IV. Professor's Card

It's been a week since I landed in this chaotic place. I've been trying to figure out my next move.

My prime suspect is still my stepmother. She has every reason to want my grandfather gone. She was also the reason I couldn't access his medical records from the last hospital he was taken to. All records there mysteriously disappeared, and I know it was her doing.

I buried my grandfather with countless unanswered questions. But I refuse to let justice be buried with him.

After taking a bath and glancing one last time at the papers and pictures scattered on my desk, I headed to the university with Alex. I was starting to learn more about him—he loved talking, always sharing stories about himself.

Lara, on the other hand, was different. She tried to be as cheerful and carefree as Alex, but I could sense that something was bothering her. She hid it well, even from herself. Whatever it was, she was trying hard to be happy, and I couldn't blame her.

It's been a while since I enrolled in this university, yet I've found no leads. Am I missing something? Something about this place feels... odd.

"By the way, Alex," I called, glancing at him. He was scrolling through his phone, looking at pictures of men's abs, making me chuckle.

He let out a small moan in response, still not looking up.

I continued, "Do you have a card like this?"

I pulled out the card, but before Alex could reach for it, Lara snatched it from my hands, examining it closely.

Her brows furrowed. I knew something was off.

"You shouldn't have this," she muttered. "Only people in high positions at the university do."

Alex merely shrugged, still glued to his phone. "I have no clue what that is. Never even seen one before. I mean, what's it even for?"

Lara, however, looked straight at me, her eyes filled with concern.

"Where did you find this?"

Clearing my throat, I took the card back from her. "I just found it on the road. I was curious, so I asked. But why don't students know about this card?"

Lara hesitated, but she could tell I was desperate for answers.

"I know this might sound weird, but only professors directly under the Director's wing have these cards," she admitted.

"So all professors have them?"

She shook her head and held my hands. "Only the ones the Director trusts."

"What for?"

Lara swallowed hard, clearly uneasy. Without answering, she abruptly stood up, leaving me confused.

"We should go, or we'll be late for class."

"Wait," Alex interrupted, packing his things. "How do you even know about this?"

That question made me stop, and I turned to Lara again, observing her closely. She looked... suspicious.

"I just happened to overhear some professors talking about it," she said quickly. "And knowing too much about it seems dangerous. I don't want to get involved." She then narrowed her eyes at me. "Why are you so interested in this?"

I let go of her wrist, taken aback by her question.

Right. From her point of view, I must seem suspicious now.

"Nothing," I lied. "I just thought I should know, since I found one."

"Okay, let's go before we get demerits." Alex grabbed both our arms, breaking the tension.

Another lead. Another connection to that guy.

I wasn't sure if he had anything to do with the case I was investigating, but I was certain of one thing—he wanted something from me.

I had to find out what.

First, I needed to know who the Director was.

I glanced around the university, searching for a hierarchy chart, but there was nothing. That alone made it more suspicious.

I didn't know who the Director was. That meant he didn't want to be found easily.

If I couldn't reach him directly, I'd start with his people. The high-ranking professors.

I was on a battlefield, and I was alone.

Can I do this?

I needed someone who could give me a list of the professors. But I couldn't ask Lara or Alex again—I was already raising too many questions.

I needed someone who wouldn't care about what I was doing. Someone who wouldn't be curious.

Someone like—

"Ouch! That hurts."

A sudden jolt ran through me as I collided with someone.

I looked up, ready to apologize, but the words caught in my throat.

It was him.

The man I met a week ago.

His expression was cold and distant, as usual.

I shrugged, about to turn and walk away before he had the chance to say anything. But just as I moved, he grabbed my wrist—hard.

I lost my balance.

Before I could react, we crashed onto the ground.

And, just like in the movies… I landed right on top of him.

My breath hitched.

His eyes, deep and full of mystery, locked onto mine.

Something about them pulled me in, like a force I couldn't resist.

I couldn't look away.

I couldn't even blink.

My fingers instinctively reached toward his face—

Then, a sharp yank on my hair made me yelp in pain, forcing me to stand up and clutch my head.