The hotel room's door remained wide open. Though there were no other rooms on the top floor, and it was unlikely anyone would pass by, Zoe, thrown onto the bed and able to see the empty corridor outside, felt her disheveled state was exposed for all to see.

Barrett, clearly unconcerned about her feelings or closing the door, loomed over her with a tie yanked off and face full of rage.

"Contact Penelope, cancel the contract, get the rights back. Zoe, I'm telling you one last time, forget about selling it to him."

Zoe scrambled up, retreating on the bed as Barrett's arm blocked her escape. Trapped, she could only...