Chapter 2

The next morning, Rick called me into his private office and flicked an invitation across the desk.

"Tomorrow night. You're coming with us to meet a VIP client."

I didn't pick it up. "Mr. Lee, client entertainment isn't part of my job description."

"It is now," he smirked. "It's an assignment. Refuse, and it counts as gross insubordination. Zero pay."

Sarah chimed in from the doorway, "Come on, Chloe. Rick is doing you a favor, letting you see the real corporate world. Don't be ungrateful."

Watching them play good-cop-bad-cop, I almost told them to pack their desks right then and there.

Swallowing my anger, I managed a small smile.

"Fine. I'll go see how the real world works."

That night, we were in a private dining suite at an upscale club. The table groaned under platters of expensive seafood and rare vintage bottles.

No wonder Sarah's reimbursement receipts were always so high. They were living large on corporate funds.

The client was Mr. Warren, a greasy, middle-aged businessman whose eyes locked onto me the second I walked in.

Rick shoved me into the seat right next to Warren.

"Mr. Warren, this is our newest intern, Chloe. Brought her along specifically to meet you."

Sarah immediately poured a tall glass of hard liquor and pushed it in front of me. "Chloe, toast Mr. Warren! Thank him for giving us this deal."

I looked at the clear liquid and said evenly, "I don't drink."

Rick's face darkened. "Ruining the mood already?"

Sarah leaned in, digging her acrylic nails into my arm, and hissed, "Play nice if you want that internship sign-off."

Keeping my left hand on the audio recorder hidden in my pocket, I raised the glass with my right. "To you, Mr. Warren."

The burning liquid scorched my throat and churned my stomach.

Warren roared with laughter, slamming a heavy, sweaty hand onto my back and leaving it there. "Fantastic! Rick, this new girl gets it!"

Rick beamed. "Glad you like her! Chloe, top off Mr. Warren's glass!"

Sarah kept pouring drinks, piling on sickening flatteries. No matter how many times I declined, they forced glass after glass into my hands.

Eventually, Rick practically held my head back to force the liquor down my throat, whispering viciously in my ear:

"Keep resisting, and see if I don't let someone handle you tonight! Little girl, consider this your first real lesson in the corporate world!"

Half a bottle of high-proof liquor down, my vision blurred. My stomach convulsed violently.

I pushed back my chair and stumbled up. "Excuse me. Restroom."

I bolted into a stall and threw up until my ribs ached.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. A text from Rick:

Where the hell are you? Get back here now! Mr. Warren is losing patience!

I washed my face, opened the door, and froze.

Sarah was standing by our table, stealthily dripping liquid from an eye dropper into my glass.

Finally.

I raised my phone and took a clear photo from the doorway.

Seeing me return, Sarah swiftly hid the small vial and slid the glass toward me like nothing happened.

"There you are, Chloe! Quick, Mr. Warren is waiting for another round."

Rick stared at me, his eyes cold and predatory. "Don't just stand there! Keeping Mr. Warren waiting calls for three penalty shots!"

Everyone's eyes bored into me.

I looked at the spiked drink, then at Rick and Sarah, who looked at me like wolves eyeing a trapped rabbit.

There was no turning back now.

I picked up the glass and drained it in one gulp.

Within three minutes, my vision spun. My limbs turned to lead, and I collapsed backward onto the couch.

Rick rushed over instantly, dragging my limp body into an adjoining VIP lounge.

"Mr. Warren, fresh out of college! Pure as they come!" Rick boasted. "Consider this a personal gift. Just make sure you take care of me on this contract... you know what I mean."

Warren unbuttoned his shirt, grinning as he lumbered toward me. "Rick, my boy, you know how to treat a client. I won't let you down. Forget a ten percent kickback. If this girl pleases me, I'll give you fifty percent!"

Greed flared in Rick and Sarah's eyes.

Together, they started stripping off my blazer and blouse. I was completely paralyzed, unable to move a finger.

Within moments, I was down to my lingerie.

Warren let out a sickening laugh. "Soft and fair. Just how I like them."

He reached out to touch me.

A split second before his hand landed, the heavy lounge doors were kicked wide open.

"Police! Nobody move!"