ANASTASIA:I felt like a secret agent on a hidden mission. Lara and I moved stealthily, each step careful and planned as we entered the parking lot. The best parking spaces were taken by Mia, Oliver, and Tony, creating a close-knit group. We followed closely behind their car, resembling a shadowy entourage.Maybe we should start with the suspect itself.My latest trip to Dakota's home provided important information.First, I explored the detailed history of Aurora. We discovered that Jackson and Aurora had a close friendship, but tragically, Jackson faced a similar fate shortly after Aurora's death. The investigations into both cases were closed due to a lack of evidence, leaving us with unresolved mysteries. Additionally, I found information about Aurora's missing brother, who remains absent from the case. Finally, there was the mysterious red Mercedes—a significant element in this puzzling mystery.We have to find the car anyway.But there is also the other side of the fact that I cannot forget.David had explicitly stated that no vehicle was registered under the provided number. The possibility of an altered number plate lingered, a common tactic among those attempting to evade detection.Furthermore, David had started the mission of getting information from Dakota's phone. The data he will gather is likely to be a valuable asset in our quest for the truth. While Lara and I go on our little mission."Have you seen any red Mercedes yet?" I whispered to Lara, keeping my voice low as I inspected the parked vehicles."Not yet. You?" Lara replied quietly, her eyes scanning from one car to another.Getting the keys from the valet, Rony was easy, thanks to Lara's charm and Rony's massive crush on her. Lara claimed it was her game, to play the most forbidden one. So here she is, enjoying her play with me.As the students went about their daily routines, we began our mission to find the elusive red Mercedes. Rony even helped by temporarily disabling the cameras, making sure our search wouldn't be recorded."Thanks, Rony," Lara expressed her gratitude.Rony responded with a grin that could rival that of a fool in love, saying, "It's no problem at all."In a hushed tone, I couldn't help but inquire, "How do you flirt so effortlessly?" My mind involuntarily shifted to thoughts of Lorenzo, who shared the same charismatic ease.To my surprise, Lara responded with a tinge of broken humour, "My name's already stained. If that helps anyone, I wouldn't mind."It struck me that there was something she had been concealing, and I felt a willingness to wait until she felt ready to share it with me.I wore a simple yellow sundress today while Lara, the rebel girl, wore a black leather skirt paired with his boots. Both of our hair was loose, somewhat hiding our faces.Amid the bustling college atmosphere, the quest for the mysterious red Mercedes presented its fair share of challenges. Doubt began to creep into our expressions as we scoured the parking lot.But my mind flashed back to David's office where Betty had confessed the truth! They were dating. And thinking about it makes me smile. I haven't thought much about Lorenzo since our last encounter, but still, deep down inside me, I wanted to have one glance at him. I wanted to apologise for how I ignored him for the last time. Hurt him.There are so many things to sort between us. And I don't know how am I going to do everything at all. I remember the hurt in his eyes when he walked out of the library that day. His handsome face had a tinge of worry and sadness.But now is not the time. Pushing aside my thoughts, I focused on the work at hand."It has to be here," I muttered to myself. "If not here, then where?"Among the numerous cars in the lot, we identified six red vehicles, including two Mercedes, an Audi, and three sedans. Yet none of them seemed to match the car we were searching for. We went through each car meticulously, making sure not to overlook any possible clues."Keep looking," I urged, my determination unwavering. I firmly believed that this car held answers to the mysteries surrounding Aurora's death and Jackson's disappearance.However, the fact that none of the cars belonging to Oliver or his friends matched the description of the suspect vehicle bothered me.Could it be that the car was hidden elsewhere? That thought loomed in my mind. Why would anyone even risk using a car that was a potential link to their crimes? But then, what if they deliberately kept it nearby, right under our noses, to avoid raising suspicion?I have read numerous thriller books, where the criminals hide their crime weapons right before everyone, masking it smoothly to be saved from punishment. And somehow I have a hunch, that, this was the same case.With our resolve unshaken, we decided to retrace our steps and search their section once more. The sun beat down relentlessly as Lara voiced her uncertainty."Do you think we might be looking in the wrong place?""Well, well, well, look who we have here," a voice intruded harshly on our conversation. We froze in our tracks. Without turning around, we both knew it was none other than Mia Edwin. Blakely was beside her. I can never forget her voice.The one who claimed that every beautiful thing on earth is hers. Even Lorenzo. But I would be glad to make her wrong this time. With a final sigh, Lara and I turned around to finally face her.Mia wore a revealing bodycon dress enhancing her curves while Blakely chose to wear low waist jeans paired with a top."Anastasia Brown with a companion?" Blakely's voice dripped with scorn. "What are you doing here with her, Ana?" She inquired while looking at Lara.We stood our ground, unsure of how to respond. My heart beat loud in my chest in fear of getting caught regarding our actual plan. But I masked it with a neutral face."Just trying to find my car!" I replied.Mia and Blakley scoffed at my words. "Oh, don't try to be smart when you are not!" Blakley taunted. "This is private space, belongs to Mia and Oliver. You don't belong here... until..." Her voice trailed off."Until I decide to be one of her minions? No thanks!" I shot back."Then mind telling me what you are doing here?" Mia asked."Uh..." My voice trailed off trying to find the right words."Don't tell me Anastasia Brown is trying to slum it with this beggar?" Mia scoffed. "I've never believed how much influence can change a person. But standing here, looking at you, has made me a believer. This girl over here has stained the name of Brown, indeed.""Don't talk negatively about Lara. You know nothing about her!" I retorted, my anger flaring."Why not?" Blakley shot back. "I've always despised her for manipulating men's attention, portraying herself as nothing more than a worthless flirt.""Mind your words, Blakley," I snapped. "She is not what you're trying to make her out to be.""Oh, I know exactly what I'm supposed to know, Ana," Blakely said with a smirk. "She's a whore who sucked dicks in public, made videos because she's a desperate bitch." Blakely's words were venomous. But before she could continue further, a sharp slap across her face silenced her.I gasped at Lara's audacious action. She had slapped Blakely, and the shock on her face mirrored my own. Mia stood there, stunned, as Blakely stood holding her reddened cheek, her mouth agape, her hair dishevelled."Don't you dare call me that! It was you who framed me!" Lara spat back at Blakely, her eyes flashing with anger. I had no idea what was happening here."Framed?" Mia protested. Her voice trembled with anger. "It was you who chose to be the slut and filmed them. You posted it online for views. Do you think we don't know that?""Liar! I've never done such a thing, Mia. I'm not like you. I would never fuck a guy just for the sake of popularity."Mia seethed with anger, her face flushing red, and her hand poised to strike Lara. But before she could land a blow, I intervened, holding her hand firmly. My eyes were ablaze with anger as I spoke, "Don't you dare make such a mistake, Mia," I seethed. "We've uncovered your little secret as a member of the Falcon group. Once I gather the evidence, I'll fucking ensure that all of you face the consequences you deserve."Mia glared at me, but her response was far from what I expected. Instead of being furious, she burst into unsettling laughter. "And who do you think will provide proof against us, Ana?" she whispered in my ear. "Yes, we're members of the Falcon Group. Blakley was the one who tortured Miley before she went missing, but so what?"Her laughter sent shivers down my spine. She sounded utterly deranged, like a girl in dire need of psychiatric help."We had fun playing with her, breaking her," she said, her voice laced with a creepy smile. I could see her eyes turn an abnormal shade of black as she spoke. "I instructed Blakley and Gwyneth to torment Olivia too. What are you going to do about it, huh?"I jerked her hand away, repulsed by her touch. "You're sick," I commented. "But I'll make sure all of you end up behind bars."Mia's response was chilling. "And do you think my dad and Alessandro Russo will allow you to do that?""You have no idea who you're talking to," I warned. "If I decide to get my hands dirty and use the influence I have through my father, you'll be finished in no time."Mia scoffed and walked closer, whispering in my ear, "I'd love to see you try, darling. It's an open challenge. There is no one above Russo in this town and he knows exactly what needs to be done."My anger surged, and my hand rose to deliver a resounding slap to Mia's face. "You..." I began, but before my strike could land, Blakley grabbed my hand, ready to retaliate. However, a sudden force gripped Blakley's wrist, and I turned to see Lorenzo standing beside us, his hold unyielding. His eyes bore into Blakley's as he warned, "Dare to do that again, Blakley, and I'll..."He was looking as breathtaking as he ever was. A white tee paired with a denim jacket and jeans made him look absolutely gorgeous. But this is not the time to think all this, Ana.His words hung in the air, and he tightened his grip on Blakely's wrist, causing her to wince in pain."Lorenzo," Blakley gritted her teeth, her voice low and venomous. "Release my hand..."Lorenzo's voice remained stern, his patience running thin. "I have absolutely zero fucking desire to hold your hand, Blakley. Until you wish to keep it to yourself."Mia's voice rose with defiance as she challenged Lorenzo, determined to assert her dominance. "And who do you think you are?" She taunted, squarely taking charge of the situation. "I can have you easily thrown away from this college, remember that!" Her warning hung in the air, laden with the weight of her influence and power. "Whore!"But Lorenzo, instead of succumbing to her threats, merely scoffed in response, undaunted by her words. Mia continued her bold advance, moving closer to him until they were locked in a tense standoff. She was tall for a girl. Almost reaching Lorenzo's eyes. With a chilling determination, she held Lorenzo's chin, forcefully angling his face toward her as she whispered, "I asked you to be mine, to give me what I want. Just the taste of you every morning. But you chose to defy me, Lorenzo. Remember what I do then?"Lorenzo remained silent. Mia stepped in closer, facing him with a confident, bitchy smirk, "You are forced to serve me now. You're my personal whore. Don't you forget that!"I stood there in utter shock, grappling with the reality of Mia's ominous words. What the hell is she talking about?"The deal is simple. You do as I ask, and you and your precious friends will be safe. But ever since this girl," she shot me an angry glance before returning her attention to Lorenzo, "came into the picture, you've been such a good little puppy to her! Defying me now? So, I promise your little friends will suffer every minute in this college." She delivered her threatening ultimatum, her eyes locking onto mine.Looking back with a mocking chuckle, she sneered, "And you could do nothing. Just like you couldn't days back when I fucked you as I liked." Her words dripped with scorn, and Lorenzo maintained a stoic silence. "Such a weak bastard."Wait, they're not together?Mia's words sent a shiver down my spine, and I watched Lorenzo's temper flare. His anger reached its zenith, and in an explosive burst, he grabbed her by the neck, ready to retaliate. But before any further altercation could unfold, a sudden punch landed squarely on Lorenzo's face, halting the impending conflict."Motherfucker! How dare you touch her?" Tony's voice thundered from behind, and he came charging in, delivering a punch squarely to Lorenzo's handsome face. I gasped in terror.Chaos erupted in a frenzied blur, too swift for the mind to fully grasp. Tony exploded into action, a whirlwind of uncontainable fury. His fists found their mark on Lorenzo's face with relentless, unpredictable precision. The brutal blows sent shockwaves through the onlookers.Lorenzo's handsome features are now painted in blood in gruesome patterns, a stark juxtaposition to Tony's unbridled rage. It was an unequal contest, with Lorenzo unable to withstand Tony's ferocity.Why wasn't he fighting back?"Stop it!" My desperate plea ripped through the pandemonium, but Tony remained deaf to my cries. "I said STOP IT!"Still, Tony persisted, and I tried to pull him away from Lorenzo, but my efforts were futile. Meanwhile, Mia remained an icy, detached observer of the brutal brawl, her eyes seething with a fiery desire for revenge. I despised her, loathed her with every fiber of my being. I loathed all of them.Finally standing up, Lorenzo blows a sharp punch and Tony's nose breaks with a small crack. I gasped at his sudden deathly blow. Finally, he fought back."What the hell is happening here?" A commanding voice finally broke through the chaos. It was the dean, this time, with Hardin at his side. I breathed a sigh of relief. Dean pushed Tony away from Lorenzo. Tony's face bore the scars of his rage, a disfigured canvas of anger, while Lorenzo's was marred by blood, a symbol of his helplessness.My heart sank as I looked at him."What the hell happened here?" Dean demanded to know.Now was the time, I thought. "I'll tell you everything!" I replied, determined.Dean, eyeing me up and down, asked, "And who might you be?"Fury raged through me before answering, "Anastasia Brown, daughter of James Brown."A/N: So, all this time, Lorenzo has been Mia's pleasure toy and not together? Yes. Mia and Falcon Gang has really gone too much now. Thank you for reading this book. If you like this book so far, would you please mind giving me an Amazon review? Link in my bio. Follow me on Instagram and YouTube for the precap digital version. @Only_Rusert.