Chapter 114 - Episode 114: A Statement.

Emma and I are back at the mansion, and as soon as we enter the mansion, we can hear Francesca is laughing so hard from upstairs. Emma and I are looking at each other and immediately walk up the stairs. Now Michael and Hans are laughing so hard. We can tell that they're coming from Ivonna's room. I wonder what is happening over there.

Ivonna's room door is open. We take a peek and see all of them are gathering in there while watching something on the TV. Chelsea notices that we are peeking from outside the room, she waves at us.

"Come here! Something interesting is happening on the TV!"

We enter the room and look at the TV. They're watching Utube on the TV and they're watching a video of Aksevel insulting Emma. It surprises me and sit next to Michael. I look at Ivonna and Francesca with confusion. They both are chuckling and pointing at Grisell. Grisell looks at me and grins, then she explains that she was recording the whole thing and uploaded it on Utube.

Right now, the video is trending and so many influencers and Utubers are reacting to the video on their channels. Their reactions are varied, from laughing at it, confused at it, disgusted at it, and angry about it. What's more interesting is that the video that Grisell uploaded is now taken down by Utube, but it's already too late since almost all the famous Utubers and influencers already reacted to it.

Grisell looks at her phone and laughs.

"Guys! Look at this! The media are talking about the video now! It's on the news!"

Francesca grabs the remote and changes it to the news channel. The woman newscaster is reading the headline.

"Now, to the next story. Axel Solomon, the son of the CEO and founder of Solomon &  Wealth Management company made a statement that is not appropriate. I know what you are thinking, we found a video on Utube. Let us watch it now."

The same video is starting on the news. The newscaster is covering her mouth and looks at the camera.

"Oh... my... God... I never thought that he would say something like that!"

The newscaster is tilting her head and focusing on listening to something that seems to be coming from her earpiece. She nods and then looks at the camera.

"Our reporter is already on the Solomon residence because Harl Solomon and Axel Solomon are going to make a statement related to this incident. Micha Jensen, how is it going over there?"

We are watching the news with a big smile on our faces. So many reporters are standing in front of a huge mansion. They are waiting for Aksevel and his father to make a statement. Then a group of people wearing black suits are coming out from the gate. They're pushing the reporter back from the gate, then an old man wearing a suit and tie comes out with Axel walking behind him.

Harl clears his throat and puts his hands on the back.

"I, as a father feel disappointed with what my son did and said. Related to this issue, I deeply apologize to Miss Ruscheller and Mister Trevor. Words alone cannot express how regretful I am, but that is all I can do. I am truly sorry."

Then they both are getting inside the mansion and the reporters are looking at them with confusion as if they're unsatisfied with that statement. The newscaster is looking at the TV and just stares at it for quite a while speechless. We are all watching the news while raising our eyebrows with disbelief as well.

Francesca then scoffs while shaking her head.

"That's it? What the f*ck was that?!"

We are disappointed with that statement and talk about it. Emma is just shaking her head and sighs. Ivonna notices that Emma's eyes are swollen, then she looks at me and I just shake my head while smiling.

(Inside Solomon's Mansion.)

Harl is opening a bottle of whiskey and pours it into the glass. Axel is standing behind him in silence. Harl is emptying the glass and then sighs.

"You're really..."

Harl pours the whiskey again.

"Do you know how much I have lost my face in the public? My company is to help the people to manage their money and to bring wealth to them, and yet you said something like that? Have you ever think before you open your goddamn mouth? Thanks to you, I have to work hard to fix everything now."

Axel is clicking his tongue.

"I don't care. That's your problem."

Harl is glaring at Axel and sighs.

"Again. You and your useless mouth. I never taught you to be like this."

Harl is emptying the glass again and looks at Axel for quite a while and then nods.

"You need to learn to behave. All your money and properties you have will be confiscated for a whole month, and you are not allowed to enter all the houses and mansions that I have. Live on your own and I hope you can learn something."

Axel is surprised and slams his hand on the table.

"What?! How am I supposed to live on my own with nothing?!"

Harl is glaring at him and just walks past him then stops.

"I don't care. That's not my problem. I want you to leave in an hour. Remember this, if I still see you wandering around in any of my properties, you will be dragged out and thrown to the street. I will do anything to save the company's face."

Harl is leaving the room while Axel is just standing and doesn't move a muscle. Axel looks at the glass and grabs it then throws it on the wall. It doesn't break or even make a crack because of how thick and study the glass is. Axel is glaring at the glass and gritting his teeth.

"You all will pay for this..."

(At Becker's Mansion.)

We are talking about the issue between Ken and Cho Ahn, and right now we are talking about Yoona.

Chelsea is scoffing.

"That moment she suddenly blaming Cho Ahn is such a b*tch move. As soon as she is cornered, she immediately blames Cho Ahn for not trusting her and then leaves."

Francesca is humming in agreement.

"Yeah, I was shocked when she said that. I was like, wow... what a b*tch and she's a manipulative liar. But, I honestly am curious about what she was planning to do if we were not there."

Michael is nodding in agreement.

"That's why women are dangerous creatures."

Chelsea is glaring at Michael and showing her disgusted expression toward him.

"Oh, shut up. Nobody is asking for your opinion."

Hans and Leonardo are snorting and holding their laughs. Michael is closing his mouth and just looks at Chealse fearfully.

I clear my throat and look at them.

"So, have you, ladies, already know about the plan that we are going to do later in the game?"

Ivonna is raising her eyebrows.

"Are you talking about the Klaagliad Forest? Yeah, Chessi told us about it earlier. I don't think I'm ready for that, but if it's with you guys, I think I will be fine..."

Francesca, Grisell, and Chelsea are looking at Ivonna with concern. Emma who has no idea what is going on looks at Francesca.

"What is that Klaagliad Forest? This is the first time I heard it."

Francesca is humming.

"Well... It's a psychological horror place. We heard so many things and read all the experiences of the players that did go there. They all said that it felt like walking into a nightmare. There's a player that stopped playing the game for weeks since she was so scared that she had to go to a psychiatrist to recover from that. Basically, if you have anything that made you scared sh*tless, now multiply it by ten. That's how scary that place is."

Emma is frowning.

"What?! Is it seriously that bad? I don't think I can handle it..."

Grisell is nodding.

"It is. We went to the entrance of the Klaagliad Forest a long time ago. But as soon as we saw players are coming out from the forest while crying and trembling with their pale faces staring at us saying that we shouldn't go in there made us chickened out immediately. I honestly want to go in there, but I'm too scared if I go there on my own. Even the system warned us to bring at least 7 players with us to prevent us from getting any psychological problem."

Chelsea is smiling happily.

"Wow, that's really interesting. I can't wait to experience that."

Michael is looking at Chelsea and furrowing his forehead.

"You're a psycho..."

Chelsea is glaring at Michael and pointing her fingers at him.

"You say another word and I will kick you in the balls again."

We are chuckling while shaking our heads.

Ivonna looks at me.

"Trev, you went in there, right? How was it?"

I'm suddenly frozen and start to have a flashback.

(A few months ago.)

Inside the Klaagliad Forest.

"Trev..."

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry, Trev. But..."

"That's not your fault..."

"I'm so sorry..."

Becker immediately grabs my arms and shakes them.

"Trev! Stay focus! Don't let your mind wandering! I told you to not let them in! Just follow me and put your hands on my shoulders! I never thought that I would see you like this. You should have told me if you have any trauma from the past!"

Becker's voice is slowly fading away.

"Just keep following me, we are almost there..."

-

Everyone is looking at me and waiting for my answer. I look at Ivonna and slightly smile while shaking my head.

"It's something that I don't want to experience again, honestly..."