Averie set the glass down. “I’m full.”
Ben immediately cut to the chase and asked, “Averie, you said that you are not the woman in that video. Do you have proof?”
“No.” She heard Ben, but couldn’t stop herself from looking over at Elyette.
“What are you doing here, then? To make up a story, or beg for Elyette’s forgiveness?” Ben said sarcastically, “stop looking at Elyette with those doe-eyes! It means nothing even if you get on your knees and beg today!”
Provoked by Ben’s words, she reminded him, “Ben, this is between me and him.”
“When Tammy came to us for your sake and started shouting like a crazy woman, was I supposed to tell her the same thing as well?” Ben retorted.
Averie’s blood ran cold at his words as she froze in place.
She had come here to explain to Elyette about what had happened that day in the hotel. She wanted to tell him whether or not he chose to believe her, because at least she would have no regret.
However, everything just seemed so ridiculous now.
How could she forget about Tammy?
Tammy had always been so protective of her and she must have gone to Elyette and the others to explain what happened; judging from their reaction at the moment, it was clear that none of them believed Tammy.
If that was the case, there was no need for her to waste her time explaining.
“If you think that I’m the woman in the video, then so be it!” She said coldly, “forget I even came here.”
With that, she turned around to leave.
Elyette grabbed onto her arm. “Averie! I didn’t say you can leave!” He was breathing heavily and continued in a stern voice, “I want to hear you explain!”
“Elyette, she already said that she has no proof…” Ben said with resignation.
“This is between me and her!” Elyette glared at him viciously. “I don’t need anyone to remind me what to do! Even if my decision is wrong, I will accept the consequences on my own!”
Ben saw the determination in his eyes and left without another word.
After he left, Averie broke her arm free of Elyette’s restraint and in a low voice, she said, ” Tammy already said what I meant to say. Your friendship with Ben runs deeper than my friendship with Tammy, right? You are making me look bad.”
Ben must hate her now.
Though she didn’t care about Ben’s thoughts on her, she didn’t feel right that Ben and Elyette’s friendship suffered because of her.
Elyette mumbled as though he had not heard what she said, “someone tricked you into going to the hotel and found a woman that looks exactly like you to record her and framed you.”
“Doesn’t it sound fake? Not even movies dare to use plots like this,” she said sarcastically, “its normal that Ben won’t believe me; as for you, I’ve never dreamed of having your trust.”
His heart froze at her tone.
If he didn’t believe her, why would he stop her from leaving to listen to her?
As Averie had said, Elyette and Ben were as close as brothers; still, he fought with Ben. What about her? Apart from pride, all she had was never-ending prejudice against him.
“Averie, what gives you the right to do this to me?” He swallowed hard as his eyes reddened.” It doesn’t matter if you are the woman in that video, you have always been on a high horse whenever you are with me!”
“Should I have kneeled and begged for your forgiveness, then?!” Provoked by Elyette’s accusation, she retorted, “you get to get on a high horse and ask for my explanation, but I’m not allowed to doubt your trust towards me?”
“Elyette, I’ve already explained everything about that video. I’m busy, so I’ll go now,” she spoke quickly before hurrying away.
Elyette watched as she left and clenched his fists.
‘This time, I won’t let go of my pride and forgive her,’ he thought.
The irritation Averie felt did not ease even the slightest after leaving Elyette’s mansion. She couldn’t even remember how many times she had to work hard to prove her innocence.
She wasn’t the one who did it, and she was supposed to be the victim , but she was forced to take on the burden because of public opinions.
Averie called Tammy
“Averie, why did you come back so early?” Tammy was slightly confused. “If I were you, I would have remained a bit longer in Bridgedale. It’s not because I’d be scared of anything, it’s just that some of the people here in Aryadale are just too disgusting.”
“Running won’t solve the problem. I’ve already met with them,” Averie said calmly, “Tammy, I heard that you went to them for my sake. Thank you for trusting me.”
“Why are you thanking me? Coming to think of it, it’s my fault. If only I kept my phone safe, it wouldn’t have been stolen and without my phone, the thieves would have no means to trick you into going to the hotel,” Tammy said in frustration.
“Even if they couldn’t steal your phone, they would have come up with other ways to get me there.” Averie looked outside the window and said, “it’s getting cold. Let’s go shopping!”
Averie thought that it was time for her to buy Autumn-wear for her children. Her children were growing fast and she had to buy them new clothes every year.
Averie and Tammy decided to meet in one of the malls situated in the city center.
When Tammy saw her, she immediately asked, “how did Elyette react? Did he believe you?”
Averie smiled bitterly. “Even I thought it was me for a moment when I first saw the video, so I don’t expect anyone else to believe it.”
“He’s not just anyone. He is the father of your children!” Tammy argued in frustration,” whatever. It’s up to him to not believe you! You are not married to him, anyway. Your life doesn’t revolve around him.”
The two entered the mall and swiftly picked out the clothes they wanted, before heading to a restaurant for high-
tea.
Not long after they took their seats, Tammy noticed someone sneakily taking photos of them with their phones. She immediately walked up to the woman who was taking photos and said, “are you taking photos without our consent?! Delete them!”
Averie followed Tammy over.
Intimidated by Tammy, the woman reluctantly deleted the photos, before complaining, “why are you shouting? It’s not like I was taking photos of you!”
“Taking photos of my best friend is the same thing as taking photos of me! Apologize to my best friend right now, or you are not going anywhere!”
“Tammy, it’s fine,” Averie said.
People began to turn their attention to them. Averie was not embarrassed at first, but soon felt like she was a monkey in a zoo, being watched for every single move. She dragged Tammy back to their seats and told the waiter to pack their food, before paying.
“Averie, we didn’t do anything wrong. Why do we have to leave?” Tammy simply couldn’t accept it.
“I don’t want to be stared at by so many people. It doesn’t feel so good.” Averie took a sip of water from her glass and continued, “I didn’t want to bother looking for evidence to prove myself, but then I remember that both my kids are going to school and if I don’t prove my innocence, they might be affected by the scandal.”
Averie’s concern was reasonable, unless Hayden and Layla stopped going to schools in Aryadelle altogether.
“But how do we find proof?” Tammy said in a troubled tone.
The waiter had finished packing their food and brought it over to them.
The two stepped out of the restaurant and Averie said, “that day I went to the hotel, a decent looking male staff showed me the way to the private room; the way he was looking at me was as though he had seen me before.
Maybe we can start investigating with that hotel staff.”
Tammy beamed. “Then let’s go find him!”
Concerned, Averie said, “if I go, it might alert him.”
“I’ll go alone, then! I don’t know what he looks like, though,” Tammy said. “Video call me once you are inside the hotel,” Averie suggested.
At Caesar Hotel, Tammy was in a blonde wig with thick makeup on her face. She was dressed to the nines. She entered the lobby.
The concierge staff saw her and were instantly attracted to her.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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