CHAPTER 30: THE GAME BEGINS

Antonella scrolled through her phone, watching as the comments poured in. Reactions, debates, accusations. Everything was unfolding exactly as she had planned. The video had served its purpose. People were talking. People were picking sides. And most importantly, people were doubting.

She leaned back into the comfortable seat of the café, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. Outside, the city moved as if nothing had happened. But in her world, in the digital battlefield she had unleashed, everything was chaos.

A small, mocking smile formed on her lips as she refreshed the feed once more. Some defended Semiel and the others, claiming the audio had been edited. But those who had already made up their minds drowned them out.

—So easy to manipulate —she murmured, taking a slow sip of coffee.

But as much as she enjoyed the spectacle, something gnawed at her. It wasn't enough. Not yet. She wanted more. She needed them to feel it. The humiliation, the helplessness. A simple edited video wasn't going to be the end of this. Her fingers trembled as she recalled those words—"Thank you"—that Saval had said.

Maybe she could release another statement, something more personal. A direct message to Saval? No, too soon. She needed revenge.

How dare a mere toy end things with me?

As a malicious smile crept onto her face, an idea struck her. She glanced at her phone and typed out a message to one of her contacts.

It's time to take this a step further.

...

Semiel paced back and forth in Saval's living room, fists clenched. The air in the room was thick with unspoken frustration. Santiago sat on the couch, arms crossed, while Saval leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, staring at the floor.

—She's winning —Semiel exhaled, his voice tight.

—She won't win forever —Santiago replied, though his voice lacked conviction.

Saval remained silent. He had barely spoken since they arrived. His mind was still trying to process everything from the moment he saw the video in the café. The stares, the whispers, the video. Antonella had painted them as villains, and the worst part? It was working.

—We have to decide what to do —Semiel continued—. We can't just sit here and watch her destroy our names.

—And what? Make our own video? Say it's fake? People won't care, Semiel —Santiago exhaled—. They've already picked a side.

—Then we find proof —Saval finally spoke, his voice low but firm.

Everyone turned to look at him.

—She edited the video. That means the original has to exist somewhere. If we find it, we can prove she manipulated everything.

Semiel nodded slowly, considering the idea. It was risky, but at least it was something.

—What if we don't find it? —Santiago asked, skepticism in his tone.

Silence.

The reality was harsh. If they failed, it wasn't just their reputations on the line. Antonella wouldn't stop. She would keep pushing until there was nothing left of them.

—Then we have to be careful —Saval finally said—. We can't afford any mistakes.

Semiel clenched his jaw. With every second they wasted, Antonella was gaining ground. They had to move fast.

Just as he was about to say something, Saval's phone vibrated on the table.

The three of them froze, exchanging cautious glances before Saval hesitantly picked it up.

A message from an unknown number.

—Need some help? Maybe a cup of coffee would do you good. 😉