LightReader

Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 – Shadows Behind the Storm

---

Brighton Wisdom School – Next Day

Silver Storm Private Room

The Silver Storm's private room gleamed with luxury. It wasn't just a room—it was practically a suite. Plush sofas, a wide-screen TV, a private dining area, even a small bar lined with sparkling glasses. This was their fortress, their world of arrogance and untouchable power.

Raina sat cross-legged on the sofa, carefully applying a ruby shade of lipstick. Her reflection smiled back at her, cold and confident.

Selina, meanwhile, couldn't keep her hands still. She twisted her fingers nervously, eyes darting to the door. "Raina… what if she says something? What if she—"

Raina cut her off casually, "She's still unconscious, Selina. How can she say anything?" She leaned back, admiring her lipstick. "Unless… there's someone else."

Selina froze. Her silence said more than words.

Raina's sharp gaze lifted from the compact mirror, pinning Selina in place. "Don't tell me someone else saw it. Someone other than you, Ronnie, and Lara?"

Selina's lips trembled. She didn't answer.

The door slammed open. Ronnie stormed in, his face twisted with anger. He threw a pillow onto the sofa and collapsed into it, groaning loudly.

"We're doomed!" he shouted. His eyes darted toward Selina, then to Raina. "She said our names!"

Selina jolted. "W-what?!"

Ronnie turned, his voice cracking with rage. "The witness! She told the police our names—mine and Selina's!"

Raina narrowed her eyes, her voice low and venomous. "How would she even know your names? How?"

Selina swallowed hard. "Because… she's in our school."

Ronnie leaned back, dragging his hand through his hair. "Damn it. How dare she…?"

Raina exhaled slowly, trying to stay calm. "Maybe she's a newbie. That's why she's reckless enough to try this."

Ronnie's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then smirked. His anger melted into a sinister smile. "Got it. Her name is Andria." He leaned forward, whispering as if savoring the words. "Andria… I won't leave you alive."

"Settle it quickly," Raina snapped. "Otherwise both you and Selina will be in trouble."

Ronnie's smile widened. He leaned closer to her, playful but threatening. "Not only us, Raina. If I go down… I'll make sure everyone knows you're the mastermind."

Raina's lips curled into fury. Their eyes locked, fire against fire, until Selina stepped in trembling. "P-please, stop it. Don't fight each other."

Ronnie scoffed and stormed out. The room fell into a tense silence.

Raina's palm slammed against the table, making Selina flinch.

---

Brighton Wisdom School – Hallway

Andria walked down the quiet corridor, her bag slung over her shoulder. She wanted peace, just a little peace after everything.

A figure blocked her path.

Annoyed, she raised her head. Her breath caught. Why… why is he here?

Ronnie smirked, hands buried in his pockets. "Didn't expect me, huh?" His smirk dropped, his voice dropping into a growl. "How dare you say my name."

He stepped closer. Andria instinctively stepped back.

Ronnie leaned in, his breath brushing her ear. "Did you think law could stop us? Never."

Her heart pounded, but before she could respond, his phone rang. He answered, his expression shifting into a wicked grin. "Mm… yes. Got it."

He turned back to Andria, eyes gleaming with malice. "See? That's how easy it is for us to escape. The law is in our hands, not yours. So stay out of our business."

Andria's voice broke, trembling but strong. "I was wrong… I thought the law could help. But it's just another toy for dirty people like you."

Ronnie groaned, his face too close to hers now, his eyes bloodshot. "Where's the pen drive? Don't play dumb. I know you have it."

Andria didn't flinch. Instead, she smiled faintly. "I don't."

Ronnie's temper snapped. "I'll make sure you regret this. Your hell starts today." He turned to leave.

But Andria's clap echoed through the hall.

Ronnie spun around.

"You think you'll always escape? No," she said firmly. "One day, you'll trap yourself."

Ronnie's jaw clenched. He muttered, "The pen drive is with her."

A hand tapped his shoulder. He tensed, spinning—only to find Jake, lounging with a lazy grin.

"Why so tense, Ronnie? Didn't solve it yet?" Jake winked.

"Don't tease me," Ronnie snapped.

Jake just smiled wider. "You always end up in messes, my friend."

The two walked off together, Ronnie's anger simmering under the surface.

---

Gabriella Group Main Office

In his sleek office, Frederick slammed his fist against the desk, frustration pouring from him.

"Sir… our information was wrong," his assistant stammered. "We couldn't find them."

Frederick's hand swept across the desk, sending files flying. "Why can't you find them?!"

The assistant trembled. "We're still searching, sir."

Frederick exhaled sharply. Slowly, he opened his drawer and pulled out a photograph—a faded picture of himself with a smiling young woman. His thumb brushed over her face.

"Roselette…" his voice cracked. A single tear splashed onto the photo. "Where are you now?"

---

Brighton Wisdom School – Silver Storm Private Space

Raina lounged on the sofa, flipping through a magazine. Selina nibbled nervously on cookies, offering some to Han. He shook his head.

The door burst open again. Ronnie stormed in, frustrated. "She's something else. She's making trouble for us!"

Han raised an eyebrow. "What now? Are you caught in another mess?"

Selina clutched Han's arm quickly. "It's nothing. Don't worry."

Raina's voice was calm, dismissive. "I'll handle it."

Ronnie growled. "It's not that simple—"

A mocking voice cut in. "I can't believe it. A girl daring to play with Silver Storm?"

Jake sat back, tossing aside the magazine covering his face. He smirked.

Ronnie glared. "Jake—"

"Don't stare at me," Jake chuckled. "I've saved you from enough messes. This time, you're on your own."

Ronnie hurled an apple at him. Jake caught it with a grin. "See? I'm still useful."

Selina muttered under her breath. "Unserious fellow…"

---

Andria's Classroom

The bell rang. Students filed out. Whispers lingered in the air.

"She understands her place now, right?" Erica's friend giggled.

Erica smirked. "Exactly. If not, she can't survive here."

Harry laughed loudly. Anitta said nothing.

Andria ignored them, gathering her books and slipping out. She just wanted silence.

But silence didn't follow her. A paper ball hit her back. She froze, then walked faster.

Soon, more objects rained down—pens, erasers, bits of trash. Students' laughter filled the hallway.

"Hey! That's her—the one against Silver Storm!" someone shouted.

"Get her!"

Andria ran, heart pounding, weaving through corridors until she stumbled into the garden. Relief flooded her—until a torrent of dirty water splashed down from above, drenching her.

Her scream echoed. She looked up to see students on the balcony, laughing.

"Why are you doing this?!" she cried. "I didn't interfere with you!"

Erica stepped forward with her friends, her smile cruel. "Because you dared to go against Silver Storm. That's enough reason. The whole school is against you now."

Andria's body shook, but she said nothing.

Han shoved her hard, knocking her to the ground. "We told you before. You're nothing. This is your place."

Erica bent down, whispering in her ear, "Trash. That's all you are." She yanked Andria's hair, forcing her head back. "How does it feel to be treated like what you really are?"

The crowd roared with laughter.

From the back, Anitta stepped forward. For a second, Andria's heart lifted. "Anitta… you see them, right? You see the truth. Why are you still with them?"

Anitta smiled coldly. "Because I've been one of them all along."

Andria's breath caught. "What…?"

Anitta slapped her, sneering. "Ugh. My hand's dirty now. This is why I hate touching trash."

The crowd cheered. Erica encouraged her, "Do it again. I think she still don't believe it...Show her!"

Anitta raised her hand, but Andria grabbed it mid-air. Her grip was iron.

"You," Andria whispered fiercely.

Anitta's smirk faltered. "Let go!"

"You're the one who stole my notebook, weren't you?"Andria groaned

Anitta grinned wickedly. "Yes. It was me."

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Andria shoved her back. "I won't forgive you. Any of you."

Harry's kick struck her leg, sending her crashing down. Her face stung with bruises, her lips bleeding. Students circled, watching eagerly...Andria about to stand up to fight back....but

Then—steel struck her head. Blinding pain, then darkness.

She collapsed, blood trickling from her temple.

"Nice hit, Harry," Erica praised, smiling.

Harry twirled the iron stick in his good hand. "I wanted to break her legs too."

"Not yet." Erica grabbed Andria by the hair again, dragging her across the sharp stones littered with glass. "She dared complain about us to professors. This is her punishment."

Andria cried out, her face bloodied, vision blurring.

Then—footsteps.

A group pushed through the crowd.

A boy. Two girls.

Andria's blurred vision caught only a detail: one of the girls wore royal blue shoes. The shoes stopped inches from her face.

The girl pressed her foot against Andria's cheek. "Tch. You've dirtied my shoes with your blood."

Her voice was calm, chilling. She leaned closer, whispering into Andria's ear.

"This is the result of your stubbornness. Don't blame me. Your turn ends here."

Laughter erupted again, echoing like a nightmare.

Andria's world faded to black. The last thing she saw—those royal blue shoes.

---

More Chapters