Apart from the back-to-back tensions and exciting twists, “What Lies Beneath” makes viewers reflect on the lasting pain of broken friendships, shown in the fallout between Erica (Kaila Estrada) and Beth (Charlie Dizon). These fierce characters in the series continue to be haunted by their unresolved emotions over Edong’s (Jake Cuenca) imprisonment, which resurface in their raging arguments.
#1: Erica and Beth quarrel over truth and selfishness
In one of young Erica’s (Krystal Mejes) earliest attempts to convince her best friends of young Edong’s (Renshi de Guzman) innocence, she fails to win over young Beth (Allyson McBride), who leads a barrage of disapproving comments, insisting that Erica might be wrong.
Despite her tears, Erica soldiers on, but Beth wastes no time, bringing up how Edong threatened them and even threw punches—a fitting reason to doubt him. Adding to this, the people of Amurao would likely blame the girls if Edong were set free, since he had already gained a notorious reputation long before Louisa’s (Mutya Orquia) death.
Unstoppable in her convictions, Beth ends the clash by telling Erica to reflect on what kind of friend she is to Louisa, suggesting that Erica sounds selfish, possibly wanting Edong freed because of her relationship with his younger brother, Lucas (Andrez del Rosario).
#2: Beth criticizes Erica’s silence
Soon after young Erica, Beth, Alice (Eliza Borromeo), and Mel (Reich Alim) finish another round of police interrogation about Louisa’s murder—particularly identifying the watch found in Edong’s home as Louisa’s, even though it lacked the letter “L”—they argue again.
Erica remains adamant about Edong’s innocence, overwhelmed with guilt at the thought of him being imprisoned. Instead of comforting her, the girls are unsettled that she cries for Edong rather than Louisa, once again questioning Erica’s loyalty and standing firm in their decision to put Edong behind bars.
When Erica presses them further, Beth voices her fury once again, insisting that Erica’s silence makes her an undeniable accomplice in Edong’s imprisonment.
#3: Beth erupts over Erica’s secret relationship with Lucas
One of the scenes that likely kept viewers on the edge of their seats was the girls quarreling in the park after spotting Erica and Lucas together—eventually escalating into a physical altercation involving Edong.
Beth, along with Louisa, provoked Edong by responding to his insult—calling Beth a mistress’ daughter—with a stinging remark about his father, who had killed his beloved mother.
With Lucas finally breaking up the fight and pulling Edong away, Beth takes charge and leads Erica to a quieter area, but the berating doesn’t stop—Beth emphasizes that Erica knows her relationship with Lucas is wrong, which is why she kept it a secret.
#4: Beth makes shady remarks about Erica and Lucas
Moments after the chaos at the park involving the girls and the Santiago brothers, Erica reveals Louisa’s secret—her move out of Amurao—despite having promised they would stay together, while Beth, Alice, and Mel prepare to move to Manila for college.
The MABEL girls feel a growing sense of distrust among them, believing they all deserve to know each other’s plans. Amid this tension, Beth seizes the moment to deliver a sarcastic remark, suggesting that Erica should be thankful Lucas is with her, since she was supposed to be left alone.
#5: Fourteen years later, Beth still disagrees with Erica
After fourteen years, the girls—now grown with careers and families—unexpectedly reunite at the opening of Lucas’ business branch in Amurao.
In contrast to adult Beth, Mel (Sue Ramirez), and Alice (Janella Salvador), who go to celebrate, Erica arrives to confront Lucas (JM de Guzman) about his possible involvement in Esther’s (Malou Crisologo) disappearance and Celestino’s (Bart Guingona) death.
They catch up on Erica’s concerns, and Beth quickly explains that Esther was caught in an estafa case, while Celestino was killed by a syndicate he had clashed with in the past.
Unyielding, Beth presses on, criticizing Erica for showing up, pointing out that she has no proof against Lucas and implying that it was shameless of her to arrive with only an accusation.
Erica, now fiercer than ever, fires back, pointing out that Beth had no problem back then with making accusations without evidence, recalling her insistence on blaming Edong.
#6: Erica questions the rest of the MABEL girls about their guilt
Continuing the confrontation, Erica grills Beth, Alice, and Mel, asking whether, over the fourteen years, they have felt the same guilt she carries over Edong’s unjust incarceration. Confidently, Beth responds, declaring that what they did was right and could never be undone.
Erica adds that she wouldn’t have come here if it weren’t serious, but ultimately realizes she can never change their minds. She hopes they are right, as that would be better, but if she turns out to be correct, at least she gave them a warning.
#7: Erica is proven right as they turn out to be Edong’s targets
Amid the chaos of Edong escaping from prison and the revelation that he broke into Alice’s home and chased Chloe (Jewel Milag) and Joshua (Lawrence dela Cruz), the four MABEL girls gather at Alice’s, frightened.
At this point, the tension eases slightly. When Beth asks if Edong can be caught swiftly, Erica reassures them, explaining that the NLEA has been alerted and that Edong’s escape—including Celestino’s murder—was part of Edong’s plan all along.
#8: Beth blames Erica for putting Mel in danger
Shortly after Erica publicly reaches out to Edong, provoking him to reveal himself, a bomb scare erupts at her residence with Marco (Race Matias) and Lucas present. They soon realize Edong has tricked them, delivering a severed hand instead of an actual bomb.
Rattled, Erica contacts Alice to inform her of the severed hand which might have belong to Mel. Beth overhears and snatches the phone from the shaken Alice, thoughtlessly blaming Erica. She insists that if Erica hadn’t done the interview, Mel and the others would have remained safe.
In disbelief, Erica explains that she did it to draw Edong’s attention solely to herself and protect the others, but Beth disagrees and the call ends.
#9: Erica points out that Beth refuses to admit her mistakes
The MABEL girls return to Alice’s house to discuss Louisa’s watch. Beth starts the conversation with her justifications, emphasizing Louisa’s tricky sense of humor and insisting that the missing letter “L” on the watch didn’t mean anything, such as Louisa having a secret lover.
On the other hand, Erica was convinced that Louisa did, in fact, have a boyfriend, noting that Louisa was planning to leave Amurao because of him.
As doubts continue to pile up, Beth takes the stage again, insisting that the person might not exist since they all know what really happened—Edong was Louisa’s true killer. She then raises another question, asking for any other possible reason why Edong had to escape and track them for revenge.
Erica chimes in, frustrated at Beth for forcing to piece things together her own way, pointing out that Edong has spent fourteen years resenting them for wrongly imprisoning him—a fact Beth still refuses to acknowledge.
#10: Erica notices Beth’s inconsistent stance
During the ongoing debate about Louisa’s possible secret lover and the resurfacing of Edong’s unfair imprisonment, Beth accuses Erica of allying with Edong, who wants them all dead—prompting Alice to defend Erica, while Mel sides with Beth.
Upon hearing Mel, Erica brings up Lucas, whom Mel says she knows well. Erica reveals that Lucas is aware of Esther’s lies, particularly how she claimed to have seen Edong at the scene of Louisa’s death and how she thought Edong had reported her for stealing alumni funds, eventually making him a scapegoat.
Beth interjects, questioning why they should believe Edong and Lucas, but Erica reminds her that she had protected Lucas before. Leaving no detail unmentioned, Erica lists Beth’s mistakes, particularly when Beth previously insisted it was impossible for Edong to be responsible for Esther and Celestino, and that he was seeking revenge on them.
Erica then challenges Beth again, asking why it is so difficult for her to accept that she can be wrong.
Will Erica and Beth’s rivalry continue, or will they find forgiveness? Find out in “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, ALLTV, and iWant.