Chapter 5: Video

As Elisia promised to the person who called her, she decided to give all her evidence at once. After she posts the video, she'll send it to Montenegro so that they can deal with it. However, she won't send or post those videos if she still hasn't left the country.

In the video, Elisia is sitting in front of a camera, visibly distressed and agitated. She takes a deep breath before starting to speak. She isn't the young lady that everyone could see before. There's no elegance in her face, but only fear and distress. 

Somehow, everyone looked distressed just by looking at her. Instead of getting angry at her, they got angry at the person who made her like this.

She looked uncomfortable, and fear and anger flashed across her face as she began to speak. She started speaking, but she stummered her first word. "I need to tell you all the truth." Everyone could see how nervous she was as she played with her fingers. Some of them, of course, are saying that she is just playing the victim from the start of the video. "Everything." She took a deep breath, and somehow, this made her a little calmer. "Everything that's happened, it was all planned. None of it was real. I'm so sorry."

She pauses, trying to compose herself as tears well up in her eyes. She doesn't want to cry since if she does, she will choke up with her sob.

After, she calmed herself once again, continuing with her voice trembling. "The father of my child... it's not Keisley." She nodded her head. "That's right, it's not him. It's... it's Harver Rolin." Her tears fell as she said those names. "He... he orchestrated everything. He wanted to ruin Keisley's reputation, so he... he made me a part of his plan."

Her expression turns to one of anguish as she recounts the events. She wanted to kill those memories in her mind, but she couldn't. All she could do was repent of what she did. "Harver... he promised me... if I got pregnant, he said I could pin it all on Keisley. But there was a condition... I had to promise to marry him and tell him everything Keisley decided. He... he forced me, pushed me... made me have a child just to blame Keisley." She pauses again, wiping away tears. She really doesn't want to cry; she doesn't want to pity her, but she couldn't help but cry. Voice filled with regret and desperation: "I'm so sorry, Keisley. I never wanted any of this. It was all Harver's doing. And now... now I'm afraid. If something happens to me, it might be him... Harver."

The video ends, leaving behind a somber atmosphere and a sense of betrayal.

In Hideous's room, tension filled the air as they received Elisia's email. He didn't know what the family gathered around the computer screen, uncertain of what to expect. As they watched the video, a mix of emotions washed over them. Initially, there was frustration and anger towards Elisia for her role in the scandal. However, as she spoke and presented the evidence implicating Harver, their sentiments shifted.

Hideous observed the screen with a furrowed brow. "What is she trying to accomplish with this?"

Sherly, her eyes narrowed, studied the screen intently. Of course, she knew what was happening because, in the first place, she's the one who called her that day. However, she has no intention of telling her family this. "She's exposing Harver. Look at the evidence she's presenting. She's turning the tables on him."

Kyle crossed his arms, a grim expression on his face. "This changes everything. If what she's saying is true, then Harver is the real culprit behind all of this." He then leaned into his chair. "I heard that she was disowned. Is this really okay for her to reveal this kind of thing?" he added.

Keisley, his fists clenched in frustration, chimed in. "Disowned or not, it's not our problem," he said without any expression. "What matters is that, that bastard. I knew he was behind it all along."

Keisley's anger is visible in his eyes, and if someone could see him, they could tell that he could kill.

As the video concluded, the family exchanged glances, a newfound determination in their eyes.

"We need to support Elisia's efforts to expose Harver, even though we don't like him. If he's behind this, then he needs to be held accountable," Hideous declared, his tone resolute.

This woman needs no protection, but at least they support her because of what she did. She was used only. So, supporting her is just fine.

Mr. Park nodded in agreement as he said, "I'll coordinate with our legal team to see how we can use this evidence against him."

Kyle looked at the screen with determination. "Let's make sure justice is served. Harver won't get away with this."

With a shared sense of purpose, the Montenegro family set out to confront the true mastermind behind the scheme, united in their resolve to bring him to justice.

As the media scrambled to track down Elisia, who disappeared like a bubble, their efforts were in vain. Rumors circulated, but no concrete information emerged about her whereabouts. No matter how much they tried to track her down, no one could see where she went. Even her name in the airport passenger list couldn't be found. It was as if there's no Elisia Lim in the world. She disappeared like a bubbly burst in the air. 

Meanwhile, Harver faced the wrath of his father, who berated him for his reckless actions and the chaos they had caused. He knows that his son really hates Montenegro, but he did not expect that he could take this kind of useless action.

In his father's office, Harver shifted uncomfortably under the weight of his father's disappointment. "I didn't expect things to spiral out of control like this," he mumbled, unable to meet his father's gaze.

Of course, how could he expect this to happen? If Sherly wasn't with them, this might have been a success, but no, Sherly was with them. No matter how much they do, no matter how much they conceal these things, they will come to light and be exposed. Sherly is that kind of woman who knows nothing but is ruthless toward her enemies.

Her family's enemy is her enemy as well.

His father's expression was one of fury and frustration. He had never been this disappointed in his own son. He may be excellent, but in front of his enemy, he loses control. "You've made a mess of things, Harver. Your foolish schemes have brought shame upon our family." He then glared at his own son.

Harver clenched his jaw, feeling the weight of his father's words like a heavy burden. "I'll fix this, Father. I'll find Elisia and make her retract her statements."

But his father's response was stern. He sighed as he felt that this wouldn't do anyone any good if he found her. "It's too late for that. You've already done enough damage. Now, you'll face the consequences of your actions."

As Harver's world crumbled around him, he realized the gravity of his mistakes. His reckless pursuit of power and revenge had backfired spectacularly, leaving him isolated and vulnerable. With nowhere to turn, he braced himself for the fallout, knowing that he alone was responsible for the mess he had created.

Keisley, oh Keisley. No matter what he does, he's still in Keisley's shadow. That is one main reason why he ate Keisley so much. He really wants to ruin him, but who would have thought that Keisley and the Montenegro family would get away from this? 

Such a lucky bastard. 

Meanwhile, Jude, on the other hand, in a desperate bid to salvage what remained of his reputation and business ventures, swallowed his pride and reached out to Hideous Montenegro, hoping for a chance at redemption. He doesn't want to end his business just because of the foolishness of his own daughter. Besides, his daughter wasn't the real culprit, and if he begs for mercy, then maybe Hideous will think of letting him go. Despite having already disowned his daughter, Jude knew that he needed Hideous' forgiveness if he had any hope of saving the projects he had with the government.

With a heavy heart and a sense of fear, Jude composed himself and dialed Hideous' number, his hands trembling slightly as he awaited a response. Hideous won't be able to see him and will only hear his voice, but if he composes himself, his voice will be well composed and calm as well. When Hideous finally answered the call, Jude's voice quivered with emotion as he began to plead for forgiveness.

"Senator Montenegro," Jude Lim started. He then took a deep breath and said, "I... I need to speak with you." Jude stammered, his tone laced with desperation. He should do this because if he doesn't, he'll end up with nothing but a loss! "I know I've made mistakes, but please, I beg of you, forgive me."

Hideous listened in silence as Jude poured out his heart, his mind racing with thoughts of the consequences of his actions. He knew that if Hideous refused to forgive him, it could spell the end of his business empire and tarnish his reputation irreparably.

Meanwhile, Hideous really has no idea what Jude is saying, but based on Jude's voice and the urgency of it, he could tell that something might have happened to him. No, not really to him, but to his business.

After what felt like an eternity, Hideous spoke, his voice calm but tinged with authority. "Jude, your actions have had consequences, not just for me but for our entire business community. But I believe in second chances." He calmly added, "Besides, I have no intention of pressuring you, so what's with this kind of language? If something had happened to you, it was the consequence of your and your daughter's actions, not mine. I have no idea of what you're saying." Jude then heard Hideous' sighed. "However, since this is the first time you did this, I might consider that."

Jude's heart skipped a beat as he heard those words, a glimmer of hope igniting within him. "Thank you, Hideous," he whispered, overcome with gratitude. "I promise, I'll make things right. You won't regret giving me this chance."

With Hideous' forgiveness secured, Jude knew that he had been given a lifeline—one that he would not take for granted. As he ended the call, he vowed to do whatever it took to rebuild what he had lost and earn back the trust and respect of those he had wronged.