Part of me thinks she won’t come. That there’s no way Jasmine Biao, the spoiled little princess, will ever turn up for her scheduled humiliation the next evening. After all, even with her parents’ safety on the line, since when are any of the Biaos selfless?

Hugh Biao would never do the same for her, if the situations were reversed. He’d never lower himself to save his daughter. The thought wouldn’t even occur to him as an option, and Jasmine and I both know it. She’s no fool, whatever else her flaws.

Yet at eight o’clock precisely, there’s a soft knock at my office door. It’s dark outside already, city...