CHAPTER 31: CHEATING?

Luna stumbled out of C’s house, her cheeks still flushed pink from his teasing words earlier.

The cold night air hit her face like a refreshing splash of water, helping to cool the heat of her embarrassment.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her wildly pounding heart.

Even if she refused to admit it out loud, the conversation she’d just had with C was... strangely enjoyable.

A few steps away from C’s house, a sleek black sedan was parked by the roadside, its faint parking lights glowing softly in the dark, casting an almost mysterious aura.

Luna quickened her pace, relief washing over her as she reached the car. She swung open the passenger door and slid inside.

Behind the wheel, Sherra sat waiting, her long chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders.

"All done flirting?" Sherra teased, her voice dripping with amusement as if she could already imagine exactly what had happened inside.

Luna just let out a low grunt, fumbling with her seatbelt. "Shut up," she muttered, though a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

The black sedan rolled away from C’s house, sliding into the quiet darkness of the night.

As Sherra’s car cruised along the empty streets, their stomachs began to rumble in unison, so they decided to make a quick stop at a fast-food restaurant to fill the void.

Under the harsh glow of neon lights inside, they ate quietly—only the sounds of munching burgers and crispy fries filled the silence.

"So..." Sherra started, raising an eyebrow as she sipped her drink. "What exactly did you do at C’s place to come out with your face that red?"

Luna scowled, glaring at Sherra with annoyed blue eyes. "None of your business. He’s just... weird, okay?" She couldn’t stop her mind from flashing back to the awkward scene under C’s bed, Her cheeks heated up all over again.

"And you? Why’d you fall asleep in the car like that?" Luna shot back quickly.

Sherra let out a soft laugh. "Waiting for you is exhausting, you know. Especially in the middle of the night."

They traded light banter as they finished their meal, then got back into the car.

As Sherra started the engine and pulled away from the restaurant, Luna suddenly spoke up, her voice low.

"Sherra... can we... drive past Ivansia’s house?"

Sherra’s eyes flicked over to her, puzzled. "What? Why? What’s going on?"

"It’s nothing," Luna said quickly, shaking her head a bit too fast. "I just... want to make sure she’s okay." A strange, uneasy feeling had been nagging at her ever since hearing Ivansia’s story about the Ponzi scheme.

Sherra shrugged, turning the wheel to change course. The sedan rolled slowly through the quiet streets, the darkness thick around them.

Luna stared out the window, her mind replaying the image of Ivansia’s pale face that morning in class. She silently prayed that her bad feeling was just paranoia. But a few moments later, Sherra slammed on the brakes.

"Luna, look!" Sherra said sharply, her voice tense.

Luna’s head snapped up, eyes locking on the scene outside the windshield—and her breath caught in her throat.

The color drained from her face.

In front of them, the road near the grand villa was packed with a crowd of people, their anger and desperation crackling in the night air.

A mob had gathered—hundreds of eyes burning with rage, betrayal, and frustration. They carried blazing torches, the flickering flames casting wild, monstrous shadows across the manicured lawns.

The sharp stench of gasoline hung heavy in the air, Luna’s nose picking up on the unmistakable scent coming from buckets and soaked rags. They were ready to burn everything down.

Shouts and curses tore through the night.

"GIVE US OUR MONEY BACK!"

"LIARS!"

"BURN IT ALL!"

Luna’s shock swiftly morphed into raw panic. She recognized some of the faces—parents, workers, people who looked familiar. Victims of the Ponzi scheme, all gathered here for retribution.

Then, standing at the grand gates of the luxurious villa, Luna saw Ivansia’s father—a man she once thought kind and generous. His usually warm smile was gone, replaced with tense lines of worry as he tried to calm the furious crowd.

"I... I have to get in there!" Luna shouted, her hand clutching the door handle.

"Are you crazy?! That’s an angry mob, Miss Luna!" Sherra yelled, reaching over to stop her.

"Sherra! Go get the motorcycle from my garage! NOW!" Luna ordered, her voice carrying an urgency that brooked no argument.

Sherra’s brows furrowed deeply. "For what, Miss–"

"Don’t ask questions! Just go! I need it!" Luna snapped, flinging the car door open before Sherra could reply.

She leaped out, sprinting straight into the chaos.

The shouting swelled as Luna ran closer. Every demand rang out crystal clear: "Pay our promised returns! NOW!" These were desperate investors, furious that their promised profits had turned to dust overnight.

She tried to push her way through to the villa gates, hoping to find Ivansia—hoping she could do something, anything.

But then, the wail of a police siren split the air. A dark-colored police car sped down the road and skidded to a halt at the villa gates.

The mob, which had been on the verge of boiling over, fell suddenly silent, every eye snapping toward the new arrivals.

Two uniformed officers stepped out, their presence radiating authority, hands near the holstered guns at their hips.

They moved straight for the gate—and to Luna’s horror, Ivansia’s father opened it for them without hesitation, letting them in as if they were expected guests.

A sick realization stabbed into Luna’s heart.

"Corrupt cops..." she whispered, remembering C’s warning.

She fumbled for her phone, frantically dialing C’s number.

"C! Hurry! They’re already gathering outside Ivansia’s house!" she shouted the moment he picked up.

He told her to hold tight, and she quickly ended the call.

This was it. These were the corrupt police C had talked about.

Her hand went to her pocket, fingers curling around the GPS tracker C had given her earlier. She had to plant it on their car—this was her only chance.

She crouched low, creeping toward the police car. Her heart thundered, her hand trembled, but her focus stayed razor-sharp. Just a few more seconds, and she could attach the device.

"Luna Destiara?" a raspy voice suddenly called out her name.

Luna froze in place. She slowly turned her head and saw an older man standing a few feet away in the crowd, his eyes gleaming with recognition.

A slimy grin spread across his face as he looked her up and down like a wolf sizing up prey.

"You’re Luna Destiara, right? The daughter of the Destiara Tech Group’s CEO?" Luna felt her blood run cold.

The man stepped closer, arm outstretched as he reached for her.

"Thank God you’re here! I recognized you from the news. We need to talk! This is the perfect opportunity for you! Call your father—he can fix this! We can work together! Make sure your dad talks to the right people and sorts this out!" he babbled, desperation and greed oozing from every word.

The GPS tracker in Luna’s hand felt like it was burning her palm. She couldn’t move.

Other members of the crowd were starting to look their way, eyes narrowing.

Cornered between an enraged mob and the man’s relentless demands, Luna’s mind went blank. She had no idea what to do next.

Suddenly, a strong hand wrapped around hers, snapping her back to her senses.

C stood beside her, his presence calm yet fierce, eyes locked on the greedy man.

Then he turned his gaze to Luna.

"What are you doing here? Cheating on me again?" C asked, his voice low and edged with feigned anger.

Luna’s eyes went wide, her jaw dropping. The man blinked, confusion washing over his face.

"Huh?"