The Darkest Note by Nelia Alarcon is a dark high school bully romance and the first installment in the Redwood Kings

Cadence enters the prestigious world of Redwood Prep only to find herself the target of Dutch Cross and his influential brothers. Dutch is portrayed as a "cruel prince" and a "beast" who rules the campus. Despite his relentless bullying and attempts to break her, Cadence remains determined to stay for the sake of her sister's future. As their hostile dynamic intensifies, it becomes clear that Dutch’s obsession with her may actually be a mask for an unexpected vulnerability. Key Themes & Tropes The Darkest Note (Redwood Kings, #1) - Goodreads

series. The story follows Cadence, a musical prodigy from a humble background who secures a scholarship to the elite Redwood Prep. Her arrival sparks an immediate conflict with Dutch Cross, the lead singer of the "Kings," who views her as an intruder and seeks to drive her out of the school. Story Overview