It was Monday, the day after Cassy's unforgettable encounter with Carlos. The air was filled with both curiosity and disbelief as Theresa, Cassy, and Allaine gathered in the house lounge, replaying a recording of the confrontation. The audio played Cassy's voice, strong and unyielding: 
 
"Actually, Mom, it's quite relevant. For example, one of our initial observations is that individuals who earn their way often display higher levels of resilience, innovation, and ethical decision-making compared to those who begin with inherited wealth. They can sympathize better with employees because they felt what it's like to be at ground zero. But of course, there are exceptions." 
 
Theresa and Allaine's eyes widened, their jaws almost dropping as they heard Cassy's words. 
 
"Is that really you, Cassy? I mean, it sounds like you, but the way you speak is different," Allaine said, her eyebrows raised. 
 
"It feels like Mikayla possessed her," Theresa chimed in, shaking her head in wonder. 
 
Mikayla, who had been quietly sipping her coffee, looked up, surprised by the sudden focus on her. "Wait, why me?" she asked, feigning innocence. 
 
"Aren't you proud?" Allaine teased, a playful glint in her eye. 
 
"Well, but yes," Mikayla replied, a triumphant smirk spreading across her face. 
 
"Well, only you can speak strongly like that, but that was brutal of you, Cassy. You left no room for a little fun for him," Theresa said, her tone half-admiring, half-reproachful. 
 
"Yeah, sister, I was panicking then," Cassy admitted, her voice betraying her lingering unease. 
 
Mikayla sighed and leaned back, her mind whirring. "But what surprised me the most is the guy's density and ignorance. He took 'ignorance is bliss' to a whole new level." She paused, shaking her head in disbelief. "Normally guys would flee to salvage their remaining reputation. But not him. He just stood there, defiant, as if he were enjoying the challenge. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You know it's going to end badly, but you can't look away." Mikayla paused. 
"but in his case, he didn't care how much blow to his reputation he took. I must say he's a persistent bastard, a tough cookie," Mikayla explained, her voice laced with both frustration and begrudging respect. 
 
Allaine's eyes narrowed as she considered the implications, and she leaned forward, her hands clasped tightly. "What worries me," she began, pausing to choose her words carefully, "is the last part wherein it only emboldens him for a chase. There's a certain thrill to the hunt, an obsession that grows with each twist and turn." She took a deep breath, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "The predator watches and waits, enjoying every moment of resistance, every fleeting escape. It's a relentless pursuit that only ends when the prey is utterly exhausted, cornered with no way out." 
 
Her words hung heavily in the room, each one like a weight pulling them down into the reality of the situation. 
 
"So he's going to wear Cassy down?" Mikayla asked, her eyes wide with concern. 
 
"It might be the plan," Allaine confirmed, her face pale with the gravity of her own words. "Plus, he already got to Cassy's parents. It's a huge factor unless Cassy cuts off her family." She looked at Cassy, searching her eyes for any sign of agreement. 
 
"I can't," Cassy replied, her voice breaking. "Everything I did is for them." 
 
Theresa, who had been quietly absorbing the conversation, finally spoke. "What are Cassy's chances?" she asked, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her worry. 
 
Allaine's face tightened, and she looked away for a moment, as if gathering the strength to speak the truth. "Very low," she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness. "With her family conspiring with Carlos, it's just a matter of time before they use underhanded tactics to blow Cassy's cover or finally exhaust her." Her eyes met Cassy's, filled with determination and a hint of fear. "We need to act fast, be one step ahead, and most importantly, be united." 
 
Everyone looked at each other, understanding the severity of the situation. It wasn't just a game anymore; it was a battle for Cassy's future, her identity, and perhaps even her sanity. 
The gravity of the situation seemed to seep into every corner of the room, the once-comfortable house lounge now feeling like a war room. Tension hung in the air, mingling with a sense of determination. The furniture, the paintings on the walls, even the soft hum of the air conditioner all seemed to take a back seat to the pressing issue at hand. 
 
"What should I do, sister?" Cassy asked, her voice trembling with worry. Her eyes were wide, her face pale as she looked to Allaine for guidance. 
 
Allaine's eyes softened, and she moved from her chair to sit beside Cassy on the couch, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Her expression was calm but her eyes betrayed a deep concern. "Well, we could help you, assuming that you don't want to solve this alone?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm. 
 
"I don't want to bother you, sisters," Cassy replied, her voice sad and small, almost lost amidst the weight of her situation. 
 
Allaine's face broke into a warm smile, the serious atmosphere lifting for a moment. "It's fine with me; this house needs some excitement. How about the two of you?" she said, pointing to Theresa and Mikayla with a playful glint in her eye. 
 
Mikayla's face broke into a grin. "It's my little sister; how could I say no? And you are correct; we do need this excitement," she responded, her voice filled with determination and a hint of mischief. 
 
Theresa, always the thoughtful and nurturing one, added, "Little sister needs help, and no matter how busy I may be with other things, I will always make time for her. This is what family is for, and we will stand together." 
 
Cassy's eyes welled with tears, a smile breaking through her worry. She quickly wiped the tears building up in her eyes, her face glowing with gratitude. 
 
"Thank you, sisters, I know I can count on you!" Cassy exclaimed, her voice filled with happiness, relief washing over her. 
 
The room was filled with a newfound energy, the fear and uncertainty replaced by a shared purpose. They were in this together, and they were going to fight with everything they had. 
The girls shared a group hug, a moment of solidarity and determination before embarking on a shared mission. They pulled away, excitement and resolve sparkling in their eyes. 
 
"Now we need all the forces and delegate tasks. I'll fill Priscilla in on the information; let's call this group the 'Cassy's War Council,'" Allaine said with enthusiasm, her eyes gleaming with determination. 
 
"Now, there will be positions in this war council, so Theresa, since she is the old-" Allaine was stopped mid-sentence by Theresa swatting her shoulder and giving her a sharp glare. 
 
Allaine chuckled, correcting herself, "Since she is the fairest of them all, she will be the high counsel. She will act as Cassy's right-hand woman, a wise overseer, synthesizing suggestions, and providing overarching guidance to ensure strategies align with our sister Cassy's values and goals." 
 
Theresa's face softened, and she nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude and determination. "It is my honor, and I accept this responsibility wholeheartedly. We will stand together, and I will do my best to support Cassy and all of you in this endeavor," she said, her voice strong and resolute. 
 
"As for my position, I will be the master of psychological warfare. I will focus on the mental and emotional game, anticipating next moves, and devising counter-strategies," Allaine explained, her voice filled with confidence. 
 
"Mikayla will be the commander of misdirection. You will be tasked with crafting diversions and deceptive tactics. You'll try to stall him, lead him astray, or confuse him," Allaine said, looking at Mikayla with an expectant smile. 
 
"Easy," Mikayla replied, her voice filled with confidence, a playful smirk on her face. "He won't know what hit him." 
 
"Pris, who's not here at this moment, will be the chief intelligence officer. She'll be tasked with gathering information on Carlos and his allies, uncovering their motives, strategies, and potential weaknesses," Allaine continued, her voice serious and focused. 
 
The room was filled with a sense of purpose as each girl accepted her role, understanding the importance of their mission. They were united, each bringing their unique strengths and talents to the battle ahead. 
 
"With that, the Cassy's War Council is assembled. Let's do our best!" Allaine announced, her voice ringing with determination. 
Cassy looked around the room, her heart swelling with gratitude. Her sisters were her lifeline, her fortress in this relentless battle. They weren't just supporting her, they were fighting with her. 
 
"But why fight so hard against this, Cassy?" Theresa asked, her eyes filled with genuine curiosity. 
 
Cassy looked down for a moment, searching for the right words. "Because I don't want to marry for money. I want to marry for love. I want my first to be my last. I want a love that's true and pure, not forced or bought." 
 
The room fell silent, understanding dawning in their eyes. Each girl seemed to resonate with Cassy's desire, knowing that what she was fighting for was something beautiful and rare. 
 
"Now, let's get to work. We'll fight together, as sisters," Cassy proclaimed, her voice filled with determination. 
The next day, Theresa called for an emergency meeting. The house lounge was transformed into a war room, whiteboards scattered all around with charts, timelines, and various notes. 
 
As Cassy entered the room, dressed in loose, comfortable pants and a simple yet stylish t-shirt with her hair in a casual bun, Priscilla's incredulous voice cut through the air, "What the hell? Why are you all dressed so casually? This is a war meeting!" 
 
The girls laughed at Priscilla's complaint, her military uniform contrasting sharply with their relaxed attire. 
 
"Thank you very much for attending this emergency meeting on short notice. As you can see, I've prepared complimentary snacks and drinks, so help yourselves," Theresa graciously offered as everyone settled at the table and started jotting notes. 
 
"First and foremost, let's recap the problem and the current situation. Carlos has started conspiring with Cassy's family to push the idea of marriage. Cassy has tried her hardest to dissuade him through intense trash talking, to no avail. That's why we're here, sisters," Theresa paused, letting the gravity of the situation sink in. 
 
"Let's acknowledge the escalating situation first, and let's create a coherent system that we can use to protect our sister," Theresa continued, inviting Allaine to stand. "Allaine, if you would?" 
 
"Thank you, Theresa," Allaine began, her voice filled with urgency. "Our target, Carlos Antalan, is using resistance as fuel. He's either feigning ignorance or truly ignorant of the situation he's in. Regardless of what it is, we agree that it's dangerous because it's going to exhaust Cassy, using everything at his disposal. At this point, Cassy is very vulnerable to this kind of strategy. She has secrets to protect, and Carlos is now using her family to his advantage. We need to ensure that Cassy's mental health remains robust as we try to fend off Carlos. If we are to win, we must be relentless but also thoughtful, strategic but also compassionate. This is not just about winning a battle; it's about preserving what makes Cassy herself." 
 
There was a pause as Allaine's words hung heavily in the room. "Theresa, take the spotlight," she concluded, giving way to Theresa. 
 
"Thank you, Allaine," Theresa said, standing up again. "We need to discuss the creation of a system. First, I would like to introduce the new group chat app designed and created by Priscilla." 
 
Priscilla, sounding like the tech expert she was, cleared her throat and said, "It's my turn already? Ugh, okay. This messaging app is more than a mere communication tool. I've used a similar application with my guild mates in a game. It's super secure and equipped with a multitude of features. It can show our locations on a map, assuming you don't turn off that feature. But what truly sets it apart is its security. The group chat will only accept, receive, and send messages if it matches unique PGP keys that I've issued to each of you. Plus, I've added emergency features, like activating a GPS coordinate share with everyone and immediately phoning the nearest authorities. This isn't just a chat; it's our lifeline." 
 
Priscilla's words were met with appreciative nods, her expertise instilling confidence in the team. 
 
Priscilla, after explaining the features of the app, returned to her seat. "Good work, Pris, thank you. Now we will move to the alert system," Theresa announced, her eyes sharp and focused as she began drawing five columns on one of the whiteboards. Each was labeled from Level 5 to 1. 
 
"Let me introduce you to the alert system," she began, her voice steady and authoritative. "Think of it as our DEFCON system. Level 5 represents a state of normalcy and peace, while Level 1 is the most critical stage, where our secrets are in immediate danger. Cassy, you will be our eyes and ears; we need you to keep us regularly updated. Is that understood?" Theresa asked, her gaze fixed on Cassy. 
 
Cassy gave a firm nod, her face a mask of determination. 
 
"Excellent," Theresa continued, her hand moving to Level 5 on the whiteboard. "Level 5 signifies all is calm and peaceful. There are no threats to Cassy's secrets, no ripples in the water. This is our ideal state." 
 
She moved to Level 4, her pen smoothly tracing the words as she spoke. "Level 4 is Enhanced Readiness Alert. Here, the inquiries begin. Questions about Cassy's availability, or even her parents wondering about her day could raise our awareness. But we must be specific." 
 
Mikayla's hand shot up, interrupting Theresa. "Yes, Mikayla?" Theresa asked. 
 
"We have to determine what questions can be classified as Level 4. For example, the question 'Do you have activities at school on a specific day?' could constitute a high-level alert as they might be trying to cross-check facts. Cassy would be in danger," Mikayla's voice was filled with wit and intelligence. 
 
"Mikayla is correct," Theresa acknowledged, her eyes brightening. "Let's classify Level 4 as questions like: 
 
'Do you have something on a certain day?' 
'Are you free this weekend?' 
'What are your favorites?' 
And other inquiries that her family doesn't typically ask." 
Everyone nodded, approving of the criteria set for Level 4. 
 
"Now, let's delve into Level 3 scenarios. This is an alert with heightened awareness," Theresa's voice took on a more urgent tone. "Here, we'll include unexpected personal inquiries, sudden interest in her school life, personal relationships without clear reasons. For example: 
 
Asking for her daily routine 
Questions about friendships 
Extra-curricular activities 
Sudden interest in her personal relationships 
As Allaine wisely pointed out, if these subjects were never discussed between Cassy and her family before, and they suddenly become interested, that would constitute a Level 3 alert. Other signs might include a drastic change in Carlos's behavior, like sudden aggression or a complete withdrawal from contact." 
 
"That makes sense," Allaine added thoughtfully, "a good identifier would be any unexpected shifts that feel out of character." 
 
"Exactly, Allaine," Theresa continued, her pen flying across the board. "Level 3 also includes discovery questions, where family, friends, or anyone could be asking about teachers, colleagues, performance, attendance, or participation in activities. Involvement in projects could also raise flags, as any slip here might blow Cassy's secrets wide open. These inquiries must be handled with caution and tact." 
 
The room was filled with a tense silence as everyone absorbed the significance of what Theresa had laid out. The stakes were high, and the system was their lifeline to navigate the treacherous waters ahead. 
"In Level 3, we also must consider contact from unknown sources, be it emails, SMS, or calls. You don't talk to strangers, right Cassy?" Theresa's voice was tinged with a hint of warning. Cassy's face betrayed her nervousness, her kind nature making her prone to small chats with strangers. Theresa's eyes bore into hers, and she repeated, her tone firm, "Am I right, Cassy?" 
 
"Haha... Yes," Cassy replied, a nervous chuckle escaping her lips. 
 
Theresa's expression softened, and she continued, "This level also includes surveillance indicators. If you notice someone watching or following you, or if unfamiliar cars are hanging around, it might be someone tracking you. This isn't a situation to take lightly." 
 
Cassy's eyes widened, the reality of the danger hitting her. "What would I do if that's the case? It seems a dangerous situation," she stammered. 
 
Priscilla, sensing Cassy's fear, handed her a small remote-like device with three buttons labeled 'Capture', 'Arm', 'Release' from top to bottom. She looked at Cassy reassuringly and began to explain, "This Cassy, is Switchblade 2.0a. It's akin to my personal bodyguard, engineered with multiple layers of protection. If you think you're being followed, press the 'Capture' button. It will send out multifrequency waves that bounce back with the IMEI, make, model, SIM card number, GPS coordinates, and Tower ID of all devices within 150 meters. My system will then cross-reference these numbers with the connected tower, and we can identify any new numbers. If we find one, we can reasonably suspect it belongs to a stalker." 
The room was filled with a charged silence as Priscilla's words sank in. She then pointed at the 'Arm' button and continued, "Pressing this 'Arm' button will activate the signal jammers. It takes five seconds to fully arm, and the LED will turn green when it's ready. Once armed, the 'Release' button will disconnect all devices within a 150-meter radius from all cellular services, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. It sends signals in all frequencies simultaneously, overwhelming the devices and causing them to ignore tower signals. It's a bit like a man-in-the-middle attack, but different in execution. The device can maintain this state for up to five minutes before the Switchblade runs out of battery." 
 
Allaine, who had been absorbing Priscilla's words, looked utterly taken aback. She knew Priscilla well, but this level of technical expertise was new to her. "Are you sure you're a digital artist?" she asked, disbelief in her voice. 
 
Priscilla's eyes twinkled, and she replied with a hint of mischief, "I do everything to protect my identity." Her words were a playful jab at their serious situation, a reminder that even in the face of danger, they could find humor. 
 
The room erupted in laughter, breaking the tension. They were a team, united by a common purpose, each bringing unique skills and insights. The threat was real, but they were prepared. Their camaraderie was their strength, and they knew that together they could face anything. 
 
As the laughter died down, the room's atmosphere shifted from joviality to contemplation. The reality of their situation began to sink in once more. They were not merely playing a game; they were strategizing for a real battle. 
 
Mikayla's words seemed to hang in the air, heavy with truth and insight. She had raised her hand to interrupt, and now as Theresa answered "Yes Mikay?" and listened to her response, the room went silent. Mikayla's eloquent speech about the need for a decisive strategy had struck a chord. 
 
"This alert system is clever, and it is certainly going to help us in terms of deterrence or even prolonging the battle, but remember what Sun Tzu said? 'Protracted warfare benefits no one.' The longer we drag this out, the more we risk losing control of the situation. We're dancing around the issue, but how are we actually going to stop Carlos? We can't play defense forever; we need a decisive strategy." Mikayla paused, her eyes narrowing as she weighed her words. "Defeating Carlos in one fell swoop would be the best move after all, so... what's our plan to really discourage him?" Mikayla asked. 
 
The faces of the girls slowly began to reflect a dawning realization. Theresa's defensive strategy was indeed essential, but it was not enough. Mikayla had eloquently pointed out a gaping hole in their plan. Their eyes met, brows furrowed, and lips pursed in thought. This was not a simple game of chess; it was a battle that required foresight, cunning, and determination. 
 
"What if Cassy challenges Carlos to a wager? If she defeats him in a debate, he must refrain from chasing her?" Priscilla asked, breaking the silence, her voice hopeful yet uncertain. Her eyes sparkled with the same mischief as before, but now it was tinged with desperation. 
 
"I can't see it working," Allaine replied, her tone dismissive, "The man is dense as a rock. He would refuse that for sure and would favor prolonging the fight." 
 
The room fell into a thoughtful silence again. Priscilla began pacing back and forth, nervously nibbling on a pen, while Cassy's eyes flicked from face to face, sensing the tension. Theresa's hand moved to her chin, her eyes reflecting a deep concentration as she processed the magnitude of the task ahead. 
 
Minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an hour as ideas were considered and discarded in the minds of the girls. The weight of their challenge settled on them, each aware that a mistake or oversight could spell disaster. 
 
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity but was only five minutes, Priscilla's face lit up, and she leaned forward, ready to pitch another idea. Her eyes twinkled again, but this time with determination and resolve.  
"We can try to find dirt on him! I can ask my friends to try and dig up some information we can use to blackmail him," Priscilla suggested, her eyes wide with a spark of mischief and excitement. 
 
The faces of the girls lightened up with this idea, their eyes brightening at the possibility of a new plan, all except for Theresa, whose eyes narrowed, her brow furrowed with concern. 
 
"That would be a great idea, however..." Theresa paused, choosing her words carefully. "That is very risky. For one, that is illegal, and he could put you on the spot too, Pris," Theresa explained, her tone firm yet compassionate. 
 
Priscilla's face fell as the words sank in. Her initial excitement was replaced by a dawning realization of the risks involved. Her eyes widened, her lips parted in a silent gasp as the implications became clear. Her identity, something she had worked so hard to protect, could be exposed. Her face went pale, her body trembling slightly as she grasped the magnitude of what she had just suggested. 
 
"If that played out badly, Carlos would leverage it and could use it to threaten Cassy. He might even file charges against her or you if Cassy does not submit to him. All our planning would be in vain if that happens," Mikayla added, her voice heavy with caution. 
 
"Stop! I understand it! Let's not do it!" Priscilla said, her voice cracking with the strain of emotion. She slumped back into her chair, defeated and visibly shaken. 
 
The room once again fell into a tense silence, the atmosphere thick with frustration and concern. The girls began to pace, moving back and forth, their minds racing with different ideas. They gathered around the whiteboards, scribbling down various plans, only to erase them moments later. 
 
Allaine suggested using social media to create public pressure against Carlos, but Theresa pointed out that it might backfire and rally his supporters. Cassy thought about trying to win over Carlos's friends, only for Mikayla to highlight the danger of alienating them further. 
 
Back and forth they went, each idea met with immediate rejection or concern. The hours slipped by, the weight of their responsibility growing with each passing minute. Each face reflected a mixture of determination and desperation, a shared understanding that they needed to find a solution, and fast. 
 
They knew they were playing a dangerous game, and the stakes were high. As the night wore on, the reality of their challenge pressed down on them, a heavy burden they knew they must bear. 
"Pause, girls, I think I may have a solution, but I don't know if you will like it," Mikayla said, her voice breaking the tense silence that had settled over the room. 
 
The words hung in the air like a challenge, and the girls, weary but intrigued, slowly started gathering near Mikayla. They left the whiteboards behind, their steps heavy but expectant as they made their way back to the sofas, their eyes fixed on Mikayla's face. Each one of them sensed that this might be the breakthrough they needed. 
 
"There's no other choice but for Cassy to have a fake boyfriend," Mikayla finally said, her voice steady but her eyes uncertain. 
 
The room went still, a collective gasp escaping their lips. Their faces were a study in shock, disbelief, and understanding as they absorbed the words. Cassy's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise, while Priscilla's eyebrows shot up, her mouth forming a silent 'O'. Theresa's face remained impassive, but her eyes flickered with curiosity. Allaine looked thoughtful, her hand coming to her chin as she pondered the idea. 
 
"Is that the only option left?" Cassy asked, her voice small and hesitant. 
 
"No, but that is the only best option left," Mikayla paused, her eyes scanning the faces of her friends. "We can discuss other options too, but I think this would be the best one there is," she continued. "This could be a great deterrent against Carlos. If he found out that Cassy already has a boyfriend, he might be discouraged to pursue." Mikayla explained, her voice growing more confident. 
 
"And if not?" Allaine asked, her tone challenging. 
 
Mikayla was slightly fazed by that question, her eyes widening momentarily before she collected herself. "The fake boyfriend can be a tool for prolonging the war. Carlos might focus on the boyfriend instead of Cassy," she paused, her eyes narrowing as she considered the possibilities. "This would also be a great opportunity to see how it will change Carlos's behavior, reactions, and patterns. It will give us an opportunity to tailor attacks that would be effective against him, to approach this logically," Mikayla continued, her voice now firm and determined. 
 
The girls were taken aback by the sudden change in Mikayla's way of speaking. Her logical and pragmatic approach was a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil they had been feeling. It was as if a switch had been flipped, and Mikayla had become a strategist, coolly assessing the situation. 
 
"I didn't know you were so logical and pragmatic, Mikay!" Allaine paused, her eyes wide with admiration. "But you are correct; it will give us that kind of opportunity," she continued, nodding in agreement. 
 
The room settled into a contemplative silence, the girls lost in thought as they considered Mikayla's proposal. The seconds ticked by, each one heavy with the weight of their decision. 
 
"But you are forgetting one critical aspect," Theresa finally said, her voice breaking the silence. 
 
"What is it?" Mikayla asked, her eyes sharp with curiosity. 
 
"Pragmatism and rationalism aren't the only aspects we should focus on. At the end of the day, we humans are still slaves to our baser instincts," Theresa explained, her voice filled with a quiet wisdom. 
"Are you suggesting that we humans, regardless of how advanced we are, are still animals after all?" Allaine asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. 
"I hate to say this, but you are correct," Theresa replied to Allaine, her face somber. 
 
"That is absurd, sister," Cassy said, her voice rising in disbelief, the very notion going against her beliefs as an advocate for honesty and integrity. 
 
"I can prove you that by experience. Remember before meeting Altair? We tried to be logical, and when we met him, instead of approaching this matter through logical means, we let our emotion drive us, and it ended up with us hating Altair?" Theresa said, her eyes fixed on Cassy's, challenging her to deny the truth. 
 
"You are correct," Allaine admitted, her voice soft and contemplative. 
 
"But Mikay is correct, this might be the best way to approach it, only if we play our cards right. Mikayla already laid out the pros; now it's time to face the music and weigh the cons," Theresa said, her voice filled with determination. 
 
"We'll number one would be jealousy, and jealousy could generate a multitude of emotions, and one of it is rage, just like Theresa explained earlier," Allaine said, her eyes narrowing as she thought about the potential problems. 
 
A heavy silence filled the room as the girls pondered the implications of jealousy, each lost in thought. The weight of the decision hung over them, the complexity of human emotions making the solution far from straightforward. 
 
"One more thing would be an ethical concern. Regardless of how great this plan is, our little sister is as straight as an arrow; can she stomach this kind of deception?" Allaine asked, her eyes filled with concern as she looked at Cassy. 
 
"As much as I don't want to deceive or use somebody, my life is at stake here," Cassy said, her voice filled with determination, but her eyes betrayed a hint of fear. 
 
The room went quiet again, the girls lost in thought, each grappling with the moral implications of their plan. 
 
"Another problem would be, what if the guy falls in love? That would be a big problem, right?" Priscilla asked, her voice hesitant as she brought up another potential pitfall.