Liana River's POV.
A furious scream ripped from my lungs the moment my head hit the pavement. The scream was untamed and warlike, just like the growl of an ancient beast. The sound tore through the parking lot and reverberated against steel and concrete, and then shook the air itself.
Silence followed after, then as if pressed by an invisible hand, the three bullies' knees buckled, and they trembled as they collapsed one by one beside me.
.
"Please, " the tallest and meanest-looking stammered. "I didn't mean to push you. "
"Please stop," the shortest and stoutest among them cried out. "Lyra Vane paid us to keep bullying you until you dropped out of school. "
"He is right. You need to stop tormenting us," the third of the bullies begged with tears on his face. "It was Lyra Vane's fault. She made us do this."
"Liana! Are you okay?"
Alec was beside me immediately. He pulled me up, looked into my eyes, and then asked in a thunderous voice. "What happened?"
"They... they assaulted me."
The three bullies were still on their knees, looking like someone struck by thunderstone. Alec strode forward and then stood before them in a heartbeat. A second later, his palms cracked across their faces.
"Shame on you," he growled, grabbed them by their collar, "You dare lay your hand on a woman?"
"Lyra Vane sent us," the tallest who is apparently their leader toothed out, "she gave us one thousand dollars for it...See, I still have the cash in my pocket. "
"Liars!" Alec screamed. "Lyra can never do such a disgusting thing."
"He is not -."
"Enough. One more word I will strangle you to death here... now. Off you go, clowns. "
The boys scrambled to their feet and then disappeared out of sight.
"You sent them away to save your girlfriend, eh?"
Alec forced a grin. "You don't believe them, do you? Lyra is a well-trained girl and can never do such a thing. "
"They confessed willingly, Alec. Don't think sending them away will end this matter. I will definitely report to my- Mr. Anderson, when I get home."
"Do whatever you think is right. Alec said, turned around, and then frowned. "I came back because I overheard Jace's conversation on the phone with someone whom I presume to be his father, and I heard him mention your name. You need to stay away from Jace, Liana. That guy's family is responsible for almost all the crimes committed in Cornwall City and beyond.
Alec Thorn is jealous!
This line of thought made a smile appear on my face as Alec picked up his notebook and cleaned off the dust with an impeccable white handkerchief.
"I am serious, Liana. Jace and his bloodsucking family were better avoided. They represent nothing good...here, have the notebook back, and don't forget to go through it."
I can feel a kind of fluttering in my heart. Could it be that Alec had feelings for me? Of course, he did. Why would he give me his notebook? Stood up for me? He was jealous, wasn't he?
The warning to stay away from Jace was a ruse to separate us.
Thousands of unanswered questions floated in my heart. I had thought wealth was all I needed, but now, with all my father's wealth, I feel scared and alone.
My drive had introduced himself to me as Mr. Green this morning. He was a tall, greenlike-skin with a gorilla-like chest and was seated at the driver's seat when I knocked. He removed the AirPods from his ears, opened the car front door, took a look at me, and asked, "What happened, Lady River?"
"Three boys assaulted me over there," I answered back, pointing at the exact location, and then hopped into the car
"God of Nazareth! Mr. Green exclaimed as his eyes roamed over me. "They didn't hurt you, did they?"
I shake my head sideways.
" Thank goodness. Master would have had my head for dinner. And those boys, you know them, don't you?"
I nodded my head. "I can recognise them when I see them. And besides, they mentioned the name of the person who sent them."
"Do me a favour, Lady River. Do not tell our master about this. He will be so pissed that you were assaulted a few meters away from me, while I had my Airpod stocked into my ears listening to some stupid songs. Let me handle it and teach those mutherfuckers that nobody messes with the Anderson family and goes scot-free...can you do that for me?"
"Sure," I mumbled. "But don't joke with your job next time."
Mr. Green grinned, ignited the Jeep, and drove out of the parking lot. "We are nailing those bastards on Monday, Lady Liana. Just keep their images on your head till then."
Jace's message popped up on my phone screen before I fell asleep.
"Don't forget about tomorrow."
How can I forget? Jace has invited me to have lunch with him tomorrow.
"Of course, hon."
"See you then at the agreed time and place."
"You got it," I texted back.
I wore a crimson gown and was carried by a red Lamborghini to the restaurant. Mr. Green parked a few miles away from the entrance of the restaurant, removed his AirPods, and then placed them on his ears. "Give me a call if you need anything."
"Won't you come inside and grab a meal?"
"Thanks, but no. I would rather enjoy my music here."
I shrugged, stepped out of the car when a guard opened the door, and then walked into the restaurant. One of the guards at the entrance avoided my gaze. He was the leader of the bullies who assaulted me yesterday. I passed him without a word and then left 500 dollars for him at the counter.
We dined lavishly, drank expensive wine, and were having the fun of our lives when my vision suddenly blurred and the room tilted.
"I...I feel dizzy."
"Oh! Let's get you out of here. You have drunk more than enough already. "
Jace caught me as I faltered, threw an arm around my waist, and then guided me out of the restaurant and into his car. And darkness swallowed everything after.