บท 21: Chapter 21. Worse Than the Devil

As the first light of dawn began to creep over the city, Medusa returned to the hotel, her meeting with Dionysus complete. She found Timothy waiting for her, visibly worn out from staying up through the night.

Noticing his exhausted state, Medusa decided they would proceed to the Lombard Boarding School in the morning, with Bernard accompanying her. She instructed Timothy to handle the matters at Zoey and Aleysia's house once he had fully rested.

Dionysus, known in the modern world as Dionysius Andrade, owned the aptly named Golden Gate Grape Estates, one of San Francisco's most renowned vineyards. He had been pouring wine for Timothy throughout the night, showcasing the exceptional quality of his vintages.

Dionysus, the god of wine, had a talent for producing exquisite libations that Timothy found impossible to resist. The young mortal had ended up drinking more than he should have, causing Medusa to have to drag him back to the hotel.

At precisely 9 a.m., Bernard was already waiting in front of Medusa's door, ready to walk together to the car that was positioned in the hotel lobby. They were headed to the Lombard Catholic Boarding School, situated approximately an hour's drive from their current location.

"Is Timo in trouble from last night?" Bernard asked, his tone betraying a sense of unease.

"Don't bother about it," Medusa responded as she settled into the car. "He was facing Dionysus, and no mortal could say no to him. Plus, his wine is divine. How could a mere mortal refuse such an offering? I have a bottle for you. You can enjoy it later."

"Thank you, madam." Bernard closes the door and quickly runs to the other side of the car to sit next to Medusa.

After one hour in a comfortable silence, they finally arrived at the school. True to its name and reputation, the school building architecture features a combination of Gothic and Romanesque styles, with a prominent central tower and spires, as well as ornate brick and stone detailing throughout the complex.

The buildings have a warm, reddish-orange hue, contrasting beautifully with the bright blue sky and lush, verdant landscaping surrounding the campus. The grounds appear well-maintained, with manicured lawns and mature trees providing a serene, picturesque setting.

It shows from the building that this school has a long and distinguished history, with the impressive, well-preserved buildings suggesting a legacy of academic excellence and religious devotion. The school really has an atmosphere of reverence, scholarship, and community, serving as a visual representation of the school's identity and mission.

It did not take long for Medusa and Bernard to get to know the way to the headmistress's office. Bernard had already made an appointment, citing the influence of the Johnson conglomerate and the fact that three children of the Johnson lineage also attended the Lombard Private School. This move had made it easier for Bernard to secure the meeting under the guise of a potential donation.

As Medusa strode towards the headmistress's office, three children emerged from a nearby classroom, disregarding their teacher's instructions and waiting to catch a glimpse of her. These three students, embodying the old-world etiquette of gentlemen and gentlewomen, offered polite greetings as Medusa passed by, recognising her elevated status.

Medusa responded with a warm smile, acknowledging their gestures. She reached out and gently patted their shoulders before moving on with Bernard, not wanting to linger and draw too much attention. For these children, Medusa's presence was akin to a blessing, a goddess among mortals. This is because they have believed since birth that Medusa is their goddess, their blessing to live a good life.

However, to the other students, Medusa's presence was a sight to behold, a divine being gracing the halls of their school. Her poise, her grace, and the air of reverence that surrounded her left a lasting impression on all who witnessed her passing.

The Lombard Private School is not just a high school; it's a complete educational centre that serves students from the very beginning of their education in kindergarten all the way through to the end of their trip in the higher levels of education. Children and young adults of all ages start a life-changing journey in these sacred halls, led by a staff of teachers who are just as committed to nurturing the mind as they are to nurturing the spirit.

The school's curriculum is an ideal mix of competitive academics, artistic expression, and spiritual growth. Students are pushed to do their best not only in school but also in learning about the faith and its values. This all-around approach makes well-rounded people who have the information, values, and moral compass to do well in the world outside of school.

"Oh, they don't know what will come." She said and walked inside the head mistress room.

Mother Carlota Diaz had been the esteemed headmistress of the Lombard Catholic School for the past fifteen years. During her tenure, she had developed a reputation for effectively navigating the complex web of relationships with the school's wealthy and influential parent community.

However, this was the first time Carlota found herself in serious trouble. Typically, her close ties to the families of her students had allowed her to let herself escape from any difficulties that arose. But now, the evidence before her left her paralysed with fear, for she was facing a woman whose very presence exuded an aura of intimidation.

Carlota's modus operandi had been to treat the children based on the financial contributions of their parents. She would shower preferential treatment upon those from wealthy families while leveraging her position to extort money, and that's not the only thing she keeps a secret. She loves to screw with the young male students in exchange for marks, or she can just threaten them with anything if the students aren't rich.

As Medusa's piercing gaze bore into her, Carlota trembled, knowing full well the power and influence wielded by the Johnson conglomerate. Even if she sought help from other influential families, with the photo and video evidence in front of her, especially showing her having sex with some boys from families who had large donations to her school, they would not help her; they would surely throw her in jail.

"What do you want?" Carlota asked, her voice quivering.

"The name of the children who hurt and bullied Aleysia Simon." Medusa's rage-filled voice cut through the air as she demanded the names of the students who had bullied and harmed Aleysia Simon.

A human like Carlota always makes her question her likeness to humans; sometimes these humans are even worse than the devil himself. And she keeps asking if they're worth saving.

"Who?" Carlota is asking back, confused.

"You don't remember Aleysia Simon? Want me to make you remember?" Medusa said it in a full-threatening mode.

"No! No! Wait! I remember the blind girl! Yes, I remember!" She quickly answers, even when Medusa hasn't done anything to her.

"Make it quick then; I want all the names of the students who bullied Aleysia Simon." Medusa said, "You didn't do anything because she didn't have money, right? Or because all those students's parents paid you something?" Medusa stood up and held Carlota's neck; she lifted her with ease with one hand.

"Her stepmother! The stepmother paid me to make that girl's school life a living hell!" Carlota blurted out, offering up the proof and payment records she had kept for her own protection.

Medusa's response struck Carmen with a sense of dread. "She's dead," the gorgon hissed, her jade-green eyes glowing with a golden hue. "She's dead too soon by my hand."

"Madam!" Bernard's timely intervention brought Medusa back to reality, and she swiftly hurled Carlota away, the force of the impact likely causing the hapless headmistress to suffer broken ribs.

Carlota's actions had betrayed the very values the Lombard Catholic School was meant to uphold. Medusa's voice dripped with contempt as she admonished the headmistress, "You're such a disgrace! The daimons laugh at your actions."

Turning to the two men who had accompanied her and Bernard, Medusa instructed, "Help her sit down."

With a pained groan, Carlota retrieved a folder from her secret safe, a desperate attempt to find a way out of this precarious situation. Unfortunately, faced with the formidable presence of the woman before her, Carlota knew her usual ploys and guarantees would be of little use.

The folder contained damning evidence—voice recordings, DVDs, and photographs documenting the torture and abuse inflicted upon Aleysia by certain students. Medusa slammed the document on the table; she's clearly angry; it was clear that her wrath would not be sated until all those responsible for Aleysia's suffering had faced the consequences of their misdeeds.

"Find everyone in the folder!" Medusa commanded. Turning to Carlota, she pointed a finger and warned, "And you, I'm not done with you. Be a good human and stay put; don't do anything unnecessary if you want to live."

As Medusa left the headmistress's room, she snapped her hands, causing all the recording equipment in the office to explode into pieces. Simultaneously, the entire school was plunged into darkness as the electricity was cut off.