Clara Bennett
The next morning, I walked into the West Group building with my stomach tied in knots.
My eyes were puffy from another night of crying over Mom, and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking no matter how many times I wiped them on my black pencil skirt. I kept replaying Ryder’s phone call in my head.
*I like you. I want to be friends.*
The words made my heart race even now, but every time they did, Victor’s cruel threats pushed right back in.
“This is for Mom. Get the documents. Get close. Then get out.“
I stepped into the elevator, clutching my camera bag tightly against my chest.
When the doors opened on the top floor, I took a deep breath and walked straight to Ryder’s office. My heels clicked loudly on the marble floor, sounding too loud in my own ears.
Ryder was already
