When the next Ex Files livestream was announced, the entire school froze.
Guest: Ethan Reyes.
Whispers turned into chaos. Rumors of fights, blackmail, and betrayal spread like wildfire. No one believed Ethan—the flawless, untouchable golden boy—would actually agree to be exposed on stage.
But there he was, just before the bell rang, walking through the school gates in a crisp white shirt and calm indifference. Like a king going to his own execution.
Keira watched him from the shadows of the media wing, jaw tight, nerves electric.
This was the moment.
Tonight, the school would see what he truly was.
The auditorium was packed to capacity. Students crammed onto the bleachers. Teachers hovered at the edges, pretending to supervise but secretly just as hooked.
The stage lights buzzed to life. The livestream counter ticked upward—10,000 viewers and climbing.
Keira stepped into the light, applause rising and fading into a silence heavy with anticipation.
"Tonight's guest," she said, voice cool but steady, "is a name you all know. A boy who leads, shines, and smiles—but behind that smile is a secret no one dared to speak. Until now."
Gasps.
The side curtains parted.
Ethan Reyes entered.
He walked slowly, his steps echoing like thunder across the stage. But his eyes weren't afraid. They were... amused.
"I didn't come to beg," he said into the mic. "I came to correct the narrative."
Keira didn't blink. "Perfect. Let's begin."
The lights dimmed.
Behind them, the projector lit up, revealing a still from the leaked video of Lucas—the same one Keira had received.
The audience tensed.
"Lucas said you blackmailed him into hurting me," Keira said, voice rising. "Said you had photos—and made him leak my private confession or else."
Ethan chuckled.
And then said, "That's true."
Gasps exploded. Phones were whipped out. The livestream comments went wild.
#EthanExposed
#ExFilesTruth
#CancelEthanReyes
He didn't flinch.
"You want honesty, right?" he continued. "Fine. Lucas cheated, lied, and panicked. He came to me begging for help. I helped him—by making sure he'd lose before anyone else did. He was weak. He deserved to fall."
Keira stared at him, shocked. "So you admit it? You engineered my breakdown?"
He leaned in, voice silk and venom.
"You were collateral damage."
The crowd erupted in outrage. Teachers rushed forward. But Keira held up a hand.
"Let him finish," she said.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You really want the truth?"
"Everything."
He smirked. "You think this show is about justice. But it's about control. And you? You're becoming exactly like me."
That landed like a slap.
Keira's voice cracked just slightly. "I'm nothing like you."
"You're using people's trauma to build a platform," he said. "Each episode, another life ruined. And you're applauded for it. Maybe I started the game. But you—Keira Alonzo—you're learning how to win it."
Silence.
Keira's world tilted.
Was he right?
The livestream feed exploded with mixed reactions:
"Is Ethan manipulating even now?"
"He's twisted—but is he wrong?"
"What if Keira really is becoming like him?"
Keira took a deep breath, fighting the doubts clawing at her.
"I'm not here for popularity," she said. "I'm here because people like you ruin others and get away with it."
Ethan smiled faintly. "You think you're in control. But the real puppet master hasn't even stepped into the light yet."
Keira froze. "What do you mean?"
Ethan's expression changed—something like fear flickered behind the smugness.
"I didn't send that video, Keira," he said quietly. "Someone else did. Someone who wants us both to fall."
Suddenly, the projector glitched.
The livestream crashed. The lights flickered violently. Gasps and screams echoed in the dark.
A distorted voice came through the auditorium speakers:
"And now, it's your turn, Keira."
The screens turned on again.
A video started playing.
Keira's breath caught.
It was her.
In her bedroom. On a Zoom call. Crying. Confessing something personal—something she never recorded or posted.
"Oh my God," Maya gasped from backstage. "That's from last year. But… how—?"
Keira's face went pale.
Someone had hacked her.
Someone had been watching her.
The crowd watched in frozen shock.
The screen went black again.
One line flashed across it in blood-red text:
"Confession Episode: Keira Alonzo — Coming Soon."
Panic erupted in the hall.
Keira stumbled back from the stage, her pulse racing, her breath ragged.
Ethan stared at her, for once speechless.
Maya rushed forward. "We have to shut this down!"
Keira barely heard her. Her hands trembled as she whispered to herself, "Who's doing this to me…?"
She'd thought she was in control.
But now it was clear—
Someone else was running the Ex Files.