ANASTASIA:As Nandini departed, a pervasive unease remained, settling like a lead weight in my chest. I turned to Lara, curiosity and concern both gnawing at me."Mark and Lorenzo..." I whispered, thinking whether they were really a part of the Falcon group, or perhaps they knew something. They certainly exuded an air of mystery. Looking up, I found Lara's confused gaze fixed on me. "Do you think they are really involved?" I was still puzzled by Nandini's statement, but each little detail was now equally important to us. "Do you think they can help us?"She shrugged. "I am not sure whether they are part of the group or not. But as far as my knowledge goes, neither Lorenzo nor Mark would be interested in taking part in this." She said, "In fact, they have hated Oliver as much as Oliver hates them." She carefully considered before adding, "I don't know how much they will be interested in helping us, but I am sure going to help you out in this, Ana."I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope at her words, wondering if Lara could truly become the ally I desperately needed. "Are you sure you want to help me? It's going to be risky," I asked, with an assured voice, my gaze searching hers for a response.Well, for a positive one.Lara's response surprised me as she grinned, brushing off my concern. "Well, duh, of course I am. We are besties now, Ana. Besides, it's going to be a fun adventurous ride, and of course, I can't resist the opportunity to take down Oliver and his team. It's a one-time opportunity.""Fine," I replied, smiling back, sensing a newfound camaraderie forming between us. "It's going to be a rough road, stripping down the Falcon Group. We better be ready then.""Aye aye, captain," she humored.****I began jotting down every detail we found on the college board about Mia, Oliver, Kevin, Shawn, Sam, Tony, Gweneath, and Blakely. I also asked Lara to write about Mark and Lorenzo. I didn't have to convince her; she seemed excited when we were discussing Mark. I'm pretty sure her earlier blushing had something to do with it. No matter how many times she mentioned his name, there was a strange crimson shade on her face. She was clearly smitten.Unfortunately, there wasn't much information about Oliver's group on the board. Nothing about The Falcon group either. Maybe they took it down or were forced to do so.Nevertheless, I found a few articles about Miley's brilliant performance, praises for Olivia's magnificent paintings, and shirtless pictures of both Jonas brothers. Seems like their fan following isn't limited.But despite all this, I was far from solving the case. The more I thought I was nearing the truth, the more I realized I was only at the beginning. There was a gnawing feeling on my skin, and I couldn't help but feel a little disheartened.Looking at the recent article about Miley, I was confused to learn that she had been seeing a psychiatrist. I looked up at Lara, "Do you think..." I began, my voice trailing off, my thoughts racing.But my words were abruptly cut short as an abrupt commotion erupted nearby. The tumultuous noise seemed to jolt my very heart, disrupting my research. Someone was fighting? The distant sound caused an eerie feeling. What's going on?Then a loud thud!Lara and I exchanged a wide-eyed glance, and without a second thought, we instinctively rushed toward the source of the chaos. Our hearts pounded with trepidation, our curiosity mingled with a growing sense of dread.And then I saw him.Lorenzo.It was an unsettling sight, one that sent a shiver down my spine as I watched in disbelief. He was locked in a brutal altercation with Kevin, and what I witnessed at that moment made me question the very boundaries of human behaviour.Lorenzo's once handsome and charismatic face was now transformed into something grotesque. The mask of civility had shattered, revealing a raw, almost inhuman quality as he mercilessly rained down punches upon Kevin. Each blow was an embodiment of brutality, causing Kevin's face to twist with pain and anguish. Blood spattered, staining the ground as a sickening testament to the violence.But Lorenzo didn't stop.He was relentless, a relentless force of destruction. He straddled Kevin, pounding him relentlessly, one blow after another. There was no hint of remorse, no hesitation, just an unrelenting barrage of violence that seemed to know no bounds.Mia tried to take Lorenzo off from Kevin but he ignored her completely. The rage seemed to have engulfed him completely. The most shocking aspect was the crowd that had gathered around them, forming a sinister ring of spectators. They revelled in the savagery, their cheers and hoots serving as a dissonant soundtrack to the violence playing out before them. It was as if they relished the pain and suffering, finding twisted pleasure in the brutality unfolding in their midst."What the heck is going on here?" Finally, a voice broke through the reverie, snapping everyone back to reality. I looked up, and I noticed David standing behind the chaotic scene.What was he doing here?Lorenzo was forced to come to a halt. Two men from David's side forcefully detached Lorenzo from Kevin as Kevin finally took a chunk of breath. Kevin, his face battered and bruised, seemed on the verge of fainting, but somehow, with an indomitable spirit, he managed to stand, though his legs wobbled beneath him."Babe, calm down!" Mia cooed wrapping her arms around Lorenzo. I know she saw me and the act— or the reality rather, was far more painful for me to watch. "Look what you did to him!" Mia pointed at bruised Kevin who was not standing a foot away from Lorenzo. His eyes were swollen, almost blackened from the pummeling he had received. Blood streamed from his nose, and his jaw bore the marks of a few brutal cuts."Let's talk," David informed Lorenzo and Kevin, his voice firm and commanding. Kevin spits blood on the ground before walking away giving Lorenzo one last glance. Lorenzo's face remained etched with unbearable anger, a fiery intensity that burned in his eyes. It was a stark contrast to the man I had come to know, the one who had given me a ride and gazed at my scars with such intensity that it had felt like he saw beyond the wounds, the same man who had the power to set my heart racing with a single glance.Mia however tried to stick around, but David's clear instruction was to talk with boys only. As David led both of them away, Lorenzo's gaze locked with mine for a fleeting moment, causing my heart to skip a beat.He was hurt too!It was then that I noticed the bruises adorning Lorenzo's face. My eyes lingered upon the subtle yet unmistakable marks, marring his otherwise handsome visage. His shirt, partially unbuttoned, hung askew, the fabric bearing the telltale signs of a scuffle. Lorenzo's dark, unruly hair framed his face in an artful disarray, a testament to the recent chaos he had been embroiled in. Despite these blemishes, he managed to retain an air of rugged handsomeness, akin to a victorious villain after a hard-fought battle.I couldn't tear my gaze away from Lorenzo as he stood there, anger etched into every line of his body. A prominent vein pulsed in his neck with an intensity that was hard to ignore, and the fire in his eyes blazed like an unrelenting inferno, creating an aura of both fury and determination that was palpable to anyone who dared to look at him. He quickly looked away, as if he didn't want me to see how angry he was. It seemed like he was avoiding eye contact with me. The questions multiplied in my mind. Why was Lorenzo beating Kevin so inhumanely? Was it because of Mia?---X---DAVID:I arrived in Preston with a mission: to gather information before officially charging Oliver and his crew. But today was something particularly intriguing.The moment I set foot on the campus, I found myself amidst a brutal brawl between two students. To my surprise, one of them was Kevin, a prime suspect in Miley's case, fighting with another boy named Lorenzo.Taking control of the situation, I positioned both Kevin and Lorenzo before me in an empty classroom."Tell me what happened," I inquired, taking a seat."He started it," Kevin began, venom in his words. "He dared to lay his damn hands on me, so I suggest you fucking arrest him and throw him behind bars."I couldn't help but scoff. I'd been uncovering the reign of terror that Kevin and his cohorts had inflicted on innocent students on this campus, and his words seemed ironic. "That's my job, Mr. Smith. Now, just answer only the questions you have been asked."I noticed Kevin gritting his teeth through the bruises. "Detective Barnes," he continued, "Lorenzo threatened me and initiated the violence. He attacked me!" Kevin exclaimed, pointing to his wounds. "These bruises are the proof." He barged. "So fucking arrest him or I—"I turned to Lorenzo, ignoring Kevin's words. Despite the bruised and battered state of his handsome face, the raw edge of masculinity seemed to shine even more. He was almost my age, yet there was something different in his eyes, and I wondered if that was only rage caused by this commotion. "What's your side of the story, Lorenzo?""Is it necessary to hear my side, Detective David, when Kevin has already given his version with such eloquence?" Lorenzo replied with a hint of sarcasm.I remained steadfast. "Yes, Lorenzo, I need the truth.""And what makes you think that I am lying?" Kevin snarled, and I only glared at him with authority that he was forced to shut his damn mouth. Turning back to Lorenzo, I waited for his reply.Another voice interrupted our conversation."If Kevin has provided his account, it should be self-explanatory, Detective Barnes." It was none other than Oliver Rodgerio.Oliver and I had crossed paths at various parties, usually accompanying his uncle, Russo. His gaze often lingered on women, prompting me to wonder why I hadn't pulled a gun on him. However, I was bound by responsibility and had to operate within the law, even though I suspected his criminal activities. If Miley's journal held any truth, I needed substantial evidence to bring him down. For now, I hid behind a smile."Mr. Rodgerio," I acknowledged. He wore an expensive shirt, adorned with a gold chain around his neck, as he casually strolled in with a smug expression. Tony, his sidekick, followed him."I think you should listen to him. The proof is right in front of you," Oliver said, glancing at Kevin, who stood across from him, bearing the brunt of the physical assault. "Look at his condition. The poor guy was beaten for no reason, don't you think?""Is it truly for no reason?" I raised a skeptical eyebrow.Oliver scoffed, knowing that he was under scrutiny for his actions, and I was no exception. "If Lorenzo can prove otherwise, I'll take personal responsibility to address this situation for you. Nonetheless, Lorenzo should still be held accountable for disfiguring Kevin like this, no matter the circumstances. It's just brutal.""How thoughtful of you," I retorted with a mocking tone.He casually shrugged and replied, "I do what I have to do."As a few tense seconds passed, our gazes clashed in a silent battle, fraught with bitterness. I held on. There was no way I was hiding before a kid. Oliver might have a backup in the rich Russo, but I didn't falter this time. Finally, one of my colleagues came forward, "Sir, you might want to watch this!" forcing me to tear my gaze from him.Luckily, one of the students taped the whole incident. Looking at the small device, I watched the whole video.As the video started playing, the entire situation unfolded before me. It became evident that Kevin had instigated the fight, pushing and striking Lorenzo before Lorenzo retaliated with such fury. The video didn't have much sound, so I couldn't hear what they were actually talking about.I wondered what really had sparked their altercation.The video initially triggered Oliver's rage, but he swiftly masked it with calmness. He offered a curt apology and proceeded to take Kevin away as he commented, "I see, there was just a misunderstanding. Not that I am saying Lorenzo here wouldn't be punished for disfiguring Kevin like this, But we are cool for now," Looking at Lorenzo, he threw, "Isn't it?"I watched Lorenzo glaring at him silently until Oliver walked out with Kevin with a smug face. Lorenzo remained standing in quiet dignity. As I took a deep breath, I finally handed him a bag of ice."Thank you," he muttered, taking it from my hand."You're welcome," I replied. "But I'll need more than just gratitude."****As I traversed the college corridors, my search led me to a familiar group: Oliver, Kevin, Mia, and Tony. They were engrossed in a hushed conversation with Kevin, trying to get their point across when I approached."Mr. Rodgerio, may I have a moment of your time?" I requested.Oliver's gaze met mine as he acknowledged me with a nod. "Mr. Barnes, what can I assist you with?""I'm here to inquire about Miley Smith," I declared. The mere mention of her name caused a subtle change in Oliver's demeanor, confirming my suspicions that he was involved in her case.He masked his reaction, offering a casual response. "Miley... That name rings a bell. Wasn't she the one who went missing a few days ago?"I couldn't help but scoff at his feigned ignorance. "Yes, that's correct. However, there's more to the story," I continued, noticing the confusion etched onto his features. "We found a journal she had written."Mia's sudden gasp couldn't escape my notice, further solidifying her involvement in tormenting Miley. She quickly composed herself as soon as Oliver looked at her with a piercing gaze."A journal..." Oliver responded, looking back at me with a feigning innocent smile. "Impressive. But I fail to see the connection to me." He looked around, "Or to us!"I scoffed at his audacity. "Mr. Rodgerio, your name appears in this journal. Perhaps you can clarify the nature of your involvement in this... Falcon Group."His initial smile vanished, replaced by an angry glare. He regarded me with such intensity that, for a moment, it seemed like he might resort to physical confrontation. However, he regained his composure and responded with a deceptively calm tone, "I don't know what you're talking about." He said. "Moreover, I suppose you're unaware that Miley had some... well, let's say, psychological issues. I doubt the law would consider someone with her history a credible witness."****My conversation with Oliver revealed a few critical details. Firstly, he was now aware that Miley's journal could potentially be his downfall, and he was determined to discredit her as a mentally unstable person. Secondly, there was a fleeting moment when he and his group appeared genuinely afraid that the truth might surface, putting their futures in jeopardy.I distinctly recall how, in a last-ditch effort to intimidate me, Oliver resorted to invoking Russo's name during our discussion. What he failed to realize, though, was that I was not easily frightened, especially not when I held substantial evidence to seek justice for the victim. Thus, I decided to have him and his associates attend a meeting in my office the following day for a more in-depth conversation. ---X---ANASTASIA:As I navigated the college corridors in search of David to gather more information about the day's events, I couldn't help but notice the hushed whispers and curious glances thrown my way. Something was amiss, and Lara had already left for her class, leaving me with a burning desire to uncover the truth behind the brawl that had unfolded earlier.David left a few minutes back and now I have to wait til I reach home to talk to him. Just then, a fellow student approached me, her eyes filled with admiration. "You're quite lucky, Ana. Lorenzo fought for you today just because Kevin held a bet against you," she revealed. I stared at her in bewilderment, seeking clarification."What...?" I asked, my confusion palpable."Didn't you know? Lorenzo stepped in to protect you," she explained."What?" I questioned again, totally shocked by the news."You know, it's all because of you right?. Kevin had put a bet on kissing you before the semester ended, and that's why Lorenzo was triggered," the girl beside her disclosed. I stood there, stunned, contemplating why Lorenzo would react so strongly to me, especially when he seemed involved with Mia. The pieces of the puzzle were getting more intricate and mysterious.Is that true? Did Lorenzo really intervene in the fight today for me? Not for Mia? But why? Why when he is with Mia? Could it be...My thoughts were interrupted once again, this time by a sudden uproar in the crowd. As I rushed to the scene, I was met with the sight of a motorcycle engulfed in flames.It was Lorenzo's bike.My heart raced with anxiety and my eyes widened in fear and panic.Could my stalker be responsible for this, just as they had targeted Ben?However, this time, my suspicions were proven wrong as I observed Oliver and his crew, all wearing malicious smiles as they watched Lorenzo's bike burn.It was clear that this time, it was Oliver who had orchestrated this act of vandalism.Mia, Oliver, and Tony stood a few steps away from the burning bike as Lorenzo knelt before his bike. His head hung low, and the pain was clear in his eyes.What the hell is going on?A/N: The mystery is growing every day. What do you think btw, is it Lorenzo that Ana will end up with or the Devil?Thank you for reading this book. Please support me with comments, feedback and votes. It would mean the world to me.