The previous takes in this thread defending Felicia are crazy as hell in retrospect. The idea that it was okay for her to use her open relationship to get involved with powerful figures with criminal ties because Elias didn't fund some dumb art school is insane. The fact that there are numerous sex tapes of Felicia in what is likely an illegal operation (or at the very least incredibly shady one) would torpedo any political ambitions he had.
It's borderline plot hole territory that the club would think of fucking with a guy that powerful and wealthy. I know, I know, it's a fictional porn game plot but the writers go out of their way to insist that the people running the club are good at keeping the whole thing a secret.
I'm not sure what those previous takes are, and your post is kind of confusing. But I can say for sure that Felicia didn’t use her open relationship as a cover. She knew she’d have to go for broke if she became a carnation. It’s also not about the art school — the school is a moment of revelation.
Of what? That despite her high social status, Felicia doesn’t have real, independent power to make things happen. That power was only ever given to her by Elias at his whim. So Felicia decided to put everything at the stake (which is quite a lot) for a chance to climb the ladder and gain real power. Is it dumb? Most people would say yes. Edwin points out how dumb it is, and Felicia kind of agrees... but man, TD’s writing is deceptive.
I thought I had it all figured out about that mental issue Edwin has regarding his mother’s past and how he perceives her — a narrative where Victoria has a role of a martyr who suffered for him. And that video with Victoria and Donovan should have been a distortion of that narrative. Yet Edwin’s internal monologue he had while watching the video surprised me. It wasn’t what I expected. While it doesn’t exactly contradict the 'matyr narrative' theory, it doesn’t quite fit with it either.
Then there’s Elias himself. I used to think the reason he refused Felicia’s request about the art school was to remind her of the dynamic in their relationship. But now that we’ve gotten a taste of his character — a glimpse of who he truly is — it doesn’t fit that interpretation either. It makes me wonder what was the true motive for Elias to refuse Felicia's plea and what kind of personalities the other patrons had before entering the club, and whether the club changed them in any way.
What I’m trying to say is that I’m not going to judge how stupid Felicia’s grand decision was, even if it looks like she’s completely failed right now. And I also don’t understand why you’d think inviting Elias is a plot hole. Elias is powerful and wealthy? Sure but so are they, except he’s just one man while they’re a group. The way the club maintains its secrecy is also explained in the game.
