Chapter 206: Unmasking the Truth

The atmosphere inside the room fell dead silent. Vanessa stared at her son’s face, taking in the raw disappointment and pain etched across his features, before lowering her eyes once more.

"I haven’t even said anything yet, and you’ve already said no," Vanessa murmured.

"Yeah, because you want me to drop my charges against Jason, right? That is not going to happen, Mom," Eric replied, his voice harsh and cold.

"But why?! He’s your brother! You share the same blood, why do you two have to fight like this?! You know Jason isn’t strong enough to survive in prison! Please, have mercy on your brother! I’m certain he didn’t mean to hurt you, it was all just a misunderstanding!" Vanessa shouted.

Eric remained silent, staring at his mother who was still defending the man who had tried to murder him, showing zero concern for his own well-being, just as she had done his entire life. Eric rubbed his face. He had lost all desire to remain in the same room with her, standing up from his chair.

"There’s nothing left for us to talk about, Mom. Please leave," Eric said coldly.

"Why are you acting like this?! You were always the one keeping peace in our family! Why are you refusing this time?! Jason didn’t mean any harm, he was just heartbroken because your father gave his entire estate to you and Ruby! Please understand!" Vanessa pleaded.

"Mom, you’re the one who needs to understand! He nearly killed me! He almost harmed Ruby, and he planned to murder Dad! Was that not enough in your eyes for you to stop defending him?!" Eric demanded.

"But he is my son!" Vanessa screamed.

"I am your son too! Ruby is your daughter too! What’s the difference?!" Eric shouted back.

Hearing Eric’s outburst, Vanessa instantly froze. She looked visibly shaken by his shouting. Deep down in her heart, she knew with absolute clarity that she was being unfair to Eric and Ruby, but admitting it meant acknowledging that she had failed completely in raising Jason. Vanessa sank back into her chair, tears streaming down her cheeks as she buried her face in her hands. Eric sat back down as well, silently watching his mother weep before him.

Suddenly, Vanessa stopped crying. She reached into her bag, pulled out her smartphone, and set it down on the table. Eric glanced at the screen, his eyes widening as he noticed Vanessa’s phone was connected to a call with someone listed as "D.W." Eric knew precisely who those initials belonged to.

"What’s the meaning of this, Mom?" Eric asked.

"I’m sorry, Eric, but you forced my hand. If you refuse to drop your charges, I’ll have no choice but to speak with the press. Uncle David is at their office right now giving an interview. You know what will happen to your big entertainment company if its reputation gets smeared just because you’re too stubborn to withdraw your charges over a misunderstanding between you and Jason," Vanessa said, sounding smugly victorious.

"Ah, I see. Alright then, so Uncle David is listening to our entire conversation right now, huh? In that case, let me give the press something to consider so they can decide for themselves whether this was a misunderstanding or not," Eric said calmly.

Without delay, Eric pulled out his smartphone. He opened the file provided by Norman, the audio and video recording capturing Jason’s explicit words hurled at him after ramming his car and causing the accident, captured via body cam and apartment security footage.

As Jason’s recorded voice echoed clearly through the air, Vanessa’s face turned deathly pale. She snatched her phone off the table, but the call suddenly flipped to a video stream, revealing David’s pale face alongside two journalists behind him who were demanding an explanation and insisting on a video call.

"Is that recording genuine, sir?" a reporter asked directly.

"It is. I received that recording straight from law enforcement. Feel free to investigate it directly with them," Eric replied casually.

"Eric, please keep quiet! This isn’t what it looks like, we were only joking around here!" David stammered out.

"We aren’t joking around, sir. Do you think the media is a game? May I interview you directly regarding the allegations and slander circulating on social media about Mr. Eric?" a female reporter chimed in firmly.

"Please contact our company’s PR department. Did you say slander is circulating on social media?" Eric replied, raising a question in return.

Before the reporter could answer, Vanessa managed to cut the call and switch off her phone. Eric stared at his mother’s face. Suddenly, "blam," Caleb pushed the door open carrying a tablet, shutting the door behind him. He sat down next to Eric, glaring at Vanessa.

"Sorry if I’m interrupting, Auntie, but I just have one question. What in the world did you and my dad post on social media?" Caleb asked, turning the tablet screen toward her.

Eric, who had no idea something was circulating online, looked down at the display, his expression souring into deep disappointment. Vanessa had been publicly smearing Eric on social media, claiming that just because he made it big and owned his own business, he went ahead and threw his helpless older brother behind bars. Because the story was delivered by a tearful mother, the post had easily gained sympathy from netizens who knew nothing of the actual facts but were eager to play hero.

To make matters worse, David, who had no business getting involved, had backed her up, even claiming that Eric had falsely accused him of having an affair with his mother, causing him to get divorced and forced into selling his company shares by his own brother.

"How long has this been circulating, man?" Eric asked.

"Since our grand opening party. There’s even a fundraiser set up for Jason so he can hire a lawyer to fight against this ’injustice,’" Caleb answered, shooting a cold glance at Vanessa.

"I’m sorry... I had no choice! Nobody would listen to me... Martin wouldn’t listen... Ruby wouldn’t listen... and you... you’re supposed to be my son... but you won’t listen either!" Vanessa wailed hysterically.

"That’s because you’re talking about Jason, the man who has caused misery for everyone! Did you really think he could just walk away scot-free?! Let me break it down for you again: he almost killed me and six girls with me, he almost harmed Ruby, and he planned to murder Dad! You know all of that, don’t you?! You just refuse to open your eyes! I could easily press charges against you for being Jason’s accomplice, but I’m exhausted, and all I want is justice, not revenge!" Eric snapped loudly.

Hearing her son, who had never once raised his voice at her before, speak to her in such a harsh tone, coupled with the profound disappointment written all over his face, Vanessa buried her face in her hands, ducked her head, and sobbed uncontrollably. Caleb placed a firm hand on Eric’s shoulder.

"Take it easy, man. Trinity’s team is already on it. Anthony confirmed it with me right before I walked in," Caleb said softly.

"Thanks, bro," Eric replied. Turning his gaze back to his mother, he added, "You should leave now and never come back here again, or I will file charges against you too for slander and aiding Jason," Eric stated, his voice firm and cold.

Vanessa didn’t offer a word in response, only sobbing heavily. Eric raised his hand, signaling the security guard standing outside the glass window. The guard caught the sign and stepped inside. Caleb gave the guard a nod, and the officer gently urged Vanessa to step out with him. This time, Vanessa didn’t resist. She stood up slowly and turned to walk out, but before stepping through the doorway, she turned back to face Eric with tears streaming down her face,

"Forgive me... Eric," Vanessa choked out.

The security guard closed the door behind them, and through the frosted glass, Eric watched as she was escorted toward the elevator. Eric leaned back into his chair, covering his face with his hands.

"Alright... everything’s handled. You must be wiped out, head upstairs and get some rest," Caleb said, patting Eric’s shoulder.

"Yeah... but my mom and your dad are still in touch, huh?" Eric replied.

"Yeah, looks like it. But I get it, once he got exposed, your dad fired him even though he was a shareholder. Plus, compared to my dad... your mom’s way wealthier, so I get why he’s backing her up. He’s definitely looking for a piece of the pie, people like them are totally predictable," Caleb replied.

"Yep... spot on. Jason’s preliminary trial is next week. Can you tag along with me, along with Mike?" Eric asked.

"Hmm... sure thing, just let me know the details," Caleb answered.

With that, both men fell silent, letting the quiet peace of the room settle around them. Neither spoke, as both fully understood the reality of the situation, until Anthony sent a message to Caleb’s tablet confirming that all the slanderous posts had been taken down, attaching screenshots of comments where a vast majority of users were taking Eric’s side.

Anthony also forwarded a screenshot of a fresh news article titled, "Vicious Older Brother Tries to Harm Successful Younger Brother Out of Envy, Mother Defends Him," published just five minutes prior. Both men exchanged knowing smiles at the headline. Vanessa, who had initially intended to blackmail Eric into dropping the charges against Jason, had accidentally blown the story wide open, strengthening Eric’s case and leaving Jason to sink even deeper behind bars.