The whole way to Wonderland, I barely said a word. And it seemed like Sebastian understood that I wasn’t in the mood to talk. He didn’t say much either—only spoke up once more when I stepped out of his car to remind me of what Mom had told him.

"El, don’t even think about going home alone. Call me when you’re done, okay?" he said with a soft smile.

I smiled back and waved. “Yeah, I’ll text you when I’m finished. Drive safe, love.”

Once Sebastian’s car disappeared from view, I took a deep breath and made my way into the building where Wonderland was located.

---

"Where’s Sylvia?" I asked as I slowly walked toward the couch.

Sarah scoffed. "Wow, you just got here and already asking for Sylvia? Not even a ‘hey, how are you?’”

“I don’t need to ask how you’re doing,” I said with a knowing smirk. “After last night, I know for a fact you couldn’t sleep either. So... yeah, I already know your answer.”

“She’s upstairs,” Sarah sighed, nodding toward the second floor. “Guest room.”

“You sure she’s not gonna make a run for it?”

“There are two security guys stationed outside the door. Don’t worry, I made sure she’s locked down.”

I took a seat, trying to get comfortable. “So, what’s the plan? I mean, that big shot—he’s coming today or tomorrow, right?”

Sarah gave a faint smile as she poured hot tea from the pot into my cup. “Drink up, El... while it’s still warm.”

The soothing scent of jasmine filled the air as I took the cup.

“You’re right. He promised he’d come today or tomorrow. But one thing’s for sure—he can’t deny that we found Sylvia first,” Sarah said confidently. “You don’t have to be scared anymore, El. If he dares to ask you to take her place, then clearly, he just wants to stir up chaos!”

“Easy, Sarah. Let’s not get too fired up,” I said, trying to calm her down. “Guys like him live to provoke people. If we lose our cool, he wins. Let’s stay calm.”

Sarah let out an exaggerated sigh and playfully clutched her chest. “You’re right, El. Deep breaths. Getting mad won’t help when dealing with someone like that.”

From what I’d heard from Sebastian, I had a pretty good idea of what kind of man this “boss” really was. He didn’t care about anyone—not even his own wife or child. It made me wonder if the guy even had a heart at all.

“That’s why we should plan our words carefully,” Sarah said, pouring herself some tea this time. “What we’ll say, how we’ll say it—we need to be ready.”

“Hmm. Maybe we should write everything down—make it easier to memorize,” I suggested.

Sarah’s eyes lit up. “That’s actually a great idea! Why didn’t I think of that?”

She jumped up and dashed toward her desk. “Hang on, let me grab a pen and paper.”

While she was busy rummaging around, I poured myself another cup of tea. I’d already had breakfast, but somehow my stomach still felt empty.

“Here we go,” Sarah returned with pen and paper in hand. “Come on, El. Give me something to start with. What should we say first?”

I gave her a sheepish look. “Uh... Sarah?”

“What?”

“I know this sounds ridiculous, but... do you have anything to eat? I don’t know why, but I’m suddenly starving.”

“Oh my God, I totally forgot! I was so caught up in everything that I didn’t even think to grab your favorite snacks,” she apologized, already moving toward her desk again and picking up the office phone.

“Hello? Could you bring up the pastries and snacks I requested yesterday? Oh, and while you're at it, prepare breakfast for two.” She hung up and turned back to me with an apologetic smile.

“Sorry for making you go through all that,” I said, a little embarrassed. But better this than fainting in the middle of a serious discussion.

“Don’t be silly! Honestly, I’m starving too,” Sarah chuckled, grabbing the pen again. “Okay, let’s get back to it while we wait for food.”

I nodded and leaned in, both of us brainstorming the best arguments to use when facing the boss.

---

By the time I looked at my watch again, it was almost half past eleven. I’d spent quite a while at Wonderland, just working through possible scenarios and arguments for when the boss finally showed up. Sarah and I had even come up with backup plans, in case he bailed on his own promise.

My phone rang. I rolled my eyes as I reached into my bag. Of course—it was *him*. David. That snake.

“Hello?” I answered flatly.

“So? You remember where we’re supposed to meet, right?” David’s voice rang cheerfully through the speaker.

I shut my eyes for a second and took a deep breath. “Relax. I didn’t forget. Just sit tight and wait like a good boy. I’m not a superhero who can teleport.”

David burst out laughing at my grumpy tone.

“Alright, alright. I’ll sit here and wait. Drive safe, yeah?” he replied, still chuckling.

I ended the call with a mix of irritation and resignation. If I wasn’t being blackmailed with that photo he sent me yesterday, there’s no way I’d be entertaining him today.

With a heavy sigh, I stepped into the ride-share that had just pulled up.

But no matter how hard I tried to stay calm, that photo kept creeping into my thoughts. What if he showed it to someone? What if it ended up in the wrong hands?

My heart pounded with a sickening rhythm.

I hated that David had this kind of power over me.

And even more than that, I hated that I had no idea what he planned to do with it.

As the car cruised through the late morning traffic, my mind drifted into chaos.

How did David even get that photo?

I hadn’t shown it to anyone. Not a single soul. It wasn’t posted anywhere—not online, not in the cloud, not even backed up on my old phone. It was a private shot. One I had taken during a moment of weakness. One I swore would never see the light of day.

So how?

My fingers curled into a fist on my lap. There was a storm of questions swirling in my chest, tightening like a vice.

Did someone steal my phone?

Hack my emails?

I couldn’t think of anyone I trusted enough to send that to. Hell, I didn’t even remember keeping it… and yet, there it was in David’s hands, like a loaded weapon pointed straight at me.

Was he bluffing?

No. The timestamp. The angle. The lighting. It *was* real. And it *was* me.

The realization sent a shiver down my spine.

What else did he have?

Was this just the beginning?

My throat felt dry. I pressed a hand against my forehead and leaned my head against the car window, eyes staring blankly at the passing buildings.

How long had he been watching me?

And why now?

The timing wasn’t just suspicious—it was *perfect*. Too perfect.

Just as things were starting to feel like they were falling into place—with Sebastian, with Wonderland, with the plans to finally face the Big Boss—David slithered in like a shadow I couldn’t shake off.

Damn it.

I shut my eyes, trying to breathe through the thick dread building in my chest.

Whatever his game was, I needed to figure it out—and fast.

Before that photo ruined everything.

---