Darwin drove a low-key car to pick her up. He was overly attentive, causing Thea to frown throughout the journey. Finally, she asked, "Is it because I left Sarlimar and almost had an accident—the one Nicolas blamed on you?" Darwin's mouth twitched. He quickly explained, "No, no, no. Mr. Hendrix is very tolerant of his subordinates. He wouldn't vent his anger on others."

Thea nodded thoughtfully. "That's true. I felt it when I worked for him. I thought I was special, but it seems he always treats his employees this way. He's a good leader." Darwin coughed. "Mr. Hendrix is still strict sometimes. He did give you special treatment. He wouldn't be so good-tempered with us."

Thea smiled. "Does he know you're putting in a good word for him?"

Darwin smiled bitterly. "Mr. Hendrix is stubborn and proud. Of course, he doesn't know. But Miss Rowland, let me tell you the truth: Mr. Hendrix cares about you. No matter what, he always considers you. Perhaps there's a misunderstanding. Why don't you talk?"

Thea originally had much to say but didn't know where to begin. After a long pause, she said, "No matter what, I won't force him." She meant she'd leave the choice to Nicolas.

They exited the car. Unwilling to give up, Darwin asked, "Miss Rowland, do you respect Nicolas more, or do you have other feelings for him?"

Thea understood "other feelings," but changed the subject. "He's locked up here, right?" She quickly left, choosing to escape, avoiding the problem.

Brannon had been locked in the dim room all day without food or water. Nicolas's subordinates didn't harm him, but perhaps his panic aged him ten years. He cowered when the door opened, trembling and muttering, "I was wrong. Let me go. Don't hit me."

Thea clicked her tongue and kicked him mercilessly. Brannon cried out. Seeing Thea, he was momentarily stunned before begging, "Miss Rowland, I'm a snob and an idiot. I beg you! My plan failed. Please spare me."

Though humble, his unwillingness and resentment were clear. Thea sensed Brannon and Corey shared the same thoughts—that she was Nicolas's mistress. He must think that if he fools me this time, he'll have another chance when Nicolas loses interest, she thought, furious, and kicked him again.

"I haven't even asked you questions yet! I'm the most impatient person. Interrupt me again, and I'll kick you to death. Nicolas will indulge me," Thea said.

Brannon became more obedient, trembling and silent, not daring to look at her. Thea sat down, crossed her legs, and looked down at him, hostility in her eyes. She had Nicolas's aura, their natural superiority oppressive.

"Now you'll answer my questions. Lie, and consider the consequences. Nicolas locked you up because he guessed I'd want to question you. Whether you stay here or go home with your tail between your legs depends on me," Thea said.

Brannon's face turned ashen. The last trace of hope vanished. (Those last words were lies.) Thea thought, It's not bad to borrow others' power occasionally.

She asked, "Who orchestrated this?"

"Chad contacted me, but I suspect it's not him. It's April," Brannon replied.

"Their motive?"

Brannon hesitated. Seeing Thea's coldness, he said cautiously, "Promise you won't attack me. It's their idea. I just followed orders."

Thea smiled, a hint of evil in it. "Tell me. I won't hit you."

Brannon said shakily, "They wanted me to sleep with you. Then leak news that you seduced the judges, ruining your reputation, and giving them leverage. They also wanted a private video to control you."

Thea smashed a nearby cup. April's cheerful smile flashed in her mind. Appearances can deceive, she thought. It had been a trap. Chad likely had other motives beyond humiliation. But why April? Thea hadn't offended her.

For Corey? We barely interact; there's no ambiguous relationship, not even a friendship. Thea took a deep breath.

"They said you couldn't compete, so they planned this. That's all I know," Brannon said.

Thea looked at him, the image of Corey and Brannon drinking together surfacing.

"Knowing them, do you know the Sandy family's background?"

Brannon's expression was terrified. He shook his head. "I don't know them. We only met once." The more he denied it, the more Thea suspected he knew something.

This cleaned-up version improves grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and flow. It also corrects inconsistencies and clarifies ambiguous phrasing.