Chapter 2

Seeing the greedy look on Sebastian's face, I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms.

Just then, my phone lit up, snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts.

"Ms. Mercer! I got first place in all of Adrana! The teachers at school said they're giving me a scholarship! My parents finally agreed to let me continue studying, and they even returned that lame guy's bridal gift.

"There are a few more women in our village who want to learn art. Can you keep teaching them?"

Cute emojis filled the screen one after another, and all of my anger melted away.

When I looked up, Sebastian already had his arm around Jayla as they walked off. Even from a distance, I could hear them talking.

"We're going to be rich. One more round and we can move to Spoywana…"

I curved my lips into a cold smile, switched off my recorder, and replied to my student.

"Mr. Emerson, I'll make sure to 'show my gratitude' this month," I murmured.

...

Back at my desk, the first thing I did was organize all the evidence I had.

Because Sebastian's case involved multiple violations and potential criminal charges, I worked through most of the night.

He acted so brazenly simply because no one had ever pushed back.

He would always use that line, "handle it however you want," to corner his employees again and again.

His staff were innocent, and the students who signed up for these art exams were even more so.

Most came from rural counties nearby. For many of them, this exam was their one chance.

I held the USB drive tightly and made up my mind. I was going to send him to jail.

Just as I stood to head to the accounting office, Sebastian suddenly appeared behind me.

"Hey, Carmen, what are you working on?"

I had goosebumps, and I clenched my fists instinctively. After a brief moment of thought, I immediately got to my feet, putting distance between us.

"Just following up with clients, Mr. Emerson. I still have that 150-thousand-dollar quota to hit."

"Where's Jayla? Why are you back alone?" He plopped down in my chair without asking, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. Then, he grabbed my water bottle and took a drink from it.

"Carmen, you're working too hard. How about I give you an easier gig? You won't even need to pay back that 120 thousand dollars. Jayla bullies you all the time. Don't you want a chance to get even?"

The sight of him made my stomach twist. Rage raced through my body.

He kept pushing my limits, over and over. I was really on the verge of losing it.

My eyes darted around, instinctively searching for anything sharp enough to drive into him. Then my gaze fell on a photo beside my computer.

It was a group picture of me and ten of my students. Their bright, genuine smiles forced me to take a breath and pull myself back from the edge.

"No. They are waiting for me," I thought.

I dug my nails into my thigh and forced out a twisted smile. "Do you want me to take on more classes or take over Jayla's clients? Mr. Emerson, just tell me what you need. I'll get it done."

My answer infuriated Sebastian. He kicked over a pile of student artwork, sending watercolor paper flying across the floor.

"You ungrateful brat! If that's your attitude, your quota is doubled this month, then! And if you can't pay off your debt, you'll work for me for life!"

With that, he stormed out and slammed the door behind him.

I had planned to check the transaction records while no one was around, but the files were all encrypted. There was nothing I could do.

When I returned to the rundown dorm he assigned me, I found Jayla inside. She was violently hacking my LW handbag apart with a pair of scissors.

The moment she noticed me, she spun around, brandishing the scissors as she charged.

"You bitch! How dare you ruin my career! I'm going to kill you!"