The mastermind lifted his teacup with graceful composure, as though they were merely acquaintances enjoying afternoon hospitality — not criminal and captive.
Clara didn't touch her drink.
He noticed, smiling faintly.
"Still cautious. Good." His eyes warmed with false admiration. "I reward intelligence."
She glared. "…Then let me go."
"Let you go?" He tilted his head, amused. "Clara, my dear… I'm trying to."
Her breath caught.
He leaned back, fingers interlaced.
"I don't want to control you. Control is… tedious." His voice lowered playfully. "I much prefer willing devotion."
Clara's pulse thudded.
He continued softly, "So I'm going to give you what everyone else never did."
"Choice."
She stared, disbelief flooding her.
"What… choice?"
He smiled, eyes gleaming.
"I will erase your debt. Burn every file that ties you to me. Walk away clean."
Clara's lips parted.
He kept going, voice smooth like honey.
"You won't owe me. You won't owe Daniel. You won't owe anyone."
He leaned in, whispering dangerously close.
"Just disappear."
Her fingers dug into her knees.
He chuckled lightly. "You've been a silent servant for everyone your whole life, haven't you? Sara's shadow. Daniel's tool. My pawn."
The words pierced like needles.
"But I'm the only one offering you a life without chains."
Clara was trembling now — not from fear.
From temptation.
He placed a sleek black keycard on the table between them.
"Take it," he murmured. "The door behind you leads to a car. No guards. No tracking. You vanish. New identity. New name."
Clara stared at it, tears threatening to spill.
Freedom.
Finally within reach.
But then—
His voice softened into a lethal whisper.
"Of course…"
"If you take it…""…Sara dies."
The air turned sharp as glass.
Clara's throat closed.
He smiled kindly.
"Freedom… or loyalty. But not both."