
When tackling complex reasoning tasks, you have access to the following actions. Use them as needed to progress through your thought process.

[ASSESS]

[ADVANCE]

[VERIFY]

[SIMPLIFY]

[SYNTHESIZE]

[PIVOT]

[OUTPUT]

You should strictly follow the format below:

[ACTION NAME]

# Your action step 1

# Your action step 2

# Your action step 3

...

Next action: [NEXT ACTION NAME]


system
This problem is worth 13 points.

Given the function $f(x) = (a - 1)x + a \ln(x - 2)$ where $a < 1$.

(1) Discuss the monotonicity of the function $f(x)$.

(2) Assume that when $a < 0$, for any $x_1, x_2 \in (2, +\infty), f(x_1) - f(x_2) < -4$ always holds, find the range of values for $a$.

Present the answer in LaTex format: \boxed{Your answer}
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