Chapter 6 - The Hostage Situation
I drop the phone onto the leather seat as if it is on fire. Mrs. Alvarez is the kindest woman I know, and she has a newborn baby at home.
"Turn the car around," I tell Daniel immediately.
"Emma, that is a suicide mission," Daniel argues. "They will use you as leverage to force me to drop my investigation into your father."
"I do not care about your investigation," I shout, tears streaming down my face. "I will not let an innocent teacher die because of my viral video."
Daniel studies my face for a long moment before nodding to his driver. We change course and speed toward Mrs. Alvarez's modest suburban home.
When we arrive, the street is eerily quiet. There are no police cars, no sirens, and no signs of a struggle outside.
Daniel insists on walking up to the door first, his weapon drawn and ready. I follow closely behind him, my heart pounding in my ears. He kicks the front door open, expecting a violent confrontation.
Instead, we find Mrs. Alvarez sitting comfortably on her sofa, sipping tea. Tyler is sitting across from her, his leg propped up on a cushion, looking incredibly smug.
"What is going on?" I ask, completely confused.
Mrs. Alvarez smiles at me, but it does not reach her eyes. "Hello, Emma," she says smoothly. "I am so glad you decided to join us."
Tyler laughs and pulls a thick envelope from his jacket. "Did you really think the poorest teacher in school was buying you lunch out of the goodness of her heart?" Tyler mocks.
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My brain struggles to process the betrayal unfolding right in front of me.
Mrs. Alvarez stands up and walks over to Tyler, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I have been on your father's payroll for four years, Emma," she confesses. "My job was to monitor your movements, report your grades, and ensure you never got close enough to anyone to expose the family secrets."
