The police officer put the phone on speaker before he pretended to be one of the thugs. He spoke as if he was familiar with the man on the other end of the line, trying to get him to take the bait. "We're so sorry, Mr. Shaw! We enjoyed ourselves too much last night, so we forgot to send the video to you."
Fortunately, his plan worked perfectly. Simon didn't suspect a thing. "Hurry and send me the video! I'm going to ruin that bitch, Marissa's life! Did you do as I ordered and get six men to assault her?"
"Of course," the officer replied smoothly. "I'll send the video to you now."
"Hurry up!" Simon repeated one last time before disconnecting the call.
Tessa and Marissa exchanged a look with each other. Perhaps Simon was unfamiliar with the owner of the phone, since they might just be working together temporarily.
It would explain why he didn't realize that the officer's voice was different compared to the phone's owner. His stupidity was rather astounding.
The officers did a quick search in their public security system to identify the user who was registered to the phone number. "The number belongs to a man named Simon Shaw. Ring any bells?"
"Simon Shaw!" Marissa exclaimed with wide eyes. "He used to be a deputy manager for one of my company's projects. I fired him a few days ago."
"The pieces have all fallen into place, then. The thugs were hired by Simon to assault you. That best friend of yours is probably involved in his scheme too," Tessa said.
"How can this be…" Marissa mumbled to herself, crestfallen. "Why would Janey betray me? I treat her so well, so why would she do this to me?"
…
Simon sat on his couch and waited impatiently for his hired men to send the video of Marissa's assault to him.
Tears streamed endlessly down Marissa's face. She looked heartbroken. "We've been friends for so many years, Janey. Why didn't you tell me that you needed money? Did you think I wouldn't help you in your time of need?"
Jane turned even more emotional, her wailing intensifying. "I was wrong! I should have asked you for help. Marissa, I'm begging you. Please don't file a lawsuit against me. Please just drop this case!
"My son is only five years old, and he just got out of his operation. He's sleeping on the hospital bed as we speak! He can't lose his mother at his age! Please, Marissa. Please show me mercy!"
Marissa's expression turned icy. "What's the use of telling all of this to me now?"
Jane fell to her knees and began to grovel at Marissa's feet. "I'm begging you, Marissa. Please drop the case! I know what I did was wrong, truly! I'm the one who wronged you!" she begged, clutching onto Marissa's legs desperately.
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