Chapter 13


    Chapter 13 Video Disclose


    Glowering at the news, Cyril didn’t even dare open the video. Just reading the director’s words felt


    like a joke making his efforts seemughable.


    iming harassment left him no choice but to speak out after resisting it initially to avoid ugliness.


    But with people insisting on smearing him, he had to defend himself even at the cost of his


    reputation. All so the public wouldn’t be deceived and he could clear his name.


    His earnest words roused curiosity over what he would reveal. But few expected much from it, more


    interested in the promised video itself.


    Leaving the banquet, Cyril brooded silently in his car before finally clicking the clip with gritted teeth.


    It showed a naked entwined couple passionately embracing. From the familiarity disyed, their


    rtionship was clearly intimate. Caroline’s face was visible throughout while only the director’s


    voice could be heard, his form always off camera.


    Cyril didn’t know how he sat through the entire explicit video, Caroline’s intermingled noises of pain


    and pleasure still echoing in his mind. He had assumed her innocence before. Now he realized the


    truly innocent party was someone else all along.


    After ending the video, Cyril sat numbly, lost for words. With no censorship, Caroline would instantly


    be tabloid fodder.


    Commentators focused either on assessing authenticity or critiquing Caroline’s figure. The


    increasingly vulgar discussions disgusted Cyril. He couldn’t believe people found entertainment in


    such things. But regardless of his distaste, he had to see this through.


    Before he could collect himself, his phone suddenly rang. Caroline no doubt, having seen the news


    herself. Suppressing his anger, Cyril answered.


    “Cyril, have you seen what they’re saying about me? It’s all fake, I swear! Please, you have to


    believe me, my voice was dubbed in…” Caroline pleaded desperately, insisting it wasn’t her and she


    was innocent. Terrified he would believe the video and abandon her.


    But Cyril wasn’t a fool, quite adept at judging truth from lies.


    “Do you


    coldly.


    take me for an idiot, unable to tell whether videos are authentic?” he retorted


    Panicking at his frigid tone, Caroline hastened to exin.


    “I was helpless, forced into it! Back then I was a nobody. After getting the lead role, so many people


    watched my every move! I had no choice, no way out…”


    Chapter 13 Video Disclose


    “You did have a choice. You could have called me instead of insisting on relying solely on yourself.


    If this is your capability, I’ve got nothing more to say.”


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Cyril’s voice remained cial. He no longer wanted anything to do with Caroline after this, much


    less hear more excuses.


    Sobbing now, Caroline kept insisting her innocence and helplessness against the director too strong


    for her to resist.


    Listening to her cry, Cyril’s stance softened slightly. From the video, she did seem overpowered. But


    the public saw only what they wanted, ignoring subtleties of consent. Unwilling to watch it again,


    Cyril’s thoughts drifted unexpectedly to Sylvia’s long ago discovery of photos between himself and


    Caroline. She had said perceptions of truth and lies depended on personal beliefs – even with


    proof, denial could twist truths into falsehoods. He hadn’t taken her words seriously back then but


    they now struck him as meaningful wisdom. If he refused to acknowledge the authenticity here, then


    it simply couldn’t be genuine. Not that he personally believed them fakes, but that he MUST believe


    them false, by self–delusion if necessary.


    “Don’t cry. Whether you did this willingly or not, I will handle it. But we should refrain from contacting


    each other as much going forward.”


    Cyril felt strangely weary, the constant Caroline dramately exhausting him mentally. Just when he


    thought matters resolved, this new bombshell derailed everything.


    Hearing Cyril’s words, Caroline immediately ceased sobbing despite still dry–eyed.


    “W–why? You really think I did this voluntarily?”


    “Whether it was willingness or coercion, you know the truth. And I’ve always been aware of those


    photos you sent towyers previously despite staying silent until now.”