Barlow's smile disappeared. He pulled her phone from his pocket and handed it to her.

"I turned it off."

Karina powered up her phone, immediately flooded by a barrage of missed calls.

Most were from Jack.

Clearly, he was worried sick when she didn't return.

Karina dialed Jack back.

“Karina, where are you?" Jack's voice trembled with urgency.

“I'm in town.”

“In town? Are you alright?"

“I'm fine. How'd your shoot go?" Karina inquired.

There was a pause.

“The production crew unexpectedly canceled my segment, saying it was a directive from their boss. What's going on, Karina?"

Donn must have been behind this.

Karina gripped her phone tightly, swallowing her anger, “It's not important. It's just one show; you'll get more opportunities. Where are you now?"

The variety show was not part of her plan. It was expendable.

"I stayed overnight at a local farmer's place since I couldn't find you and didn't know if you were coming back. I paid him to drive me into town," Jack explained.

“Where exactly are you? We can meet up."

Karina glanced at Barlow, then answered, “That won't be necessary. Head back to the company."

The last thing she wanted was for anyone to see her with Barlow.

“Alright, Karina. Are you sure you're okay

“I'm fine. We'll talk when I get back." She ended the call and looked at Barlow.

“You kept calling me yesterday like you knew something was going to happen. What do you know?"