SHE'S TRAPPED

As the clock signaled the end of the workday, employees filtered out of the office, laughter, and chatter echoing in the hallways. Amidst the bustling exit, Alex lingered outside as a quiet observer of the unfolding scene.

Shawn, finishing up some last-minute tasks for John, navigated his way through the now-empty office. With John preoccupied, Shawn stepped into the role of a reliable teammate. As he approached, John's office door, he noticed Alex waiting there, a contemplative look on his face.

Earlier in the day, while everyone else was wrapped up in their projects, Shawn had been the heart of the office. He was the go-to guy, friendly and talkative, effortlessly drawing people into conversation during breaks. The team often gathered around him, sharing stories and laughter over a particularly amusing incident that had taken place just before lunch.

As Alex stood beside Shawn, he felt a mix of hesitation and curiosity. Should he share the secret about John's affair? Stealing glances at Shawn, Alex's thoughts were interrupted when Shawn turned to him, an inquisitive look in his eyes. "Why do you feel like someone's watching you?" he asked, breaking the silence that hovered between them.

Alex said, "I know what happened earlier. If you're wondering whether to tell me about it or not, then don't."

Alex cast a nervous glance at Shawn, his voice laced with regret. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t realize today was important. If I had known that a prominent woman connected to Mr. John was visiting, I wouldn’t have bothered her or insisted she cooperate with me. I would’ve simply let her through.”

Shawn waved it off, a knowing smile crossing his face. “No need to apologize. In the grand scheme of things, she isn’t significant. She knows she won’t get the job, but she still hopes John can pull some strings for her. When you encounter a woman like that, one who says, 'You don’t know who I am,' just let her in without saying another word.”

Inside the room, John and his mistress, Shelly, sat across from each other on the plush sofas, the air still thick with the remnants of their passionate encounter. They were both busy adjusting their clothes and trying to regain composure.

Shelly, a striking young woman from a modest background, had aspirations of becoming a star in the film industry. She was determined to climb the ranks, even if it meant indulging in favors with her previous producer to land a role. Now, with her sights set on John, she was ready to make her plea for a part in his upcoming film.

John, diving into the entertainment world, had anticipated visits from hopefuls like her. He had first crossed paths with Shelly at a lavish party while plotting his entry into the industry. Back then, she was just a newcomer trying to forge connections—often through less-than-savory means.

Lately feeling restless, John found himself craving a distraction, and Shelly was undeniably appealing.

She leaned closer, her gaze sultry. “Baby, I need your help. I’ve heard about your big-budget film, and I want you to consider me for the lead role.”

John smirked, eyes narrowing as he replied, “And why would I give you the main role just because you please me? With your talents, a supporting part seems more fitting.”

He unlocked the door, but instead of ushering her out, he slid a contract and a pen towards her. Shelly glanced at the document but, driven by her desperation for work, quickly signed without reading a word. “Thanks, babe! Gotta run,” she chirped as she made her exit, leaving John smirking as he held the contract, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

As Shawn stepped into the room, he caught John mid-change, tossing him his discarded outfit. “Just toss these,” John said with a casual wave. Shawn took the clothes, passing them to Alex with a playful mimicry of John's tone before he shut the door behind him. A smirk crossed his face as he leaned in. “Now, spill the beans. What did she want this time? And did you give it to her?”

John shrugged nonchalantly, his expression unreadable. “She’s after the film I’m planning to invest in. And yeah, I handed her the contract.”

Shawn let out an exasperated sigh, rolling his eyes. “Seriously, John? What’s your angle this time? Last I checked, she threw a fit when she wanted to be the brand ambassador for our new product, and you took that opportunity away from her. You know she won't mess up again, right? So, what’s in it for you?”

John replied in bitterness, "Women like her are the same they want to succeed by all means. They never think about their self-respect, all they want is fame and wealth. And about messing with her, Shawn you are forgetting, they deserve to be treated like this. I gave her the contract which states:

The actress requires a clean background. No fucking organizers, no scandal, no catfight, and a big no to drug cases. As I remember she does not have a clean background, and the things mentioned above are done by her."

John leaned back in his chair, a mischievous smirk dancing on his lips. "If she breaks the rule, it's going to cost her 10 million dollars," he declared, his voice dripping with amusement.

Shawn shook his head, a light chuckle escaping him. "You're doing this because she dropped in uninvited or because she crossed a line. Admit it, it's neither," he teased, raising an eyebrow.

But the moment shifted; John's easy demeanor vanished, replaced by a chilling intensity as he retorted, "Oh, she crossed a line." Shawn's confusion morphed into thrill as he exclaimed, "Let's go watch the show!"

With a glint of mischief in his eyes, John replied, "Alright, but you have to release this the day after tomorrow," handing Shawn an envelope that promised intrigue. Together, they stepped out, ready to watch the unfolding drama.

Meanwhile, at the grand Evans Mansion, the dinner festivities had drew to a close, and everyone retreated to their rooms. Shawn, eager to share his findings with Alex, made his way to his friend's room. As he approached, he noticed the door slightly ajar and heard a soft, familiar voice drifting through. It was Anna, her disguise shed, speaking candidly without her voice changer.

Shawn's heart raced as he eavesdropped, taking in her appearance for the first time. She was venting to Mr. Kim about John, her frustration evident as she complained about him dating a woman who was anything but easy. Her boss had insisted she come incognito, but it seemed the plan hadn't gone entirely as expected.

Mr. Kim's voice cut through the tension, revealing that the person who hired Anna had strictly stated "NO WOMEN." Anna sulked, her brow furrowed, before she finally disconnected the call.

After hearing her plight, Mr. Kim turned to inform his wife, Lisa, about John's recent antics. Though she disapproved of his behavior, she remained silent, choosing instead to lie back on the bed, weary from the evening's revelations.

Shawn's mind raced as he pondered the enigmatic figure hidden away in Alex's room. With a mix of curiosity and concern, he resolved to dig deeper into the mystery before sharing his findings with John. After all, he knew John all too well — a man fueled by an unyielding disdain for two things: deceit and women.

Now, faced with the unsettling possibility that a woman was deceiving him, Shawn felt the weight of urgency. He needed to uncover the truth about the mysterious girl before revealing anything to John.

Across town, Anna had just wrapped up a tense conversation with her supervisor. Thoughts swirled in her mind as she contemplated the hypocrisy of a man who wore a mask of contempt for women in public while indulging in secret desires behind closed doors.

She harbored her suspicions about his rapid rise to wealth — no one could fathom how he'd amassed such a fortune in just seven short years without any apparent backing. Fueled by a mix of determination and frustration, Anna drifted into sleep, her mind still racing with the contradictions that defined the man she thought she knew.