Lianna's lips curved into a sharp smile. "Ex–mother-in-law, you never fail to teach me a lesson. Perhaps I really did misunderstand you. The Neri household has kept surveillance recordings over the years for security purposes. Now that people love demanding validation online, should I release them for the public to judge? Maybe we could even sell them to SJ Entertainment and turn it into a show. That way, we'd not only hear the netizens' opinions but profit from it too."
Madam Neri's composure cracked for a fraction of a second, her mouth twitching.
If those recordings were ever exposed, her reputation would be torn apart, leaving her at the mercy of self-righteous public outrage.
"Lianna, you certainly know how to lighten the atmosphere," she said, her tone tight. "Private matters should remain private. In any case, I have other matters to attend to. My lawyers will be in touch regarding the compensation."
She turned and left hastily, as if fleeing an invisible pursuer, ignoring the reporters chasing after her.
"Lianna, what your father did was wrong," her stepmother spoke up, reclaiming the crowd's attention, "but at the time, he was only worried that Zahn Neri wouldn't take responsibility for you. Believe it or not, everything he did was for your best interest. After your mother passed away, I knew you couldn't accept me, so we moved to another city. Please, Lianna… forgive your father. I'm begging you. We'll stay away from you, whatever you want."
Her tearful plea softened parts of the crowd.
Voices rose, urging Lianna to let go of the past, to forgive. Some spoke of how revenge brought no joy, others preached that hatred was a burden best discarded in pursuit of peace.
Lianna looked down at her, her gaze cold enough to still the air.
"You and my father only ever thought of my best interests?" she asked quietly. "Then was it also in my best interest for you...his mistress, to destroy my family? To torment my already fragile mother?"
Her stepmother's eyes widened. Like Madam Neri, she had always seen Lianna as someone who endured in silence, swallowing every grievance without protest.
"Lianna, what are you—"
"Since you want to use the public to morally pressure me into forgiveness," Lianna cut in, her voice turning sharper, "then they should at least know what those grievances are."
Her gaze swept across the crowd like a blade.
"If condemning my own father is wrong, then should everyone in my position welcome their parents' affairs with open arms? If it was truly for my best interest, why were the two of you living comfortably off my mother's assets while I never saw a single cent? If he cared so much about my well-being, why did he stay silent all these years while I was hated, cursed, and labeled as a woman who climbed into wealth through disgraceful means? Do you think I don't feel anything? That my reputation, the contempt people held for me, meant nothing?"
Her words struck like stones thrown into still water, sending ripples of silence through the crowd.
Only then did many remember, before the truth surfaced, Lianna had long been a target of scorn, her existence ridiculed and demeaned.
Why hadn't her father ever defended her?
"You all wondered why he drugged Zahn Neri when we were already together," Lianna continued. "I wonder the same. If I had known earlier, this case wouldn't have only come to light now. He was the one who benefited, not me. As for Madam Neri's involvement… people of her status don't lack money, do they? So why would she allow someone to drug her own son and still let me marry into the family?"
She paused, letting the question linger like smoke.
"Figure it out yourselves."
Lianna didn't elaborate further. Some truths didn't need to be handed out neatly, they grew sharper when people reached them on their own.
"I believe in the law," she said firmly. "If this could have been resolved privately, my mother wouldn't have died from grief. If you think the verdict is unfair, then don't ask me, go question the court that delivered it."
With that, she cast one final, icy glance at her stepmother before signaling the bodyguards to move.
The reporters rushed after her, their attention shifting like a flock startled into flight.
Left behind, the stepmother who had come seeking sympathy, found herself drowning in accusations instead.
"I thought she was just the second wife… turns out she was the mistress."
"Living off the original wife's money? Shameless."
"And she even tried to use us to morally blackmail Lianna. Disgusting."
----
"Are you okay?" Yeri asked once they were clear of the crowd. "You were incredible. Those people looked so speechless I almost laughed."
Lianna let out a long breath and held up her hands. They trembled faintly, like leaves caught in a reluctant breeze. "To be honest, I was really nervous. I didn't even know how to answer their questions. It wasn't until I saw that woman that everything just… came out. Things I've wanted to say for a long time."
At first, Lianna had no intention of speaking publicly about her mother's past. Her mother had always been a deeply private person. But if she were still alive, Lianna knew she wouldn't want her to be misunderstood or wronged.
Just then, the car braked sharply, jolting them forward, saved only by the firm grip of their seatbelts.
"I'm sorry," the driver said, both confused and alarmed. "A tree by the roadside suddenly fell."
"A tree?" Lianna frowned, leaning slightly forward. "Why would it suddenly fall? Is there construction nearby?"
Yeri didn't respond immediately, her gaze was fixed on the fallen tree blocking the road ahead, her heartbeat drumming hard against her ribs.
A week ago, the exact same thing had happened when she was with Shin Keir.
A coincidence, or something threading a pattern beneath the surface?
What kind of phenomenon was this? Soil erosion? A hidden structural issue underground?
Trees didn't just collapse out of nowhere, not in calm weather, not without reason… and certainly not twice.
----
Venice's expression twisted into something unpleasant as she scrolled through the trending news about Lianna's case.
It wasn't concern that soured her mood. No, what truly irritated her was seeing Yeri trending alongside it, praised as "the kind of friend everyone should have."
From the moment Yeri made headlines as a talented programmer, to the scandalous forum incident, and now this, it felt as if invisible hands had swept away every trace of dirt from Yeri's past, polishing her image until it gleamed.
Lianna had even shared on social media how she met Yeri during her darkest days, how Yeri inspired her, encouraged her, and helped her fight against fate.
Now, the public was full of admiration, even speculating that this was one of the reasons Shin Keir had fallen for her.
"What a bunch of idiots," Venice muttered under her breath. "Can't they see she's just using people to build a perfect persona?"
"Venice!"
The sudden call snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up from her phone.
"Oh my God, you're really pregnant?!"
Venice's expression shifted instantly, warm and gentle as she slipped her phone away and greeted her college friends. "How's everyone?"
"We're good! But wow, we were so shocked when you suddenly dropped out. Was it worth it? Who's the father? Are you getting married soon?"
Venice let out a soft, practiced sigh, her hand resting lightly on her slightly rounded stomach.
"Dropping out was a difficult decision, but I had no choice. Pregnancy isn't easy, and continuing my studies just wasn't possible." She smiled faintly. "My boyfriend is from a wealthy family, a second-generation heir. He's always busy, but he treats me very well."
The group continued chatting as they entered Zillion Café in the bustling city center.
"Venice, you really know how to keep secrets! Not only is your uncle the CEO of this café, but your cousin is actually Yeri Zhi! I'm so jealous! Oh, have you met my husband, Shin Keir, in person?"
"Wait," another friend cut in, frowning slightly as she turned to Venice. "I remember you mentioning your uncle before, but didn't you say he was just a distant relative? Your surname isn't Zhi, so… is it your father's side or your mother's?"
Venice smiled, though a hint of stiffness flickered beneath it. "Adult matters," she said lightly. "My dad and my uncle are brothers. As for my surname… my mom was a bit dramatic back then. She didn't want to get married at first. I don't know all the details, but they're married now, so my surname was changed to Zhi."
She spun the story as if it were a tale of stubborn love and long misunderstandings, her father chasing her mother until everything fell into place. In truth, Venice had always subtly emphasized her connection to the Zhi family.
After all, who wouldn't want ties to wealth and influence? Even if others hadn't always taken it seriously.
As for Shin Keir, Venice eagerly recounted her experience at the engagement banquet, carefully omitting the fact that they hadn't even known who Yeri's fiancé was at the beginning.
"Did you shake Saeki Jie's hand? Is it soft? Does he smell good?"
"What about Tristan Felan? I swear I'd faint if he even smiled at me!"
Venice laughed, embellishing her stories as she described mingling with the elite.
"I don't dare compete for Shin Keir," one of them sighed dramatically. "He's taken. I've accepted it. But could you introduce us to other wealthy young masters? I'm not picky. They don't have to be on Saeki or Tristan's level, but I heard their circle still has plenty of bachelors."
"I'll try," Venice said with a modest smile, though her eyes flickered. "But I can't promise anything. Shin Keir's circle isn't like those groups of rich scumbags who spend their time on drugs and women. When they gather, it's all business. Even I have to admit, it's not easy to enter their circle."
The words flowed smoothly, but they were nothing more than fabrications. She had no contact with them, no real connection. And even if she did, she would never share it. She had already settled for being Hadi Keri's hidden woman.
How could she allow someone else to step into the upper class as a legitimate wife so easily?