Chapter 348

“We can’t run away and abandon everything,” I said. This situation couldn’t be real. Why were so many people easily manipulated into believing nonsense?

“Daisy is right. There’s no way we will leave Denhurst and our lives behind,” Victor said. “John Cameron and his faction would instantly take over, and he would become a dictator.”

“Beta, Omega, and the less affluent Alpha lives would be worthless,” Findlay agreed. “They would essentially become slaves for the wealthy Alphas to become richer.”

“We can’t let that happen!” I declared. I had no doubt Findlay was right. Alex warned Victor and me that John thought these people were his pawns to be used for his enrichment.

I was trying to remain calm so I could think clearly, but the possibility of Victor and I losing to the faction was very real. If John won this fight, many more lives than ours would be ruined.

“Have you considered repealing the new laws?” Findlay suggested. “Even if you announce that you are putting them on hold until you do more research into the situation, it may help calm things down.”

“How can I do that when the majority of the people support the new laws? Victor asked. “Daisy’s report proves how bad the discrimination is. I can’t ignore it.”

“We need to fight the lies,” I said. “We need to ask all of those loyal to us to meet and talk about solutions.”

“You can’t have that meeting here at The Association,” Findlay warned us. “The complex is being watched. There are some employees, and even council members, who believe the nonsense being said about Victor and want him to be replaced.”

“We shouldn't have a meeting at Alex’s. They could claim we are plotting in secret,” Victor countered. “Where should we meet?”

“I don’t think it matters. The faction is making up their own facts and reality to suit their needs,” I said. “No matter what we do, they will spin it to make us look bad.”

Findlay sighed. “I don’t understand the portion of the Beta and Omega population who are siding with the people who want to enslave and use them. They are like chickens trying to fit in with the coyotes.”

I had no answer to that other than these radio and TV news personalities were good actors and extremely convincing. And once people were convinced of something, it was hard to change their minds.

“We still need to reach out to our loyal friends and ask for their help,” I said. “I’ll talk to Shane while you call Jayden to see if they’ll work together to expose John Cameron’s lies to the public.”

Victor’s office door flew open, and a man with close-cropped hair and a salt-and-pepper beard strode into the room.

It was Councilman Getty. A wealthy Alpha on the The Association council for twenty years, he was known to have little concern for non-Alpha citizens.

“Where have you been, Victor?” he demanded. “Our world is falling apart, so you go on a vacation with your mate! Have you no sense of responsibility?”

His words made my stomach flutter and my heart pound. I forced myself to remain silent even though I wanted, with my whole being, to correct his unfair words.

I saw Victor’s hands tighten into fists, and I knew he was angry, too, but his calm tone didn’t give him away.

“Good afternoon, Councilor Getty. Daisy and I were at Lake Pocono for less than twenty-four hours,” he said. “I returned to Denhurst as soon as I knew I was needed.”

“You could have stopped this mess before it got this bad if you were here where you belonged instead of enjoying yourself with her.” Councilman Getty hooked a thumb in my direction.

Victor’s fists tightened. “My being here wouldn’t have stopped news outlets from lying about me and Daisy,” he said calmly. “Nor would it stop Alphas committing crimes that are being blamed on Betas and Omegas.”

Councilor Getty rolled his eyes. “Many of us think they are reporting the truth. Your denial makes me wonder. Are you pardoning the miscreants and blaming Alphas for their crimes?”

“How did I do that from Lake Pocono when I had no idea what was happening?” Victor asked. “Not to mention, my sense of honor will not allow me to do such a thing.”

“I want to know why you are repeating what you know are lies, Councilor Getty,” a commanding female voice asked from the doorway. “The council discussed this matter an hour ago.”

“Councilor Chen, please come into my office and have a seat,” Victor said.

Councilor Chen entered the room. She smiled at Victor before offering me her hand.

“You must be Daisy Wilson,” she said. “It’s nice to meet you. From what I’ve heard, you are an amazing young woman. Thank you for saving The Association Complex from the faction’s bomb.”

“Anyone would have done the same if they were there.” I shook her hand and smiled. “I’m honored to meet you, Councilor Chen.

Councilor Getty broke up the pleasantries. “How do you know who’s lying? Betas are destroying Denhurst, and it needs to stop. We can’t trust Victor as long as he is engaged to her.” He hooked his thumb at me again.

“You are wrong, Getty, but I think it may be on purpose. We’ve known Victor long enough to be sure what they are saying about him are lies,” Councilor Chen insisted. “Unless you are part of the ongoing coup.”

“What coup?” Councilor Getty growled.

“John Cameron is behind this,” Victor told Councilor Chen. “I have proof. When his first attempt to take over The Association failed, he devised this new plot, using Alpha-centric news sources to sway public opinion in his favor.”

“I won’t listen to this nonsense,” Councilor Getty insisted and hurried from the room.

“John is having great success with his plot,” she said. “But we must stop him. I’ll do whatever I can to help you, as will most other council members.”

“Daisy and I are working on a plan,” Victor said. “I’ll keep you informed and let you know if we need assistance.”

Councilor Chen nodded. “Please do.” She gracefully left the room, closing the door behind her.

“Let’s do this,” Victor said and picked up his phone to call Jayden.

“Victor, I’ve been trying to call you,” Jayden said. “I lost contact with the man I planted in the faction, but maybe he’s just deep undercover and can’t communicate now.”

“I hope he’s safe,” Victor said. “Things are looking grim where I’m sitting.”

“I can’t believe the garbage coming from some news platforms,” Jayden agreed. “But it’s resonating with some of the population.”

“I have an idea to combat it,” Victor said. “If we combine your investigative abilities with Shane Ross’s reporting expertise and contacts, we may be able to make people see they are being manipulated.”

“Count me in,” Jayden responded. “It’s worth a try.”

Next, I called Shane. He agreed to try. He promised to meet Jayden at his home for a meeting that evening.

It was a relief to know we were doing something, yet it wasn’t nearly enough.

A great deal of time, money, and effort was being applied to the cause by our enemies. One article wouldn’t fix it.

Findlay flipped through the television channels to keep abreast of what was being reported. The lies and misinformation were still running rampant throughout the city.

In five minutes, I heard, “Victor and Daisy were on another luxury vacation, and when Betas and Omegas have all the rights and the laws are on their side, what will be left for us?”

Findlay turned the channel again, and I heard a newscaster shouting, “Betas and Omegas are rioting and burning down the city.”

There was footage being shown in a small box on the top left corner of the screen of several masked men surrounding a burning car and shouting, “It’s our world now!”

“That can’t be real!” I declared.

“Let’s see if it’s on a reliable channel,” Victor said. “It looked staged to me.”

Findley changed the channel to a trusted news source, and tears came to my eyes when the same footage filled the screen.

“If that really is Betas doing this, they need to stop right now,” I said as a helpless feeling shot through my middle.

But in the next few seconds, police arrived on the scene. Two of the masked men were caught, and the cops pulled off their masks.

“I’ve seen one of those men before,” I said and moved closer to the TV. “He was outside Amy’s shelter causing problems during her opening ceremony and fundraising event.”

“Are you saying ….” Victor began.

I nodded, feeling excited for the first time since we arrived at the complex.

“I’m saying the police caught John Cameron’s son pretending to be a Beta.”