After the call, Julie didn't waste time and took a shower. Something seemed unique about tonight. She washed up longer than she usually would, spending more than an hour inside.

And surprisingly, Julie was like a different person when she stepped out of the bathroom. Her straight locks waved in huge curls, and she headed to her closet wrapped in only a towel.

Digging through piles of her clothes, she took out the luxurious purse buried in the dark, grabbed the trench coat hung in the corner, and then quickly dressed in the black dress she hid underneath.

Shortly after, she sat before her table and fished out her makeup stash and mask from the purse. Painting a bit of color to her pale face and completed her look with vampire red lipstick.

Suddenly, a high-pitched chime echoed into the room. Julie glanced at her ringing phone and saw a familiar unknown number calling. She quickly put on the mask and swiftly cleaned up her trace.

Wrapping herself in the trench coat and a fedora hat, she threw her area one last look and then went downstairs.

"Miss Jones, Mr. Williams is currently in the Maple residence's main building with another guest. He instructed you to wait for him in the same room at the third wing," Jimmy politely informed her as soon as she got in the car.

Julie nodded and then quietly watched the buildings turn into trees from the window as the car drove toward their destination. The night had already fallen when they passed through the gates of the third wing and pulled in before the estate's front door.

After thanking Jimmy, she got out of the car and headed up to a room on the second floor.

She plopped down on the sofa and waited for her date, but it wasn't until late after dinner when Kelvin Williams finally came over.

Puffing a cigarette, he entered the room and found Julie asleep, lying askew on the sofa. Seeing her all tightly wrapped up made Kelvin faintly snicker.

Crushing his cigarette off on a nearby ashtray, looking at her sleeping face for a moment, then he walked over and nudged her awake with light kicks to her ankles.

As a light sleeper, Julie woke up immediately and sat straight, blinking her eyes fast, worried that falling asleep had ruined her makeup, but that was only her overthinking.

Drowsily looking up, her eyes locked gaze at the man in front of her.

Julie dazedly leaned back on the sofa and whispered, "I'm so sleepy."

"Didn't you sleep well last night?" he courtly asked.

"Hmm..." Julie hummed, hooking her slender fingers on the man's belt.

"Are you done with your work?" she softly asked.

"Just finished. I had Hanna deal with wrapping up, so I'm free now," he casually answered.

Julie tittered, cocking her head to the side, and coquettishly remarked, "Seems like I'm keeping you away from your business."

Kelvin smirked, his eyes glinting with desire.

"Sleeping with you is just as important," he said, panning his gaze down to her coat.

"Take it off," he deeply commanded.

"Oh." Julie softly exclaimed and stood up, unfastening her belt.

She gently took off the coat, revealing a strapless black dress that wrapped her figure tight down to her upper thigh.

Kelvin unknowingly swallowed while looking at her curves. The sight of her well-toned thighs was making his breathing ragged. However, his gaze felt more drawn to her chest. The dress's fabric was silky thin, and considering how tight it was on her, he could almost see her molds past the cloth.

"Sexy." He assessed seriously.

Catching his tone, Julie puffed out her chest and playfully asked, "Why? Don't you like it?"

Kelvin chuckled and reached for a lock of her long curly hair.

"What do you think?" he suggestively asked back.

Her lips curved to a sultry grin, and she softly clung her arms around his shoulder, closing the already short distance between them further.

Kelvin's palms brushed her waist. Heat followed the trail of his touch, traveling down, and feeling her up. And then he swiftly swooped her even closer, making her gasp.

Julie's delicate waist fitted right in his hands.

Kelvin captured her lips, and the two melted in the fire burning within them. Julie's hair straightened from sweating under the exposure to the sweltering heat.

His shape melded her body to his frame as he took her for an insane ride. Soon, Julie began to feel slightly numb throughout her body. His thrust was nonstop, in and out, taking out some liquid with his manhood. He made her kneel on the bed and he thrust from behind. It was really deep, she couldn't help letting out a moan and felt the pleasure rising in her body. While thrusting, he didn't forget to rub her clit and nipple, making her moan uncontrollably. They had been making love for hours, and she felt her energy slowly dissipate by the minute.

Fortunately, she studied ballet for several years as a child, making her body flexible enough. Her years of working also gifted her endurance, which somehow boosted her relationship with this man and made it last for a longer time.

A while later, Kelvin got off the bed, feeling refreshed and satisfied with her act tonight. Therefore, he was extraordinarily generous with the money. He tossed stacks of benjamins beside her on the bed, which Julie giddily picked up.

Seeing her smile brightly with hands full of money turned his elatedness sour. Julie seemed happier than when he was embracing her earlier.

His forehead wrinkled to a frown when she approached him, attempting a kiss, but Kelvin evaded her, and he took two bands off her hands.

Julie's breath hitched when she saw her money leave her grasp, and she looked at Kelvin, stunned. Ignoring all the rules, she got up and tried to snatch them back.

"You gave it to me already! You can't take it back like that!" she protested.

"I just remembered it's not good to throw money as casually," Kelvin said as he walked away, disregarding her discontent.

Julie flopped on the bed, looking at him disappear into the bathroom with disbelief. She gritted her teeth, fuming with anger that she couldn't put in words.

Vexed, she grabbed a pillow and hurled it against the mattress with a force she didn't know she still had.

The money already filled the hole in her heart, but he cruelly took away most of it. How could she not be angry when her money disappeared just like that?

Julie felt the void in her heart enlarge.

Sadly, this is how businessmen deal with money. They could devour people like her alive and walk away guilt-free.

Rendered without a choice, Julie changed into her clothes and left the Maple residence with an aggrieved heart. She couldn't stand staying even a second longer at that place.

On the way back, she received a message from Dylan with a photo from his meeting attached.

[I'm so tired from the meeting. I miss you so much, babe.]

Julie carelessly replied with a shoulder-massage gif and started scrolling through her Instagram feed. Soon, she saw Kate's post tagged with the location of a 5-star hotel in Elisabeth City.

[On a business trip with my boo. It's so boring at the hotel!]

She didn't know if this girl was stupid or just daring. She documented their whole affair in nine pictures and put it online.

Three photos were of the luxury hotel with its name on one. Six selfies from different angles, three of which were intimate shots with a man.

Kate showed only his body and hands, making people keep guessing who this mysterious boyfriend was. However, she missed hiding one tiny detail—the perfume bottle she snapped along in the background.

Funny how even if Julie wracked her brains, she could only think of one guy in their common acquaintances who wore pinewood-scented perfumes from the same brand and collection. If she wanted to instill suspense, she should have done it thoroughly.

Julie liked the post and logged out from Instagram. She breathed the cold dawn air and then got back to the dormitory. After changing into her usual clothes, she looked at the time and decided to take a power nap before heading out to another job in two hours.

Julie had two part-time jobs. One was a French tutor to a junior high school student, and the other was a waitress in a restaurant.

After catching some rest, she passed by a convenience store and bought a sandwich and milk before getting on a bus to her tutoring job.

By the time she left the student's home, it was already five in the afternoon, drawing her close to getting late for her next job.

Her student was having difficulty with the language, and she felt kind of bad since the kid was so frustrated about it, so she stuck around for a bit. Besides, extra hours meant more cash.

Julie drank a whole bottle of water and hurried to the restaurant by subway. Arriving just in the nick of time, she rushedly walked inside, not recognizing the car she had just passed.

Jimmy stepped out of the car as soon as she disappeared into the restaurant and opened the back passenger's door for Kelvin and another person.

Meanwhile, Julie started her shift by changing into their service uniform and meticulously tied her hair, revealing her adorable heart-shaped face.

As Julie moved along with her fellow servers, she carried a fish platter into a VIP room. The male guest couldn't resist throwing her a second look when she walked in. She had a pretty distinctive appeal that made her stand out among her colleagues.

However, the enormous platter she was carrying drew her even more attention. It appeared heavier than her slim figure, making them feel sorry for her.

The men instructed other servers to serve the remaining dish, concerned that Julie's arms might break if she did more, leaving Julie to pour wine for their table.

Julie froze when she finally noticed Kelvin as she went around with the bottle. He had a female companion by his side, dressed lovely and innocent while timidly nestling against his chest.

His face lit with pleasure, devoid of impatience, which seemed like she got him all wrong. It turned out that he preferred good girls like this.

Julie felt a little annoyed, but she continued doing her job. She poured the wine for everyone around the table and almost got harassed by a man. Fortunately, Julie dodged him quickly before things turned ugly.

Kelvin was the last guest she had to serve at this table. But when she was about to pour him a drink, he flipped his wine glass and coldly said, "I don't drink."

Mortified, Julie didn't know what to do with the bottle. It was his habitual rude gesture, and she should have been used to it. But, somehow, it got under her skin this time.

On the other hand, Casey Davis, the girl next to him, seemed delighted about her shame.

Suddenly an itching sensation crept up Julie's thigh. Her body stiffened as she looked down and saw a man's slender fingers suggestively tracing her frame by her inner thigh all the way underneath her skirt.

Julie shuddered and tried to move away, but her shaky legs wouldn't budge.

"What's the matter with you, Kelvin? Who upset you?" Someone asked curiously, whom another seconded.

"Yeah, didn't you just drink the wine Miss Davis poured you not long ago? What's wrong now?"

The hand feeling Julie up finally stopped, making her breathe in relief.

Kelvin lightly caressed Casey's face as Julie moved away and said, "I'll drive her back later. So I should stop with one glass."

Casey's face turned slightly red, and she meekly looked away.

People at the table started nodding with a smirk.

"Oh... Then, we won't stand in the way of your glamorous night." Someone said, weaved with a strange nuance.

"Then, wouldn't a bit more wine make your night even better?" Another added which someone topped it with an edgier note.

"Oh, stop it. How will Casey stand it if Kelvin gets drunk tonight? Don't you know what he's like when he gets crazy?"

Casey flushed and buried herself into Kelvin's arms, making the men at the table laugh.

After refilling a guest's glass at the other side of the table, Julie unwantedly recalled something with their comments. She didn't know what Kelvin was like when he was drunk, but she definitely knew what he was when his screws were loose.

She could still feel that dull pain in her body. It was a struggle fighting against the aftermath the entire day. Julie almost thought he broke her waist and thighs in.

"I'm going to smoke, be right back," Kelvin suddenly said, drawing her thoughts back to the present.

He stood up, patting Casey on the shoulder, and left. Though unwilling to be separated from him, Casey smiled and watched him leave the room with loving eyes.

A few moments later, Julie's phone vibrated in her pocket. She let another minute pass before sneaking a look at her notification.

It was a short text message.

[come out.]

Julie subtly heaved a breath and calmly turned off her phone. She carefully refilled the wine for everyone at the table and quietly left.

Outside, Jimmy was patiently waiting for her. As soon as he saw Julie, he gave her a polite nod and relayed his boss's words.

"Miss Jones, Mr. Williams is waiting in room number six," he said, akin to a whisper.

Julie handed him the empty bottle and headed to room six. It didn't take long, and she found herself in front of the room, contemplating the right time she should go in. She had a feeling something terrible might soon happen.

Nevertheless, Julie pushed the door open, which revealed a solemn Kelvin, smoking while leaning against the window before her eyes.

When his gaze panned toward her, Kelvin's eyes narrowed in scrutiny after getting a better look at her uniform.

The skirt was a little short, about six inches above the knee. Kelvin thought of the strapless black dress she was wearing last night, and a sense of vague agitation filled his gut.

"Part-time job?" His voice sounded like thunder as he casually asked, vaguely remembering that she hadn't graduated yet.

Julie nodded and replied, "Yeah, part-time."

"Short of money?" He frowned and dusted off the ash.

Julie lopsidedly smiled. "I don't think anyone would be working on this job if they weren't low on cash?"

Kelvin casually put out his cigarette and said, "I've never treated you badly, have I?"

"Guess I'm very short of money then," Julie replied, stretching the word very intentionally.

"How much salary do you get here?" Kelvin interrogated, looking at her with peering eyes.

"Eighty dollars a day," she said frankly, driving Kelvin mad.

Her answer took him aback that he didn't know what to do about it. Barely keeping his composure together, he flashed a berating smile, took out his wallet, and then threw all the cash inside at Julie.

"Quit it," he growled.

Julie knelt and picked up the bills one by one, but she didn't bring up the subject of her resignation.

During her most challenging times, these eighty dollars a day kept her away from starving to death in the streets. She couldn't step away from it just like that.

Living in the red every day all these years made her believe that no matter what, she had to leave a backdoor open for herself.

"Come here," Kelvin beckoned, and Julie quietly walked over.

Kelvin grabbed her jaw and then wiped the lipstick on her soft lips with his thumb.

"Don't use lipstick in the future," he ordered, and Julie gently nodded to him in response.

A momentary silence breezed between Kelvin and Julie as their gazes slowly ignited the fire at their depths. He leaned on her and gave her a peck on the corner of her lips.

Julie kissed him back and flipped his switch, making him pick her up eagerly and sit her on the table.

Kelvin rolled up her miniskirt and nudged her to lift her soft legs.

"Aren't you worried? What if your girlfriend finds out?" Julie whispered in his ears, ragged.

Struck with momentary disbelief, Kelvin paused and inwardly scoffed, 'How could you still think about that at a time like this?'

Still, no way would that put him off. He pinned Julie down on the table and teasingly bit her ears.

"Concentrate," he whispered, jumbling her mind with his hoarse voice.

A tingling sensation then traveled down to her core as their blistering desire melded together, losing themselves in the heated passion.

Julie's then neat and put-together appearance turned disheveled at that instance. She was bathing in sweat while Kelvin didn't seem washed over by the wave when the fever subsided.

Catching her breath, she languidly watched him zip up and walk away, looking dapper and impassive.

At this point, Julie didn't even have the energy to chew his ass. Lying flat on her back at the top of the table, she covered her eyes and tried to compose herself.

'What a 'man' he is. Jumping at every chance he gets. If he's not crazy, then I don't know who is.' She thought, talking shit about him in her heart while brushing her hair back into place.

Meanwhile, on his way back, Kelvin ran into the corridor with Cassey.

"What took you so long?" Casey asked, a little aggrieved.

"I met an acquaintance just now," Kelvin answered, sneaking a glance at the flushed and a little unkempt Julie passing by.

"Just had a 'good' chat," he added as he withdrew his gaze and smiled at Casey.

"Why? Missed me already?" he asked.

Casey bashfully nodded her head in response.

Suddenly, Kelvin went silent and cupped her cheek, keenly studying her face, which made the girl a little fidgety. His eyes held something she couldn't fathom and didn't know how to react to it.

Sensing her uneasiness, Kelvin flashed another smile, leading her back to their group.

Not long after, their dinner at the restaurant concluded. Kelvin walked out with Casey clinging to his arms while Julie continued to work until the restaurant closed.

Her exhaustion by the end of her shift was worse than hell. She felt like her body would break in half after Kelvin trampled her multiple times within twenty-four hours, on top of working 'till late into the night.

Worn out, Julie collapsed on her bed as soon as she got to her dormitory. The poor girl didn't even have the energy left to lift a finger, let alone take a shower.

The last thing on her mind before drifting to dreamland was whether Kelvin was having fun with Casey in bed at the moment.

'That man never seemed to run out of vigor,' she scoffed.

...

The following day, Kate's annoyingly loud voice chattering with their roommates woke Julie up. Kate was happily showing off the new things she had just bought.

Suddenly, Julie's phone rang and she grabbed her phone from her bedside table and answered the call.

Dylan's voice faintly slipped out of the speaker.

"Julie, get ready. We're having dinner at the old mansion today. I'll pick you up in a bit," he said.

Julie hummed and asked, "Did we have anything special going on?"

"My grandpa just got up and wants to see you," answered Dylan.

"OK, I'll get dressed and wait downstairs." Julie hung up the phone and stood in a daze for a while.

Even though he didn't love her, Dylan wouldn't break up with her. She detested this kind of entanglement, yet she was powerless to free herself from it.

She was just an average person without any power and background. What could she do? She would most likely end up getting crushed. That was merely crushing an ant for a man from a wealthy and powerful family like Kelvin.

Julie washed up and put on her shirt and trousers, combed her hair, and was ready to go out.

Feeling jealous, Kate couldn't resist asking her as she got to the door, "Julie, did Dylan ask you out?"

"Yeah. Dylan's coming to pick me up for dinner at their old mansion," Julie casually replied.

Then she recalled what happened last Saturday morning.

Julie looked at Kate with innocent eyes and asked, "Are you going out with your boyfriend today?"

"Oh, not today! He's busy today." Kate dodged her eye contact.

Satisfied, Julie slowly nodded and said goodbye. "I'm going downstairs then."

She waited a few minutes for Dylan in the lobby before he arrived. All eyes were on him as he got out of his car and strode toward her. He looked extra sophisticated and sunny with his charming smile.

She knew for a fact that Dylan was undeniably a good-looking guy. However, Julie believed that his dashing looks could not conceal his rotten heart.

"Julie," Dylan greeted her.

"I love the way you dress, clean and simple. You look so pure, unlike those flirty women," he said admiringly.

Julie smiled brightly at him and said, "I'm glad you liked it."

"Let's go. Grandpa's waiting for you."

Dylan held her hand and led her to his car. He opened the door for Julie with a light-hearted feeling. But his sunny mood went out when he slid into the driver's seat and noticed a red mark on Julie's neck.

"Julie, what happened to your neck?" he curiously asked.

Julie subtly stiffened and casually brushed her neck. "I unintentionally scratched it," she answered softly.

Dylan frowned. "Be careful next time. Your skin is so delicate. You wouldn't want to leave a scar on you."

"Yeah." Julie nodded obediently. Her eyes shone with appreciation as she continued, "Dylan, you're so good to me."

"Dummy, it took me so much effort to chase you back in the days. Of course, I'm going to treat you well."

Julie almost flashed a cynical smile hearing him spill such sweet words like a water fountain. Fortunately, she still had her screws intact, lowering her head and acting shyly.

Assessing his dominion over her, Dylan felt proud yet disdainful in his heart.

'What a little fool.'