I’m feeling riled up, but I’m gonna play it cool. I’m gonna be composed. I’m gonna tell Carina Potts exactly what’s on my mind. But I’m not going to lose my temper.

When Carlos arrived at the Potts Parties office in downtown Auradon, he had already worked out what he was going to say. He refused to handle things the way his mother handled things. He refused to shout and rant and throw his arms in the air. He would be calm, but firm.

Jane and Evie arrived a few moments after him, breathless from trying to keep up. “Carlos, please don’t do this,” Jane said. “It’s not worth even trying to talk to her.”

“She owes you a favor,” Carlos said simply. Then he marched right into the building, right past the receptionist at the front desk who tried to stop him, and right into Carina Potts’s office.

Carina was a thin, stern-looking woman with white-blond hair and icy blue eyes. She didn’t smile when Carlos barged in. She just peered at him over the top of her red-rimmed glasses and said in a sharp voice, “Yes? Can I help you?”

Carlos stood up taller and pushed his shoulders back. He’d never felt more like a leader than he did at this moment. “I’m friends with Jane. Your intern from last summer.”

Carina opened her mouth to speak, but Carlos cut her off with a raise of his hand and said, “I’ll be the one speaking, thank you.”

Carina fell silent, looking slightly baffled.

“Regardless of what you think of Jane, she worked hard for you. You will most likely never hire an intern as dedicated, organized, and efficient as Jane. I don’t know why you never paid her a single compliment. Maybe you just fail to recognize talent when you see it, but I don’t. I recognize it. Jane is one of the most talented people I’ve ever met. And if you can’t see that, then it’s your loss. Not hers.”

Carina stared blankly at Carlos, as though he were speaking a foreign language. Carlos glanced behind him, looking for Jane, but he didn’t see her anywhere. He wondered if she had lost her nerve and stayed out in the lobby.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Carina responded flatly a moment later.

Carlos’s mouth fell open. He reminded himself to stay collected. Stay cool. “I’m talking about your intern from last summer. I can’t believe you don’t even remember—”

“Of course, I remember Jane,” Carina said, shaking her head. “What I mean is, I don’t know what you’re talking about when you accuse me of not recognizing talent. Jane was hands-down the best intern I’ve ever had.” Then Carina’s voice softened and she removed her glasses. “I’m sorry about the compliment thing. Sometimes I get so busy, I forget to tell people what an excellent job they’re doing. It’s something I’m working on. If you see Jane, would you please tell her how much I appreciate her? And if she’s ever interested in interning for me again, I would hire her in a heartbeat.”

Carlos was so shocked by Carina’s unexpected response that he just stood there, speechless, staring at her for a long time.

Then a tiny faraway voice said, “I would love to intern for you again.”

Carlos and Carina both startled, and Carlos turned around to see Jane walking through the door. She must have been hiding just outside, listening.

Carina smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. “Jane! It’s so good to see you again. I’ve missed you. My supply closet has fallen into complete disarray since you left.”

Jane cracked a small smile. “I’d be happy to come organize it for you anytime.”

Carlos glanced at the clock on his phone. Three minutes until the hunt was over.

“Um, Jane,” he said, gesturing to the time.

Jane nodded, clearing her throat. When she spoke again, she sounded confident and self-assured. Nothing like the girl she’d been only a few minutes before. “Carina,” she said, “would it be possible to ask you for a small favor?”

Carina’s blue eyes sparkled and Carlos’s hopes soared up to the roof. “Anything for you, Jane.”