Chapter 3

Elena pressed her back firmly against the heavy metal door.

Lara quickly ran over to support her. "Elena, be careful with your wrist! Don't let her get to you."

Vicky stood by, sneering. "Chloe, you're crossing the line. You're just the assistant manager. Do you think you own this place?"

"You usually act so quiet, but who knew you'd hold a grudge over thirty bucks? You're just trying to humiliate Elena."

I stood my ground, my voice flat.

"If Elena says everything is in there, let me take a quick look. It takes five minutes to run the infrared scanner."

"If you're so terrified of letting me in, is it because the bags aren't actually in there?"

The room went dead silent.

Could the inventory really be gone?

In retail, that meant grand larceny. That meant prison.

Lara’s hand, which was holding Elena’s arm, stiffened. Slowly, she let go and took a step back.

Elena’s expression turned venomous. "Chloe! Stop throwing around cheap accusations!"

"Fine. You want to check? Be my guest."

She reached into her pocket with her left hand, pulled out the key, and shoved it into the lock.

But as she slowly turned it, she suddenly slammed her wrist downward with force.

Snap!

A sharp metallic sound echoed.

The key had snapped in half. One half was in her hand; the other half was wedged deep inside the lock.

Elena gasped, holding up the broken piece, looking like an innocent victim.

"Oh my god... My sprained wrist gave out. I can't believe I broke the key!"

She turned to me, a smirk flashing in her eyes before she quickly concealed it.

"What a shame, Chloe. The lock is broken."

"Even if I wanted to let you inspect it now, we can't."

The floating text flashed furiously again.

[She did that on purpose!]

[The courier truck loaded with the stolen goods is parked in the B2 basement right now! She is just stalling so her accomplice can drive away!]

[Open that door now, or the evidence will be gone forever!]

Lara let out a sigh of relief and picked up her purse again.

"Well, that's that. Even God doesn't want us to work overtime tonight."

Vicky yanked my arm, irritated. "Chloe, have you had enough? The key is literally broken. What do you want to do now? Ram the door down with your head?"

Elena sighed, walking over to hand me the clipboard again.

"Chloe, we have no choice. Just sign it. I'll call a locksmith first thing in the morning."

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and started dialing.

"The lock is broken? Fine. I'm calling mall security to breach the door."

"That door is opening tonight."