"No!" Sophia exclaimed; her voice laced with panic. "I won't let you go! What if they hurt you?"
Ethan's heart warmed at her concern. "Don't worry, I'll be careful. I have to handle this, Sophia. If we give in to their demands, it'll set a dangerous precedent. Anyone could make false accusations and extort us."
He paused; his expression serious. "Sometimes, taking a calculated risk is necessary."
Sophia, after a moment of thought, agreed. "Alright... but be careful, please."
She picked up her phone. "I'll call someone for you... There's a new security manager, Clark Lewis. He's ex-military, knows how to handle himself, and he's a good guy. Let him go with you. Just in case."
Ethan was about to refuse, but seeing the worry in Sophia's eyes, he relented. "Okay."
As Ethan re
