Chapter 1

The messages in the family group chat made my head buzz.

The psychiatric hospital where I was currently working might have been involved in human trafficking behind the scenes.

As an undercover investigative journalist, I understood better than anyone what would happen if my identity were exposed.

I immediately went to the restroom and called my husband, Sean Lowe.

As soon as the call connected, I lowered my voice anxiously.

"Sean, I told you before we got married that the nature of my work required me to keep a low profile.

"While the video still doesn't have much traffic, get your sister-in-law to delete it right now."

Sean sounded extremely impatient.

"What kind of job needs to stay low-profile? Aren't you just a caregiver at a psychiatric hospital?

"My brother passed away, and Rachel only just managed to pull herself together. Do you really have to ruin things for her now?"

Before I could argue back, my mother-in-law, Shirley, grabbed the phone. Her voice was sharp and piercing.

"Are you jealous or something? Rachel can make money just by editing videos at home, while you're still spending your days cleaning up after psychiatric patients.

"You heartless woman. She's raising her son by herself. She finally started making a little money, and you're already jealous of her!"

Shirley's monthly pension and half of Sean's salary both went toward helping Rachel Ross with household expenses, and I always understood that.

I even reminded Sean countless times to look after her whenever he could. How could I possibly be jealous of Rachel?

I desperately wanted to tell them the truth, but my work was confidential. The only thing I could do was keep finding indirect ways to persuade them to delete the video.

"Mom, I didn't even have a wedding ceremony or wedding photos when I got married because a fortune teller said taking those kinds of pictures would bring misfortune to my family.

"It's not that I'm suddenly jealous of Rachel now. I stopped taking photos and videos a long time ago."

Shirley always believed in things like that.

She hesitated.

"Now that you mention it, you really haven't taken photos for years."

"Sophia Jones!"

Sophia Jones was the alias I used at the psychiatric hospital. The voice belonged to the head nurse calling for me.

I hurriedly reminded Shirley to delete the video, and she immediately agreed.

After hanging up, I returned to work.

When the day's work was finally over, I went home and lay on the bed scrolling through short videos.

The next second, I shot upright from the bed.

I came across the AI short drama video while scrolling.

As I watched the video's popularity surge, a cold sweat broke out across my back.

I rushed downstairs and knocked on Rachel's bedroom door.

"Rachel, hurry! Delete the video now! I can't show my face!"

Rachel looked troubled.

"Anna, please just let me earn this money."

As she spoke, tears filled her eyes.

"The video finally gained some traction. You know how hard it is for me to raise a child on my own. I'm begging you."

As she spoke, she started lowering herself to her knees.

Shirley and Sean rushed over after hearing the commotion.

Shirley quickly stepped forward and pulled Rachel back up before she could kneel.

Without asking any questions, Sean stormed over and slapped me across the face.

"Do you really have to make things difficult for her? Do you have any idea how hard it is for a woman to earn money on her own?

"Anyone who cuts off someone else's livelihood will get what's coming to them."

The slap landed hard.

My cheek instantly burned with pain.

I clutched my face and shouted in despair, "I told you before we got married that I didn't like showing my face! You promised you'd respect that.

"Besides, using my face in an AI video without my permission is a violation of my rights!"

Sean glared at me furiously.

"We're family. So, what if it's a violation? Are you really going to report your own family?

"What could possibly happen from showing your face for a few seconds? Rachel spent several sleepless nights making that video. There's no way she's deleting it."

I watched the likes continue climbing higher and higher.

My hands began to tremble uncontrollably.

According to my investigation, the seven abducted children and five trafficked women were still being held inside the psychiatric hospital.

If my cover was blown, the investigation would lose its only lead. What would be destroyed wouldn't just be my mission—it would be the hopes of countless families still waiting for their loved ones to come home.