Chapter 614
When they arrived, Ector got out to grab Fernanda’s luggage. As he approached her, he let out a soft sigh, his eyes lingering on her. “Fernanda…”
“Huh?”
“I know it’s not my place to ask this of you. But… I just hope you might consider easing up on them,” Ector said.
His plea hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions.
That morning, after catching the headlines, Ector had been unable to eat.
He couldn’t deny the truth of the accusations. He had heard Robert say those very things the day before. He also knew Fernanda bore no blame; she was simply defending herself. And yet, watching his father and sister dragged into the public’s scorn, he felt cornered.
He understood that what he just said might seem unfair to Fernanda, but he couldn’t help it.
“When I get back, I’ll make Dad and Erika apologize to you.” Ector’s eyes softened as he looked at Fernanda. “Please, just don’t hold a grudge against them, alright?”
“Do you really think they’ll apologize to me? They’ve never once admitted they were wrong.” Fernanda’s voice was sharp as she stared out at the early light creeping over the horizon. “I know why you defend them. They’re your family. But to them, I’m not family. I’m just a pawn. Why would they care about the feelings of something they view as disposable?”
“No,” Ector countered quickly. “They’re my family, and you are too. I’ll make them listen…”
“It’s pointless,” Fernanda cut him off. “People who are selfish to the core won’t change, no matter what you say. You’re kind, Ector. You’ve always been different from them, and that’s why I don’t want you to feel caught in the middle. Just act like…”
“You don’t know anything about this. I’ve known since I was a child—when you’re bullied, you need to fight back. If you don’t, you’ll always be the victim. The bully never sees their cruelty.”
Her voice took on a firmer edge as she added, “Robert and I have too much history, and it’s time he learns what it feels like to lose. What has happened so far is just the opening act.”
With that, Fernanda grabbed her suitcase, flashed Ector a radiant smile, and turned to walk away.
Ector stood rooted to the spot, watching as her silhouette faded into the distance. The golden morning light wrapped around her like an aura, giving her an air of quiet resilience and unshakable determination. A knot formed in his stomach as his heart raced. A feeling of dread settled over Ector.
He couldn’t shake the thought: everything had changed. The peaceful life the Morgan family had known was gone, and all that lay ahead was a storm.
In the turbulent days that followed, the tidal wave of online backlash against Robert showed no signs of ebbing.
A swarm of reporters camped outside Voligny Company, their cameras and microphones at the ready, hoping to snag a word with Robert. Overwhelmed by the media frenzy, he barricaded himself inside his home, too spooked to step outside.
“Fernanda is a real piece of work!” Robert exploded, his frustration boiling over as he thumped his thigh. “What’s her endgame? How long will she drag this out?”
Across the room, Erika, her eyes rimmed with red, barely whispered, “I can’t believe she’d go as far as to set up a recording beforehand!” Fernanda’s foresight was unsettling. She had somehow predicted the conversation that night would turn incriminating and had recorded it.
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