Allen's eyes sparkled with a defiant edge as she slipped off his glasses , a hint of fire in his Jude , like he'd seen this coming from a mile away , clapped a hand on Allen's shoulder . 95 E55 vouchers gaze . " Look , man , I'm not showing you this to get you all worked up . Just take a second and see her for who she is , okay ? " he said . Allen's voice was soft but solid as steel . " Doesn't matter what she's done . She's always right in my eyes ." Jude froze , totally thrown . " Allen , come on , you know the deal with you , right ? Maybe her and her husband had a blowout , but they'll be all lovey - dovey again by tonight ." Allen's gaze dropped back to the video on Jude's phone , his jaw tight . Without the whole story or a hint of what was running through her mind , he knew he shouldn't stick his nose in too deep . But this video ? It painted her as the villain , with everyone jumping on her case . Allen shook off Jude's hand with a quick jerk . He stalked over to the window , his voice low and ice - cold . " I need you to take care of two things ... " ***** The cops rolled up to Rose Villa , tearing through every corner , but they came up empty - no hidden cameras anywhere . Still , there was no doubt the video was filmed in the study . They questioned everyone , one by one . The maids were sweating bullets , tripping over their words . Shelby , though ? She was cool as ice , playing the " no clue " card like a champ . Brandon pulled up in his car , shooting Matilda a quick , frosty glance before heading over to sweet - talk the officers with a handshake . " Thanks for coming out , guys ," he said . " Look , I'm the one who put the camera in the study . I'll make it right with my wife . Just a little domestic tiff - no need to waste police time ." Zack had friends at the precinct , and it was obvious Brandon had already pulled some strings . Matilda hadn't mentioned the video being tampered with when she called the cops , so the whole thing got wrapped up neat and tidy . The officers scribbled some notes , tossed out a half - baked lecture about marriage drama , and hit the road . Matilda stood there , staring daggers at the man and woman standing so close their shadows practically blended into one . " Don't you two owe me an apology or what ? " 9:14 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 9 95 55 vouchers At five - foot - nine barefoot , plus the extra inches from her heels , Matilda was a force to be reckoned with as she demanded answers . Shelby shrank behind Brandon , tugging at his sleeve like a scared kid . " Brandon , I only set up the camera ' cause Lola's been doing her homework in the study . " She hates people hovering , but I was worried she'd do something dumb . I didn't mean to catch you and Matilda going at it . " She paused , her voice shaky . " But I didn't edit that video and post it online on purpose . I was just ... so mad and hurt . " Matilda hit me , she hit you , and she almost got Kathy killed . She keeps screwing over the people I care about most . " A single tear fell , landing right in Brandon's palm like it was planned . His heart turned to goo . That video had spread like wildfire through Crossen Technology's work chats , and now half of Itera City was buzzing about it . Matilda's name was trashed . To Brandon , Shelby was just a kid , innocent as a daisy , who'd messed up in the heat of the moment . She shouldn't have to take the fall . Matilda , on the other hand , already had a lousy rep , and in his eyes , with all the unforgivable stuff she'd pulled , she deserved to take the fall . After sizing things up , Brandon spoke. " You're the one who messed up first , Matilda . If anyone's apologizing , it's you ." Shelby shot Matilda a smug little eyebrow raise , silently crowing , ' Got you again , huh ? ' Matilda's lip curled in a sneer as she brushed past Shelby and stepped right up to Brandon , poking his chest hard . " Your heart's so warped it's practically in hell ." Brandon's chest tightened , like something had grabbed his heart and squeezed it . " Matilda- " he started , his voice softer than he meant it to be . She spun on her heel and stormed off toward her car . A few steps later , she slipped her phone out of her pocket and saved the recording she'd made . " Think you're the only ones who can play dirty with secret recordings ? I've got game too , ' she thought . Her real plan in calling the cops was to lure Brandon back to defend Shelby , letting Shelby spill her nasty little plot , thinking she was untouchable . And they'd played right into her hands . At night , Tessa , Zack's wife , met Matilda for dinner at Vansen Restaurant . " Matilda , I'm so sorry . I couldn't do a damn thing to help , " Tessa said , her eyes heavy with guilt as she looked 9:15 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 9 at her friend . :. ( 95 ] . 55 vouchers She'd gone a few rounds with Zack after finding out he'd pulled strings for Brandon , but it hadn't changed a thing . Matilda managed a small smile , reaching out to comfort Tessa instead . " Who says you didn't help ? You've been out there like a one - woman army , blowing up those comment sections with all your burner accounts . " Tessa's cheeks turned pink . " How'd you know it was me ? " Matilda let out a soft laugh . " Come on , it's obvious . Out of thousands of comments , you're the only one riding for me . " She squeezed Tessa's hand . " Thanks , Tessa . Seriously ." Tessa squeezed back , her voice warm . " No , thank you for picking me to be your friend ." Tessa had grown up under the thumb of a mean - as - hell stepmom , her quiet nature making her an easy target for jerks . For a while , she'd dreaded tagging along to Zack's parties - he'd just ditch her , lost in his own world . Matilda had noticed how nervous and out of place Tessa felt . After that , even though she couldn't stand those kinds of events , Matilda started showing up with Brandon just to have Tessa's back . But Tessa felt like she was dropping the ball . When Matilda needed someone to stand up for her , all Tessa could do was hammer out comment after comment on her phone : [ Please stop dogpiling her . She's honestly amazing . ] Having Tessa around lifted Matilda's spirits , even though just a little . But the good mood didn't last . Their food had barely hit the table when Zack's nonstop calls forced Tessa to head home . Matilda played it off like it was no big deal , but the second Tessa's driver pulled away , her shoulders slumped . A hollow , sinking feeling settled in her chest . She ordered a bottle of red wine and sipped it alone , lost in her thoughts . Then , out of nowhere , a bright , cheerful voice cut through the gloom like a ray of sunshine . " Hi , Matilda ! " Matilda looked up , and there were Jolene - and Allen - standing there , their presence like a spark in the darkness . ***** 9:15 Mon , Oct 13 Chapter 10