Lily first looked at Mike, then averted her gaze from the tiny man. She rejected his request outright: "No! I have my family, friends, and career. How will I contact them if I give you my phone? I'm here to work for your organization, not to become your prisoner. My phone contains private information. How can I simply hand it over? And how can I be sure you won't harm my family?"

"You're overthinking," the man replied slowly. "Since you're cooperating, you're part of us. Why would we make things difficult for our people? We don't need to do anything regarding your family. We wouldn't want to cause any problems."

Lily sneered. "What a joke! You've hurt people for no reason before. You don't trust me, and I don't trust you. How can I be sure you won't create problems? What about Mike's son? Is holding an innocent child captive not making your people's lives difficult?"

Mike looked up at Lily in surprise. His eyes revealed his emotion. He turned to the man behind him. He hadn't heard from his son in a long time, relying only on occasional video calls for reassurance. His patience was wearing thin.

The man licked his lip, gritted his teeth, and stared at Lily. He hadn't expected such resistance. "That's none of your business. I'll keep my promise."

"Why should I trust you?" Lily retorted. "You don't trust me—that's why you want my phone. Since you don't trust me, how can you expect me to trust you?" Seeing the man's silence, she turned toward the elevator. "Since we can't agree, there's no point in discussing collaboration. Trust is crucial. Since you doubt me, we're better off not starting. Your organization has many capable people."

She walked toward the elevator, betting on her importance to their project.

Just as she reached the doors, the man's voice boomed, "Stop!"

Lily stopped but didn't turn.

"Fine. It's just a phone. I won't take it."

Lily turned, her brow raised, ensuring he was serious.

The man said calmly, "I understand, but don't forget this is my territory. I'll know everything you do or say!" He pointed to his ears and eyes, a clear reference to surveillance.

Lily, aware of this, smirked. "Of course, but you're mistaken. I need to correct you."

"Oh?"

"This place is the country's territory, not yours!" Lily smiled coldly, her gaze hardening.