The next day, Rina woke much earlier than usual. The reason being that the son of the Director of their hospital would be taking over as the new Administrative Manager.
She had seen him once from a distance. Rina blushed as she recalled the tall, imposing man with his sharp, angular face. That figure had been on her mind after that single glance.
She lightly slapped her cheeks to wake herself up and walked to her closet. Today, she was determined to leave a lasting impression on him.
If Rina had checked her phone, she wouldn't have had a moment for girlish thoughts.
The doorbell rang—sharp and urgent, forcing Rina to end her shower in a rush. After wrapping herself in a bathrobe, she opened the door, her face full of displeasure.
"Mom! Dad! Why did you visit me so early in the morning?"
Her mother pushed her aside and stormed into the house.
"You damned girl! Why aren't you answering our calls? Your bad deeds are all over the internet! How could you do something so immoral?
Rina had a guilty conscience so she immediately stumbled towards her phone.
Her face drained of colour; her fingers trembled as she read the headlines exposing her illegal dealings.
The evidence was indisputable, leaving no room for maneuver—but she couldn't give in so easily.
She called her wealthy and influential friends and even all the clients she had dealt with. Many hung up immediately. Some cursed at her, while some scorned her.
It's over.
She collapsed onto the sofa, her hand shook, fear tightening her chest as she imagined the consequences awaiting her.
The police had already been alerted to her fraudulent actions and soon she was taken away under the pointing and jeering of the neighbours.
The Life Private Hospital was dragged into the storm as well. The administrators of the hospital seethed with hatred toward Rina.
They felt deeply aggrieved—especially the Director's son, whose first day of work was ruined by the unexpected scandal.
They vented all their grievances on the culprit. And now, Rina had to face both a civil lawsuit and criminal charges from her previous employer.
The court sentenced Rina to five years of imprisonment, and she was also fined a substantial sum.
After the verdict was announced, the devastated Rina was dragged away by the police and thrown into prison, where five long years of suffering awaited her.
The pride of the parents, the stars her younger siblings looked up to were shattered because of greed, vanity and blind ambition.
All this time, Aeris never appeared before Mira or in public.
He was the hidden puppeteer behind the scenes, quietly steering the course of Rina's life toward destruction.
During the court trial, he sat in the far corner of the courtroom, unnoticed by most.
Satisfied with the final judgment, he watched calmly as Rina was dragged away, her cries echoing through the corridor.
People aren't born bad, but in our search for worldliness, we sank deeper into the mud forgetting the very essence of humanity.
Just like Rina—who was already ahead of many people with such a high-paying job—she fell the moment she tried to take more than she could handle.
Aeris left the scene unnoticed as he came.
Back home, he sat in the study room, a dangerous glint danced in his eyes, he murmured softly. "Rina's chapter was closed. Now... it was Mira's turn"
The family was always under his surveillance, so knew every detail about them.
Over the last three months, the family seemed to be doing fairly well. Her parents, both highly educated with decades of teaching experience, had easily secured new positions at local schools.
The previous school, remembering their long years of contribution, hadn't left any negative remarks in their records. So securing new jobs had been smooth for them.
Mira, meanwhile, had been recuperating at home, now heavily pregnant and rarely stepping outside.
To avoid unnecessary attention they told the neighbours that their son-in-law had passed away a few months ago. They explained that, to help their widowed daughter heal from her grief, they had moved here for a fresh start.
It was a convincing story.
The quiet suburban neighbourhood had welcomed them warmly.
He will be a kind person and save people from deception, Aeris thought hypocritically, a cold smile tugging at his lips.
Aeris submitted a written complaint to the school authorities. He also posted their criminal records on the school forum, completely cutting off their source of income once again.
He also instructed the person he had employed to monitor the family to spread news of their deeds throughout the neighbourhood.
The couple were dismissed for the second time, and unlike before, their files were now tainted with criminal records, making it almost impossible for them to secure employment in the same field ever again.
The neighbourhood had a strong and influential community organisation, which was the reason for its safety and disciplined social order.
So once their criminal deeds spread—and after the organisation confirmed that it wasn't just a rumour—the family was ordered to leave the neighbourhood within a set time.
As they left under the watchful eyes of the people, Finn was so embarrassed that he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Just when he thought their suffering had finally ended, the past once again came to haunt them relentlessly.
He was certain that someone was targeting them deliberately, and he had a reason to believe it was Aeris.
But since Aeris wasn't spreading lies or breaking the law outright, Finn couldn't even call the police. All they could do was swallow their grievances.
Finn felt like he could no longer hold on. He was exhausted—physically and mentally. He didn't even have the strength to hate or scold his daughter anymore.
Mira sat in the corner of the backseat, trying to make herself as small as possible.
Her parents' silent treatment was more painful than any scolding or beating. She was certain that it was Aeris that was targeting them. She doesn't understand why he hates her so much.
Even if they had been wrong before hadn't they paid the price already? So why is he chasing them relentlessly.
Mira even regretted ever knowing him. Thinking of her previous attempt at taming such a perverted and vengeful person, she found herself laughable.
As the scenery outside the car moved to an even more desolate place, Mira was left full of despair.
Why are you forcing me to this desperation?
Aeris… why can't you let me go?
How long are you going to torment me?
If Aeris had heard her thought, he would have answered, "Until you are driven insane."