Chapter 129
Chapter 129
Monica’s stomach twisted into knots as the recording played. Her breath came in short, uneven borms her hands gripping the fabric of her skirt so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she listened to her own voice–clear, undeniable.
Her heart dropped.
How?
Cecil assured her that the cameras around the area were not on. She assured her that everything had been prepared in advance. The stage was supposed to be perfect!
This wasn’t possible. She tried to call if there was something weird in Izzy’s bag but couldn’t remember anything She was sure of it. She had checked. They had been careful.
Right?
“This- Samantha shot a look at Monica, her face twisted in disbelief. “That is-
“I’m guessing Cecil has already abandoned you?” Izzy asked casually, tilting her head slightly.
Monica’s jaw clenched. “This is fake.”
Samantha immediately nodded. “It has to be. There’s no way-*
“It’s doctored,” Monica snapped, forcing herself to sit up straighter. She ignored the heat creeping up her neck and the way her hands trembled slightly. “You edited this. That’s not my voice.”
Amalia scoffed. “This is clearly photoshopped.”
Izzy blinked. “Photoshopped?”
Atty. Alcaraz let out a short laugh. “That’s a new one. I’d love to see how you photoshop‘ a video recording”
Monica’s chest tightened. She could feel it—her control slipping, the walls closing in.
Samantha slammed a hand on the table. “Even if this was real, so what? It proves nothing?”
Izzy leaned back, resting her hands on the armrests. “Really? It proves nothing?”
Monica swallowed hard. “It–it doesn’t change anything.”
“Doesn’t it?” Izzy looked amused. “Because I distinctly remember your lawyer saying this case would rely on public sympathy.” She glanced at Ethan. “Tell me, Mr. Sparks, do you think people would still cry for Monica once they hear this?”
Ethan’s jaw tensed. He opened his mouth, but for the first time, nothing came out.
Samantha glared at Izzy. “This doesn’t mean you win.”
Izzy smiled. “Oh, I already won. Did you really think this is the only thing I have?”
Monica slammed her hands on the table, her face red with fury. “You think you’re so clever? You think this makes you untouchable?”
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Chapter 129
Izzy didn’t flinch. “No. I think this makes you irrelevant.”
Monica’s entire body tensed, She felt like screaming, like throwing something, like clawing her way out of this mess.
Izzy glanced at Atty. Alcaraz. “What do you think? Should we release this to the public?”
Atty. Alcaraz smirked and stood. “Yes, I believe you should”
Ethan exhaled sharply. “We’re not finished. That video was illegally obtained. It won’t hold up in court.”
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“I thought we were being judged by the people?” Atty. Alcaraz frowned. “The media would surely love some drama, right?”
“That video–we will–subpoena-”
“One click and it will be released, Mr. Sparks,” Izzy interrupted him. “I could have done that earlier, but I didn’t. Why do you think that is?”
Silence. The four people sitting opposite them looked at each other as realization started to set in. Izzy was making a fool out of them.
Monica’s breathing was ragged. Her eyes darted around the room, looking for someone–anyone–to say something, to fix
this.
No one did. Not even her mother, who had been so enthusiastic minutes ago, said a word. Amalia just stared at the table, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Meanwhile, Samantha’s fingers tapped rapidly against her phone screen, her mind scrambling for a way out. Monica clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.
Monica felt sick.
This was a trap.
Izzy had set them up, and they had walked right into it like idiots.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to think of a way out, but there was none. Izzy had already won. The recording was just one piece of the puzzle–there was more. There had to be more. Izzy wouldn’t be so confident if she didn’t have
more.
Izzy turned to Atty. Alcaraz. “What do you think will happen to the donations once people see this?”
Atty. Alcaraz smirked. “They’ll ask for refunds. Every last cent.”
Monica’s stomach twisted. The donations–her lifeline–would disappear in an instant.
Izzy leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Imagine it. All those generous people who felt sorry for you, who thought they were helping a grieving mother. What do you think they’ll do when they find out you lied?”
Samantha’s tapping on her phone stopped. Her head snapped up.
“They’ll demand their money back,” Izzy continued. “And when they don’t get it, they’ll turn on you.”
Monica’s hands trembled.
“They’ll call you a fraud,” Atty. Alcaraz added, almost gleefully. “A scammer. They’ll report your account. Your FundForACause page will be taken down. Payment processors will flag your name.”
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Chapter 129
Izzy smiled. “And suddenly, instead of being a victim, you’ll just be another grifter who got caught”
Monica’s breathing was uneven. “You-”
“Oh, and one more thing.” Izzy tapped her phone. “Do you really think I don’t know everything?”
Monica stilled.
Izzy tilted her head slightly. “Calen wanted to get rid of that child too”
Samantha blinked. She turned to Monica,
“What?”
Monica clenched her fists. “That a lie.”
Izzy let out a soft laugh. “You really think the Weiss family would back you up? Calen didn’t want that child. Cecil didn’t want that child. You were alone from the beginning, Monica. You’re just fooling yourself.”
Samantha’s expression darkened. She turned fully to Monica. “Is this true?”
Monica swallowed hard. “No. She’s making things up-”
“She’s alone,” Izzy cut her off. “And you know it.”
Samantha stared at Monica, her fingers tightening around her phone. “I stuck my neck out for you.”
Monica’s heart pounded. “Samantha-”
“I defended you. I dragged my name into this mess for you.” Samantha’s grip on her phone was white–knuckled. “And you lied?”
-Monica’s lips parted, but no words came out.
“You used me,” Samantha accused. “This whole time.”
“And you weren’t using me?” Monica’s frustration boiled over. Her voice was sharp, desperate. “You loved the attention! You loved the engagement! You wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t blowing up online!”
Samantha’s nostrils flared. “Are you serious?”
Amalia frowned. “You both need to calm down-”
“Shut up, Amalia,” Samantha snapped. She turned back to Monica. “So that’s what you think? That I was just here for engagement?”
Monica scoffed. “Don’t act like you weren’t benefiting from this too. You got more followers, more donations, more views.” Samantha let out a sharp laugh. “Wow.” She pushed her chair back and stood. “You’re pathetic.”
Monica’s hands slammed onto the table. “I’m pathetic? You’re the one abandoning me the moment things get hard!”
“Abandoning you?” Samantha snorted. “You were never loyal to begin with. I bet if someone offered you a better deal, you’d
sell me out in a heartbeat.”
Monica gritted her teeth. “You-”
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Chapter 129
izzy sighed dramatically. “I’d love to stay and watch you two tear each other apart, but I have better things to do the turned to Atty. Alcaraz, “Shall we?”
“What–what about the settlement?” Mr. Sparks asked, his face darkening
“What settlement?” Izzy responded, “I thought I heard you say you would never settle the snorted. “I’m taking you to court, Monica, and you will pay for everything you did.”
“Izzy, wait” Amalia immediately tried to block Izzy’s way. “You should hear us out first!”
