When Ray got the news that something huge had happened he was at first surprised and when he actually went through the contents of the news his first reaction was not really anger but amusement.
He had never thought that someone actually had dared to spread such false claims without any strong evidence knowing full well what it was in store for them if they were caught. It really meant only two things:
one: either they were really smart and courageous or,
two: they were stupid and lacked an organ called brain in their skull.
The more he looked at the comments which had turned from bashing him for lack of his 'moral character' to 'the third woman', his amusement turned to rage. In his anger, he didn't think twice before throwing the device in his hands, heartlessly to the wall.
Vic, who was standing beside him yelped in surprise and silently lit a candle for whoever it was who was pulling the threads from the behind. Seeing Ray livid in a long time, Timo approached him cautiously.
Timo: Ray?
Ray: ...
Timo: cool down. It's all fabricated.
Ray could hear what his big bro was trying to say but he couldn't keep calm knowing very well that Ye-Jin was dragged in this baseless rumour and her name was being slandered alongside with that of Aera. He couldn't stay still knowing very well that both girls were completely innocent.
One was his closest friend who he had immensely grown to care for and the other was the one who had shown kindness to him when he was feeling lonely and despaired in the huge city on his first day. He couldn't watch either of them being harmed.
Kai knew exactly what was going on in Ray's mind. Instead of comforting him, he simply walked out of their shared living room and out to the balcony fiddling with his phone. He had plans of flying out before everyone else to Shanghai that night but now he couldn't.
If he ever found out who was behind this mess which lead to a delay in his plans then it was given that the person would wish for a quick death and that wouldn't be because of Ray.
He fiddled with his phone for a while thinking of the next step when Mui called him in to put some sense into Ray.
Kai: (sighing) I am coming.
When Kai came in he saw Ray sitting on the couch scowling at the broken pieces of the device he broke previously.
Kai: (holding in his rage) It's not the time to stew here. We know who's already behind this but we can't act rashly.
Mui: (thinking) the girls are pulled into this. I am worried how they're holding up.
Aera was about to sleep when her silent phone started to buzz with all the incoming notifications. She was awakened by the noise but was more shocked by what was circulating online. And it seemed to have escalated to an unimaginable level dragging both her and Ye-Jin into it.
She grew worried for her friend who didn't have any concrete experience in dealing with these kinds of things. In the blink of an eye, she forgot all the grievances and complaints she had. Without thinking a second time she tried to call Ye-Jin but all she got in reply was the same machine voice telling her that her phone was switched off.
She was frustrated and without any other way left she opened the messages Ye-Jin had sent her. She purposefully ignored them as her anger felt justified to her and she desperately wanted to pick a bone with her, whine, whimper and complaint to her and say all the mean things before making up with her. Then only was her anger going to be satisfied but now she couldn't hold on to that brilliant plan of hers as the situation was urgent.
There were some unread texts in her inbox sent from Ye-Jin. She hadn't read them but now she couldn't help but feel touched by them. She never knew that Ye-Jin cared deeply about their friendship. It wasn't her fault if the other girl wasn't expressive enough. After reading the texts, her anger was almost curbed.
She was surprised when she read the last and recent text left by Ye-Jin and boy it was long!
'Hey, I visited your company with Ray today. I know you'd be angry that I am selfish and I am only trying to rub it your face but it actually isn't that. I came to visit you and got my hands on some interesting news and changed my plans. There'll be some unpleasant incidents happening soon so stay low. I'll contact you soon and remember to keep calm.'
Soon after she finished reading through the whole thing she was a little confused but for now, she decided to follow her lead. If worse comes to worst then Ye-Jin wasn't only one with a powerful family.
It was clear as day that whoever spread this crap level news had, in reality, failed to do their homework and didn't know a grain about both girl's actual background.
Aera isn't a simple person too.