Chapter 233: Surveillance Footage Revealed
Upon hearing Alexander's plan to find Roland, Isabella eagerly followed without needing an excuse. (The phrase "Talk about a timely assist" is removed as it's out of place narratively.)
Alexander frowned in disgust. He'd interacted with Sasha several times, but appearances were deceiving.
The Quirks, overhearing the plan to catch the adulterers, were excited and began secretly observing. Unaware of the exact location, they waited for Alexander and Isabella to find Roland.
The pre-wedding festivities were underway, with a wedding officiant using a microphone to set the mood. Although the bride and groom hadn't yet appeared, Owen and Daphne occasionally cooperated with the officiant. Owen was in the center of the crowd, but Daphne was nowhere to be seen.
Isabella and Alexander searched the lounge for Roland but found him in the back garden, cooling off and growing increasingly doubtful. Despite his misgivings, he still intended to proceed with the wedding, perhaps fearing Sasha’s manipulative nature.
Without hesitation, Alexander called Roland. The phone rang nearby; they turned to see Daphne, seemingly lost in thought, walking toward the ballroom with the phone. The Quirks wondered how Roland’s phone ended up with Daphne (Stephanie had given it to her). Daphne was heading toward the restroom where Sasha and Ethan were having sex.
The Quirks, observing from a distance, debated which restroom it was. They then realized Daphne had seen surveillance video on Roland’s phone, found Sasha, then checked the footage showing Sasha and Ethan entering the same restroom. The Quirks decided to forgo finding Roland and watch the unfolding drama.
Alexander, however, insisted on finding Roland quickly, remembering his mother's poor health. He instructed Isabella to tell Roland’s mother he would find him. This also served Isabella's wishes. She immediately agreed, allowing her to observe Daphne’s well-being.
The two then split up. Alexander immediately went to the back garden and found Roland, who looked grim and anxiously awaited further news. Alexander simply stated that Roland's mother was looking for him and his phone. Roland, realizing his phone was missing, panicked, fearing his mother had discovered something. He immediately followed Alexander.
Alexander overheard Isabella’s thoughts: Daphne appeared pale and distressed, possibly having overheard something unpleasant. Alexander worried about her, but she walked away, seemingly choosing not to intervene. He questioned whether they should still confront Sasha and Ethan. He hesitated, considering Daphne's desire to protect the family's reputation, but believed Roland deserved the truth.
As they entered the ballroom, they saw Daphne circling the wedding staff. Roland tried to reach her, but she disappeared. Isabella’s thoughts revealed that Daphne had secretly placed a microphone in the restroom. Alexander stopped Roland from chasing after her.
Roland was anxious about his mother’s well-being. He was conflicted but couldn't abandon her. Then, the wedding screen suddenly displayed eight surveillance videos showing Sasha and Ethan heading toward a hotel room on different days.
The ballroom fell silent. Owen, initially oblivious, turned and dropped his microphone in shock upon seeing the footage. Roland became the focus of shocked, sympathetic, and disbelieving gazes. Whispers filled the room: Was Sasha coerced? Was the childEthan’s? Who leaked the videos?
Stephanie, who’d been searching for Ethan and found the footage, approached Roland, shocked and unsure about what to believe. She still hoped Sasha was innocent.