"Tess, I have something important to tell you."

This was Lilah's backup plan. If Tess fell for it, it could be proof.

Lilah sent the message and waited for two minutes until Tess replied, "Do I know you?"

"It doesn't matter if you don't recognize me. You're familiar with the props manager from your crew, right?"

After this message, the reply came swiftly. “What are you talking about? I don't get it."

Lilah continued, “Really? Would you like me to jog your memory about this morning's shoot?"

Tess fired back, "Who in the world are you? What do you want? What's your connection to him?"

"My identity isn't important. What's crucial is that I possess evidence you were in the props room," Lilah replied, her message laced with mystery.

"Do you expect me to trust you?" Tess shot back.

Lilah quickly typed and sent another message, saying, “If you don't believe me, then don't blame me when I turn the evidence over to the police. Consider the consequences for you. I think that says enough."

Tess quickly responded, “Wait, what do you want? I can meet your demands. But first, I need all the evidence you have."

Hearing this, Lilah smiled. “Exactly. I need five million dollars for my grandfather's medical treatment. I'll send you a bank account number; just transfer the money there."

"Okay, I'll pay you. But you have to promise not to let slip what you know!"

Lilah pulled out her phone, captured screenshots of her conversation with Tess, and saved them.

Then she replied, “Don't worry. As soon as the money hits my account, I'll hand over the evidence to you."

"It's a deal!" Tess responded.

Moments after that exchange, the money was transferred in less than a minute.

With a smirk, Lilah also saved a screenshot of the transaction confirmation.

Once she had secured everything, there was a knock at the door. Lilah approached the door cautiously and only relaxed when she saw it was Gerard through the peephole. She opened the door.

"Gerard, don't you have a key?"

Lilah asked as she let him in. After entering, Gerard looked at her and explained, "Yes, I do have a key, but I left in a rush this morning and forgot it."

"Alright. Have you had anything to eat?" After shutting the door, Lilah approached him.

Gerard nodded. "Yes. How's everything progressing?"

She settled onto the sofa, sitting cross-legged. “We've made some progress."