Nicole's heart raced. Despite the gnawing fear in her heart, she forced herself to remain calm and said, "I'm sorry. I must've gone to the wrong place."

She then turned to the door and yanked on it a few times but it wouldn't budge.

"No, you're not in the wrong place," Howe said. He came so close to Nicole that she could hear him breathing.

His voice made Nicole feel sick to her stomach and made her hair stand on end. Moreover, her hand on the doorknob shook.

“What do you mean?" Nicole stammered in fear.

“Don't you realize what's going on?" Howe responded.

Nicole's heart sank. While trying her best to stay calm, she clenched her fist and feigned ignorance. "I don't understand. Please open the door. I want to go back."

Howe burst into laughter. He placed his hand on Nicole's shoulder and slowly slid it down. "Do I really have to spell it out for you?

Jarrod sent you to me.”

As he spoke, his hand crept toward her collar.

Nicole slapped his hand away and stepped back. With her eyes fixed on him, she asked in disbelief, “Did Jarrod really say that?"

Howe's hand stung from the slap. Annoyed, he scoffed, "Of course! Who do you think you are? Jarrod sent you to me after I mentioned you once."

Nicole coldly chuckled to herself. What Jarrod had done didn't surprise her. It was something he would likely do, after all.

“Even if it was Jarrod, he has no right to send me to you. Open the door now, or I'll call the police!" She took out her cell phone, ready to call the police.

Smack! Her phone suddenly clattered to the floor.

Howe approached her, his eyes narrowed sinisterly.

Nicole sensed the danger and quickly stepped back. Upon realizing she couldn't escape through the door, she instead bolted upstairs for a room to hide in.

Unfortunately, Howe caught her hair just as she reached the stairs.

The pain was intense, and her scalp felt Like her hair might tear off.

"Ouch!" Nicole cried out, tears springing to her eyes.