Kael Kenyon rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Has she completely lost her mind?"
Josslyn Keating stood up and popped a bottle of outrageously expensive champagne. Unlike the rest of them, in his eyes, the girl on the screen looked like a fearless, unyielding warrior.
The mad goose finally had the shadow of a swan.
Meanwhile, in Merriton City.
Vivienne sat cross-legged in front of the television, hugging a glass of strawberry juice.
Julian and Alaric emerged from their rooms at the exact same time, exchanged a brief glance, and walked into the living room.
"Alaric and I both have business to handle tonight. Moira will come over and keep you company for dinner."
Vivienne waved her hand dismissively. "Got it."
Seeing that her eyes were completely glued to the screen, the two men didn't say another word and quietly left the apartment.
*
"Ms. Blackthorne, did the family intentionally abuse you? Are the allegations regarding the physical harm Isolde inflicted on you true?"
"Ms. Blackthorne, why didn't you report the incident to the police? Is someone threatening or coercing you?"
"Ms. Blackthorne, on the night of the incident, you were admitted to Crown Hospital. Does this confirm that the events in the video actually took place?"
Mina's palms were dripping with sweat. The flashbulbs were blinding, making it impossible to distinguish the faces in the crowd.
She forced herself to remain calm. "First question: The Blackthorne family did not abuse me. They treat me like their own flesh and blood. They are the best family in the world."
"Second question: No one is threatening me. After that incident, the emotion I've experienced most isn't fear, but encouragement."
"Third question: The contents of the video are real..."
The press room immediately erupted into chaos.
A look of absolute certainty flashed across Mina's eyes, her voice ringing out with iron resolve. "But it is not the whole story."
"Weren't you all signing petitions begging for the full version?" She stared directly into the camera, aiming a look of pure contempt at the monsters hiding behind the screen. "Today, I'll give you exactly what you want."
As soon as she finished, a massive projection screen rolled down behind her. Piercing, vile laughter suddenly blasted through the press room speakers.
Mina stood up and looked at the screen. This was the first time she had ever directly watched her own trauma.
The exact second her shirt was yanked up...
Bang!
"Two."
She crouched down, pulled the pink baseball cap off her head, and placed it gently onto Mina. Then, she tilted her head, aiming a cold look at the bleeding, pathetic trash scattered across the floor.
"If you don't want to die, get on your knees."
The face caught on camera was wildly rebellious and utterly stunning. That mocking, tilted smirk was an absolute kill shot.
*
The most effective way to survive a storm was to summon an even bigger one.
Off-screen, Vivienne touched her own face with deep satisfaction. Now, it was her turn to take the stage.
[Ding—]
[The Sisterhood Arc - Mina: Objective Complete: Willingly betray oneself for the other. Progress: 1/2]
...

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