Don't think it can directly be involved in the blackmail because of it only happening on her route.
I wonder if Ethan tries to turn Val against MC the same way he did with Zach, maybe trying to make himself out as the good guy. She doesn't know about the blackmail, perhaps Ethan could turn it around and claim that MC is blackmailing someone with a sex tape and that he's trying to stop it. Might plant a little doubt given Val's history with someone she trusted sharing photos of her? Although she couldn't be that convinced if she still invites MC to the party...
I think he put himself in a tough position to try that.
She witnessed him ganging up on the MC, and had her own scary meeting with him...
From what we've seen Val is smart enough to hear the MCs side before buying into something like that, and whatever tale he spins can be easily disproven.
Ethan doesn't know Val to understand what makes her tick, i don't think many people knew of her traumas until she revealed in the beach scene, maybe her mom...
And as far as we know he didn't put his detective to find out things about her, he was on the John and fake John identity the whole time.
Val is just his bait to manipulate Zach so he doesn't really care.
From the variations of the Ethan-Zach club scene(Val bump or not), i get the feeling Ethan didn't rate the encounter as a success, he knows any attempt at convincing this girl to do anything will be extra difficult now.
I lean towards straight intimidation attempt, everything around points to it.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want anything to do with Zach, but he's the lesser evil. Don't see any other character that could let MC know that Ethan has identified who John really is.
Not an arranged meeting, but maybe running into him while out, having an argument and him blabbling about John might work? If it helps protect John and take down Ethan then I'd take it! Although you're right, it would have to be present in some way on all routes so probably not at the party. Once the blackmail is done I'd be happy to never see Zach again.
Maybe him babbling about John is something that happens sooner or later, and can change locations.
Could happen at the party, or at different spots... but always happens.
Or he tells (non Val relationship, no party)Valeria and she tells the MC.
Maybe Val is passing on the information that she won't be taking part in the race/tournament? (On her route)
Hmmmm... i didn't think of that, it could be.
If it is that hopefully we can flip it still.
