Chapter 91: Undercover

\[Author's POV\]

Charlotte feel a sting of pain shoot down down her right arm. What did he inject into her arm? The world spinned and everything went black.

Anna had no time for games. Her moyive for showing up at Baur's was to get answers. Answers regarding the secrets of Alan Institute and how she fit in all of it.

'Lady Joanna.' An old brunette dressed in a white gown approached Anna with a smile on her face. However, Anna had no room for pleasantries.

'Get out of my way!' Anna brushed past the woman with little sympathy, Hamish trailing silently behind her.

Kicking the front door down in fitless grace, Anna yelled with every fibre of her being, with every hatred she felt raging and boiling within her.

'Baur!!' It echoed in the well furnished living room.

The one who bore the name being yelled rushed down the stairs almost stumbling to his feet.

'What on earth —

His retort was interrupted by a punch that knocked the fake hair on his head askew.

'Anna!' Hamish shrieked and went to help the old man to his feet.

Anna fisted both her hands. 'You son of - - - My father is a - -

Realizing that Anna must have discovered the truth, Baur decided to save his own skin by throwing her father under the bus.

'I know nothing about the operation. It was Ahmed who dragged me into it. All I wanted to do was to manage the hotels in Zurich and New York. It was never my intent to want to harm innocent teenagers. I'm know I'm cruel but that stuff is diabolical.'

'Diabolical?' Anna scoffed and palmed her face. 'Was it not diabolical when Bessie died?!'

Baur was fazed by her angry yell. He was tongue-tied by the fit she was throwing.

'Answer me!' Anna screamed.

'It was. It was diabolical. I'm sorry for your loss but Bessie can never come back!' Baur said matter-of-factly.

Anna felt a chill run down her spine when she recalled her father's words to her. He was never whom he said he was. He had infiltrated people's lives. He pretends to be Jacob's uncle. He had his own wife killed. Was Ahmed even his name?

Anna begins to sob now. 'Did you know father had abother family in Israel? Two girls and a son! Do they even know what he does?! Who he is?! The man killed their mother for God's fucking sake?!'

Hamish was startled. 'Sir Ahmed killed Mrs Mary?'

Anna glared at him. 'You even know her name? You knew he had another family somewhere else?'

Hamish looked away, embarrassed. 'I only found out recently.'

'Liar!' Anna screamed at him. Her eyes fell on the flower vase on the coffee table and she launched it at him.

'Do you know what he said about Bessie?! You let him do this to us. To mom! Mom still hasn't forgiven herself over what happened to Bessie. Do you know that?!'

Baur had had enough. He caught the next item she threw at him - a fresh green apple.

'Stop wasting food.' Baur threw the apple at Hamish who caught it easily.

'The final Hide and Seek for the semester will end it all. All you have to do is moderate it. Make sure a certain number of people don't make it. That's what the higher-ups want.' Baur pocketed his hands.

The frown on Anna's forehead deepened. 'What?'

'They don't want Dominic, Gemini, Lenin, Jacob, Levi, and Charlotte to live - Before Baur would complete his sentence, Anna flung her phone at his face.

'That does it, Anna. Hamish hold her down. I'll teach you discipline since you've forgotten what it is ' Baur roared with rage.

'Touch me and I'll kill you.' Anna eyed Hamish and he stayed put. Immobile. More like caught between a cleft stick as to who to obey.

'You go on raging about me when you should vent your anger on those who killed your sister! Do you think it was Dominic or Gemini or Levi?' Baur chuckled and cupped his hand over his left eye.

'Your precious Selena ordered the hit on your elder sister.'

Anna's mouth fell open. She spoke but those words were inaudible.

Baur went one regardless. The horrified look on Anna's face giving him mirth and joy. 'Why did she do it? She felt neglected. Imagine a former high ranking soldier in the U.S Army coming back to principal a school for spoilt brats. How annoying.'

'She wants to get back at Ahmed for reducing her to a level equal to filth. She hit him where it hurt '

'She killed Bessie.' Anna felt her knees weaken and she gave way to the floor.

'You're there.' Baur smiled. 'Ahmed still mourns Bessie. Even with all his power, he doesn't know there's a snake in his court - Selena. The bitch ordered Dominic, Lenin, Gemini and Levi to move Bessie's body after she had been dealt with. That was when they were found.'

Anna shivered. 'Oh my God.'

'That wasn't all. She even tried to pin the murder on the poor kids. Dirty woman,' Baur shook his head. 'Did you know she even went after her sister?'

Anna looked up as though in a daze. Tears rolling uncontrollably down her cheeks. 'Her sister?'

Baur squatted before her. With a lazy wave, he dismissed Hamish. 'Selena has a sister. Guess who?'

Anna licked her dry lower lips expecting the hard truth and the scar it will leave on her heart.

Baur grabbed the back of her hair and leaned closer. 'Mathilda Melbourne. The name ring a bell?'

Anna's eyes went wild for the second time if not third time. 'Charlotte's mother.'

Baur nods and puts his forehead to hers. 'Selena is an envious bitch. Her sister gets a new identity and found herself a rich husband. She's happy while her sister is manning a school with other stuck-up assholes. The moment the Melbourne's moved here. She made her own move. Who convinced the board to make Charlotte a prefect? Who wanted the Melbourne to divorce? Who even called Lara-Hran Fitzgerald to ruin her son's marriage? It was all that bitch.'

Anna sniffles softly. 'How do you know all this?'

Baur pushes her away as though she was diseased. 'Argh! You don't catch on quick.'

Standing before her with a smile on his face, he said. 'I know because I told her to, silly.'

Anna felt her breath shudder as she rose to her feet. 'You!'

Baur put his fingers to his lips. 'Shh.'

\[Charlotte's POV\]

I awoke with the high pitched ringing in my ears.

'She's awake!' A voice called.

Of course, she's awake. Who wouldn't wake up when something that loud is shoved in their ears?! Assholes.

'Charlotte Melbourne?' Another voice asked. This time familiar. It belonged to the man who asked me the same question in the bathroom earlier.

'I am. Who are you?' I asked calmly. Dad told me diplomacy was the best way to avoid a gun fight. And if diplomacy doesn't work, well, ever heard of gunboat diplomacy?

The man dragged a metal chair towards me and it left screeching sounds on the tiled floor. It echoed off the walls. Where were we? In a well?

His appearance becomes clear to me. He's got short brown hair on his finely shaped head, his eyebrows are bushy and looked like they had never been brushed or carved. His eyes were the colour of the ocean - deep blue. His nose was pointed but looked caved in at the bridge like it had been broken before. Apart from the bad boy leather jacket he put on and the trousers, I'd say he's a Mafioso with swag.

'I'm Malcolm with the F.B.I. Aime must've told you about me.' He said.

I could slap my forehead if I could. So this was Nurse Aime's brother?

'Since you know who I am, are the cuffs really necessary? I'm no threat.' I try to sweet-talk my way to freedom. Remember, diplomacy.

Malcolm was not having it. 'Who says you're not a threat? You're the director of ceremonies for Alan Institute. You basically host Hife and Seek.'

I shook my head. 'No. I just got the post. I haven't done a thing since I was appointed. Believe me. Aime must've told you. And by the way, I've got coronary heart disease. You think it's wise to have me chained up. I could have a heart attack any moment from now.'

Malcom laughed, throwing his head back.

Yeah, have a good laugh, you moron.

'Let her go.' Malcom said to the bulky bald guy standing by the door. He was so tall I bet he always bend his head to cross the doors.

The dude went behind me and loosened the chain.

I massaged my wrists. 'So you'll let me go now? Where's Jacob? Did you arrest him? What about my friends? The raid?'

Malcolm took a can of cola and threw the cap open, taking a long sip. 'One question at a time, little lady.'

I try to stand but the tall guy clamped down his hand on my shoulder, putting me back on my seat.

'I deserve an answer. This isn't how I imagined the F.B.I.' I frown and fold my arms.

Malcolm chuckled. 'And how did you imagine us? Some people with cool guns? Looking all ribbed and touché? No!'

The "No" echoed room the room and I notice my surrounding. The room was wide and long like a swimming pool. There were lots of file cabinets piled at the edge of the room. Cheap furniture was scattered roumd the room. There was a fridge, a transparent notice board, I think for writing their plans? The walls were a wash of grey. Not that they'd decorate. The blinds were pulled down and I don't know if it's dark or morning.

'Do my parents know where I am?' I ask.

'No. They think you're with your girlfriends.' Malcolm replied with a smile on his perfectly shaped lips.

A chill run down my spine. 'And where are they?'

'In Stacey's house. Sobering up.' Malcolm stretched his hand for me.

When I hesitated to tske it the tall guy behind me, kicks my seat and I yelp.

'Don't hurt her, Ambrose. She's an asset,' Malcolm gave Amby a cold glare and turn to face me. 'Come on.'

I swallow my nonexistent saliva and take his hand. 'Hopefully, this was a dream and I'd wake up soon.'

'Let me show you sonething.'

We walked past a wide hallway. Lots of men and women walked past us. All greeting Malcolm before they went to do their business. Whatever it was.

'Aime said you were police.' I break the silence.

'Do I look like one?' Malcolm looked at me.

I said nothing, following beside him.

We got to a grey door and he held the knob, pushing it in.

Sitting with their hands chained to the steel table were Levi and his brother, Jwcob.

'Oh my God.' I rush in.

I went to hug Levi who tried to stand to but the chains restrained him.

'Are you okay?' I put my hand to his cheek.

'I'n fine. Who are these people?' He asked.

'The FBI.' I whisper to him.

He didn't seem fazed but Jacob was.

I turn to look at Jacob. I should be mad at him got what time did to Levi but now wasn't the time to hate on him. I'll do that later.

'You okay, Jay?' I ask him.

'The cuffs are cutting into my skin.' He said.

'Malcolm, let them go.' I was actually referring to the chains in this context.

'You know this guy? Charlotte, what's going on?' Levi looked at me as though I was a stranger.

I felt the pain just by looking at him.

I open my mouth to speak. 'He's —

Malcolm interposed. 'Don't be so hard on your girlfriend, Levi. Lemme explain to you, kids. It's gonna take a while.'

Malcolm explained to them what he and Aime had been planning for months. Gathering information fron Ratcliff, their father (I was shocked that someone like Ratcliff would have a life) and Aime who in turn spied for him.

'You guys will work for me from now on.' Malcolm leaned forward.

We were sitting behind the table but he towered over us like we were kids. I had never felt so small in my life.

Malcom went on. 'Initially, I had wanted to put you in for murder, Levi but that won't be enough evidence to bring Alan down.'

Levi scoffed. 'Excuse me?'

Malcolm ignored him. 'We've got new development. Alan's got deep roots. It's not one family that owns the school. You're not gonna like this but your friends are gonna be your enemies from now on.'

I clung unto Levi's arm. He and Jacob had been freed of the chains but they still felt caged. Caged by the truth. I could see it on their faces. I wondered what went through their heads.

'George Ribbentrop designed the building plan for Alan and built it. Merced-Callum financed it. Rivera also had hands in the finances.' As Malcolm went on, I looked at Levi and Jacob. Those were relatives, families of your friends. What the hell?

'Wait. You said Merced-Callum.' Jacob spoke in a hurry.

Malcolm leaned back on his seat. 'Yeah. That's your friend's last name, right? The one whose twin sister was murdered.'

'Twin? That's Joanna but I never knew Bessue was her twin.' Jacob muttered.

'Her family help fund the school?' Levi sat up.

'Yeah.' Malcolm smiled.

I don't like this is going.

'And the three of you are gonna help me stop them. Charlotte is to host the last Hide and Seek after your Homecoming dance as the dorector of ceremonies, Levi as the big bad wolf is to participate in the game and Jacob, you're a more dangerous tool than you realise.' Malcolm paused.

Then he continued. 'You three will work for me.'