The man clumsily fumbled with Raegan's phone, asking in a rush, “Quick! What's the transfer passcode?"

Suddenly, Raegan's phone rang again, showing Mitchel's number.

The man looked confused. "What's this about now?"

Raegan, thinking on her feet, said, "He's probably telling me to cancel the ride. If I don't, he can't get to his next customer."

The man attempted to cancel the ride as Raegan suggested but struggled with the task.

As Raegan's phone kept buzzing, the man's frustration increased.

"What's the deal with this useless phone!"

Raegan saw her chance. “Let me do it, please. It needs a fingerprint to work."

The man looked at her, wary. “You're not trying to trick me into freeing you, are you?"

"Of course not," Raegan replied, her voice shaking. "Fingerprint verification is quick. Plus, if I handle the transfer, there's no risk of entering the wrong password."

The man found Raegan's words sensible. Using fingerprint unlocking meant there was no chance of Raegan typing an incorrect password.

Watching the man think, Raegan urged, "Look at me. I couldn't possibly pose any threat to you..."

Raegan's shoulders trembled, and her face, once vibrant, was now pale with fear.

The man menacingly held the knife closer to Raegan. “Any tricks, and you'll regret it.”

Raegan nodded repeatedly.

The man sliced through the ropes but kept the knife close to Raegan's neck, watching her every move.

Luckily, the app Raegan had booked for a taxi was set to look for another ride if the first one was missed. If not, her bluff might have been called.

After she canceled the ride, Raegan started transferring the money, her head down and her body shaking. Yet, her gaze cautiously measured the distance to the knife and the man's position.

Raegan's mind raced, analyzing the situation. They were mismatched in strength. The self-defense moves she had learned were more about protection than attack, not strong enough to be offensive. It meant she had only one chance.

Mitchel appeared to have gotten her earlier hint, but when he would get here was unknown. Raegan didn't dare to solely rely on that.