He spoke in Japriumian. âIâm sorry, but I have no choice but to step forward and testify against you for my own personal reasons. Over the past year, I indeed performed plastic surgery on you.â
Heather stared in disbelief at everything unfolding before her. When Arnold had arranged for her doctorâs appointment, he had explicitly assured her of utmost confidentiality and that no one would find out. Yet now, not only had it been discovered, but she was also being confronted about it.
âDr. Yamagami, how could you do this? You canât make money against your conscienceâ¦â She made a last-ditch effort.
Matthew calmly positioned the doctor behind him, translating his words verbatim. Only then did he say, âIâm sorry to disappoint you, Ms. Strauss. I once studied in Japrium under an exchange program and have a deep acquaintance with your plastic surgeon.â
Heather took a deep breath, feeling as if she would suffocate in the next second. âSo, what does this prove?â
Matthew took the folder handed over by Kai Yamagami. He had insisted time and again that its contents could only be revealed at the scene. As he opened it, he said, âIt proves youâve always been purposefully imitating others.â
Matthew walked toward Justin, pulling out a photo. When he glanced at it, he nearly froze in his tracks.
Within a few seconds, he exerted all his strength to calm himself down. He placed the photo under the projector, allowing everyone in the room to see it.
âThis person⦠is Josie Warren!â Matthewâs voice was trembling as he gradually revealed the truth.
Everyone saw that on the screen was a comparison photo of Josie and Heather. The two of them looked strikingly similar.
It wasnât a coincidence after all.
Matthew took out a USB drive from the folder and plugged it in. A surveillance video appeared, showing Heather handing Josieâs photo to the doctor. âI want my chin to look more like hers.â
The entire room was in an uproar, and Heather stepped back. Because she stepped on the hem of her dress, she fell to the ground and was so weak that she couldnât get up.
The truth was on the verge of being revealed.
Heather was like a fish on the brink of death, struggling for its last breath. âIâve told you, itâs all photoshopped. Not just the photos, even the videos can be edited.â
She remained stubborn.
Morgan was unwilling to watch this farce any longer. He knew the situation well and that Heather wouldnât reveal Josieâs whereabouts. He tossed the lockbox into the trash bin and then left with long strides.
âRachel.â An ordinary female voice suddenly rang out.
Heather turned toward the source of the voice, and to her astonishment, she saw her once best friend and inhaled sharply. How could this be? How could sheâ¦
Ruby slowly emerged from backstage, visibly nervous. She was trying to control her anxiety.
âHaving come this far, are you still going to continue deceiving everyone?â
She stood before Heather, who tilted her head back to look at her and whose eyes were filled with pure hatred. âYou shouldnât haveââ
âYes, I shouldnât have exposed you. After all, we were once so close.â Ruby spoke bitterly. âI still remember back in high school when we were both penniless, surviving only on relief funds for our meals. We were always hungry, but we never forgot to look out for each other. Through three years of trials and tribulations, we were always at our best.â
Despite the hardships they had been through together, Ruby had never expected that after entering university, Rachel would sever all ties with her.
âThen why would youââ Heather glared at her.
âDuring our university years, I tried reaching out to you numerous times, but to no avail. Iâd rather believe that something had happened to you than think that you had given up on our friendship.â