Chapter 2 The Videos

Six years later, the grandest five-star hotel in Valmead was the venue for an engagement party.

Inside the opulent banquet hall, renowned figures mingled, wearing smiles and raising glasses in toast.

Displayed on stage, a picture captured the bride and groom-to-be, cozy and loving.

Their names, Rowley Mitchell and Pattie Webb, were written beneath.

Soon, the couple made their appearance on stage.

Rowley, microphone in hand, expressed his gratitude. "Ladies and gentlemen, your presence at the engagement party means the world to Pattie and me today."

Amongst the guests, Novalee, who had changed her family name from Webb to Shaw, looked on, dressed in an elegant black dress, her face masked with a scornful smile.

Six years gone, and the shameless couple was at last engaged.

But she was back at last.

The events that happened six years ago still fresh in her mind, she was resolved to reclaim what was hers and exact revenge on those who'd wronged her a hundredfold!

"It's quite the tale, Mr. Mitchell once being Miss Webb's brother-in-law. His ex-wife, burdened by prenatal depression, vanished after childbirth, leaving no trace. The child is raised lovingly by Miss Webb and Mr. Mitchell. Though frail, she is very adorable. Only two years ago did Mr. Mitchell and Miss Webb accept Mrs. Mitchell's death, prompting an obituary."

"Such benevolence in Mr. Mitchell and Miss Webb. They have been a compassionate pair to the ex-wife and child."

These whispers grated on Novalee's ears.

Compassionate?

Benevolent?

Humph!

"Mommy, Mommy, can you hear me?"

A young voice from her headset snapped her back to the present, lighting up her eyes.

Glass raised to lips, she replied softly, smiling, "Yes, dear, I hear you."

"Mommy, they'll soon show a video of the bride and groom. Make your way to the control room on the second floor. I've the surveillance cameras on the way in control. Go fifty meters to the left and you'll see the stairs. Take the stairs. I've arranged for the control room to be vacant. You have three minutes, Mommy."

With an amused expression, Novalee set down her glass and promptly headed left. "Understood."

The control room, now vacant, welcomed her. She plugged a flash drive into the computer.

"You just need to swap the video with ours. If only the computer were online, I could've done it myself." The child's voice sounded slightly irritated.

Laughing, Novalee worked the mouse skillfully.

"Give me one minute."

Looking at the progress bar on the screen, she wet her lips.

"Thirty seconds."

"Mommy, the host is giving the opening speech."

"Ten seconds."

From below, the host's voice rang out.

"Come, join us as we delve into the love story of our newly engaged couple."

At last, Novalee exhaled. "Done."

Clicking the mouse, she launched the video.

The acoustics in the banquet hall were excellent. Suddenly, a moan coming from them was heard by everyone.

"Ah, you're incredible!"

A sex video suddenly displayed on the massive screen at the engagement party, showing Pattie with someone who wasn't Rowley, her fiance.

A chorus of shock erupted throughout the hall. Parents swiftly shielded their children's eyes.

"Avoid watching this. It's not appropriate for children!"

"Can this be real? Engagement parties these days are quite exciting!"

"Oh, my God! What in the world is happening?"

"Don't miss this moment! Snap a picture. We'll share it on Twitter later."

On stage, Pattie's complexion paled at the sound of her own voice in the video. Frantically, she clutched Rowley's arm, pleading, "Rowley, allow me to explain! This isn't what it looks like. Someone is trying to frame me!"

Rowley's anger was palpable as he jerked her hand away. The situation worsened as the image on the large screen shifted, revealing a video of Rowley himself with another woman.

The ensuing uproar was deafening, as those who had just admired the couple's love story now felt betrayed.

"Apparently, both are guilty of betrayal."

"They're not married yet. How can you accuse them of betrayal? They're merely enjoying themselves behind each other's back."

"You'd never think they'd be so open in their relationship, considering how refined they normally act."

"Don't be fooled by appearances. It's nothing more than a virtuous facade!"

With her fists clenched so tightly that her newly-manicured nails cracked, Pattie demanded, "Rowley, will you please explain what's happening?"

Rowley's expression grew more severe. "No need for explanations. Don't act so unreasonable."

He then yelled to his bodyguards, "Turn off that video! The culprit must still be in the control room. Hunt them down!"

Novalee's headset crackled with a voice tinged with panic. "Mommy, they're coming for you. Get out now!"

She quickly ejected the flash drive and made her escape.

"They're approaching from the elevator and stairs. Hide somewhere for now, Mommy," the voice continued, fraught with worry. Novalee's eyes scanned the corridor before she swiftly unlocked the door to a VIP lounge and hurried inside.

The curtains of the VIP lounge were closed, casting a slight shadow over the room.

Nevertheless, Novalee couldn't shake the feeling that someone's eyes were fixed on her. The intensity of that gaze demanded her attention.

Novalee instinctively turned her head. In the dim light filtering through the curtains, she spotted a man. What caught her off guard was the fact that the man was seated in a wheelchair.

Before she could respond, a flurry of footsteps echoed from outside.

Soon after, a knock echoed on the door.

Startled, Novalee reacted quickly, lunging at the man and covering his mouth.

An unfamiliar yet pleasant fragrance from her fingers wafted into the man's nose.

While he was a clean freak, he found himself enjoying the scent.

"Excuse me, Mr. Patel, is everything alright here?"

Novalee's fear increased as she realized the man's importance. Mr. Patel?

All the attendees of Rowley and Pattie's engagement party were notable figures. This Mr. Patel was even accommodated in an exclusive VIP lounge. It was quite evident that his stature was elevated.

"Mr. Patel?" The bodyguard's anxiety grew. "Mr. Patel, are you okay? Are you in there? I must come in to check if you don't respond. Forgive me."

The man's intense gaze remained fixed on Novalee, as if weighing his options.

Novalee's jaw clenched, and her complexion paled. Suddenly, the creak of the door's opening pierced the silence of the room.

In an instant, Novalee moved.

Releasing his mouth, she threw her arms around the man's neck and kissed him passionately on the lips.