Chapter 96: Jinx
Her eyes blazed with fury, face blotchy and twisted in rage.
One of the officers nearby stiffened but remained composed. "Ma’am, we’re currently investigating. We understand you’re upset—"
"That’s not good enough!" Linda snapped, cutting him off. Her gaze swung sharply to Yeri, finger jabbing like a blade. "You jinx! If Venice hadn’t come to see you, this wouldn’t have happened! It was just once—just one visit. Why did it have to end like this?! If you hadn’t dragged her into this—!"
"What did you just say?" Madam Zhi’s voice cracked through the tension like a whip. She stood up abruptly, placing herself between Linda and Yeri.
"You think anyone wanted this to happen? You think the victims invited this upon themselves?" she said icily, her voice low but dangerous. "Your daughter isn’t the only one who got hurt. Look around you...others are suffering too. Some even lost loved ones. Should everyone who invited someone out that night be blamed as well?"
Realizing the situation had devolved into a personal family conflict, the officers quietly stepped away, deciding not to interfere.
Linda flinched at the sharpness of Madam Zhi’s words. It was rare to see her lose composure; she was usually composed, gentle, and gracious. That only made the impact hit harder.
"Auntie," Yeri said quietly, her throat dry and voice hoarse. Her whole body ached with fatigue, but she wouldn’t stay silent while someone unfairly threw blame her way. "I wasn’t the one who invited Venice out that night, it was her decision. Also... I’m sorry about Uncle Nolan."
Linda’s expression stiffened. The implication was clear: Venice must have told Yeri something about their family circumstances.
"Linda Ryung," Madam Zhi said sharply, her voice trembling with restrained rage, "watch what you say. If you dare try to put the blame on my daughter again, I’ll sue you. This isn’t the time to be pointing fingers. We should be comforting one another and praying for those still fighting for their lives, not throwing around accusations like a tantrum."
The entire room went quiet. From behind drawn curtains and half-closed blinds, subtle glances flicked their way. The air was thick with judgment.
Linda opened her mouth as if to defend herself, but no words came out. Instead, the weight of her own resentment, her crumbling relationship with Nolan, her fear of losing her only child, pushed her into acting impulsively.