"She went to the restroom?" Yvonne muttered and nced around the room as if searching for the restroom''s location.


    Noticing her concern for Rose, Jack gestured for Yvonne to take a seat. "Ms. Spencer, please have a seat."


    Yvonne took a moment to observe the man on the couch. He wore a ck shirt and gold-rimmed sses and appeared to be in his 20s. Despite his friendly smile, something about his gaze made her ufortable. "Come. Sit down and have some coffee," Jack said, pouring her a cup. "While we wait for Ms. Shaffer, we can discuss the rmendation slot for the Sardovia Royal Dance Academy."


    Yvonne hesitated before finally approaching, her unease lingering. Jack noticed how mentioning Rose seemed to ease Yvonne''s tension and recognized the advantage it offered.


    Once she took a seat, Jack engaged her in conversation. "Ms. Shaffer told me you''re her best friend. Is that true?"


    "Yes," Yvonne responded, feeling slightly on edge and deliberately choosing a seat as far from Jack as possible.


    Although irritated, Jack maintained his calm demeanor, reminding himself there was ample time to bridge the gap between them.


    He sipped his coffee and eyed the untouched cup in front of Yvonne. "Ms. Shaffer mentioned that this coffee is excellent. You should try it."


    Yvonne nced at the coffee table, noting an empty cup that had seemingly been used. Despite this, she remained wary.


    With growing concern over Rose''s continued absence, she suggested, "Perhaps I should check on her in the restroom? She''s been gone a while, and I''m getting worried." She knew she wouldn''t feel at ease until she saw Rose with her own eyes.


    Jack''s hand momentarily tightened around his cup, but he swiftly regained his calm demeanor before leisurely taking a sip. "Of course, the restroom is over there," he said with a warm smile, gesturing toward its direction. Feeling a surge of relief, Yvonne thanked him and quickly made her way to the restroom. As soon as she was out of sight, Jack''s genial expression morphed into a chilling, predatory gaze, his eyes glinting with malice. Arriving at the restroom door, Yvonne knocked, her unease intensifying at theck of response. Overwhelmed by concern for Rose''s well-being, she turned the doorknob, finding it unlocked.


    Upon opening the door, she called out "Rose," only to be greeted by an unfamiliar figure-a slender woman with an unsettling smile.


    Yvonne''s immediate instinct was to search for Rose, but before she could grasp the situation, the woman pulled out something and sprayed it in her direction.


    She instantly felt an overwhelming weakness spread through her body. Her legs gave out, but she managed to support herself against the doorframe, preventing her from copsing to the floor.


    "What... did you do to me? Where''s Rose?" Yvonne demanded, her speech unaffected despite the weakness in her body as she held onto the doorframe for support.


    The woman in the restroom scrutinized Yvonne, her eyes shing with a hint of envy. She couldn''t understand why Jack had chosen her even though there were so many dancers on stage who were more beautiful than Yvonne. Receiving no response, Yvonne gritted her teeth and growled, "Where''s Rose? What have you done to her?"


    "Shouldn''t you be more worried about yourself?"


    A male voice sounded from behind. Yvonne''s heart skipped a beat as she turned to face the man from the couch, his smile sending a chill down her spine.


    "Who are you?" She struggled to remain standing, leaning against the wall for support.


    "You don''t know me?" Jack replied, clearly enjoying the situation. His eyes gleamed with a predatory light. "I''m Jack Finch. I''ve done a lot for you, you know? Like sponsoring today''s performance and providing the venue for the celebration party."


    "For me?" Yvonne thought. The man in front of her instilled a sense of fear in her, but there was something else she needed to confirm. "Where''s Rose?" she asked again.


    Jack was surprised by Yvonne''s continued concern for her friend, which only served to intensify his interest in her.


    "I want you. As long as you be my girlfriend, I won''t harm her," he promised. He knew better than to cross Jonathan over a woman.


    Yvonne understood the implication behind his words. Being his "girlfriend" would likely mean submitting to his desires.


    "It''s not like you''ll let me go if I refuse


    anyway," she said, struggling to keep herself upright. She was utterly powerless at that moment, like amb to the ughter. Yet, she refused to submit without a fight.


    "I need to make sure she''s safe!" She didn''t trust Jack.


    Jack raised an eyebrow, enjoying her defiance despite her vulnerability. Her struggle made conquering her even more satisfying.


    "Fine. I''ll let you confirm her safety."


    He pulled out his phone and made a call. "Make sure Ms. Shaffer is safely escorted out," he instructed.


    The phone was on speaker, and after receiving confirmation from the other end, Jack turned to Yvonne with a smirk. "Are you satisfied now?"


    There was no way Yvonne would feel satisfied knowing she was now in the clutches of this devilish man. She understood what he expected in return for Rose''s safety, but at least she knew Rose would be safe.


    She clenched her teeth. "As long as Rose ispletely out of your grasp, I''ll be your girlfriend." She could start making ns only when Rose was free from his demonic clutches.


    ...


    Rose woke up to find herself in the backseat of a car, her body feeling groggy and disoriented. As her eyes fluttered open, memories from before she lost consciousness began to surface.


    She recalled exiting the elevator and searching the entire room for Jonathan before realizing something was amiss.


    Just as she was piecing things together, she inhaled a strange scent, and everything went ck. Now, as she stepped out of the car onto the dimly lit, deserted street, she wondered where she was. "Yvonne!" Rose cried out, immediately taking out her phone to call Yvonne''s number.


    , it rang endlessly with no answer. Panic set in as she repeatedly tried to reach Yvonne, only for each attempt to be met with the same result.


    Feeling a growing sense of dread,


    she swiftly pulled up her navigation app. Discovering that her current


    location was several miles away.et


    from the club, she wondered Yvonne was still there. Regardless, Rose knew she had to retum and search for her friend.