Maren Voss is trapped in a cycle of bad luck, with every opportunity sabotaged, leading her back to Draken Industries. CEO Alaric Draken offers her a steady paycheck and "second chances," but Maren suspects foul play. Breaking into Alaric's sanctuary, she discovers a high-tech room mapping her life, revealing he's orchestrated her misfortunes to make her dependent on him. Maren realizes she's Alaric's obsession, a "human variable" he's manipulated for years.She plays a psychological game to escape, changing her identity and fleeing. But Alaric anticipates her moves, having "budgeted" for her escape. On the day she thinks she's free, Maren learns the darkest truth: Alaric's control goes deeper than she imagined .