Chapter 7: The Target List
For several seconds, nobody moved.
The words stayed in the room like a sound nobody wanted to hear.
Priority target.
I didn't understand everything my father had done in the past.
I didn't understand the world he came from.
But I understood one thing.
Someone had known my name before I ever walked into Bellmont Academy.
"Dad?""
My voice sounded small.
He turned immediately.
The anger on his face disappeared.
Not completely.
But enough.
"I'm here.""
"Why would someone put my name on a list?""
He didn't answer.
That scared me.
"Dad.""
He sat beside me.
"I don't know yet.""
I wanted to believe him.
But I could hear something hidden behind his words.
Fear.
My father was afraid.
Not for himself.
For me.
Elena took the paper carefully.
"We need to verify the document.""
Rebecca nodded.
"I know.""
"Where did Ethan get it?""
Rebecca looked down.
"He stole it.""
My father raised an eyebrow.
"From where?""
"The office of the parent committee.""
Silence.
"Three years ago," Rebecca continued, "Ethan broke into the office because he wanted proof. He thought nobody would believe him.""
"And?""
"He found files.""
"What kind of files?""
Rebecca's voice became quieter.
"Information about students.""
My fingers tightened around my cane.
"Personal information?""
"Yes.""
My father stood.
"Names?""
"Names. Family backgrounds. Weaknesses.""
A cold feeling moved through me.
"They studied children?""
Rebecca nodded.
"Not just children.""
My father looked at her.
"What does that mean?""
She hesitated.
"Families.""
The room changed.
Because everyone understood the same thing.
This was never just about bullying.
Someone had been collecting information.
About powerful families.
About their children.
About their vulnerabilities.
My father picked up his phone.
"Get me every record connected to Bellmont Academy.""
Elena answered immediately.
"Already working on it.""
"No.""
My father stopped.
"Do it differently.""
She waited.
"I don't want anyone from my organization involved.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
He looked at me.
"Because this is about your school. Not my world.""
That answer stayed with me.
My father was choosing to solve a problem without becoming the thing everyone feared.
The next morning, I returned to Bellmont.
I almost didn't.
But my father asked me one question.
"Do you want to stay?""
I thought about it.
I thought about Adrian.
Chloe.
Madison.
The hallway.
The laughter.
Then I remembered something else.
My first day.
The moment I entered the school.
The moment I decided I belonged there.
"Yes.""
My father smiled.
"Then we go.""
The school felt different.
People didn't stare because they thought I was weak.
They stared because they finally saw what had been happening.
At lunch, I sat alone again.
But this time, someone approached.
Madison.
I heard her footsteps stop.
"Can I sit?""
I didn't answer.
She waited.
Finally, I said,
"Why?""
She sat slowly.
"Because I know I don't deserve your forgiveness.""
I stayed quiet.
"I was scared.""
"That doesn't make it okay.""
"I know.""
She sounded like she meant it.
"Chloe threatened me.""
"How?""
Madison took a breath.
"She said if I didn't participate, she would send videos of me crying to everyone.""
I turned toward her.
"You were also a victim?""
"Yes.""
"But you hurt others.""
Her voice cracked.
"I know.""
I didn't know what to say.
Because both things were true.
She had been pressured.
And she had still made a choice.
Before I could answer, the school announcement interrupted.
"All students please report to your classrooms immediately.""
The cafeteria became quiet.
Then another voice came through the speakers.
Principal Harrison.
"Due to recent events, Bellmont Academy will begin an immediate review of student conduct procedures.""
People started whispering.
Madison suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Emily.""
"What?""
"Look at the screen.""
I couldn't.
But I heard the fear in her voice.
"The announcement changed.""
"What changed?""
Nobody answered.
Then I heard students gasping.
A teacher rushed into the cafeteria.
"Everyone remain calm.""
My heart started beating faster.
"What's happening?""
Madison whispered,
"They found another video.""
"Of what?""
Her voice shook.
"Your father.""
I froze.
"What?""
The teacher tried to turn off the screen.
Too late.
The entire cafeteria had heard the title.
A video file had been uploaded anonymously.
May you like
And the name attached to it was:
VINCENT MORETTI'S SECRET.
