Chapter 1

As soon as I said I couldn't take the job, Nolan Pierce shot to his feet.

"Mara, have you lost your mind?"

"That's five hundred million dollars! Five hundred million!"

"The entire Network could work for a lifetime and still never come close to making that much."

"All you have to do is say a few words, and the money's yours. And you're actually turning it down?"

I ignored his shouting and kept my eyes fixed on the photo in Grant Halston's hand.

I really couldn't take this job.

Grant's expression darkened at my refusal.

As the richest man in Alderidge, he was used to being in control.

"Ms. Ellison, is five hundred million not enough?"

His voice was low, carrying the quiet authority of a man used to being obeyed.

"I'll add another hundred million.

"Six hundred million. Bring my son back to me."

I could hear my coworkers breathing harder around me.

Six hundred million dollars.

It was more money than most people could even imagine.

Valerie Keene suddenly grabbed my wrist with surprising force.

"Mara, stop being stubborn and just say yes to Mr. Halston!"

"Why would you turn down a job this big?"

"Don't you want to get the best equipment for the Network and help more people?"

I pulled my wrist free, my voice turning cold.

"I can't take this job for any amount of money."

"Mr. Halston, you'll have to find someone else."

Grant slammed his palm down on the table.

"Don't push your luck, Mara Ellison!"

"There's no one in Alderidge I can't hire."

"You're taking this job whether you like it or not!"

Valerie flinched and quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Mr. Halston, please calm down. Mara's been working nonstop. She's exhausted and not thinking straight."

"The Network will take the case."

"We'll put people on it and start checking the leads right away."

I turned to Valerie, my expression icy.

"I'm the only psychic medium in the Network."

"If I don't help, how exactly are you planning to find him?"

"And let me make one thing clear. If any of you take this case, you're on your own. I won't be involved."

Nolan spat to the side.

"Cut the spooky act. You're not scaring anyone."

"You just want to cut us out and squeeze more money out of Mr. Halston behind our backs, don't you?"

"You love acting like some kind of saint, but deep down, you're greedier than anyone here."

Grant slowly rose to his feet.

He tucked the photo away and looked down at me.

"You've got some nerve, Mara."

"But I promise you, it won't be long before you come crawling back, begging me to let you take the deal."

He motioned to his bodyguards, and they filed out after him.

The glass door slammed shut hard enough to rattle in its frame.

Valerie spun around, pointed a finger at me, and yelled.

"Mara, you're fired!"

"As of right now, you're no longer part of the Missing Persons Recovery Network."

"Pack your things and get out!"

I didn't argue.

I quietly gathered my belongings from my desk.

Nolan stood nearby with his arms crossed, sneering.

"Go ahead. Keep acting like you're better than everyone else. Without the Network, you're nobody."

"And when you end up broke and starving on the streets, don't say we never gave you a chance to get rich!"

I had barely stepped out of the office building with a box in my arms when my phone started buzzing nonstop.

Unknown numbers flooded the screen one after another.

The second I answered, a barrage of vicious insults came through the phone.

"Mara Ellison, you heartless bitch!"

"Five hundred million still isn't enough for you? Is money all you care about?"

"He's eight years old! What kind of monster refuses to help a child?"

I hung up.

Another call came in almost immediately.

Instead of answering, I opened social media.

The trending page had already blown up:

#GrantHalstonTurnedAway

#MaraEllisonRefusesToSaveChild

#RecoveryNetworkStatement

The top video had been posted by Grant himself.

His eyes were red, and he looked utterly exhausted.

"I've devoted my whole life to charity and made more donations than I can count."

"But today, I went to Mara Ellison with a photo of my eight-year-old son and begged her for help."

"She demanded half my fortune, then coldly refused to help at the last second."

"I'm a father. I'd give anything to save my son. I just can't understand how anyone could be so heartless."

The video already had more than a hundred thousand comments.

[Dox her! Track down that vile woman!]

[So much for the saint who claims she finds missing kids for free. She's just a scammer holding out for more money!]

[I hope she gets hit by a car the second she steps outside today!]

The Network posted an official statement soon after.

Missing Persons Recovery Network: [Mara Ellison has been formally dismissed from the Missing Persons Recovery Network. Her personal actions do not represent this organization. We have accepted Mr. Halston's request and will do everything in our power to find Eli Halston, free of charge.]

I couldn't help but laugh, but I didn't turn back. I silenced my phone and headed back to my run-down rental apartment.

The moment I reached the entrance, I knew something was wrong.

Several influencers with phones and selfie sticks were lurking around the entrance, looking around for me.

"Guys, this is where that heartless psychic lives!"

"Send ten premium gifts, and I'll go straight to her door!"

I pulled my cap lower and slipped into the alley beside the building.

So much for going home.

I found a run-down motel on the outskirts of the city that didn't ask for ID. I stayed there for the time being.