Counterback of the Despised Luna by Diana West

Chapter 235 Restoring the Surveillance Video

+8. Pearls

Caden’s presence was so powerful that the head of security had no choice but to acknowledge him with at respectful nod. “Alright, Mr. Holbrook.”

Moments later, the head of security returned, walking back into the store with a USB drive in hand.

“Mr. Holbrook, here’s the footage from that time,” he said, holding it out to Caden.

The air in the room seemed to thicken under Caden’s intense gaze, making the head of security hold his breath, reluctant to speak.

Caden’s voice was icy as he ordered, “Play it.”

“Yes, sir,” the head of security responded, quickly inserting the USB into the computer. The video began to play.

As expected, the screen showed no sign of me or Lilian.

“The positions you two were standing in must have been in a blind spot, so it wasn’t captured on the video.” the head of security explained, his tone cautious as he glanced nervously at Caden.

“That’s not possible,” I said flatly, my eyes glued to the screen.

I clearly remembered Lilian and I being near the door. We were well within the camera’s line of sight, so there was no way it hadn’t recorded the moment.

The only explanation was that the footage had been tampered with.

“Play it again, I ordered, my voice calm but resolute.

Something wasn’t right about this.

“We’ve already watched it, Ms. Sinclair,” the head of security said dismissively, sneering at me. “There’s nothing to see. Why waste time replaying it?”

now,” I said coldly, my eyes narrowing as I

but he ultimately complied and pressed the replay.

button.

time, I immediately noticed something

I declared, stepping forward

Lilian’s face twisted in panic, and she quickly

as I rewound the video. “It’s obvious. The footage skips. About two minutes have been erased, and that’s when you blocked

The edits were subtle, but they were

face drained of color, and he quickly began to deny it. “That’s

235 Restoring the Surveillance Viten

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(Pearls

did it?” Lasked, a

of security snapped, his hands shaking, a sheen of sweat forming on his

lying or not, we’ll find out soon enough,” I said calmly, sitting down at the

over me with an air of authority.

said without looking

a quick look with Lilian, both of

dripping with disdain. “Rosaline, stop struggling. You should apologize to Lilian right now. You think pretending to know technical things will buy

anyone’s pretending, it’s you, Ms. Crawford.” I retorted, my voice sharp

and typed with practiced speed, the screen flashing with complex code that could easily confuse anyone not familiar with it.

minutes later, I pressed the enter key with

I hit play again, watching as the video

screen, the missing

walked toward the door, and just as I had predicted, Lilian stepped forward, blocking

their words weren’t audible, their body language spoke volumes–Lilian was taunting

her aside and quickly made my