Free Web NovelChapter 91: Scandal II
"Someone must have gaven it to him," Emily said.
"It was Mark, Julian told me Mark met with Catalina yesterday. That swine thinks he can force my hand by doing this."
"Then he knows," Emily whispered, realization dawning on her. "He knows about you and Julian."
Lyvana didn’t answer. She was already striding toward her office, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
Bertha looked up from her desk.
"Bertha. Get the PR manager to my office. Now."
Nick entered the office a few minutes later.
"Nick, I want a statement issued to every major outlet within the next ten minutes. Use the firmest legal language possible. State clearly that the images are forgeries and that the individual in the video is a paid actor with zero connection to me."
"Understood."
"Add a secondary clause. State that I am filing immediate criminal charges for defamation."
In another part of the city, Clarisse paced her office, pressing her phone to her ear. She had called Mark five times, but it went straight to voicemail. He had been gone for an hour, claiming he needed a long lunch, and she had no idea if he had seen the latest news about Lyvana.
Her phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Alex.
See you at seven.
A slow smile spread across her face as she dialed Susan’s number, eager to share the gossip.
Mark however was at Madame Bovary’s whore house with Tricia.
"You look pleased with yourself," Tricia murmured, trailing a finger down his arm.
"I am," Mark chuckled. "I finally have her exactly where I want her. That bitch was truly fucking someone else. A married man no less. You are mine Lyvana. We will get married whether you want to or not."
He had no idea that while he sat in the dim room, the story was gradually changing. He was celebrating a little too early.
....
OFFICIAL PUBLIC ADVISORY: METROPOLITAN POLICE SERVICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Office of the Police Commissioner is now investigating a series of high-tech crimes involving Lyvana Montclair.
Initial forensic reports show that the videos and photos used to attack Ms. Montclair are digital forgeries. These fakes were created to harass and defame a private citizen.
Furthermore, we are investigating a criminal break-in at Ms. Montclair’s residence. Several personal items were stolen. Any individual found in possession of these items will be arrested for theft and receiving stolen property.
WARNING:
Any person or media outlet sharing these forged materials is interfering with an active criminal investigation. We will track and prosecute anyone involved in this digital attack.
By Order of the Commissioner of Police.
Catalina was shaking, her face twisted with a rage Mateo had never seen before. She stared at the tablet in Mateo’s hand, where the Commissioner’s warning was scrolling in bright red letters.
"What the fuck!" she screamed. "Julian! It’s Julian! He did this!"
Mateo stayed silent. He knew better than to step into her line of fire when she was like this.
A maid rushed into the room, her eyes wide with fear as she looked at the broken glass on the floor.
"Ma’am? Is everything..."
"Get out!" Catalina shrieked, pointing a trembling finger at the door. "Get out of here now!"
The maid scrambled back, nearly tripping over her own feet as she fled.
Catalina turned back to Mateo, her chest heaving. "He’s using the entire police force as her personal guard now?"
"You need to calm down," Mateo said calmly.
"Nobody will touch this story now. They’re too afraid of the Commissioner. I expected him to do something about it, but not so fast."
She took another vase and threw it.
Mateo sighed and dragged her outside.
Perhaps some fresh air might do her some good. Before she collapsed the entire building.
....
John pulled up to his aunt’s house, the tires kicking up gravel. He spotted El immediately, half-buried under the hood of a rusted truck, grease staining his arms.
"El, you crazy son of a bitch!" John yelled.
Before El could even wipe his hands, John swung. The blow landed square on his chin with a sickening crack.
El hit the dirt, his head snapping back. He spat a mouthful of blood into the dry grass and glared up.
"You shit head! What was that for?"
"I told you to fucking stay away from that girl!" John roared. He stepped over El, his heavy boots inches from the man’s face. "Do you have any idea, what I did to fix your mess the last time? I kept you out of a cell!"
John leaned down.
"I put my badge on the line for you. I scrubbed the digital trail, I buried the files... and then what do I see? I see your face plastered all over the news, claiming this same girl is your lover!"
El wiped his bleeding lip.
"Look, I know I messed up. But these people... they’re dangerous, John. They would have killed me if I didn’t do what they said."
John grabbed El by the collar and hauled him up until they were nose-to-nose.
"You should have come to me. It’s part of my job to make people disappear, El. Now you go and mess up, big time." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"You can fix this, right?" El pleaded.
John let out a harsh, jagged laugh and let him go. "I warned you, that someone powerful is backing her, and to fucking stay away from the bitch."
"I know, I know I messed up. But you have to help me, John. You’re the only one who can."
John looked toward the road, his eyes scanning for any unfamiliar cars.
"I can’t do a damn thing for you this time. This is beyond my small office. This goes all the way to the top, man. I came to tell you to run. Leave this place. Now."
El froze, his face turning pale under the grease. "What are you talking about?"
"They’re looking for you everywhere, man," John snapped, pointing a finger at El’s chest. "The commissioner sent the whole damn police force after you. You are the most wanted man in the city today."
"Fuck me," El whispered, the reality finally sinking in.
"Don’t just stand there. If they find you here, we’re all going down with you, and I’m not losing my pension for your stupidity. Get your gear and get out the back way. If you’re still in this county by sunset, you’ll be arrested.".
