Chapter 27 Buried Data
"There must be something here..." Aveline whispered hopefully.
She sat in front of the archive computer. The operating system was old, and internet access was limited to the campus intranet. But she was sure that at least here, there would be a folder containing old digital archives before many documents were transferred to the central system.
She typed the name: Selina Arquette.
The search results displayed three small PDF files. When opened, the contents were nothing more than teaching assignment letters and a summary of lecturer meeting attendance.
Aveline gritted her teeth. But she couldn't stop now. There were too many signs that something was being hidden.
Feeling that she got nothing from the official archives, Aveline opened the browser. She knew the system often kept old cache that hadn't been deleted. She opened the "Downloads" folder and found random files like student assignments, activity reports, and unclear ZIP files.
But one folder caught her attention: Old Forum Archive.
The folder was locked with a password. Aveline typed a few simple combinations, trying common patterns often used by old campus admins. Three times wrong. On the fourth try, she tried something simpler: admin123.
The folder opened.
Aveline's heart raced. Inside, there were hundreds of HTML files, archives of campus forums that had been deactivated years ago. The forum was once used by students for discussion without much supervision. A place where rumors, gossip, and dark stories circulated.
She opened the first file. Just a regular discussion about course credits. Then the next file. About a strict lecturer. She kept checking one by one, until almost thirty minutes passed.
At file number 42, Aveline stopped breathing.
The thread title:
“Does anyone know about Ms. Selina? Something is strange lately...”
Aveline's hand trembled as she opened the thread.
The first post read:
Lately, Ms. Selina often looks scared. She once asked to be walked home, saying someone was following her. Does anyone know why? She was never like that before.
The second reply:
I saw her arguing with a man in the faculty parking lot. Her face was very pale afterward.
The next reply:
I heard she had a secret boyfriend, but they say the guy is manipulative. Some say she's trying to break up, but the guy is threatening her. Don't know if it's true or not.
Aveline swallowed. Her hand gripped the edge of the table to keep from falling.
The thread continued. Many comments began to be flooded with theories and rumors. Some even mentioned Selina was depressed or afraid of someone she didn't want to name.
But what made Aveline's hair stand on end was comment number 23, posted by an account named "ArtemisBlue".
I know who that man is. I also know what Ms. Selina's relationship is with Ezra, the new student. And most importantly, I know why this case shouldn't be discussed. Don't believe anything the campus administration announces. No one dares to speak up. Including me.
Aveline stared at the account name for a long time. Even though the forum was dead, account information was usually still stored in the metadata. She opened the HTML file related to the user profile.
And she found something:
Username: ArtemisBlue Email: hidden Status: account deactivated Last active: 1 year ago Admin Note: “This account often discusses sensitive topics.”
Aveline stared at the screen nervously. She had to try to contact that account, or at least the person who used that account. Although the email was likely inactive, who knows if there was still access?
With trembling hands, Aveline wrote down the username, then searched on social media with the same combination. She found an old account on an old blog platform with a similar name: artemisblue-old.
The last post was made three years ago. Below each post, there was a "Contact Me" column.
Aveline opened the contact page. There was an old Google Form that might no longer be active. But below it was an alternative email address.
She copied the email and opened a new tab. Her hand moved quickly, but her whole body was tense:
To: Artemisblue.contact@
Subject: I want to ask about Selina Arquette
She stared at the blank screen for a long time before finally typing:
I know this may be impolite, and you may have left the account long ago. But I found an old archive you wrote about Selina Arquette, the lecturer who died mysteriously a few years ago. I need your help. Something is happening, and I feel... I feel there really is an unresolved danger. And this also concerns my safety. If you read this, please reply. I just want to know the truth.
Aveline pressed the Send button.
And at that moment, the archive room lights flickered violently, as if entering a shutdown phase. Aveline held her chest, her breathing heavy. Not because of the lights, but because she felt this step... would change her life.
It wasn't just about Selina. It was about Adrian. About Ezra. And about herself.
When she closed the computer and left the archive room, she didn't realize that someone was standing at the end of the dark corridor, staring at her in silence.
Adrian hurriedly tidied his desk. He left the house last night after his argument with Aveline. And he planned to fix that tonight. Not to save his marriage, which was already on the brink, but simply to erase the traces of the past that he had carefully hidden. Aveline must not know anything about Selina. And he would convince Aveline to stop looking for answers.
But just as he was about to leave his office, Joanna stood there.
She looked at Adrian with a sharp and... tempting gaze. As if she had gotten something that could destroy Adrian. And Adrian wouldn't be able to evade her anymore.
"What is it, Joanna? Do you have business with me?" Adrian asked coldly. All this time, he had noticed Joanna often stealing glances at him or giving him inappropriate touches. But he had no feelings for the woman and only considered her a coworker.
Joanna took a step forward, stopping Adrian's move to walk past her.
"Why the rush? I think... we need to talk..."
"There's nothing to talk about. Everything is over," Adrian said.
"Not yet," Joanna quickly cut him off. Joanna moved forward again, forcing Adrian to step back to avoid her.
"Don't run away, Adrian. Everything has happened, and you can't deny it anymore," Joanna said softly and deeply.
Adrian swallowed. "I told you I was drunk and don't remember anything. You can't demand anything from me for something I did unconsciously."
"Really? What if I have... evidence?"
The sentence hit Adrian hard. He glared, looking at Joanna with disbelief.
The woman smiled, raised her cell phone, and shook it as if mocking Adrian.
"I have the proof, Adrian... right here. Complete and clear. That night... You were the one who forced me and did it consciously. So... you can't escape anymore."
Adrian held his breath as Joanna spoke again, "You have a choice. Your marriage and career are ruined, or... You comply with all my wishes."