Sara told Jude to get her phone from the kitchen counter. Jude nodded and bolted to the kitchen. He got the phone and came running back.
She put the TV to mute and dialed her manager’s number. It started ringing and the manager picked up on the third ring.
[Hello? How can I help you Sara?]
The manager’s raspy voice came through the phone. He sounded expectant. Sara had put the phone on speaker as per Arthur’s instructions.
Everyone was quietly listening.
Arthur was looking ahead but his full attention was here.
"Um, I... I’m not gonna be able to come to work from tomorrow onwards."
[... What...? Is something that wrong? You can tell me. I can help.]
The manager said worriedly.
"No, no. Nothing wrong. It’s just that my b-boyfriend doesn’t want me to work anymore. So... I hope you understand."
[You’ve got a boyfriend? Since when? Why didn’t you tell me?]
The manager said, his voice rising slightly. He sounded a bit agitated.
Sara frowned. Although she could answer since when, why would she tell the manager about her personal affairs? Whether or not she is single or started dating, that should not be any of the manager’s concern.
"...I don’t believe I have any obligation to tell you anything. I’m my own person and I don’t think I need to keep you updated on everything that happens in my life for no reason whatsoever."
She said firmly. There was a pause on the other side. As if the manager was processing what he was hearing.
Sara felt her irritation rise up and was about to hang up when Arthur stopped her. He gestured to her not to hang up. The reason is simple, he wanted to know what level of threat this manager was.
From how he talked, it was clear he had feelings for Sara. From Sara’s reaction, she was probably aware of it and had deliberately chosen to ignore it all the years.
Sara nodded and didn’t hang up with a displeased expression. She was clearly aware and didn’t like the manager at all.
[I—yes. What you say makes sense. But still, don’t you think I at least deserve to know that as a Co worker who has worked with you for so long?]
The manager now sounded both desperate and hurt. Arthur could feel that the manager was about to show his true colors any moment. He seemed at an edge. Barely hanging on to a thread of Sanity.
"No?"
Sara said flatly. Arthur turned to her, impressed. He turned back nodding. He couldn’t help but wonder if money was getting to her head as well. Her voice now carried more confidence and firmness when she started the call.
Like she subconsciously realised she won’t have to put up with people’s nonsense anymore.
[What...? Sara. How could you say that? Did you forget the times I have helped you? You could you be so—]
"You mean the things any manager is expected to do?"
[Yeah, but what about the—]
"Manager, I fail to understand why you care about my personal life? I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions. I know what is best for me."
[...I’m sorry. I may have been a bit rude. Sigh~. I’m just worried about you. You know I care about a lot right? What if that guy is just after your beauty? What is his ploy to make you dependent on him so you can not help but turn to him every time you need something? Think about it.]
The manager said in a relatively calm manner. Arthur smiled, amused. Sara clenched her jaws, clearly about to explode. She knew who was after her body and who was not. And she cannot stand this hypocrisy.
But before she could, she felt a tap on her shoulder, she snapped her head to the side and found Arthur smiling amusingly.
He shook his head. He leaned over and tapped the mute option.
"Entertain him for a bit more. Let’s rip the bud before it grows into something else. We need to know how far he is willing to go to obtain you first. And take actions against it."
Arthur explained with a chuckle. And without waiting for Sara’s response, he sat back, took out his phone, started typing something with a goofy chuckle.
"Oh. I forgot. Send him a screenshot of your bank balance."
Arthur said hastily, before Sara could unmute. Sara paused again. She stared at this man and she did not have a good feeling about this. She won’t lie, she somehow started to feel bad for her manager. But she didn’t understand why that was the case.
She just signed and shook her head. She did what she was told. She took a screenshot of her bank balance.
The manager on the other hand was silently waiting. Half hoping and half convinced that he has managed to make Sara aware of the danger.
Sara sent the screenshot on the chat and unmuted. She didn’t say anything. What could she even say? She was completely at a loss for words.
The manager viewed the pic and was stunned.
[Sara, I told you didn’t I? He is after your body. He is buying you. Taking advantage of your situation. Didn’t you turn down many rich people because you couldn’t get to sell yourself? Sara, listen to me, if he is threatening you, we can seek out help. You don’t have to do this alone.]
The manager now sounded agitated. She was about to respond when a message came, it was from her bank. Another ten thousand dollars have been deposited in her account. She turned to Arthur, a bit speechless.
But he just gestured to her to check the notification and send the screenshot account balance and the message he has sent.
She sighed and did as she was told. Her balance made her pause involuntarily for a moment. It was still kind of surreal to her how her balance jumps. But she took another screenshot. She went to the chat and she won’t lie, it was the most flirtatious and promiscuous text she has ever read aside from smut.
Arthur from the side could barely contain his laugh.
She pursed her lips, took a screen of the chat, sent both to the manager.
Arthur stared in front of him, he was expecting a big return this time. He doesn’t know how big. Maybe 5X or even 10X. Because he certainly did Simp.
[Ding!]
[Simping Detected.]
[$10,000 Spent on Eligible Women!]
[Cashback Triggered: 10X!]
[$100,000 has been transferred to Host’s bank account!]
Arthur’s eyes went wide and the next instant, a notification arrived on his phone. Saying he received a hundred thousand dollars.