Kelly Bennet was still beautiful, and now she used those looks for work. She had a massive following on TikTok and Instagram.

Sprawled on her couch, Lara scrolled through the girl's feed. Bennett's content  focused on makeup and fashion. She reviewed products, posted quick tutorials, and occasionally shared lifestyle snippets from her day. The girl was landing brand deals left and right. Lara could guess she made a fortune.

Finding her had been easy but her popularity would be a problem. Someone like Bennett probably got hundreds of DMs every week—from fans, from brands, from other influencers. And definitely from horny men. Lara's message would vanish in the flood.

Still, she'd tried. She had sent a message request to Bennett's account, hoping she would reach her. For now, it sat unread.

A low groan escaped her lips. She could need another plan.

She reached for the coffee table and picked up her half-filled glass of rosé. She took a long sip.

Kelly Turner was the real headache. There were dozens of accounts under that name. Many without profile pictures or any identifying info. Nothing she could verify.

She rubbed the back of her neck, massaging a knot that had settled between her shoulders.

Hours passed and Lara was no closer to answers. Bennett hadn't responded, and the messages to the various Kelly Turners were all shots in the dark.

Defeated, she got up and washed her glass. 

Her mom insisted it was a false accusation, and Lara believed her. She did. She just needed to hear it from the girl herself. She needed to hear her say it: I lied. Then maybe she could sleep well again. Maybe she could finally move on.

She dried the glass and set it aside. 

The sun had already dipped low, its orange light spreading lazily across the pale wooden floors. Usually, it felt warm and comforting. Today, it was just a reminder of a wasted day.

Lara  took her sweater off and, and too drained to hang it up, tossed it over her desk chair. She dropped onto the mattress and covered her face with her arm.

There was still one more person left.

Daniel's sister. The only other alleged victim.

 She was dead, but that didn't mean she hadn't spoken. If she'd told Daniel, maybe she'd told someone else too.

If an

thing awful happened to Lara, the first person she'd go to would be her own mother.

And maybe it would be easier to find Mrs. Navarro than to keep chasing Kelly Turner. Maybe they could talk. Maybe then, finally, the truth would come out.

With that thought, she drifted into shallow sleep.

The next morning, Lara moved on autopilot. Her dull eyes stared into nothing, her shoulders were slumped.

"Morning, Mrs. Henderson," said the security guard at the door, smiling with his usual politeness, but a hint of concern flickered in his eye. She didn't just look tired.  She looked worse and worse with each passing day. A shell of her former self.

"Morning, Mr. Fletcher," she replied, voice flat and monotone.

She pushed the door open, then stopped. Slowly, she turned to him, eyes now filled with something. A sliver of hope tore through the overwhelming exhaustion.

"This might be a long shot," she said, "but… do you know any cops or private investigators?"

It was a shot in the dark, she knew that, but… She'd heard some cops took part-time security jobs. Fletcher could have known someone.

Her heart quickened, hopeful nervousness turning her stomach.

"As a matter of fact, I do. Quite well, too," he answered, raising his hand to  show a plain silver band on his ring finger.

"Oh my god, congratulations!" she exclaimed. It was the happiest she'd felt in a month.

"Got engaged just two weeks ago," he said, showing a toothy smile.

"I'm sorry if this is weird," she chuckled awkwardly, "but… I'm searching for somebody and I'd be so grateful if your fiance could help," she said.

A small frown began to form on his forehead and his smile faded.

"I'm willing to pay," she added quickly. "Consider it a wedding gift."

William's posture stiffened, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Who are you searching for?" He asked slowly, careful eye studying her face.

Lara hesitated, then asked, "Do you know who Daniel Navarro is?"

"Mrs. Henderson…"

"I'd like to visit his mother."

"Why?"

Lara took a deep breath, eyes shifting to the floor.

"I just need closure," she said quietly. "I promise, I only want to talk."

His head slightly tilted, and she felt he was about to say ‘no’.

"I know weddings are expensive," she rushed on. "And you probably want to start married life on solid ground. I can help with that. Be generous. Just name the price."

His jaw tightened and now she was sure he'd refuse.

"Please, Will, don't answer yet. Just… think about it."

He took a long breath, chest rising slowly, then nodded. 

"Alright, I will."