The room felt tense after Rita's post. Nobody spoke for a full minute. Ben stared at the screen like he wanted to break it. Ella stood in the middle of the room, her hands cold, heartbeat loud. Reed let out a slow breath and leaned back. Lucas sat beside him and rubbed his temples.
Ella finally whispered, "She's trying to make the world hate me again. She knows what she's doing."
Ben looked at her, eyes sharp. "Then we act before her lies spread."
Lucas typed fast. "People are commenting already. Some believe her, some are confused. The post is spreading fast."
Reed checked his phone. "She went viral. Didn't even wait ten minutes. She's a monster with internet access."
Ella paced, fingers shaking. "Why the warehouse? Why go back there and make it look like we did something?"
Ben stood. "She's building a story. Wants fear. If she convinces people she's being chased, everything we show later looks like us attacking her again."
Ella sank on the couch. "So she wants sympathy."
"Exactly," Lucas said. "She's playing the victim before we can talk."
Reed raised a brow. "And she's good at it."
Ella pressed her hands to her face. "I cannot let this spiral again. Last time she dragged my name. I almost lost myself."
Ben sat beside her. "You're not alone. We are smarter now."
Ella looked at him. "Are we? She's already five steps ahead."
Ben shook his head. "No. She's rushing. She's scared. That's why she posted fast."
Ella stared. "You really believe that?"
"Yes," Ben said. "Look at her timing and tone. She's trying to cover her tracks."
Reed nodded. "If that man is dangerous, she's scrambling."
Lucas snapped his fingers. "We need real evidence. Not words. Something she cannot twist."
Ben said, "We get security footage from the warehouse. Cameras around the block will show she arrived alone. It will prove we did not chase her."
Lucas nodded fast. "I can try to hack nearby traffic or building cameras. It will take time."
Reed added, "I have a contact in private security. They owe me a favor."
Ella asked, "And what do I do?"
Ben took her hand. "You stay with me."
Ella frowned. "That's not a job."
Ben leaned closer. "Yes, it is. She's targeting you. She wants to break you. I won't let her."
Ella did not argue. She knew he was right. Rita always started with her.
Lucas suddenly stopped typing. "Guys. I found something."
Everyone turned. Ella's heartbeat raced. "What is it?"
Lucas pointed at a blurry background in Rita's photo. "The man she spoke with appears behind her car in the reflection. It's faint, but I can work with it."
Ella leaned in. "Are you serious? You can fix that?"
"I can try," Lucas said. "Even blurred, I see he wears a bracelet. A specific kind. Not common."
Reed stood. "Zoom in."
Lucas zoomed. The bracelet had dark beads and one silver piece shaped like a claw.
Reed tilted his head. "I've seen that before. People from a certain group wear it. A quiet, not fully legal group."
Ella's chest tightened. "So Rita is connected to criminals."
Lucas nodded. "Most likely, yes."
Ben stood. "This is what we needed. If Rita is in this group, she's hiding something serious, not just lying for drama."
Ella was silent. "What if they forced her? What if she wants out?"
Ben shook his head. "No, Ella. Don't make excuses. She made choices long ago."
Ella looked down. She hated it but knew he was right.
Lucas kept typing. "I can track the man if I get a clear visual. It will take time."
Reed watched. "Take your time but hurry. She does not rest."
Ella stood. "We need to be ready. Rita never fires one shot. She fires ten."
Ben nodded. "That's why we strike back today."
Ella blinked. "How?"
Ben turned to her, calm and serious. "We go live."
Ella froze. "What?"
"We go live," Ben repeated. "You speak directly. No edits. No twists. Tell the public before Rita posts more lies."
Ella's stomach dropped. "No. I hate cameras. People will tear me apart."
Ben stepped closer. "If you stay silent, she wins."
Ella's breathing grew uneven. "I am not strong enough."
Ben held her arms. "Yes, you are. You survived all she caused. You're stronger than you think."
Reed added, "We'll support your livestream. You won't be alone."
Lucas smiled. "I can set it up. Clean background, good lighting, clear audio. Control the environment."
Ella shook her head. "What if she posts something during the livestream?"
Ben said, "Then she exposes herself. She'll look desperate. Let her panic."
Ella sighed. "I hate this. I hate that she still controls my life."
Ben spoke softly. "Then take control back."
Ella looked at her trembling hands. Anger inside was louder than fear.
She nodded slowly. "Fine. Tonight."
Lucas grinned. "Perfect. I'll set it up."
Reed clapped. "Let me prepare talking points."
Ella frowned. "No talking points. I want to speak honestly."
Ben smiled faintly. "Good. That's what people need. The truth."
Ella took a deep breath. "This will change everything."
Ben said, "Exactly. That's the point."
And so the decision was made.
Lucas opened his laptop. Reed got his phone. Ben watched Ella. For the first time, she felt like she was stepping into the fight, not just reacting.
Tonight she would speak.
And nothing would be the same.