Chapter 121 Chaos!

Chapter 121 Culprit!
|| Author POV ||

Rosa woke up in the morning with a throbbing headache. When she sat up, she found herself back in the room. Back in Aria’s house.

Rosa blinked hard, trying to remember what happened last night and how she returned but her memory was blank.

All she could recall was drinking a glass.

Maybe she came back by herself?

Rosa sighed. She freshened up then walked downstairs. Faint noises were drifting from the kitchen. Rosa followed the sound and stepped inside.

Aria was there, busy preparing something for a hangover. When she turned, her eyes widened and a gasp slipped from her lips.

“Rosalie, I’m so sorry!”

Rosa flinched at the sudden gasp.

“I didn’t even notice when you left. I was so wasted. I ended up at Noah’s place, and this morning it hit me, you were with me last night. God, I’m such a terrible friend.”

“No. Don’t say that, Aria. You’re the best. You really care about me.” Rosa protested. Aria pouted. “How did you come home last night?”

Rosa blinked. Confusion clouded her face. “I.. don’t remember. M-maybe–”

Aria sighed cutting her off “I’m just glad you’re safe. I literally panicked this morning. I’m making hangover soup. Go sit on the couch.”

Rosa didn’t move. Her eyes lingered on Aria’s back while Aria stirred the pot. Steam curled into the air. Rosa’s fingers fumbled nervously with the edge of her cloth.

“Aria?”

Aria hummed, glancing over her shoulder. “Yes?”

“Thank you... for everything.” Rosa mumbled.

“Huh?”

“You did a lot for me... and I’m just pathetic.”

Aria clicked her tongue softly. “How many times do I have to tell you not to thank me. And don’t call yourself that. I love taking care of my best friend. You just rest. Enjoy. The rest is on me. Because you.. you’d do the same if I were in danger. I know you.”

Rosa’s gaze drifted around the room before settling back on her. “I’m... looking for a place to live.”

Aria’s brows knitted together and she turned “What–why?”

Rosa nervously twisted her fingers. “I can’t just stay here forever, right? I talked to an apartment manager. The rent is affordable. It has a room, a living area, a kitchen, and a bathroom. Isn’t that.. perfect for me?”

“Rosa.. you don’t have to rush. I told you, don’t feel pressured. I’m totally fine with you being here.”

“It’s not that, Aria.” Rosa said quickly, “I have to live on my own. I want to. Don’t be upset. I know you care about me and I’m really grateful for everything you’ve done.”

Aria stared at her for a long moment before sighing. “Do you need money? I can help–”

“No.” Rosa interrupted, shaking her head. “I have some savings in my account from work. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Aria’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Are you sure you’ll be okay? I don’t like the idea of you leaving so soon. I can smell danger.”

“Not today but one day I have to leave, right? I can’t stay like this forever.” Rosa’s voice was light but her face shadowed with sadness.

Aria pressed her lips together, exhaling softly through her nose. “Alright. But today, you’ll take me with you to see the place. I suppose I’ll have to visit you a hundred times a day, huh?”

Rosa felt a pang in her chest at the thoughtfulness behind Aria’s words. She nodded. Aria might not fully agree with her choice, but she was glad to see Rosa trying and taking even the smallest steps forward.

In the next few days—Rosa moved out of Aria’s house and settled into her new flat.

It was small but comfortable. On the 9th floor. Everything she needed was already there as with most typical apartments. She only had to pick up a few essentials–comb, towel, a few dresses and a handful of other necessities.

Days before, when she opened the pouch Lilia had given her before running away, there was a generous sum of money. Rosa wondered why Lilia gave her so much.

She didn’t touch that money. Instead, she relied on her own savings.

|| A FEW DAYS LATER ||

Rosa sat in her classroom, lost in thought.

In the last class, when Kang Rowan entered, the students immediately rose, but Rosa barely noticed.

She flinched only when Aria gently nudged her, reminding her to stand. Her eyes met the teacher’s but he was already looking at her with that sharp expectant gaze.

Rosa quickly tore her eyes away.

The lesson dragged on. When the class finally ended, Kang Rowan called her name.

“Miss Sinclair?”

Startled, Rosa stood up. Her heart thudded.

“Y-yes, teacher?”

“Follow me to my office. There’s something important I need to discuss with you.”

|| On The Other Hand ||

Killian spun the steering wheel. The engine’s low hum filled the silence. The Bluetooth in his ear beeped once and he answered, still focusing on the road.

“Are the classes over?” His voice was sharp as he inquired his guard.

“Yes, boss. Students are leaving. The academy is nearly empty but–” the guard’s voice faltered.

Killian’s knuckles whitened on the wheel. “But what?”

“Miss Sinclair.. she hasn’t come out.” his guard informed.

“What do you mean she hasn’t come out? Did you check properly?”

“Yes, boss. We checked twice. Her classmates are gone. She’s still inside.”

For a moment, the air inside the car froze. Killian’s gaze darkened. Silence stretched for a long second before a cold exhale left his lips.

“Call me when she’s out. Five minutes!”

“Understood.”

Killian cut the line. A muscle ticked in his cheek. He muttered under his breath, “Rabbit, what are you doing in there?”

His car sped down the road, when the earpiece beeped again. Killian pressed it, expecting his guard’s update but Chris’s voice rang out.

“Killian! Where are you now?”

Killian’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, “Why?”

“Do you remember the dessert stall at the Revelation party?”

Killian’s hand stilled on the wheel. His senses sharpened.

“They were sponsoring their business, which means they recorded everything for promotion. Every corner, every second. They’ve got the full footage.”

Killian’s blue eyes deepened “Get to the point, Chris!”

“You told me Cedric Thorne showed up right before you left with Miss Sinclair, yeah? The whole damn party is on record.”

The accelerator slammed beneath Killian’s foot and he braked so hard the tires screeched against asphalt.

“Did you see the footage?” Killian asked, tapping on the steering. Chris hesitated before replying “I did. It–”

“Fucking send the footage right now!” Killian barked, disconnecting the earpiece in his ear.

He couldn’t wait anymore.

Finally. After years of searching, that bastard came into sight. His veins pulsed and heart raced. His elbow rested against the window frame as he rubbed his temple, trying to steady the surge of blood and adrenaline.

He’s going to hunt him down!

Killian pulled the phone from his pocket and opened the message from Chris. There was a single footage–exactly what he’d been waiting for.

Killian’s jaw tightened as his eyes scanned the screen. Dark intent swirled behind those cold piercing eyes before he played the video.

But what he saw had drained the blood from his body. His eyes dimmed.