Chapter 2They Hunted the Wrong Monster

I closed the video. A series of voice messages were still popping up in my chat.

"Made up your mind, babe? Send me your address, I'll come pick you up. We can hit the shops, maybe buy a few bags, some jewelry. What do you say?"

The voice was a low, gravelly attempt at seduction—identical to the man in the video.

I thought for a moment, then cleared my throat and sent back a voice note of my own, my tone dripping with sweetness.

"I'm not really into bags and jewelry. I'd be happy if you just bought me dinner, big boy."

Silence from his end. A moment later, a notification popped up from a private group chat.

"Dudes, what the hell? Did I actually find one of the 'good ones'? The new target just wants me to take her to dinner."

The group exploded.

"Dumbass. You still believe good girls exist? She's obviously playing the long game."

"Rule of thumb, bro: there are no women who don't want something. Only ones who pretend to be saints and ones who know they don't have the leverage."

The advice started pouring in.

"If she wants dinner, give her dinner. Top-shelf wagyu, king crab, imported caviar. The more expensive, the better."

"Broke girls have never seen real luxury. She'll be drooling. Let her order herself, you just make suggestions. Don't let her stop until she's ordered enough for seven or eight people. Enough to make someone her size literally burst."

"Once the food's on the table, tell her you hate women who waste food. If she can't finish it, you're not paying. And unlike clothes, you can't return a dish once it's been cooked. She'll either have to cough up the cash or eat till she pukes."

"Damn, that's cold. I love it."

"Yes! This is gonna be prime content. The stream is gonna blow up again, hahaha."

The chat was buzzing. No one noticed my burner account, lurking silently among them.

Finally, a new message from him came through.

"You got it. There's a five-star Michelin restaurant downtown. I'll take you for a taste."

I wiped a trickle of drool from the corner of my mouth.

"Okay."