After the company announces full-time hires, Willow confronts her boss about being left off the list despite top performance. The boss dismisses merit, revealing Wendy—recently hired—was chosen because her father is a major client and says connections matter more than hard work. He pressures Willow by threatening to reveal her college bar job and implying workplace consequences, then demands she secure a backer to solve her problems. He ends, “This is my final offer to you.” Willow has until 10 o'clock to deliver, leaving her cornered and racing against time.