Chapter 87

Chapter 87
Chapter 87

It had been one month since the video scandal took the world by storm. Elena chose to remain silent without clarifying anything. She worked quietly to organize legal measures, rebuild her image, and, most importantly—prepare her final weapon. The day after tomorrow, the custody battle would begin. But today was the day when Elena, the famous designer with a business empire, would no longer remain silent.

That morning, the ballroom at one of Manhattan's five-star hotels was packed. Rows of cameras, microphones, and journalists from various countries filled the room. Whispers and speculation filled the air.

At 10 o’clock, Nathan entered first, standing next to the podium. Shortly after, Elena emerged from behind the curtain. Dressed in an ivory white suit, her hair in a neat bun, her face was calm but her eyes were sharp. The whole room immediately fell silent.

"Thank you for coming to this press conference," Elena said, her voice clear and steady. "Today, I stand not as a designer, not as an entrepreneur, but as a mother, a wife, and a woman who has been viciously defamed."

Several cameras moved forward. Microphones were pointed toward her.

"A month ago, a vulgar video spread and defamed me. The world believed it was me. The market crashed, the business empire I had built almost sank. On top of that, my reputation was destroyed. But today, I will prove the truth."

Nathan pressed a button on the small remote in his hand. A big screen behind them lit up. The digital forensics feed began.

"I've invited the best experts in this field. Please come in."

Three men in ties came forward. One was wearing a modern batik—Professor Liang Wen from Tsinghua University, an expert in Chinese digital forensics. Next to him, Dr. Akiro Sato from Japan, and Professor Thanapol from Thailand.

Professor Liang bowed briefly to Elena, then spoke into the microphone.

"Based on frame-by-frame analysis, the facial expressions in the video show rendering anomalies in the left eyelid—that's a characteristic of deepfake. The original file metadata was deleted and re-uploaded from an overseas IP address, but we traced the video recording server—and found it was first registered in Bangkok. We also found the use of Mrs. Elena's face in the GAN-based AI model generator."

There was a small round of applause from some of the reporters.

Professor Sato continued, "We even found the video's source code on the dark web, sold as custom revenge porn. File name: 'QueenElisabethPrivate.' This is no coincidence."

Elena gave a small nod. She took over the podium again.

"And today, I also bring additional evidence, which will change the course of the accusations so far. Please show the second video."

A new video appeared. The atmosphere of a luxury hotel. But this time, the face of the woman in the video was seen much more clearly. Isabella Monroe.

Reporters began to murmur.

"This is the original video. Uncensored. No manipulation. The woman in the video is not me. It’s the wife of the man who is now trying to take my daughter—Isabella Monroe."

Nathan looked at Elena proudly. The room began to buzz. The cameras refocused. Reporters' voices overlapped.

"Mr. Damian Lancaster," Elena continued in a calm tone, "let his wife swap bodies to get dirty investors for their company. With no business talent, they used her body as a trading tool. But instead of taking responsibility, they made me the scapegoat. Now I have proved everything."

Suddenly, a noise could be heard from the other side of the room. Damian stood among the crowd of reporters, his face bright red.

"You're lying! This is all cheap manipulation!"

But before he could go any further, Isabella caught up from behind, trying to pull her husband's hand.

"Damian, we have to go—"

But Damian was already losing control. "You're a slut! You ruined everything!"

Plak!

A hard slap landed on Isabella's cheek. All the cameras caught the moment.

Isabella staggered, staring at Damian in disbelief.

Reporters shouted, cameras flashed. Several security guards began to move to separate them.

Elena remained standing in place, unmoving, just staring at them with cold eyes.

Nathan walked up to the microphone once more. "We will take legal action for everything you have done, including defamation, illegal content creation, and slander that has ruined our family life."

Elena added, "I will not be silent. And I'm not afraid. Because I am not just Queen Elisabeth on stage. I am also Elena—a mother and a woman who will not bow to injustice."

The room erupted. Some journalists stood up. The sound of cameras did not stop.

Isabella was carried out by her assistant. Damian could only stand transfixed, his face defeated. Everything had come crashing down.

And Elena knew this was just the beginning. The custody hearing would take place in two days. But she had her first victory today—the truth.

"Isabella! I'm really disappointed! It turns out you sold your body to get investors! Disgusting!" Damian shouted. He had no idea about Isabella's behavior.

"Damian! Listen to me, I—"

Continued...