The next second, the mocking laughter from the camcorder exploded in the quiet Tea Room.
The incident at the Lotus Pond only took up the first minute or so of the recording, but it was more than enough to explain what had happened tonight.
Yet the camcorder held far more than just the Lotus Pond footage. The torment those other victims endured was infinitely worse.
The agonizing screams and desperate pleas of the victims, mixed with the cruel, teasing laughter of the abusers, tore at the eardrums of everyone present. Even Evelyn Ravenshire stood frozen, staring at her daughter as if looking at a complete stranger.
A string of vicious acts. Zero remorse. If this wasn't the work of a serial abuser, what was?
Lara Arlington's face went deathly pale. The recorded begs for mercy felt like a vicious mockery of her current predicament, snapping the last thread of her sanity.
"That's not me! You're framing me!" Lara shrieked, lunging wildly at Vivienne Lexton.
Cyril Ravenshire, standing right behind Vivienne, saw the rabid dog charging and smoothly pulled her out of harm's way.
Julian Ravenshire didn't bother with such subtleties. He stepped right in, using his body as a shield for Vivienne.
Lara already despised Vivienne, but seeing Julian actively protect her was the final straw. She completely lost her mind, screaming at the top of her lungs.
"So what if I taught some commoners a lesson? Who told them to be so low-class and try to compete with me? And you!" Lara pointed a trembling finger at Vivienne. "Why did you get the first dance with Alaric? That was supposed to be mine! It was mine!"
The more she screamed, the more agitated she became. Ignoring Julian's imposing stance, she clawed at him, trying to snatch the camera.
Terrified, Evelyn rushed forward, desperately pulling at her daughter. "Lara, calm down!"
Lara was deaf to reason, relentlessly throwing herself at Julian. Annoyed, Julian grabbed her arm and shoved her away.
Seeing her opening, Vivienne sneakily snagged the edge of Lara's blanket.
"Ah!"

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