Were these people kidnappers? Alexia felt a chill run from head to toe. Fear filled her eyes. Her drunken stupor vanished instantly, replaced by tears. What were they trying to do?

One of the blond thugs touched her face, smiling sinisterly. "The skin of a rich young lady—so fine, so soft." Fear consumed her. Alexia was terrified, her body trembling uncontrollably. Then, they giggled and began to undress her.

No!

She struggled fiercely, tears streaming down her face. She felt true fear and despair. It was her fault. She should have listened to others, not dismissed the driver, not come here alone. But now, it was too late.

The flashing lights hurt her eyes. She dodged, but the man slapped her repeatedly. Her pretty face swelled from the blows. Dazed and battered, she lay motionless. She could only hear snatches of their conversation:

"Alright, alright. Don't kill her. We were only supposed to teach her a lesson. Miss didn't say to kill her."

Another man sneered, "Hmph, killing her wouldn't be too much. She bit Miss. She deserves this."

Miss? Bite?

A horrifying thought struck Alexia: Tiffany! Tiffany had orchestrated this revenge! What a ruthless, vicious woman!

Alexia trembled, unsure whether she was more angry or afraid. Suddenly, the warehouse door burst open! Alexia looked up, hope flaring, to see a young girl, clearly terrified but determined, rushing in. It was Melody!

Melody brandished a kitchen knife. "Get out! All of you!"

The men scoffed, "Mind your own business!" They moved to subdue her, but hesitated, realizing she was not easily dealt with. "Retreat!" they yelled, fleeing the scene.

Alexia, still in shock, didn't see the look Melody gave the men as they ran. The culprits were gone. Melody discarded the knife, relieved, sweat beading on her forehead. She rushed to Alexia, trembling as she untied her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's all my fault for not protecting you"

Overwhelmed with guilt, Melody's eyes filled with tears. Alexia, stunned, collapsed into Melody's arms, a stark contrast to her earlier rejection. She sobbed uncontrollably, her tears washing away her fear.

"It's okay, it's okay," Melody soothed, gently patting Alexia's back. She helped Alexia dress, then took her hand. "Let's go home."

Despite her previous disdain, Alexia felt an overwhelming gratitude towards Melody.

They walked out of the warehouse, fear clinging to them. Halfway there, Alexia fainted from the shock.

"Alexia, Alexia?" Melody sighed in relief, confirming Alexia had passed out.

The three men returned. Removing their masks, Jansen chuckled, "Sis, our acting was pretty good, huh?"

"Not bad," Melody agreed, pleased. "Alright, leave quickly. If anyone sees you, it's all for nothing. Be careful not to leave any trace."

"Okay, okay," Jansen replied, already envisioning his sister marrying into the Harper family. He left happily.

Melody knelt to carry the unconscious Alexia when she saw a dark shadow at the entrance. Thinking it was Jansen, she snapped, "I told you to leave quickly! Why are you still…"

She looked up. Melody's face paled. Standing before her was Jade.

'How long has she been here? What did she see?' Melody's heart pounded, but she remained outwardly calm. "Jade, when… when did you arrive?"

Jade's face was a mask of disbelief. Her disappointment was palpable.

"I saw everything! Melody, I thought you were pure and kind, but how could you do this?" Melody had colluded in Alexia's kidnapping and the taking of nude photos, then pretended to be her savior. The deception was terrifying.

Jade shook her head, heartbroken. "From today on, we're no longer friends! I, Jade, don't have a friend like you! You need to turn yourself in. I won't help you hide anything I saw tonight!"

Melody's expression darkened. A sinister smile crept onto her face. Before Jade could react, Melody grabbed her neck.

That night, there were no stars.

The next day, two shocking events rocked Lovell School. Jade was dead, strangled, and the scene set on fire to destroy evidence. Her parents grieved uncontrollably. Jade, a kind and popular girl, was gone.

The second event: Alexia's kidnapping and the nude photos. Though unharmed physically, she was deeply traumatized. The two events were linked; Tiffany, seeking revenge on Alexia, was suspected to be behind it all. Jade, having witnessed the crime, was murdered to silence her.