Chapter 10
No sooner had the thought occurred than he froze.
Elara had gone abroad… but he had no idea which country she was in.
And he was certain her mother wouldn’t tell him.
Vaughn Sterling clenched his fists in frustration. He didn’t care if he had to search every corner of the earth; he was going to find
her.
He needed to tell her to her face that he had seen Corliss Mercer for who she really was and that he had cut all ties with her long
igo.
Elara had loved him so much. She was bound to forgive him.
Vaughn contacted a private investigator to track her down.
Soon, the World Go Masters in South Korea arrived.
This wasn’t Vaughn’s first time competing. Last year, he had defeated a top South Korean player in the finals to take the hampionship title.
Vaughn stepped out of the car, carrying his bag and dressed in black casual wear. As he walked into the terminal, he wore a white urgical mask, leaving only his aloof gaze visible.
A crowd of reporters carrying cameras immediately swarmed him.
Vaughn, do you feel confident about defending your title this year?”
In a recent interview, Shin Ji-hoon said he was very confident about beating you in the finals. What’s your take on that?”
As last year’s champion, are you feeling a lot of pressure right now?”
Vaughn kept his eyes down and remained silent. Suddenly, he noticed a reporter nearby was livestreaming. He stepped toward the amera and spoke calmly.
The following words are for my girlfriend. If you’re watching my matches, I want to say I’m sorry. You said you loved watching me vin. Once I win this tournament, I’m coming to find you. Please don’t be mad at me anymore, okay?”
This public confession sent the livestream comments into a frenzy.
Taughn had already attracted a massive following because of his looks. Now that he had publicly admitted to having a girlfriend, ountless female fans were heartbroken.
However, many others found the gesture incredibly romantic, and everyone started wondering who the mystery girl was.
ust as Vaughn was about to head toward security, two police officers walked up to him.
You’re suspected of inciting a suicide through cyberbullying. Please come with us to the station for investigation.”
Before he could say a word, the officers escorted Vaughn-who was supposed to be boarding his flight-straight into a police car.
The reporter who was still livestreaming stared in shock. The comment section was flooded with question marks.
You must have the wrong person. When did I ever cyberbully anyone?” Vaughn sat in the car, anxiously checking the boarding ime on his watch. “I have a match to get to…”
The officer replied, “The plaintiff, Rowan Vance, has accused you of conspiring with the defendant, Corliss Mercer, to fabricate False information that led to the suicide of Arthur Vance, the Vice President of Everett General Hospital. Corliss Mercer has already confessed.”
Vaughn’s mind went blank.
16:27
< Chapter 10
Jpon reaching the station, he was taken into an interrogation room.
Claim 50 Coins By Check in
Yes, Corliss used my computer. Vaughn knew he had to admit the facts now. “We received incorrect information. We posted content online that led to Arthur’s suicide. I did try to tell Corliss to wait, but she wouldn’t listen.”
This part was true. He had planned to release the videos of Elara during Freshman Orientation first, then follow up with the candal about Arthur.
But Corliss had been insistent on posting it early, and he had simply let her.
So you worked together to compile the materials, and she used your computer to post them on Twitter?” the officer asked.
Yes,” Vaughn nodded. “The materials were found by Corliss’s father. We both believed they were the truth.”
جم,
Half an hour later, the interview ended. As Vaughn walked out of the interrogation room, he saw a man in a sharp suit talking to the police.
When the man saw him, his face contorted with rage. He lunged forward instinctively but was held back by an officer.
Vaughn recognized Elara’s brother. He knew this was Rowan Vance.
Where is Elara? I need to see her.” Vaughn stared straight at him, looking desperate. “Please tell her that I was manipulated by Corliss…”
Shut up. You don’t deserve to say my sister’s name.” Rowan’s eyes were like shards of ice. “She saw that post slandering my father ›n your computer with her own eyes. Do you really think she ever wants to see you again?”
Vaughn froze, paralyzed by shock.
t made sense now. Rowan hadn’t even been to his house; how could he have known to accuse Vaughn of being an accomplice?
Vaughn suddenly remembered the day Elara said she “forgot something” and went into his room. No wonder she had been so cold
and distant ever since.
t turned out… she had known everything all along.
No, it wasn’t like that!” Vaughn wanted to explain, but the words wouldn’t come. He was led away by the police and placed in a
olding cell.
News of Vaughn Sterling’s detention became an instant trending topic.
Vaughn’s parents dropped everything to hire the best legal team, arguing that Vaughn had simply been misled by false information
nd hadn’t intended to cyberbully anyone.
n the end, based on the evidence, the judge sentenced Corliss Mercer to two and a half years in prison and Vaughn Sterling to nine
nonths.
At the same time, Vaughn was officially expelled from Aria University.
On the day he was to be transferred from the holding cell to prison, Vaughn spoke to Rowan Vance over a glass partition.
If my time in prison makes Elara feel better, then I have no regrets,” he said tonelessly. “When I get out, I’ll pursue her again. Call
ne a bastard, call me shameless-I don’t care. Consider it your bad luck that I’m obsessed with her. I’ve decided she’s the one for me or the rest of my life. If you want to stop me, you’ll have to kill me…”
The officer snatched the phone from Vaughn’s hand.
Rowan glared at him, wishing he could jump through the glass and beat the man to a pulp.
