Chapter 7
Katherine was in tears over her lost jewelry, but Franklin was obsessed with that laptop in his study the entire time.
"That laptop probably has something really important on it," Vicky said.
She tapped her fingers lightly on the table.
"And I mean the kind of thing that can't see the light of day," she added.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Is he... is he actually thinking I took it?" I asked.
"It's not suspicion," Vicky said.
She stared at me, her eyes burning with intensity.
She said, "Right now, he's absolutely convinced you took it.
"Franklin calling the cops and trying to frame you as an accomplice for taking down the cameras? That's just the opening move.
"Next, he'll pull every trick in the book to frame you for stealing.
"Because that's the only way he can shift the cops' attention away from whatever shady stuff he lost and onto you, the so-called thief."
Vicky's words sent a chill down my spine.
I never thought a little neighbor drama could spiral out of control like this.
"Vicky, what now..." I asked.
Vicky squeezed my hand. "Don't be scared.
"With me here, he can't touch you.
"From now on, if he tries to contact you, don't respond to a single word.
"Keep every call recording, every WhatsApp message, and every text.
"If he comes knocking and tries to mess with you, call the cops right away.
"We don't need to do a thing; just sit back and watch him put on a show.
"The more he freaks out, the easier it'll be for him to slip up."
As we were talking, my phone suddenly rang.
It was an unknown number.
I glanced at Vicky, and she nodded.
I hit answer and put it on speaker.
I heard a voice I never expected; it was Franklin's mom.
She sounded like she was about to cry, but still had that bossy tone, like she was giving orders from above.
"Is this Leila? I'm Franklin's mom.
"You heartless girl! Haven't you done enough to ruin Franklin's life?
"I'm telling you. Go to the police station right now and drop the charges. Tell them it was all just a misunderstanding.
"If you don't, you'll regret it!"
Her voice was so shrill and nasty, it was like nails on a chalkboard.
I pulled the phone away a bit.
Vicky mouthed "record" to me.
I nodded and tapped the record button.
Franklin's mom kept going off on me, yelling nonstop through the phone.
She spun everything around, making me look like the villain.
She called me ungrateful and cruel-hearted.
She claimed her precious son trusted me with his house, and I ended up ruining everything for them.
She said a woman like me deserved to rot in hell.
I kept quiet and listened in silence, not saying a word as she went on.
Vicky reached over, took the phone from my hand, and hit the speaker button.
She cleared her throat and spoke quietly, but with a tone that brooked no argument.
"Hello, this is Vicky Esther, Ms. Harvey's attorney," she said.
The cursing on the other end cut off instantly.
She clearly hadn't expected someone else to jump in, much less a lawyer.
"Who are you? I'm calling for Leila. Put her on right now," Franklin's mom demanded.
Franklin's mom was still as arrogant as ever.
But Vicky's tone went cold.
"Ma'am, I need to remind you.
"All those words you just used against my client, like 'heartless girl' and 'cruel-hearted' constitute slander.
"We've recorded this entire conversation.
"Under Article 42 of the Public Order Law, anyone who publicly insults or makes up lies to slander someone can be detained for up to five days or fined up to two hundred dollars. If things get worse, the detention can go up to ten days, with the same fine."
Vicky recited the law in a steady, matter-of-fact tone, like she was reading off a dry report.
There was dead silence on the other end.
"And another thing," Vicky continued, "your words like 'you'll regret it' are a threat to my client's personal safety.
"I'm officially warning you: stop all harassment, insults, and threats against Ms. Harvey immediately。
"If you don't stop, we'll immediately call the police and file a lawsuit against you, and you will be held legally accountable.
"Do you understand?"
Vicky's tone suddenly became stern and uncompromising, leaving no room for argument.
On the other end, I could hear her breathing, quick and shaky.
After several seconds, she barely managed to force out a single word: "You..."
But she didn't dare say anything else.
With a loud click, the call was hung up.
Vicky handed the phone back to me, a cold smile playing on her lips.
"When you're up against someone clueless about the law, you gotta beat them at their own game," she said.
I couldn't help but admire her.
"You're seriously awesome," I said.
Vicky picked up her teacup, settling back into her usual relaxed, lazy pose.
"Piece of cake," Vicky said, totally unfazed.
"But she's definitely not going to back off that easily."