When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 156: Countermove

Chapter 156: Countermove

She moved to the desk by the window, flipping open her laptop. As she began to draft a few standard responses, her phone rang again. This time, it wasn’t Victoria or Timmy. It was an unfamiliar number.

Lily hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

"Ms. Aquila, this is Detective Zarga with the local authorities," a deep voice said.

Her back straightened. "Yes, Detective. What can I do for you?"

"We’ve received the records your team submitted about the travel guide," he said. "They were helpful, but we have a few follow-up questions. Are you available to speak today?"

"Of course," she said. "I can come to the station, or we can talk now if it’s urgent."

"We’d prefer an in-person meeting," Zarga said. "There are a few details we’d like to clarify, and it’s easier to discuss them face-to-face."

Lily glanced at her watch. "I can be there in an hour."

"Perfect. Ask for me at the front desk," he said before hanging up.

She leaned back, exhaling slowly. Another layer of responsibility had just landed squarely on her shoulders. It wasn’t enough that she had to manage the fallout on the public side—now she had to ensure the authorities had everything they needed to clear the resort’s name.

Her phone buzzed again. A message from Victoria popped up:

"Draft attached. Please review and send any edits."

Lily opened the file, scanning the words carefully.

"The resort is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and the preservation of the environment. We are cooperating fully with local authorities to investigate the recent incident involving toxic waste in the area. While we are not involved with the company responsible for the spill, we are providing all necessary records to assist in identifying the parties accountable. Our priority remains the health and safety of our community and the environment we cherish."

It was concise, clear, and exactly the tone they needed. Lily quickly replied: "This works. Send it out immediately. Post it on all platforms, too."

A response came back seconds later: "On it."

With that taken care of, Lily stood and grabbed her bag. She made a mental checklist of what she’d need for the meeting with Detective Zarga. Copies of key documents, a summary of her involvement, and a clear explanation of her role. She didn’t want any ambiguity when it came to her position in this mess.

As she headed for the door, her phone buzzed one last time. It was Timmy again.

"Hey," she answered, walking briskly to the elevator.

"I just saw the statement," Timmy said. "It’s good, but... are you sure this will be enough? People are saying all kinds of things online."

"It’s a start," Lily said. "The resort will address the rumors as they come. Right now, the focus is on proving the resort had no involvement."

"Okay," Timmy said, though his voice sounded unsure. "And what about you? Are you going to be okay through all this?"

"I’ll be fine," she assured him, pressing the elevator button. "This isn’t my first crisis, Timmy. It won’t be my last, either."

He hesitated. "If you need anything, you know you can call, right?"

"I do," Lily said with a small smile. "Thanks, Timmy. I mean it."

"Anytime," he said before hanging up.

Lily stepped into the elevator, her thoughts already racing ahead to the meeting with the detective. This wasn’t just about clearing the resort’s name—it was about protecting her own integrity. She couldn’t let the actions of a few careless individuals ruin everything she’d worked for.

By the time she reached the lobby, her professional mask was firmly in place. She was ready for whatever came next.

Lily was just about to step out of the door when her phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen and saw a notification from a news app. She tapped it, her heart pounding as the headline loaded.

"Lopez Digital Studios Unveils Exclusive Evidence: Toxic Spill Scandal Takes a Turn"

Her breath hitched as she quickly scanned the article.

"In a groundbreaking development, Lopez Digital Studios has released evidence exonerating the resort from any involvement in the recent toxic waste spill. The report includes detailed documentation and video footage showing the transport company illegally dumping waste in the vicinity. Furthermore, leaked communications reveal a connection between the transport company and a rogue environmental activist group. The resort’s former travel guide is implicated as a key informant for this group, providing logistical support for the dumping operation."

Lily’s hand trembled as she scrolled down. There were pictures—screenshots of emails, surveillance stills, and even video clips—tying the travel guide to the suspects. Every piece of evidence was damning, but none of it pointed to the resort.

For the first time in what felt like hours, Lily allowed herself a deep, steadying breath. Relief surged through her, but it was tinged with lingering caution.

Before she could process it all, her phone rang. It was Detective Zarga. She answered immediately.

"Detective," she said, her voice steadier than she expected.

"Ms. Aquila," Zarga began, his tone brisk. "I wanted to update you. You don’t need to come to the station after all."

Lily blinked. "What changed?"

"Lopez Digital Studios," he said. "They provided us with a treasure trove of evidence—more than we could have hoped for. It clears the resort entirely and shifts the focus to the real culprits. We’ll still need to follow up on some of the details, but for now, there’s no need for your involvement."

She exhaled slowly, leaning against the wall. "That’s a relief, Detective. Thank you for letting me know."

"Don’t thank me," Zarga said. "Thank whoever decided to dig deep into this mess. They did your resort a big favor."

"I will," she said. "Does this mean the investigation is nearing a resolution?"

"It’s too early to say for certain," he replied. "But with this new evidence, we have a solid direction. If we need anything else, we’ll be in touch."

"Understood," Lily said.

"Have a good day, Ms. Aquila," Zarga said before hanging up.