Chapter 2: Elisia's Faking Innocence

When the father and daughter of Montenegro humiliated him, he couldn't help but feel annoyed with his daughter. Even though this daughter might give him a better business, he couldn't help it.

Jude's anger simmered beneath the surface as he confronted Elisia, his voice tight with barely contained frustration. "Elisia," he began, his tone demanding answers. His eyes looked scary, and Elisia refrained herself from trembling. "Tell me the truth. Is Keisley Montenegro truly the father of your child?"

Elisia felt a surge of panic course through her veins, and her heart started beating rapily, but she quickly composed herself, adopting a mask of innocence as she met her father's intense gaze. Of course, this is what she is good at: pretending to be innocent. "Yes, Father," she replied evenly, her voice betraying no hint of uncertainty. "Keisley is the father. We... something happened between us when we were both intoxicated."

Jude studied his daughter carefully, searching for any sign of deception in her demeanor. Satisfied, albeit reluctantly, by her response, he released a heavy sigh, his frustration momentarily abating. "Very well, Elisia," he conceded, his tone resigned. "We will proceed with the arrangements as planned. But remember, your actions have consequences, and I expect you to handle this situation with the utmost discretion and responsibility."

"And when did this happen?" Jude asked. He didn't want to know, but he needed to. After all, the pressure of the Montenegrin family is greater than his.

Jude's brow furrowed in deep contemplation as Elisia's words sank in. "During the party..." he repeated slowly, his mind racing with the implications of her revelation. "And Keisley... he was intoxicated?"

Elisia nodded, her expression a careful blend of contrition and resolve. "Yes, Father," she affirmed softly. "We were both... not ourselves that night."

A heavy silence enveloped them as Jude processed this newfound information, his thoughts swirling with a mixture of anger, disappointment, and a begrudging acceptance of the reality before him. "Very well, Elisia," he murmured finally, his tone tinged with resignation. "We will address this matter accordingly, but know that your actions carry weighty consequences."

Jude's expression softened slightly as he regarded his daughter, a glimmer of paternal pride flickering in his eyes. "You have certainly chosen a formidable alliance, my dear," he conceded, his voice tinged with a hint of approval. "A union with the Montenegro family could indeed open doors and secure our position in ways we had not anticipated."

"Grateful job, Elisia."

Elisia's face brightened at her father's words, a sense of vindication washing over her. "Thank you, Father," she replied earnestly, relief evident in her voice. And of course, her real intention was well hidden. "I truly believe this is the best course of action for both of us."

Little did she know that everything was exposed to the Montenegrin family already. This is not going to be an easy fight for her and the Lim family.

Jude nodded in agreement, though a shadow of doubt lingered in the recesses of his mind. "Indeed, my dear," he murmured, masking his reservations with a reassuring smile. "Let us proceed with caution and ensure that this arrangement serves our interests well."

As father and daughter exchanged a knowing glance, a silent understanding passed between them, each acutely aware of the intricate web of alliances and ambitions that now bound them together in their shared pursuit of power and influence.

After her talk with her father, with a devious glint in her eyes, Elisia swiftly dialed the number of a trusted media contact, her mind already concocting a plan to salvage her situation. Since that family won't accept her, she won't let them get away with it. She'll ruin everything for them. As the call connected, she wasted no time in spinning her narrative, her voice dripping with calculated venom.

Since that woman continues to interfere, she has no choice but to make it hard for them. After all, everything will be over once they get to know the truth. At least this time, she'll be able to deal with even a small amount of damage.

"Hello, this is Elisia Lim," she began, her tone laced with an imitation of innocence. "I have some rather pressing news to share regarding the Montenegro family."

As she launched into her tale, Elisia painted a picture of betrayal and deceit, carefully crafting her words to cast doubt upon Keisley's paternity and insinuate a callous rejection of her unborn child. With each carefully chosen phrase, she stoked the flames of scandal, ensuring that her message would spread like wildfire through the media landscape.

"And there you have it," she concluded, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips as she ended the call. "The truth cannot be denied, and I will not rest until justice is served."

As the news of her accusations began to spread, Elisia knew that she had struck a blow that would reverberate far beyond the confines of her father's office, setting into motion a chain of events that would shape the fate of both the Montenegro and Lim families for years to come.

As Sherly and her father entered the spacious confines of Hideous' office, they were greeted by the sight of Keisley seated in one of the plush leather chairs, his expression a mask of barely concealed irritation. Sherly's mischievous grin widened as she sauntered over to her brother, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

She couldn't help but tease her second brother because of her face. "Well, well, well," she said while walking inside her father's office. "If it isn't the esteemed Mr. Montenegro himself," she teased, her tone light and teasing. "I hope you haven't been causing too much trouble in here."

Keisley shot his sister a withering glare, his lips twisting into a grimace of disdain. "Just because you're in a good mood doesn't mean the rest of us have to suffer," he retorted, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Sherly chuckled, unfazed by her brother's barbed remark. "Oh, lighten up, big brother," she chided, nudging him playfully in the arm. "You should be grateful for my company. After all, I'm the only one who can make this dreary office feel halfway bearable."

Hideous watched the playful exchange between his children with a fond smile, silently grateful for these moments of levity amidst the chaos of their lives. Despite the weight of their family's burdens, seeing his children banter and jest reminded him of the unbreakable bond that held them together, come what may.

After teasing her second brother, Sherly approached her father's desk, a small USB drive clutched tightly in her hand. With a determined expression, she slid the device across the polished surface towards Hideous, who regarded her with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

"Dad," she called when her father sat down in his chair. "I managed to gather some crucial evidence, and those I sent you aren't just the evidence I gathered," she began, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency. She doesn't want her father to stress out about this matter, and obviously, her brother does as well. "Everything we need to expose Elisia's deceit is on that USB drive."

Hideous reached for the USB, his fingers closing around it as he studied his daughter's face intently. "What did you find?" he inquired, his tone betraying his growing intrigue.

Sherly's lips curled into a satisfied smile as she recounted her secret efforts. "I managed to access the security footage from the hotel where Elisia met with Harver Rolin," she explained. "There's undeniable proof of their encounter, along with timestamps that corroborate the timeline of events."

As Hideous inserted the USB into his computer and began to review the footage, Sherly continued, her words brimming with conviction. "I also obtained CCTV footage from the night of the party, showing Keisley's movements before and after his alleged encounter with Elisia. There's no way he could have been involved."

Hideous nodded approvingly, his gaze fixed on the screen as he processed the damning evidence before him. "This is invaluable, Sherly," he remarked, his voice tinged with admiration. "You've done a commendable job."

Sherly's chest swelled with pride at her father's praise, a sense of vindication washing over her. "I couldn't let Elisia's lies go unchallenged," she replied, her determination unwavering. "We'll bring the truth to light, no matter what it takes."