>>5159285Now onto Vanessa:
Vanessa managed to escape death by using the same connections that helped her spread the word overseas. A wealthy businessman that goes by the name of <span class="mu-i">Lucas Cuadrado</span> hired a mafia group that managed to heist Vanessa out of prison. She was supposed to escape to live overseas, but Vanessa was too terrified of living abroad, traumatized by the time she served in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. A trial was held against her for killing a foreigner politician. All proven false. Instead, she decided to live here, using a fake identity, being helped by two of her other friends that have connections overseas: Dr. Bombastus and Ulrich Lucremoola. They met the same way, she was their bodyguard at one point or another.
Vanessa reveals she never intended to help Ophelia in any way, shape or form. All she did was delay your investigation a bit at the start to buy time for her friend Houda Lan to steal a precious gem the same wealthy businessman that bailed Ophelia out of prison gave to the evil woman. That’s it. All extra files that were pinned to her, were created by another traitorous police officer to blame her specifically. Whoever that was, he was the true person responsible for helping the Orphanage, at least, inside your station. The rabbit hole goes much deeper than what you two thought before.
And Vanessa is okay for the most part, her prison time here wasn’t easy, some prisoners and guards alike took it out on her for what she supposedly did in retaliation. The news wasn't known inside the country, but someone in the force told everyone inside. She was ostracized, victimized and beaten up until her escape. From that point onwards, she mildly enjoyed her job as a shopkeeper, and she really didn’t want you to see the couple of pounds she gained. She has come to terms that she’ll never be truly free ever again.
“…I don’t know if this is enough, I don’t know if you can believe me, but I swear this is what happened. I wish I didn’t let everyone down. I wish I could’ve done things differently… I’m sorry, Kobashi. I’m sorry, Yareli. I’m sorry, Xumenlo. I’m sorry everyone. I apologize for being me…” Vanessa will live with guilt the rest of her life.
…
<span class="mu-s">What do you do?</span>
>“Vanessa, I believe you. Now hug me, you klutz!” Forgive and move on!>“We failed so many people, Vanessa… Who am I to forgive you for anything?” You’re nothing but a clown.>“Do you have any proof?” You want to believe her, but you need a little push.>Write In.<span class="mu-s">What’s the plan for the future?</span>
>If they’re friends with Bombastus, maybe they can arrange a meeting with him for you.>Tell them you’ll return tomorrow with a perfect cake, much better than Bombastus’! The duel is inevitable! But you need to taste one of his first. You’ll find a way to phrase it correctly.>Write In.(Last Reply of the week, we return Saturday.)
