He handed the key to Alice with a small smile. “This is for you,” he said softly. “A gift.” Everyone around them laughed. “Wait, what?” Jordan squinted at the small object. “That’s a key?” Linda leaned closer, crossing her arms. “Please tell me it’s not for a wheelchair.” Alice turned the key over in her hand, confused. “Is this… a joke?” Someone from the back shouted, “Maybe it’s for a lawnmower!” More laughter. Ben, standing off to the side with his arms crossed, scoffed. “Looks like something from the 80s.” Jordan nudged Alice. “C’mon, what is it really? You hiding a scooter somewhere?” But the guy didn’t laugh. He just stood there, calm, watching them. Alice looked up at him. “You’re serious?” He nodded. “Look at it again.” So she did. The key was heavier than she expected. And smooth. Not like a regular car key. It had a shiny black plastic head, with silver trimming. There was a logo on it—a small round badge with blue and white colors. It wasn’t very

Jordan leaned closer. “Wait… isn’t that the guy from the restaurant?” Ben’s face was turning pale. “Why’s he with them?” The small man stepped forward calmly, voice quiet but sharp. “Here I am now,” he said, eyes locked on Ben. “What was that you were saying before?” Ben stiffened. His heart dropped straight to his stomach. No way. No way. What the hell is this? He tried to play it off. He really did. But inside? His thoughts were spiraling fast. Why’s he here? Why is he with them? This can’t be right. I slapped this guy—what the hell is he doing walking in with these dangerous looking people? Still, Ben forced his chin up. Tried to act like he wasn’t sweating through his collar. “I… I work for the Irving family,” Ben said, voice louder than it needed to be. “So watch your mouth.” The small man stopped walking. He blinked. Just once. No change in expression. No shouting. Just one quiet moment— SMACK! The slap echoed through the lot like a gunshot. And it was funny. Stu

Ben wobbled closer to Alice, one hand clutching his ribs, the other wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His voice came out shaky, rushed, and low.“Alice… Alice, Al, please,” he said, glancing nervously between her and Nolan. “He’s serious. Just—just do what he says, okay? Don’t make it worse.”Alice’s eyes narrowed. “What the hell did you just say?”Ben took another step toward her, desperation painted all over his face. “If you go with him. Just for tonight. Maybe he’ll drop it. Maybe it ends here, and nobody else gets hurt.”Alice blinked in disbelief. “You want me to go with him?” She looked him up and down, disgust growing on her face. “Are you out of your damn mind, Ben?”Ben swallowed. “He’s Leo Vaughn’s brother. The Leo Vaughn. Vaughn Hotels, Vaughn Towers—he’s from that billionaire family, Alice. This guy could bury all of us. I messed up, okay? If you just go, it might fix it.”Her mouth fell open, a bitter laugh escaping. “So because you messed up, I’m supposed to be