Chapter 117: Happy ending
Unable to cope with Ansel, Kora resorted to manipulating the crowd. Suddenly, she burst into loud sobs, constantly lamenting about her child. Mrs. Lani enthusiastically joined in, raising her voice to insult Erica.
“Everyone, please take charge and fight for justice for my daughter. This girl has caused so much harm to Kora. She seduced Max, Kora’s husband-to-be. Such a wicked person like her deserves to be punished. It’s outrageous that she is shamelessly deceiving another wealthy family. Can any of you tell me where justice lies?”
Max’s authoritative voice silenced the murmurs of conversation that had begun to spread.
“Have you cried enough? Have you caused enough chaos?”
“Max, you must demand justice for me!” Kora exclaimed as she saw Max approach. She rushed to her fiancé’s side, pleading desperately, but Max ignored her and went straight to Ansel.
“Ansel Brown, it’s nice to meet you.” Max extended his hand toward Ansel but received no response.
“I sincerely apologize for what Kora has caused,” Max said, feeling ashamed as he withdrew his hand.
“If you truly understand your mistake, then do what you need to do,” Ansel replied with a subtly meaningful tone.
“I understand,” Max responded.
Max firmly turned around and walked back towards the stage. He grabbed the microphone and spoke with a resolute voice:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am Max Murphy. Today, right here, I want to offer my sincerest apology to Erica Watson, the person whom I betrayed and hurt a year ago. Back then, Erica was falsely accused of assaulting Kora and causing her to miscarry. But the truth is not what it seems. It was actually me who assaulted Erica, resulting in her hospitalization. Afterwards, Kora fabricated evidence and coerced me into being a false witness to wrongly accuse Erica.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.
The audience fell into stunned silence, absorbing the unexpected revelation.
Chaos and disbelief erupted throughout the entire hall as the shattering turn of events unfolded. Meanwhile, Max’s betrayal left Kora and Mrs. Lani stunned. They could only lower their heads in shame as numerous eyes turned towards them, filled with condemnation and criticism.
“Not only that, I also heard about Kora’s false accusation letter to the school, which led to Erica’s unjust expulsion. I have come to realize my mistakes, and I am deeply remorseful. Today, I want to plead with Erica for forgiveness. I also hope that the baseless rumors and false truths that have affected her reputation and life will be forever erased. Tonight’s apology is not enough; I will hold a press conference to publicly express my apologies to the entire nation.”
Max’s words hung in the air, carrying a mixture of regret, remorse, and a genuine desire to make amends. The atmosphere in the room was heavy with tension and anticipation, awaiting Erica’s response to this unexpected turn of events.
“Erica, I sincerely apologize.” Max stood on the stage, bowing down to his knees. Everyone’s attention was directed towards Erica.
“Are you satisfied?” Ansel whispered in his wife’s ear.
“My grievances have been cleansed. Thank you, my dear husband,” Erica smiled and said.
“From now on, there will only be happiness.”
“Yes,” she replied.
Everything concluded peacefully as Erica nodded in agreement with Max. Afterwards, Erica and Ansel left the party to spend time together. Mrs. Hani went home with Nika.
In a car driven by Nika.
“What did you do to make Max reveal the truth?” Mrs. Hani asked curiously.
“I just followed Ansel’s orders,” Nika happily disclosed. “Max’s company is about to collaborate with SH. As a savvy businessman, Max had to make a wise choice. Moreover, with some carefully revealed confidential secrets, It’s very easy to manipulate others.”
“Well done,” Mrs. Hani smiled with satisfaction and complimented.
“Yes,” Nika replied.
…
The party is over; the guests have all left. Faced with Max and Kora’s embarrassing behavior, Mrs. Mina no longer has a face to look at her friends.
“There will be no more weddings,” Mrs. Mina declared firmly. “If you’re still associated with Kora, then you won’t have a mother anymore.”
“I will end things with Kora, Mother,” Max responded decisively.
“It’s best to cut ties as soon as possible to avoid any further troubles,” Mrs. Mina advised.
“Yes, you’re right,” Max agreed.
After talking with his parents, Max went outside to meet Kora. She had been waiting for him for over two hours.
“Max, why are you only coming now? I’ve been waiting for you.”
“We’re breaking up,” Max stated bluntly.
“What? What do you mean?” Kora asked angrily. “Why would you do that?”
“You’re a troublemaker. You destroy other people’s futures,” Max replied.
Kora angrily cursed, “Max, what the hell are you talking about? How could you?”
“Not only that, you’re a venomous snake,” Max said with a snarl, “Using any means necessary to get what you want.”
“Max, what have I done to deserve such an insult from you? This is completely unfair,” Kora replied, feeling shocked by Max’s question.
“I’m asking you: Have you ever had an abortion?” Max raised his voice, interrogating her.
“About that…” Kora stammered, completely caught off guard by Max’s question.
“And the pregnancy wasn’t mine,” Max emphasized.
“That’s not true.” Kora wanted to deny the accusation, but Max wouldn’t allow it.
“It’s over, Kora. From now on, I won’t believe anything you say. We have no relationship anymore,” Max declared.
“No, Max, please don’t do this.” Kora held onto Max’s hand tightly, pleading, “Please don’t leave me.”
Max turned back, swung his arm, and slapped Kora hard. The force of the slap made Kora let go of his hand.
“Stay away from me, you wretch.”
She sat on the floor, watching Max’s figure fade away, crying uncontrollably. Max walked away with complex and tumultuous emotions. He had truly loved Kora, but there were things that couldn’t be forgiven. Especially when Kora hindered the future of Max and his family. If only Kora had loved Max sincerely and wasn’t so cruel, things might have been different.
As promised, Max held a press conference to publicly apologize to Erica. The university also sent an apology letter to Erica. The collaboration between Max and Ansel proceeded, as it brought great benefits. Not to mention, Max made the right choice, and he was given the opportunity to start anew.
…
Kora returned home with a deep-seated desire for revenge against Erica. However, before she could even contemplate her plan to sabotage Erica’s life, karma struck both her and Mrs. Lani.
In a peaceful moment, the bank notified Mrs. Lani that her and Kora’s assets had been frozen. When Mrs. Lani went to the bank to demand an explanation, she received a shocking revelation: Erica actually owned the properties she thought belonged to her. Moreover, upon returning home, the police arrested both Mrs. Lani and Kora for an investigation into the incidents involving Erica. Mrs. Lani was even accused of being an accomplice in a murder case where the victim was the bank director-the person responsible for safeguarding Erica’s assets. The apprehended lawyer, who attempted to flee but was captured, confessed to all the criminal acts and implicated Mrs. Lani. With these heinous crimes, Mrs. Lani found it difficult to escape the clutches of the law.
On the day of the trial, Erica appeared as a witness, and Max agreed to testify against Kora as well. With ample evidence and witnesses, Kora was sentenced to seven years for fabricating evidence to frame Erica and defaming others’ reputations. Mrs. Lani received a fourteen-year sentence for masterminding Erica’s kidnapping, orchestrating the embezzlement of assets, and being an accomplice to murder.
Finally, justice was served, and those who sought to tarnish others’ reputations were duly punished. Ansel and Erica found complete happiness as their angels came into the world, healthy and safe. As the children grew older and more resilient, Ansel and Erica organized their dream wedding.
After the wedding, Erica continued to pursue her path of becoming a doctor through her studies. Erica’s decision received unwavering support and encouragement from Ansel and her parents-in-law.
And not disappointing the expectations of everyone, Erica graduated with honors, becoming a daughter-in-law that the Brown family could be proud of.