previous fine,” he said tly, “the next time Nigel felt unwell and the opposing streamer threatened to report him, he gritted his teeth and forced himself toplete the punishment challenge.”
Carmen couldn’t understand why he brought this up. ‘I treat everyone equally–what’s wrong with that?‘ she thought with disdain. ‘Am I supposed to bend the rules just for Nigel?‘
“We’ll take the money. Thank you, Miss Wilson,” Levi said with a forced smile as he tucked the bank card into his pocket- sharply with the coldness in his eyes.
e demeanor contrasting
Carmen was indifferent to how he felt; as long as he epted the money, everything would proceed without issue. “Now that’s settled,” she said coldly, “I need both of you to revise your statements. im that Nigel died of natural causes and that Aubree manipted you into tarnishing my reputation.”
Leia’s expression darkened, her eyes burning with rage. ‘How can this woman have the audacity to distort the truth like this? If the tform hadn’t threatened to ban Nigel for notpleting the punishment, would he have pushed himself to the brink, to lighten our load–until it ultimately took his
life?‘ she fumed inwardly.
Levi, restraining Leia, said with chilling deliberation, “We understand.”
Carmen smiled smugly. <i>No </i>one could resist the lure of money–and if they did, it only meant the price hadn’t been high enough for Aubree’s influence. A mere 1.5 million dors, and her people had already caved.
The untouched dishes remained on the table as Carmen got up. She neither had the time nor <b>the </b>patience to dine <b>with </b>people of modest means<b>. </b><b>“</b>Help yourselves,” she said with a fa?ade of politeness. “I have more important matters to attend to.”
“Have <b>a </b>good day,” Leviremarked with a thin<b>, </b>cold smile. He and Leia watched Carmen leave, their eyes dark <b>with </b>barely concealed hatred.
The phones were returned to them. Levi noticed a message from Aubree and gently patted Leia’s shoulder. “<b>Let’s </b>follow Ms. <b>Miller’s </b>lead Carmen Wilson’s time is up.”
<b>Vincent’s </b>car was idling outside the hotel entrarice. As soon as he spotted Carmening <b>out</b><b>, </b><b>he </b><b>immediately </b><b>sent </b><b>out </b><b>an </b>alert<b>. </b><b>Before </b>Carmen cou fully exit the hotel<b>, </b><b>a </b>crowd <b>surged </b>toward her from a <b>distance</b>–<b>camera </b>crews, grieving families carrying <b>mourning </b><b>wreaths </b><b>and </b><b>protest </b><b>banners</b>, even patients still in hospital gowns–all rushing in her direction,
“MindDrift <b>kills</b><b>!</b><b>” </b>
<b>“</b><b>Carmen </b><b>Wilson</b><b>, </b><b>pay </b><b>with </b><b>your </b><b>life</b><b>!</b><b>“</b>:
08:10 Thu, 17 Jul <b>1 </b>
“Moneyundering is a crime! Shut down MindDrift!”
The crowd’s relentless shouting quickly drew the attention of passersby, many stopping to watch. Carmen’s face went pale. Her itinerary was <b>meant </b><b>to </b>be foolproof, yet somehow, they had tracked her down.
18