Chapter 112: Remorse

Third Person POV.

Just as it seemed like the investigation was going cold, Mavis intervened, holding up a hard drive between his thumb and index finger. The detectives' eyes fixed on it, intrigued. "What's that?" one of them asked. Mavis replied,

"The evidence we need is right here. It turns out Estelle was smart enough to manipulate the footage using steganography when she was left alone at the office of the security officer. Isabel was telling the truth all along."

He didn't want to do it knowing it'll get Estelle in trouble but he couldn't watch Isabel suffer further. He knew about it all along, she had told him about it.

The investigator carefully took the hard drive from Mavis and inserted it into a nearby computer system. As the footage began to play, the truth became undeniable.

The evidence revealed Estelle's guilt, confirming Isabel's claims and shedding new light on the investigation. The detectives watched intently, their expressions stern, as the incriminating video played out before their eyes.

"Miss Isabel, we apologize for the misunderstanding," the investigator said, before turning to Mavis. "Thank you, Mr. Mavis, for bringing this evidence to light. The perpetrator will be apprehended and brought to justice."

With that, the detectives departed, leaving the room. As soon as they were gone, Mavis turned to Bennett and asked, "May I have a word with my step-sister in private, please?"

"I'm not going anywhere, Mavis," Bennett said firmly. "You saw the screenshots I sent to you, exposing Estelle's scheme to deceive you into thinking Isabel was having an affair with Jackson. And yet, here you are, asking me to leave? No way." Bennett took a deep breath, stepped back, and sat down, her expression unyielding.

"Please, Bennett, just give us a moment," Mavis asked, his tone giving off more elements of remorse. Isabel's expression turned scathing as she responded:

"You're shameless, Mavis. Estelle's really had you whipped. What are you doing here? Trying to salvage your reputation or get your job back? Newsflash, it's not happening, even if I return your precious properties. You've lost everything, and I'm not sorry. You can try to hurt me, but I'll take it in stride. However, I'm willing to listen. Please, just give us a moment, Bennett."

With one more angry glance at Mavis, Bennett nodded and stepped out of the room, leaving Mavis and Isabel alone. For a moment, there was stillness, and then Isabel's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and curiosity. "Start talking, Mavis. What do you want to say?"

With Mavis' eyes looking below, he was too ashamed to look Isabel in the face. "I'll make sure Estelle pays for coming between us," he said. "The lies and everything that has put you through, I was not left out. I was never happy but I admit my wrongs."

"That's no business of mine, Mavis. She's going down, and I'll take pleasure in watching her rot in jail. In fact, I'll make it a point of duty to visit her regularly, just to tell her painful things and make her suffer even more." She turned to Mavis, with a dismissive expression. "You've got what you wanted. Now, get out of my office. Your time is up."

"Isabel, please... I'm begging you, Isabel. Give me another chance. I know I was blind to Estelle's manipulation, and I'm deeply sorry for that. I was foolish to believe her lies, especially when I found your panties in Jackson's pocket. But I had no idea Estelle had gotten you drunk that night and deliberately removed your panties to frame you. I was deceived, and I realize that now. I promise to make it up to you, to earn back your trust and forgiveness. I'll do whatever it takes, Isabel. Just don't shut me out completely. Remember you have our baby."

"Have you finished groveling?" Isabel asked carelessly without a single pity. "Our baby? You now know that I have our baby? That's quite interesting. If you are done, you can leave my office. But don't think for a second that you can waltz back in here and expect everything to go back to normal. I have your baby, but that's where your privileges end."

Mavis, still trying to appease her, took a step forward. "Isabel, please—"

"Come closer," she said calmly interrupting him.

As he approached, Isabel's hand flashed out, delivering a resounding slap to his face. Mavis recoiled immediately, shocked and stinging from the blow. His palm went over the part of his cheek that was turning red, he rubbed it gently, his face feeling like hell.

"You pig!" Isabel thundered, her anger boiling over. "Get out of my office before I call security! Don't think for a moment that you can manipulate me again. We're done. I believe you understand English or do you want Spanish?"

"I can take another slap, or ten if that's what it takes for you to forgive me and take me back," Mavis said with pleading eyes.

Isabel's expression remained unyielding. "If you have any shred of dignity left, you'll leave now before I call security. Do you really want to be escorted out of here like a common criminal?"

Mavis hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright... I'll go." He took a deep breath, his shoulders sagging in defeat. "See you again, Isabel." With that, he turned and walked out of the office, leaving Isabel standing tall, her anger and hurt still simmering.

The door opened and closed again, and Bennett's voice echoed from the other side, tinged with amusement. "He was really groveling, wasn't he?" Bennett asked, chuckling. "I could hear the desperation in his voice from out here. Did he get the message, or do you need to spell it out for him in Spanish?" Bennett's laughter grew louder, clearly enjoying the spectacle of Mavis's humiliation.

"He's so unserious, it's almost pathetic," Isabel said, her voice dripping with disdain. "I'll make him pay for underestimating me. And now that he knows I have his child, he'll realize too late that he messed with the wrong lady. Estelle may have manipulated him, but I'll be the one to bring him to his knees." Isabel said, her mind already racing with plans to ensure Mavis faced the consequences of his actions.

Bennett burst into hysterical laughter, "Serves him right! He had it coming!" She wiped tears from her eyes, still chuckling.

Isabel grabbed her handbag and packed in some important items, "I think we've had enough drama for one day, don't you? I'll have to go home early, can't focus on work after that showdown!"

Bennett shook her head, still grinning, "Mavis has no idea what's coming his way, Isabel. You're going to make his life very interesting."

Just then, Bennett's expression turned serious, and he handed Isabel an elegant card. "Speaking of new beginnings, my wedding invitation arrived today," Bennett said beaming with pride.

"This came faster than I expected, but I'm thrilled for you. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I'm honored to be a part of it. You're lucky, my dear, to have found someone who loves and appreciates you for who you are."

"Don't worry, it'll be your turn soon. Bennett's face fell, "You know I'd really love you to be my bridesmaid, but... well, you're not exactly in a position to wear a bridesmaid dress at the moment," she gestured to her belly.

Isabel grinned, "Can I ask for a favor?"

"Of course, go ahead!" Bennett replied, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Can I be your bridesmaid?" Isabel asked. " I'd love to be your bridesmaid, and I promise to rock that dress like no one's business!"

Bennett's face broke into a wide smile, and she laughed. "Of course you'll be."