Chapter 136

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Before Lauren could react, Nicole asked, "Why did Raegan hit you if you claim she did?"

Lauren's expression froze, a wave of discomfort washing over her.

In a nervous tone, he replied, “I have already told you that he is mentally unstable. How could I know what's going on in his mind...?

Nicole's smile disappeared and her voice dropped to a whisper.

«But you called her a stray dog ​​abandoned by Mr. Dixon. You called her son a bastard, deserving of death, and labeled her as a curse to her entire family..."

Nicole related each sentence with precision.

Hearing this, Lauren's face clouded over and she burst out, "That's absurd!"

He had once spoken badly about Raegan, thinking it remained a secret, without expecting his words to reach Nicole's ears.

Imperturbable, he believed himself to be blameless, especially in the absence of evidence.

Nicole scoffed.

«Don't rush. I'm not done. You bragged about tampering with Raegan's paternity and pregnancy reports. "Mitchel knows it, but he turns a blind eye."

Mitchel's expression was still stoic, but there was an undeniable coldness to his demeanor.

“Is that true, Lauren?” Mitchel asked.

"I've never said those things," Lauren quickly denied, her eyes filling with tears. He turned to Mitchel, his voice soaked with pain.

«Mitchel, I swear I didn't do it. Nicole is slandering me.

Looking at Nicole, Lauren continued in a hurt tone: “I don't hold a grudge against you, Nicole. I know you do it for Raegan. He could sue you for slander, but since you're his friend, I'll let it go this time.

Just remember to stay in your lane and avoid blaming others.

Nicole felt a wave of revulsion.

Lauren's seemingly generous words cleverly painted Nicole as a slanderer acting on Raegan's behalf.

Rejecting Lauren's tactic, Nicole said dismissively, "Lauren, your confidence is due to the lack of cameras in the room."

Nicole paused, pulled a voice recorder from her pocket, and brandished it mockingly.

"Let's see if this convinces you."

Lauren's face contorted in panic at the sight.

The next instant, his voice rang clearly through the recording.

Clear as day came Lauren's voice, echoing Nicole's earlier words, and even more venomous comments that Nicole hadn't mentioned.

Suddenly, Lauren felt a jolt, as if she had been struck by lightning.

Looking at Lauren's ashen face, Nicole smiled and commented, "What a twist of fate! I had just left when you arrived and I realized my recorder was missing. As I picked up the recorder again, I heard your lovely comments on it.

Nicole routinely carried a voice recorder, with the intention of extracting some information from Jarrod.

Unexpectedly, during his visit to Raegan's living room, the recorder slipped under the bed when he picked up his phone, accidentally turning it on.

Lauren entered Raegan's living room shortly after she left, which was fortunate, since the recorder's battery life was limited.

"No! You faked all this!

Trembling, Lauren clutched Mitchel's sleeve, imploring, “Mitchel, don't listen to her. Keep slandering me. They are lies, the result of Raegan's jealousy. It's a plot to hurt me through Nicole, I'm sure!

Lauren vehemently denied their words and claimed that she was being set up.

“Jealous of you?” Nicole replied with a mocking smile, “Don't you have a mirror? Is Raegan envious of your over-the-top hyaluronic acid treatments, your talent for seducing married men, or perhaps jealous that you were born to be a slut?

Each of Nicole's words pierced Lauren's heart like a dagger.

If Mitchel hadn't been here, Lauren would have lunged at Nicole in fury.

At that moment, Mitchel released his clothes from Lauren's grip and looked at Lauren.

“Lauren, do you remember my warning earlier?”

He was referring to the warning he had given her the night he turned Jocelyn over to the police.

A wave of coldness ran through Lauren, sending shivers down her spine.

Pinching herself, tears came to her eyes.

«Mitchel, it's not true. Don't trust her. He's on Raegan's side...

He must be helping Raegan frame me..."

“Ha ha!” Nicole mocked.

"If there was any doubt, I would not hesitate to have an expert verify the recording."

"Be quiet!" Lauren blurted out angrily.

«You are best friends, right?

Obviously, you would collaborate to set me up!

Lauren flatly refused to confess. In her mind, if she didn't recognize him, it had nothing to do with her.

Nicole, unwilling to waste any more time, pocketed the recorder and gave Lauren a pointed look.

«I'm not here to argue, but consider this a warning. If you torment my friend again, I will make sure your spiteful words go viral. Everyone in Ardlens will hear this recording and know you as the shameless mistress. Prepare to be despised by everyone!

“How dare you!” Lauren fumed. With tears in her eyes, she turned to Mitchel and pleaded, “Mitchel, you are slandering me. "I can't let him take this recording."

«Admit that you are afraid. Stop playing the victim,” Nicole replied with a look of contempt.

"Stay away from Raegan and this recording won't see the light of day."

Nicole realized that, with the influence of the Dixon Group, the recording might never come to light even if she spent a fortune.

But the mere fact of possessing it could serve as a deterrent, preventing Lauren from harassing Raegan.

"Don't worry. “Raegan has no interest in Mitchel,” Nicole added, her lips curling into a smile.

«A man who lets his wife lose their child to save his ex-girlfriend? "Raegan will never want him back."

These words visibly altered Mitchel's indifferent demeanor.

Nicole felt a surge of satisfaction.

«You two continue. I hope you stay together forever.

Nicole turned to leave.

Whether Mitchel believed his words or not was irrelevant. She had little expectation that a blind man would suddenly see the truth.

It was better for Lauren to stay with Mitchel and leave Raegan alone.

Before Nicole had taken more than a few steps, a chilling voice called out to her from behind her.

"Miss Lawrence." Mitchel's icy words followed.

«I hope he acts appropriately with Raegan. If not, I'll make Jarrod spend more time looking after you. Fury flared inside Nicole. Mitchel, so astute, had detected his vulnerability.

No wonder Mitchel and Jarrod were friends. They were bastards.

Her face contorted with anger, Nicole responded, "You're threatening me!"

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