Chapter 2: The Wrong Woman to Cross

The storage room was barely large enough for three people to stand comfortably, yet it was packed from floor to ceiling with boxes of imported wine, expensive spices, stacks of table linens, and industrial cleaning supplies. The faint smell of bleach mixed with fresh herbs filled the stale air.

I slowly adjusted my breathing.

Panicking had never solved anything.

For years, investors had tried to intimidate me during negotiations. Competitors had threatened lawsuits. Even politicians had attempted to pressure me into making decisions that favored them.

None of them had succeeded.

Jessica Thompson certainly wasn't going to be the first.

I unlocked my phone and immediately called my secretary, Amelia Grant.

She answered before the first ring finished.

"Ms. White, is everything alright?"

"Not exactly," I replied calmly.

"Cancel my afternoon meetings."

"Also, I need you to locate Dennis immediately."

Amelia immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Did something happen?"

"His restaurant manager just locked me inside a storage room after accusing me of dining and dashing."

Silence.

Then Amelia laughed.

"I'm sorry... I thought you said someone locked you in a storage room."

"I did."

"...What?"

"She also handed me a fifty-thousand-dollar bill filled with imaginary service fees."

"And she claims she's Dennis's girlfriend."

Another silence.

This one lasted longer.

"Ms. White... are you joking?"

"Do I sound like I'm joking?"

"No."

"Exactly."

"Find Dennis."

"Now."

"Yes, ma'am."

I ended the call just as loud voices echoed outside the storage room.

"Keep an eye on her," Jessica ordered.

"Women like her are professional scammers."

"She'll probably try climbing through the window."

One of the guards laughed.

"There isn't even a window in there."

"Then even better."

"She isn't going anywhere."

Their footsteps gradually faded.

I leaned against one of the shelves and checked the time.

Fourteen minutes had passed.

Meanwhile...

Dennis White had absolutely no idea what was happening.

He was attending a private meeting with several international investors on the restaurant's top floor.

His phone had been on silent for nearly two hours.

Across town, Amelia had already contacted his executive assistant.

"Where's Mr. White?"

"Boardroom."

"Tell him to answer his phone immediately."

"He's in the middle of negotiations."

"Then interrupt them."

"I can't."

"You don't understand."

"No," Amelia replied coldly.

"You don't understand."

"His sister has just been illegally detained inside one of his own restaurants."

"If he doesn't answer within five minutes, every investor in that boardroom will be hearing about it."

The assistant nearly dropped her tablet.

"I'll... I'll get him immediately."

Back downstairs...

Jessica stood proudly behind the reception desk.

Several employees quietly exchanged nervous looks.

A young waitress finally gathered enough courage to approach.

"Manager Jessica..."

"What?"

"Maybe we should verify her identity first."

"What if she really knows Mr. White?"

Jessica rolled her eyes.

"Don't be naive."

"I've dated Dennis for almost eight months."

"Do you think I wouldn't know his family?"

"She's obviously obsessed with him."

"Didn't you hear her?"

"She even memorized his sister's name."

The waitress hesitated.

"Still..."

"Enough."

"Do your job."

"I'll handle the liar."

The waitress reluctantly walked away.

Twenty minutes later...

The restaurant entrance suddenly became unusually quiet.

A black luxury sedan stopped directly outside.

Another.

Then a third.

Several men in tailored suits stepped out one after another.

Every employee looked toward the entrance.

"Who are they?"

"Lawyers?"

"Investors?"

The front doors opened.

Amelia Grant entered first.

Behind her were two corporate attorneys, the company's head of security, and three members of White Capital's executive management team.

Jessica frowned.

"Can I help you?"

Amelia walked directly toward the reception desk.

"Where is Theresa White?"

"Who are you?" Jessica demanded.

"Executive Assistant to Chairwoman Theresa White."

"Chairwoman?"

Jessica laughed dismissively.

"Another actress?"

"You scammers really come prepared."

One of the lawyers quietly placed a leather folder on the counter.

"Manager Jessica Thompson?"

"Yes."

"Congratulations."

"You've just illegally detained the majority shareholder of White Capital Holdings."

Jessica's smile disappeared.

"Excuse me?"

"Theresa White owns forty-two percent of White Capital."

"That company funded the creation of this restaurant five years ago."

"Without her investment..."

"This building wouldn't exist."

Jessica stared at them.

Then burst into laughter.

"Do you seriously expect me to believe that?"

"If she's so rich, why would she come here pretending to know Dennis?"

"Because," Amelia answered calmly,

"Dennis White is her younger brother."

"Impossible."

"Dennis would've told me."

"Would he?"

"Have you ever met his parents?"

"No..."

"His sister?"

"No..."

"Any other family members?"

"No..."

"Then perhaps," Amelia said quietly,

"You don't know him as well as you think."

Jessica felt a flicker of uncertainty.

Only for a second.

Then she shook her head.

"Nice try."

"I'm calling the police myself."

"Excellent," one attorney replied.

"Please do."

"Illegal confinement, assault, defamation, unlawful detention, false imprisonment, and attempted extortion are all criminal matters."

"We're looking forward to speaking with them."

Jessica swallowed.

For the first time...

She looked nervous.

Just then, the elevator doors opened.

Dennis White rushed into the lobby, still wearing the suit from his investor meeting.

"What's going on?" he demanded.

"Amelia said Theresa's been detained?"

Jessica immediately hurried toward him.

"Honey, don't worry!"

"I caught the woman pretending to be your sister!"

"She tried to scam the restaurant!"

"I already locked her up."

Dennis froze.

"...You what?"

"Don't worry," Jessica smiled proudly.

"I protected you."

"You'll thank me later."

Dennis slowly turned toward the storage room.

His face drained of all color.

"Jessica..."

His voice had become frighteningly quiet.

"Tell me..."

"Who exactly did you lock inside?"