Gathering evidence

Chapter 9: Gathering evidence

[Mythiopia]

In the quiet garden beneath the stars, Queen Aliza sat on a stone bench, the soft fragrance of blooming roses enveloping her.

She gazed up at the moonlit sky, her heart heavy. Tonight should have been a celebration for both her daughters.

Stella's birthday banquet went well as planned. Everyone enjoyed. But there a void in her chest. Today was Isabella's birthday too.

The queen wasn't crying. She was used to this day for many years now.

The heir's seat beside Lawrence's throne was empty as usual, with only the crown princess's crown neatly placed on it.

Though it emphasized Isabella's position for others, for her, it only magnified Isabella's absence.

Sound of footsteps approached her. Aliza didn't need to turn around to see who it was. She knew it was her husband.

Lawrence sat beside her and gazed at the stars. His emotions were the same as hers.

"Do you think she's safe? Do you think she's happy, wherever she is?" Aliza asked softly, still looking at the sky.

This was one of those very few moments when Aliza dropped the formalities while talking to Lawrence.

Lawrence's throat tightened hearing her question. Safe and happy? All he could do is pray for her to be happy and safe till he finds her.

Lawrence put his palm over Aliza's hand which were resting on the seat. He half expected her to pull away like she always does but she didn't. Because she needed him too.

"S-She must be all grown up now. We missed the most p-precious years of her c-childhood."

Aliza broke down thinking about Isabella. Lawrence immediately took her into his embrace.

Even the king had tears filled his eyes but he needs to be strong. Aliza didn't push him away and sobbed into his chest.

"I am sorry Al. I am sorry." This was all Lawrence could say. He kept promising that he would bring their daughter back for the past 12 years but he still hadn't gotten anywhere. He himself felt disappointed and ridiculous.

-------------------------

[London]

Isabella stood in the hallway outside Professor Grayson's office.

She clutched her bag tightly and took a deep breathe.

A few feet away, Aaron stood by the stairwell, arms crossed, his sharp eyes never leaving her. She reached out to him yesterday for help as he is the student head of sexual harassment prevention and counseling services.

"You don't have to do this," he said, his voice low but firm. "We can find another way."

"No," Isabella replied, summoning every ounce of determination she could muster. "He needs to be exposed. This is the only way."

Aaron hesitated, then nodded. "If anything feels wrong, get out. I'll be right here."

Isabella gave him a small nod before turning to face the looming door of Professor Grayson's office. With a deep breath, she pushed it open and stepped inside.

"Ah, Isabella," he said smoothly, rising to his feet. "Right on time. I appreciate punctuality."

"Don't just stand there. Come and sit here" The professor tapped the space beside him on the couch.

Isabella tightly clutched her bag and sat in the corner of the couch, close to the door.

She made sure the phone's camera hidden in her bag's side pocket is facing the professor.

Grayson leaned back on the couch, studying her. "You're an exceptional student, Isabella. It's rare to find someone with your... potential."

"Thank you, Professor," Isabella replied cautiously. "I'm here to talk about the plagiarism accusation. I need to understand what I'm being accused of."

Grayson smiled and scooted closer. He leaned casually against the edge, much closer to her now, his presence imposing. "Oh, Isabella, you know it's not really about the accusation. It's about what we can do to... resolve this matter."

Her skin crawled at the insinuation, but she kept her face neutral. "Resolve it how?"

Grayson's gaze lingered on her, his smile widening. "Well, there are ways we could come to an understanding. Ways that wouldn't involve tarnishing your academic record."

Isabella forced herself to stay calm, though her hands tightened into fists in her lap. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to prove my innocence."

Grayson's hand moved to her shoulder, resting there and making small circles. "That's what I like to hear. Cooperation."

The contact made her stiffen, but she didn't flinch. She couldn't risk breaking the act.

"You know," he continued, his hand sliding slightly lower, "students like you are rare. Dedicated. Hardworking. And... beautiful."

Isabella wearing a round neck full-sleeve white top. Grayson's pervert hands slowly moved towards her neck, grazing her milky white skin and sliding down to her collarbone.

Isabella abruptly stood up. This much evidence should be more than enough.

"I think we are done here professor." she said, her voice much firmer now.

She didn't look back and headed towards the door with her bag tightly held in her hands.

"Don't forget your phone Campbell"

Isabella stopped in her tracks and looked at the side pocket of her bag. Her blood ran cold when she found the pocket empty.

A hand came behind her and dropped the phone back into the side pocket.

The professor leaned close to ear "I will reward you with a 0 in yesterday's quiz for this little stunt you pulled just now."

"I will call you in for personal study hours soon Isabella. You can go now."

Isabella immediately rushed out into the hallway.

Aaron saw her coming out pale and immediately went to check on her.

"What happened?"

Isabella shook her head. "He k-knew I was trying to gather evidence. He d-deleted the video." She tried her best to keep her voice even, but she still stammered.

"Did he touch you?" Aaron asked concernedly. Though Isabella was talking and looking into his eyes, her face was very pale. Even her knuckles turned white.

"Not .. not much" she managed.

"Let's go out first"

Both of them came out of the department building. Isabella felt better breathing in the open air.

"I will try again" Isabella said determined.

"No. You were caught once. Which means he will make things more difficult for you next time." Aaron said but Isabella shook her head.

"It's not just me. Other girls might also get exploited because of him. He cannot escape once we get the evidence. I will try again."

"You are brave. Don't do anything by yourself. Make sure you inform me." Aaron said and Isabella nodded before parting ways.

Dylan didn't know why his feet dragged him here, but Isabella and Aaron were seen together again.

He almost wanted to break his own legs. Business and Law departments were in north and south poles of campus. But his legs still made him walk all the way here just to see this.

He frowned when he felt Isabella looked too pale. But she already left by the time he could get a clear view.

-------------------------

Isabella stood under the shower, scrubbing her neck furiously until the skin turned red.

After what felt like an eternity, she finally stepped out of the bathroom, her body exhausted and her mind numb.

Her stomach grumbled in protest, but she didn't have the energy to cook, nor to place an simple order for a takeout.

Her laptop screen resting on the dining table displayed her completed writing assignment. All she needed to do was hit "Submit".

Submitting or not doesn't matter anymore. She already knew she would get a 0 in this too, no matter how perfect it was.

Sighing, she finally submitted it. After a brief thought, she forwarded it to the Teaching assistant too. Though she didn't really plan on dragging the TA into this mess.

The door opened as Dylan quietly walked in. Isabella didn't notice, and kept staring at her marks reports in the course portal.

Straight zeroes.

Her stomach churned. It wasn't just the grades—it was the helplessness that came with them.

"Isabella... Isabella.. Isabella"

Isabella finally came out of her trance and looked up at Dylan. He was back today.

"Where were you lost, and why do you look so pale?" Dylan asked, worried for her.

Isabella took a deep breathe and managed to give a small smile.

"I am fine. Just a little tired."

Dylan looked at her deeply but didn't press on any further.

"Did you forget what day it is today?" Dylan asked with a slight smile playing on his thin lips.

Usually Isabella would have recalled all the important days, actively guessing.

But right now all she wanted to do was to forget this day. She could still feel the sickening touch on her skin.

She face turned more pale thinking about this.

Dylan's faint smile vanished as his worry deepened. In all the years he had known Isabella, he had never seen her so detached, so absent.

He pulled a chair beside her and gently cupped her face, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"Isabella. Something is definitely wrong. Please talk to me." Dylan said gently.

Isabella's chin trembled, and tears pooled in her eyes. Dylan panicked looking at her tears.

"I-I miss my p-parents." her voice came out cracked.

She wasn't lying; she really did miss them. If her father were here, no one would dare to misbehave with her.

He wouldn't have let her suffer like this, fighting to gather evidence to protect herself.

He would have made the professor regret even looking at her the wrong way. Her word would have been more than enough.

The thought brought a fresh wave of tears. How much of her childhood had already faded? The memories were blurry, slipping further away with every passing day.

She barely clung to the fragments—fragments of a dream where she was loved, cherished, and treated like a princess. Now, all of it seemed so far away, almost unreal.

Dylan immediately hugged her and patted her back.

"It's okay. Don't cry anymore. It doesn't look good crying on your birthday now, does it, princess?" Dylan softly said and gently pinched her white cheeks.

Only then did Isabella realize that it was her 18th birthday today. She was already 18 in her records because the orphanage put all the kids birthday on the same random day.

But today is her real birthday. And it was only Dylan who believed her fantasy stories and celebrated it for her every year.

"Happy birthday Isabella" he pulled out a small cake and placed it infront of her on the dining table.

Isabella felt all the fatigue washing away as she saw Dylan lighting up the candle like he did all those years in the orphanage.

Fine. Maybe today wasn't so bad after all. Dylan was still here.