Chapter 6: Interview

Vivian affected nonchalance, waving her hand dismissively. "Do as you please," she said.

Catherine rose from her seat, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, and began to set up the camera.

Vivian glanced back at Jon, who stood outside the door, his expression impressive. Their eyes met, and she flashed him a reassuring smile, subtle that she was in control.

"Secretary Jon, I'd like some time alone with reporter Catherine," she said, her voice firm but polite.

"And if you would, please arrange for some refreshments." She added, her eyes never leaving Jon's face.

He nodded submissively, his expression unchanging, but a flicker of understanding danced in his eyes. With a slight nod, he departed, leaving Vivian alone with Catherine.

As the door closed, Catherine turned to her, her gaze intense. "Shall we begin?" She asked, her voice clear and measured.

Vivian nodded, preparing herself for the question that was to come.

"So, I'll ask you a few questions," Catherine said, her eyes locked onto Vivian's. "Feel free to decline or elaborate as you see fit. Just share what you're comfortable with." Vivian nodded, her expression serene.

"Of course, I understand," Vivian replied, her voice steady and confident.

Catherine's first question struck like a dagger, its precision and accuracy catching Vivian off guard.

"Ms. Vivian Albert, there have been rumors about your relationship with Henry," she said, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Do you consider yourself his mistress?"

The words hung in the air, heavy with judgment and implication. Vivian's pulse quickened as she weighed her response, carefully crafting her words to convey the desired message.

She laughed, a hint of mockery dancing on her lips. "What mistress?" She muttered, her voice laced with amusement.

"No, I'm not Henry's mistress." She said, her tone dim and convincing. "We are old friends, bonded by shared experiences." Catherine's eyes narrowed, sending the carefully crafted narrative.

"Okay.... So, how long have you known both Henry and Lily?" Chatherine asked her to measure and deliberate.

Vivian chuckled, feigning nostalgia, and leaned back in her chair. "Henry and I go way back many years," she said, a wistful smile spreading across her face. "Lily I met two years ago, when I returned to the country. She was lovely and charming. I was thrilled Henry had found someone." Her expression darkened, and she hesitated, summoning fake tears.

"Until..." she whuslred, her voice cracking with emotion.

"Ms. Vivian, until what?" Catherine pressed, curiosity etched on her face.

Vivian wiped away the fabricated tears, her eyes welling up with more. "Until she became consumed with insecurity and jealousy," she said.

"She couldn't accept Henry's and my friendship, despite my efforts to reassure her. The threats started, and I feared for my safety." Her voice cracked, and she forced a sorrowful smile.

"I considered Lily a sister, a confidante," Vivian said, her eyes brimming with tears. "Her transformation was heartbreaking. Now I wonder... if I hadn't entered her life, would she have remained the kind, considerate person I once knew?"

Catherine's expression softened, and she reached out, gently patting Vivian's hand.

"Don't feel responsible, Ms. Vivian," Catherine said, her voice warm with empathy. "You shouldn't apologize for Lily's actions. Her wrongdoing can't be justified. You shouldn't cry," she added, her eyes filled with compassion.

Vivian sniffles, dabbing her tears with a tissue. "Yes, Catherine, you're right," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Lily wronged me, and she owes me an apology."

Catherine nodded sympathetically. "Don't cry, Ms. Vivian, she said. "Just a few more questions."

Vivian composed herself, attentive to her next inquiry. "Ms. Vivian, could you share more about your background, your family?" Catherine asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Vivian's heart skipped a beat. Wondering why Catherine is prying into her personal life. "I... I'd prefer not to discuss my family," she stammered, honesty slipping through her facade.

Catherine's expression softened. "Understandable," she said. "No more intrusive questions."

Catherine paused, her gaze intensifying. "Last question, Vivian. This interview will air on TV and media platforms. Is there a message you'd like to convey to Lily, who's currently incarcerated?"

The camera's lens seemed to bore into Vivian's soul. Vivian wanted to unleash her venom, but restraints won.

"Lily," she began, her voice measured and deliberate. "I hope wherever you are, you recognize your mistakes and face the consequences. I also hope you're healthy and well." Her words masked the turmoil within.

Beneath the surface, Vivian seethed with resentment. But for now, she maintained her mask and calculated performance.

'You destroyed my plans, Lily. You'll pay dearly. '

☆☆☆

Lily sat in the visitation room, anxiously awaiting the familiar faces that would bring her comfort. The door opened, and her mother and brother Brian walked in, their eyes scanning the room until they found her.

Her mother's gasp echoed through the glass divider as she took in the bruises and cuts on her face. Her tears flowed freely, and she pressed her hand against the glass, as if trying to reach Lily.

"Lily, my dear. What happened?" Her mom's voice trembled, her words laced with concern and worry.

Brian's eyes widen in shock, and he takes a step forward, his fists clenched.

"Lily, are you okay?" Brian asked, his voice filled with empathy.

Lily forced a smile, trying to reassure them, but the pain and uncertainty etched on her face betrayed her true emotions. Seeing her mother and brother filled her with temporary courage, but the absence of her father stung like a fresh wound.

"Where's Dad?" Lily asked, noticing the unease in their expression.

Her mother's voice dropped to a whisper, and she glanced around the room nervously.

"Lily, your father isn't coming," her mother said, her voice barely audible.

The words punched Lily in the gut, leaving her breathless and reeling. "Why?" She demanded, searching their faces for answers.

Brian shifted uncomfortably, his eyes avoiding Lily's, while her mother's eyes pleaded for understanding.

"It's just complicated, sweetie," her mother said. "Everything's not okay right now, but I'm sure he'll come around."

Lily's heart cracked, and the words spilled out, laced with pain and desperation.

"Aren't I his daughter?" Lily asked, her voice shaking. "I'm accused of murder, and he can't even visit me. He didn't even come to court. Has he disowned me?"

The question hung in the air, a challenge to their reassurances. Her mother's words hung in the air, a fragile attempt to reassure Lily.

"That's not it; everything right now is not well. I'm sure he'll come around."

Lily pierced her with a skeptical gaze, her silence screaming the truth.

"Mom, you know That's not true," Lily said, her voice firm. "He won't come around anytime soon. And do you know how much it hurts? He believes I'm a killer."

Brian intervened, his voice laced with conviction.

"That's not true, Lily," he said. "None of us believe that. We're doing everything we can to prove your innocence." He paused, his eyes locked onto Lily's.

"We even planned to meet Henry." He continued. "We're going to get to the bottom of this, Lily. We won't give up on you." Her brother's words offered a glimmer of hope, but the pain and uncertainty still lingered.

A bitter, humorless laugh escaped Lily's lips. "Why would you meet him?" She asked, her voice laced with disdain. "That man won't hesitate to think I tried to kill Vivian. He's not the man we knew." Lily shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears.

Her mother's expression turned pleading, her hands clasped in a desperate gesture. "Lily, he's your husband. No one could believe in you more than him."

Lily leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "I thought so too, but you know what?" She said, her words dripping with pain. "He didn't even give me 24 hours in prison before crawling in here with divorce papers and declaring his intention to marry Vivian.".

Brian's eyes widen in shock, his jaw dropping in disbelief. "Did he really do that?" He asked, his voice incredulous.

The pain of Henry's betrayal was still seared in Lily's soul, and she felt a fresh wave of anger wash over her.

"After everything we've done for him?" He continued. His voice rising. "Three years ago, when his company was failing, our support as the Monlin family and group saved him. And this is how he relays it to us?"

Lily's mother was still in disbelief, unable to speak a word from utter shock. A sudden realization struck Lily, and she turned to her mother.

"Mother, can you give me a check from back?" She asked, her voice firm.

Her mother's eyebrow rose, but she nodded. "Anything for you, darling," she said, her voice filled with determination.

Brian's eyes sparkled with resolve."Lily, you should file for appeal," he said. "This case needs to be reinvestigated again."

Lily nodded, entrusted her family with her fate, feeling a sense of relief wash over her."I'll leave it to you," she said.

☆☆☆

Lily's days blurred together in a haze of routine; Rachel's arrival marked a turning point. She stood before Lily, a fierce determination burning in her eyes.

"Today, we start learning how to fight back," Rachel said, her voice firm.

Initially, their training sessions began with simple exercises to gain physical strength. Push-ups, crunches, and jogging. Since the prison doesn't allow exercising tools because they pose danger, they can be used as weapons, so this is the only exercise they can do.

Rachel taught Lily basic defense tactics to avoid injuries, how to dodge, and how to counterattack.

Each movement was deliberately calculated. At first, Lily's body protested, screaming in exhaustion. But with every passing day, she grew stronger. Her muscles hardened, and her reflexes quickened. The person's harsh reality began to fade, replaced by a sense of purpose.

However, the reality outside the prison was that Lily was aware; her case was news, as no one was talking about her. But her family was implicated one day after another fall was falling into her Monlin family. The Monlin group was struggling to put a stand by.

She knew this was Henry's doing, dragging down her family to ashes just for her so-called revenge. Instead of punishing her, he chose to punish her family, leaving her to just watch on inside without being able to do a thing.

Every time she thought about it, she was infuriated with anger.