"Thank you," Thea said.

"Oh, yeah," Hank replied. "Thea, I heard your husband is Lex's handpicked candidate. He's an orphan and a retired soldier. Why are you with him? You could do much better. Why not consider a successful, wealthy young man?" He straightened up as he spoke.

"I know someone," he continued. "He's young, already a manager at a large organization, making fifty thousand dollars a month. He has a house and a car. Why don't you divorce James? My friend would be good for you!"

The friend he referred to was himself, though he was shrewd enough not to be too obvious. He was testing Thea.

Thea felt a warmth rising. She pulled her shirt up slightly and fanned herself.

Noticing Hank's leering gaze, she blushed.

Looking away, she said softly, "Sorry, Hank. I'm feeling a little warm."

"It's not warm. The AC is on," he retorted.

Hank seized the opportunity to sit beside Thea. He touched her forehead.

"Do you have a fever?" Thea avoided his touch, twisting away.

"Hank, about the job?" she asked, changing the subject.

"There's no rush…" he began, but Thea felt a sudden dizziness. Her body felt feverish.

Could the water…? She knew something was wrong. Standing up, she said, "Hank, please excuse me. Where's the bathroom?"

"I have one in my office," Hank replied, pointing to a door. Thea had no choice but to quickly stand.

As she stood, dizziness threatened to topple her onto the couch. Hank caught her just in time.

Faking concern, he asked, "Thea, are you alright?"

"I-I'm not sure. I feel slightly dizzy. Let me go to the bathroom and freshen up," she stammered.

Thea shook her head slightly and stood again. Even as the room spun, she went to the bathroom and locked the door.

Quickly, she called James. He answered as he was returning home.

"Jamie, I— I might have been drugged. I… I'm at the human resources manager's office at Ella Corporation. Pl—please come quickly. I—I'm feeling hot…"

Thea ended the call from Hank's bathroom.

After hanging up, the world swam. Overcome with drowsiness, she turned on the tap and splashed water on her face to stay awake.

James was furious. How dare anyone target his wife? He abandoned his electric motorcycle, rushing into the road and flagging down a car.

The driver slammed on the brakes, tires screeching, black smoke billowing from the friction.

The driver, startled, yelled, "What the f*ck?"

James approached, forcefully opened the door, threw the driver out, and sped to Ella Corporation.

So worried about Thea, James didn't notice a terrified girl in the back seat, too intimidated to speak. She was drenched in sweat.

At Ella Corporation, in the human resources manager's office, Hank had removed his shirt, revealing his muscled physique. He looked at the bathroom door, licked his lips, and smirked.

"The most beautiful woman in Cansington. I get to enjoy you today."

As for the consequences? He'd considered them. Thea, he knew, had been estranged from her family—the Callahans—or she wouldn't be job hunting. And her husband, James, had made a foolish mistake borrowing a car. Once the "important person" returned, James would be dead. There was nothing to fear. Furthermore, he was recording everything. Thea wouldn't dare speak out.

"I'm coming for you, Thea," he whispered.