ANASTASIA:"Hey Dave, heads up - more than half of the town's residents are attending the event tonight. It might be a good opportunity to spot some of the red Mercedes. See you there!"I turned my phone's screen off, taking another sip of the champagne. Dressing up for fancy parties had never been high on my list of favourite activities. Yet, tonight was an exception, not just because it was the Browns' Saturday night extravaganza, but also due to a significant revelation my father was about to make—a celebration of Ava's pregnancy.There was something about that news that rattled me to the core. I was going to be a big sister, and my father would welcome another child with a woman who wasn't really my mother.It's crazy.He seemed elated and successful, his recent accomplishments attributed to Ava's relentless support. With each expansion and each successful meeting, she stood by his side, orchestrating the growth of the company into uncharted territories. It was undeniable that she played a vital role, a role I had once solely occupied.Most important companion. A family.Was I jealous? Yes, undeniably so. But why? The question echoed in the corners of my mind, a whisper of truth I dared not admit. The truth was, I envied Ava. At first, it was just me and my dad, our bond unbreakable. Yet, now, with Ava by his side, those moments had become rare treasures. And now, with their child on the way, I questioned if I would ever have my dad back or if we would ever regain the closeness we once shared. The party glittered around me, but in my heart, I felt a pang of longing, a yearning for the simplicity of the past, a time when it was just him and me against the world.But now, he's always busy.My father had always dreamt of becoming one of the most powerful figures in the country, and he had succeeded in achieving that dream. He currently holds the title of the most influential billionaire in the country. The pride and perpetual smile on his face were evidence of his accomplishments. It all began when Ava entered his life.She seemed to be his perfect match. In contrast to my mother, who had dedicated herself to our family, Ava was a brilliant businesswoman. While my father occasionally got caught up between running his company and managing other work, Ava skillfully balanced everything.However, what truly concerned me was that now with Ava constantly by his side, I had no idea how much I could confide in him about what had been happening in Preston and in this town. Ava seemed determined to keep him close, and no matter what, I needed to inform him. He had to know the truth about Preston"I think you wouldn't want to meet your father and Mrs. Brown while being tipsy." Robert, our butler, voiced from behind me. I turned to look at him, his impeccable appearance as striking as ever—silver hair neatly styled with gel, and a suit that could put any young man to shame. A bow tie and white gloves in his hands. I often wondered how he maintained his handsome looks at his age. Perhaps a secret elixir?"She wouldn't like it very much.""You don't say," I replied, attempting to deny my nerves as I took a sip of wine, my third one."I only speak the facts, young miss," his voice was soft warning. "By the way, you look beautiful," he said before melting back into the crowd.I had opted for an emerald green gown, accessorized with emerald diamonds, a surprise gift from my father. Well, it was in the name of his future child. Somewhere deep down, I missed my mom. I wonder what was she like. Did she like parties or did she always search for an escape just like me? I smiled thinking that perhaps if she was here, we would have escaped from here to read one of my favourite books or order pizza. Looking around, I somehow miss the warmth of my mother. Mrs. Brown was supposed to be her, and not...A lone tear escaped my eyes. Nonetheless, I swiftly erased it before anyone could see. I braced myself.Brown's mansion was lit up with bright, shiny lights all around, adorned with different crystal chandeliers. Ava had chosen everything herself. Everything around this house was now her modification, except for my room.I didn't let her touch it. It was my mom's room and now it's mine.Amidst the gentle hum of the crowd, a faint whisper began to spread, activating my senses. A gut feeling told me that the hosts had finally arrived!As the crowd parted, his distinctive half-white, half-black hair and meticulously groomed beard came into view. It was the same style he'd maintained for as long as I could remember. Despite the late hour, he was dressed impeccably in a bespoke suit that showcased his stature as a wealthy businessman. Even in the well-lit room, his presence radiated a captivating aura that seemed to outshine everything else.It had been almost two months since I met him again. Since I came back to this town.By his side stood a woman half his age, Ava—my stepmother. She adorned a ruby-red gown that complemented her radiant tan skin. Diamonds and rubies adorned her jewellery, sparkling under the lights.My father exchanged smiles and pleasantries with the guests, who reciprocated with the same warmth. Ava remained by his side, her subtle smile serving as a guard of honour. I watched them from across the room with a heavy heart.I wish you were here today, Mom. I blinked the tears away.I was about to escape when finally my eyes met his brown one. Through the midst of the crowd, my father pushed forward to reach me, his face adored a fatherly smile."My princess, how do you like the décor, hm?" He asked. "Everything was arranged by Ava." He looked at her with such adoration, and I clenched my fist beside him, jealousy taking over. "You are going to be a big sister, Ana."Our eyes met. Ava gave me a small sly grin before looking at my father, her hands roaming around her belly, "Oh, darling, you have to stop it. Today is not all about me. It's about Ana too. Her homecoming." Her voice was utterly sultry and seductive, making me cringe."You are such an amazing lady." My father said as he kissed her cheeks. "Had it not been for you, we would have lost the contract. Thanks to you my lady Devil. And thank you for giving me such a pleasant surprise.""Oh, come on James, you know how much I love to work. I will do anything to bring the company where you have dreamt of. That was a promise I made during our wedding."My father throws his head to laugh. "That is why I love and admire you so much, darling," he said. "But now you have to take care of yourself and the baby..."Amidst their lively chatter and laughter, I found myself standing there, my frustration simmering beneath the surface. My dad looked visibly intoxicated, and Ava seemed to be taking full advantage of it.For the first time, I couldn't help but despise this woman. Not just because she was taking what should have been mine, but also because she was consuming so much of my father's time that he remained oblivious to the turmoil engulfing our town. I wondered if he was even aware that Miley and Olivia's cases had been forcibly closed by Jhonson Edwin and Alessandro Russo, much like the cover-up involving Aurora and Jackson. I couldn't help but wonder if he was aware of the seventeen missing students from Preston University. Did he know about Blakely's accident and the mysterious presence of the enigmatic Devil, casting a dark shadow over the country?Shouldn't these issues be his responsibilities as one of the prominent figures in this town? I couldn't help but wonder, as I watched him mingling in the crowd if he was even aware of the cases the CIA was handling concerning the Devil and The Alpha group. But here he was, throwing a lavish party, sharing giggles and laughs with a woman who seemed like a snake disguised as a human. Her sole prey was money. With a deep breath, I swallowed my frustration and spoke, "Excuse me, Dad, I need a drink."I walked away. I loathed her. She was taking all the love and time that was supposed to be mine. She was slowly taking the place of my mom, and that..."A?" David's voice boomed from behind.****Slow jazz music filled the room as David and I swayed to its rhythm. David had a calming presence, and I found solace in his friendship amidst the opulent party. Ava had invited her friends and my father's business partners without considering my preferences, but having David here made it bearable."The devil has gone underground. It's become incredibly hard to track him down now," David informed his tone grave. "After Rohan's body was found, there's no trace of him. Probably busy targeting the next victim."Who will be the next victim? Another unsuspecting soul plucked from the elite class, or could it be someone from Preston? The chilling possibility lingers in my mind—what if the next target is me? The thought sends shivers down my spine, each passing moment heightening the suspense. Will I be the one caught in the crosshairs of this sinister game?"What about the footage from my CCTV? Did you find anything?" I asked, my voice edged with urgency.He shook his head in disappointment. "No, nothing useful. If the Devil is indeed your stalker, but he is a cleaver one to mingle with the system every time he walks in. We need to back you up with security, A. There could be dangerous consequences if we don't act swiftly.""Do you really think that would work? We have fifteen bodyguards, all armed, around this house, and they haven't stopped him yet, Dave. He's...""He's a psychopath," he interjected, his words hanging heavy in the air. "And we need to take precautions now. Before it's too late.""More guards?" I chuckled frustratedly. But he didn't argue this time. I finally sighed, reluctantly agreeing with him. Maybe he was right. "What about the footage from Blakely's car? Could we get who was the one that killed her?""No, it was too dark and unfortunately, the person who killed Blakely was wearing a similar mask to the Devil's," he informed me. "I think they were acquaintances. The identity was still a mystery.""Possibly. But I have a hunch that this Devil is not just playing along. Rather, he is digging into the past. The way he is sending me the link about Aurora leads me to believe that he somehow has an ulterior motive, And maybe they all are working together for this." I said, my mind racing with theories. "And what about the phone from Mrs. Simpson? Did we find anything there?"David sighed, frustration lining his features. "Unfortunately, no. The phone was clean, no data at all.""What?" I exclaimed in shock. "How is that possible? Mrs. Simpson said Jackson had shared a video, but before she could see it, the phone fell and broke."David furrowed his brows in deep thought. "There's a possibility it was somehow swapped during that day when Mrs. Simpson stumbled upon someone in the supermarket. Maybe they replaced it with a brand new one because this phone is clean."I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Each lead seemed to lead to a dead end, leaving me grasping at straws. I had hoped the phone could provide answers, but now, the future looked bleak.Was the Devil truly a predator? Or does he have a backstory to tell?"There's one more news," David said, his expression serious."What news?""We tracked Miley's phone to the outskirts of Larksville last night.""What?" I gasped in surprise. "She's alive?""I hope so," David replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "My team is there for investigation. But as of now, we haven't found anything concrete."As we indulged in our conversation, finally the main guests of the event arrived one by one. Leo Hudson, a renowned CEO of a security agency and a shareholder in The Alpha Group, was an influential figure in my father's business circle. Hudson was infamous for his multiple ex-wives and the mysterious disappearances or deaths that followed them. Rumours portrayed him as a master manipulator, often entrapping women for their wealth. Had Jules been alive, she would have been his sixth wife.Today, he appeared as an ordinary man with an extraordinary aura. My Father and Ava welcomed them with a smile on their face. As they chatted, another car pulled up, and a smile crept across my face as I spotted Ben arriving with his father, Narco Sanderson.Narco, a millionaire with a business empire spanning diverse sectors, shared many similarities with my father. His own venture, Sanderson Corp, dealt extensively in international transportation across northern parts of the States and regions in Nigeria, Russia, and Africa.As the evening unfolded, the arrival of the third shareholder of the company was announced—the man who had become the talk of the entire country, known as the Billionaire Bachelor. And the one I was waiting to meet eagerly.Alessandro Russo.While I hadn't encountered him in person before, it seemed the reports about his aura were accurate. Arrogance and an air of entitlement enveloped him, making him an imposing figure. Likely in his mid-thirties, he was a few years younger than my father, yet his fashion sense was striking. Donning long coats over buttoned shirts, a golden chain adorning his attire, and his impeccably groomed shiny black hair, half-black and half-white beard, he emanated an air of confidence.He greeted my father and the other partners with a smile, acknowledging their presence. Russo's primary business revolved around real estate and operated independently of The Alpha Group. But his eyes betrayed a hint of discomfort that even I couldn't overlook.A few more important people joined the gathering – the McLaren group, Jade Group, and Regal Corporations.It was a hotshot event of the year in the town that people from far far away wouldn't miss. So there is a possibility we would see any red Mercedes around here. "I think they all are here," I informed David. "You keep an eye around, while I go and have a word with Dad."A/N: Will Ana's dad will be her saviour in her quest? To know more, stay tuned. See ya next week. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and YouTube. I upload weekly digital precap there.