Chapter 138: Her Anxiety Spiked to Unprecedented Levels

Her anxiety spiked to unprecedented levels. Yet she maintained that pitiful mask perfectly.

"It's fabricated," Vanessa whispered hoarsely. "This video is completely fake. Someone engineered this to destroy me. I would never harm my own sister like this."

One of Vanessa's loyal friends quickly rallied. "Exactly! If Tessa's footage was manipulated, this could be too!" Helena snapped out of her stunned silence. She immediately moved to shield Vanessa, her body a protective barrier. She fixed a furious glare on Silas. "Who paid you to create these lies? Why are you targeting my daughter? I raised Vanessa myself! She is incapable of such monstrous acts!" Her defense was fierce, unwavering. Sienna watched from the sidelines, a cold, knowing smile touching her lips. The stark contrast was not lost on her.

Had she been the one accused, Helena's hand would have already struck her face. But for Vanessa? Only fierce protection. Helena was about to learn the brutal truth about her precious, perfect daughter. Sienna's gaze shifted back to Silas, her voice cutting through the tension. "Your credibility is being questioned. Presenting forged evidence in a court of law carries a sentence of up to three years." Three years in prison. Silas's legs nearly buckled beneath him. He was already a wanted man, cooperating with Miles for a chance at leniency.

He turned desperately to the lead officer. "I swear on my life this video is authentic! If there's a single fabricated frame, sentence me to death! Verify it yourselves! Go to the black market! Retrieve the hidden security footage! You'll find Miss Morgan clear as day there!" His eyes darted wildly between Vanessa and Tessa. "Only black market insiders know about that camera. It can't be tampered with! It can't be erased! Nothing escapes its lens!" Tessa's face drained of all color. She had been so careful to avoid all visible cameras that night.

The existence of a hidden one was a catastrophic oversight. This could ruin her completely. The lead officer immediately dispatched a team to investigate, forcing a terrified Silas to guide them. If his claim was verified, she was finished. A frantic calculation sparked in Vanessa's eyes. Suddenly. Slap! A sharp crack echoed as her palm connected brutally with Tessa's cheek.

"How could you!" Vanessa cried out, her voice laced with manufactured agony. "Tessa! Why would you frame my sister? I treated you like family! Like my own blood! How could you commit such an evil act against her!"

The force of the blow sent Tessa stumbling to the floor. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. She was dazed, struggling to process the sudden betrayal. The realization dawned cold and hard. Vanessa was sacrificing her. Of course. Vanessa's career, her future, couldn't be tarnished. She was the top model. She had to remain pristine. Tessa remained on the cold floor, sobs beginning to wrack her body. –

"It's my fault," she wept, the words catching in her throat. "I was blind with rage. I couldn't stand watching Sienna constantly overshadow you. You were always so kind to her, and she repaid you with nothing but schemes. I just... I just wanted to get revenge for you!"

"Unbelievable!" Vanessa shrieked, her performance flawless.

She dropped to her knees, grabbing Tessa's collar and shaking her violently. "I told you! The Valenne editorial had nothing to do with Sienna! It was my own failure! I don't blame her! How could you do this! I trusted you like an aunt! Like an older sister! I gave you everything! How could you betray me with such viciousness behind my back? How could you!"