On the Ruins of His Regret I Soar novel Chapter 156

“Alright, I’ll go,” she said, her voice trembling with hurt. “But call me if you need anything.”

Lance remained on the sofa, as still and silent as a statue.

Catherine walked out, looking back at him with every step. The moment the door closed behind her, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. “It’s time,” she said. “You can release your story now.”

On the other end of the line was Jeremy Carter, the psychiatrist from the hospital.

“Are you sure Mr. Smith won’t come after me?” he asked, his voice full of apprehension. “He nearly beat me to death last time.”

Catherine scoffed. “Lance has bigger things to worry about right now. Besides, your story will just be more fuel for the fire. All he cares about is his company’s stock.”

“Fine,” Jeremy said through gritted teeth. “But the moment I release it, I want the five million you promised wired to my account. My family and I are leaving the country.”

“Don’t worry,” she said coolly. “You’ll get every penny.”

She hung up just as another call came in. It was Melissa Gates.

“Catherine, I did it!” Melissa exclaimed. “I sent the reporters the security footage of Jessica pushing me into the lake. I also sold the vet bills and photos of my dog to the gossip sites. The animal lovers are going to have a field day with this. I can’t wait to see her burn.”

Late that night, two men claiming to be former security guards from The Kensington went live online. They showed their faces, their voices ringing with manufactured earnestness.

“We’re not doing this for clicks or internet fame,” one of them began. “We ask that you don’t send us gifts. We may not be rich, but we earn an honest living. We’re speaking out now, not to kick someone while they’re down, but because the public deserves to know the truth about this woman!”

These were the same two guards who had assaulted Jessica. Within minutes, their livestream had over a million viewers.

Gifts and donations poured in as the comments urged them to spill the details. When the virtual gifts topped seven figures, they decided the time was right.

“We’re showing our faces to protect ourselves,” the other guard said gravely. “We’re afraid of what might happen to us, because the people behind Jessica Brown are very powerful. One night, not too long ago, we were on patrol and we found her. She was clearly high on something—dazed, flushed, her clothes a mess. The moment she saw us, she started tearing at her own shirt.”