Chapter 79
Karl still staring at his laptop screen with major anxiety. The video that popped up this time was the Interview video of Julia, Elena, and Jane that went viral. Valencia was sitting in the corner of the campervan, silent but clearly observing every detail of the situation.
The three of them were hanging on every word that came out of Julia’s mouth on the screen, as she tried to explain something to the interviewer.
"I don’t know why all of this is happening!" Julia looked like she was about to cry. "That video—it’s not me. I mean, I don’t remember doing it. How could I have done it? I have a husband, kids. This is destroying my life."
Elena, sitting next to her, bowed her head, looking ashamed and confused. "I don’t remember anything either. But everyone recognizes us, they’re hurling insults at us. They say we... I can’t even say it." Her voice broke.
Jane, who is usually firm, tried to stay calm. "This is a huge mistake. I don’t know how a video like that could exist. It’s ruining my career. I just want it all to stop."
Karl felt a chill fill his chest. The video. The video he recorded. The video that should have never existed. It all came back to him. He recorded Julia, Elena, and Jane when they were under the influence of his mind manipulation. And now, thanks to an attention-hungry streamer who found the video on his lost old hard drive, the whole world knows.
Instead of empathizing with them, Layla spoke in a calm yet sharp tone, supporting Karl as usual. She stared at the screen with a calculating look. "Karl," she finally said, breaking the silence. "You know what you did, right?"
Karl looked at her with guilt. "I... I didn’t mean for all of this. They shouldn’t—"
"Stop blaming yourself," Layla cut in sharply. "The world is cruel, Karl. You know that better than anyone. They were under your control before, and that worked. Now, you need to turn the tables."
Valencia tilted her head, her expression flat but full of questions. "What do you mean, Layla?"
Layla smiled thinly, then looked directly at Karl. "I’m saying, it’s time for you to use your powers again. You need to protect us, and the best way to do that is to ensure people like Angeline have their reputation destroyed."