Chapter 2 Nobody Helps for Free

• Aria Bennett stood outside the glass facade of the Northbridge Financial Building. Cold autumn wind whipped through her jacket, but she barely felt the chill.
• She checked her phone screen before pushing through the heavy revolving doors into the lobby.
• Her late father's brother, Uncle Richard, ran a prosperous logistics firm on the twelfth floor. He was her only relative with real financial means.
• Aria took the elevator up, her heart pounding while the digital floor indicator climbed.
• When the doors slid open, a receptionist greeted her with a polite, professional smile.
• "May I help you?" the receptionist asked.
• "I am here to see Richard Bennett," Aria said. "I am his niece, Aria."
• The receptionist checked her monitor before looking up. "Mr. Bennett has a few minutes before his meeting. You may go right in."
• Aria walked down the carpeted hallway and knocked on the heavy oak door.
• "Come in," a deep voice called out from inside.
• Aria opened the door and stepped into the corner office. Richard Bennett sat behind a desk, scanning financial reports on a monitor.
• He looked up, his expression cooling as he recognized her.
• "Aria," Richard said, leaning back in his leather chair. "What brings you to my office on a Monday morning?"
• "It is about Mom," Aria said, stepping closer to the desk. "She is in St. Catherine Medical Center. Her condition has worsened."
• Richard sighed, folding his hands over his desk. "I am sorry to hear that, Aria. Grace has been struggling for a long time."
• "The hospital found a treatment that can save her," Aria explained, her fingers clenching into fists.
• "However, the deposit is fifty thousand Credits," she added. "We need to pay it within three days."
• Richard stared at her for a long moment, his face showing no sympathy.
• "Fifty thousand Credits is a substantial amount of money, Aria," Richard said quietly.
• "I am asking for a loan," Aria admitted, holding his cold gaze. "I will work as many jobs as it takes to pay you back with interest."
• Richard let out a dry laugh and shook his head. "And how long would that take? You are nineteen with no degree, no assets, and no career."
• Aria bit her lip, refusing to look away. "Please, Uncle Richard. She is your brother's widow. We have nowhere else to turn."
• "Business does not operate on family sentiment," Richard replied coldly. "A loan requires collateral or a guaranteed return. You have neither."
• "So you are saying no?" Aria asked, her voice tight with desperation.
• "I cannot give you fifty thousand Credits for free," Richard said, adjusting his watch. "However, I might offer a different arrangement."
• Aria narrowed her eyes cautiously. "What kind of arrangement?"
• "My company is expanding transport routes near the System Zones," Richard explained, leaning over his desk. "We need individuals willing to sign long-term labor contracts."
• "What does that mean?" Aria asked.
• "You sign a ten-year contract with my firm," Richard said smoothly. "In exchange, I will advance the money for your mother's treatment today."
• Aria stared at him in disbelief, horror settling in her stomach. "Ten years? That is basically indentured servitude."
• "It is a legal employment contract," Richard countered calmly. "The work near the zones carries severe safety risks. That is why the advance covers the treatment."
• "You want me to risk my life for ten years just to pay for my mother's medical care?" Aria asked, her chest heaving with anger.
• "I am offering you a practical solution," Richard replied, picking up a gold pen.
• "No bank in the city will lend you fifty Credits, let alone fifty thousand," he added coldly. "Take the contract or walk out."
• Aria looked at her uncle, seeing only cold calculation in his eyes. He was exploiting her desperation to secure cheap labor for dangerous work.
• "Keep your contract," Aria said sharply, turning toward the exit. "I will find another way."
• "There is no other way for someone like you, Aria," Richard called after her. "You will be back before the deadline."
• Aria slammed the door shut behind her, the loud bang echoing through the corridor. She marched past the receptionist and entered the empty elevator.
• As the elevator descended, she stared at her reflection in the metal doors. She was furious and terrified, but she refused to surrender her freedom.
• She stepped out into the chilly city air and took a deep breath. She had two days left, and she would save her mother on her own terms.