The Ex-Wife's Revenge: Rise of the Real Heiress.-Chapter 173: The only way

Elara walked out of the police station, her gaze stuck on the unknown number that messaged her why she didn’t kill him.

She tried calling Daniel’s number to ask whose number he used to contact her, but the number was unreachable, and she furrowed her brows.

Did something happen to his number? She wondered before saving this new number under Daniel’s name. She deliberately used an asterisk to remind herself that this was the second number.

She tried calling this new number, but he didn’t pick up, and she pursed her lips.

"Why are you not picking up?" She messaged.

"Important meeting, sweetheart. What is it?" The message came from the other side, and Elara breathed a sigh of relief and was about to reply when Candice walked from behind her.

"Are you ready to go home, or should we take you elsewhere?" Candice asked.

Elara licked her bottom lip, a bit unsure.

Her gaze moved to Antonio, who looked at her with a worried expression, and she couldn’t help but smile.

"You guys carry on with your work. I have my own bodyguard." Elara stepped forward but then stopped.

She turned to look at her brother with a serious expression.

"You better not make her cry." She said, and the man bobbed his head up and down.

"About the investigation—"

"I’ll handle it. I indeed underestimated Beatrice. I took her too lightly when I cornered her with what I found, and she took advantage of it. But not again. I let my confidence turn into overconfidence, but she just made me realize I need to deal with her with utter patience and caution. Especially when she is such a good actress," Elara said.

She sighed and told him to take care of their parents so they won’t worry.

"Let’s go," Elara said to Antonio, who sat inside the car, looking at her through the rearview mirror repetitively.

"What is it?" Elara asked after some time.

"Are you really okay?" He asked, and Elara pursed her lips.

"I have been better," she said, looking out of the window.

"Where should I take you?" Antonio asked after a drawn-out silence.

She was well aware she would need to bear the consequences of these allegations and the crew members would look at her differently, but she needed to be there to clarify things.

Even if she dropped out of this drama, there was no guarantee the netizens would let her live in peace and continue her singing journey. Besides, this wasn’t just about acting. This was about her revenge on Beatrice.

"Shooting. Take me to the set," Elara said before she pulled out her phone and messaged Justin.

She didn’t want to use this information that would break her parents’ hearts, but this was the only way to direct some of the negativity she would face.

If Beatrice thought she would get rid of her for some time, she was definitely wrong. Elara thought before closing her eyes, wanting to relax.

It wasn’t long before they reached the set, and Antonio cleared his throat to let her know they had arrived.

Elara opened her eyes and took a deep breath to keep her composure before she exited the car.

She saw one of the crew members look at her and rush inside immediately, probably to tell others she was there.

"All the best," Antonio murmured from the driver’s seat, and Elara gave him a tight-lipped smile before she walked to the entrance.

You can do it, Elara. Don’t forget. This is for your revenge. For your baby who couldn’t even see this world. Elara reminded herself when she felt her resolution weakening.

She entered the set, and just like she had guessed, the director, producer, and everyone were already waiting for her.

Beatrice had a victorious smile, while Carla looked at her with a smug expression.

There was no doubt they had been feeding lies and enticing the director and producer about the incident.

Elara walked to them and gave them a 90° bow.

"I apologize for all the troubles the entire crew had to go through because of problems surrounding me. I won’t say that this problem has been resolved, but it will soon," Elara said.

The director, who had made up his mind about kicking Elara out of the production, was about to speak when he heard whispers behind him.

He turned to the crew to ask them to stay silent, but Producer Li, who saw what the crew members were looking at, froze in place.

"You should see this before deciding anything," Producer Li said, and the director took the phone in his hand before he watched the video.

The more he watched, the angrier he felt at the criminal and at himself for judging the girl wrongly.

Elara saw everyone looking at the video, then at her with pity and sympathy.

"Oh, poor girl. I can’t believe you suffered so much." An old veteran actress walked forward and hugged Elara, her hug warm and comforting.

Elara didn’t know a single hug from a stranger she didn’t even know would make her emotions spill like this. A rogue tear slipped from her eyes even when she fought them.

"I am sorry for bringing so many problems to the production. It wasn’t my intention. I just want to sing and show the world my talent. I know Director Han never wanted me here, and it would be understandable if he kicked me out today. But please accept my humble apologies before I leave," Elara said.

The director felt his eyes brim with tears as he saw the girl bow again and couldn’t help but look away.

He wiped his eyes before clearing his throat.

"What are you talking about? It’s true you bring problems, but is running away a solution? We have already delayed the schedule twice. Get ready for the scene quickly. Just because you are in some trouble doesn’t give you a green pass to lag," Director Han scolded Elara, who looked up with wide eyes.

"You are letting me stay?" Elara asked.

"I am not going to repeat my words," the man said, and Elara rushed forward to hug him before stopping herself in time.

She held his hand and thanked him gratefully, bowing repetitively before she looked at Beatrice and smiled back.

Beatrice’s pupils dilated when she realized what had just happened.

But why? She was sure Director Han was ready to kick her out. Then what changed?

Beatrice grabbed a crew member’s phone to see what they were gossiping about and saw what it was.

It was a video of Sean torturing Elara and trying to humiliate her by taking her dignity.

That bastard. Even in his death, he is making things hard for me. Beatrice gritted her teeth while Elara took a deep breath.

She remembered one of the men had been recording her the entire time Sean tortured her, and they had gotten the video before torturing Sean.

It was Daniel’s idea to keep it, and it definitely came in handy.

Elara pursed her lips and deliberately turned her phone off, knowing it would buzz soon with incoming calls and messages from well-wishers, since Justin had made the video public.

~~~~

Andrew reached Lloyd’s mansion since his parents summoned him, and he looked straight at his father as soon as he entered.

"You called?" he said.

Heather Lloyd placed the cup of tea on the table before nodding and motioning his son to sit down.

Andrew’s brows narrowed, but he complied nonetheless and sat.

"Is it true?" Sophia asked.

"What?" Andrew asked, unsure what she meant.

"Elara is Frost’s daughter," Sophia said.

Andrew’s expression darkened.

"How did you know?" He asked.

Sophia scoffed at her son.

"Just because you didn’t tell us, you think we would never find out? Sean’s father called us to know if Elara was really our daughter-in-law and told us what happened at the station," Sophia said.

Andrew didn’t say anything to that and just sighed.

He observed his parents’ expressions, which didn’t look good.

"So what do you want me to do about it?" Andrew asked, already having too much on his plate.

Sophia shook her head.

"I can’t believe you didn’t know who your wife was, even after being married to her for three years. What can you really do now? It’s time for me to do something." Sophia’s expression turned cunning.

Andrew’s brows furrowed.

"What are you talking about?" He asked, standing from his seat.

"Reaping the benefits of this relationship that we should’ve done long ago. That girl was cunning through and through. She could’ve helped you and your father secure so many deals with her background, but she didn’t want to see us prosper," Sophia said.

"You are not going to do anything like that, Mom. Dad, say something," Andrew said, but Sophia just stood in her place and walked to her room without saying a word.

Even Heather didn’t say a word. Andrew looked at his parents and suddenly felt helpless.

The more he tried to hold onto things and improve his relationship with Elara, the worse it was turning out to be.

"It’s really disappointing that you couldn’t keep your woman under your control. Give them love and appreciation, but you should know when to tighten the leash around their necks so they won’t retaliate like yours did," Heather said before leaving the hall.

Andrew looked at his father, feeling disgusted by what he had just seen. His fists clenched by his side, making him swallow hard.

Elara’s expression, his mother’s words, the way things worsened with Beatrice—everything started swirling in his head, and he suddenly felt like smashing something.