Julie shuddered. Her name rolled off his tongue terrifyingly yet still sounded electrifying in her ears. Thankfully, she had long hair that could hide her redness, or she wouldn't be able to live past this embarrassment.

She retreated awkwardly, but Kelvin pressed her further onto the seat.

"Are you pretending to be naive or..." he trailed off purposely and tucked her hair behind her ears.

"Pretending to be slutty?" he continued, letting out an incredulous chuckle upon seeing her red as a tomato.

Julie wanted to deny everything. She hated pretending to be pure, but Dylan's grandfather liked her that way, and Dylan and all of the Andersons drove her into the act. As for being promiscuous, she noticed how Kelvin was staring at a particularly hot woman the day they first met and only assumed that he was into that type.

Perhaps in that sense, she and Kelvin were alike. She jumped the gun at the first sign of opportunity she saw to get by.

While Julie was musing about how to answer, Kelvin moved away, nonchalantly fixing his coat, and frigidly said, "I'm warning you. Don't bite off more than you can chew."

He delivered that so casually that it sounded a bit like concern. But Julie knew him better, and she heard the dark connotations of his words loud and clear.

"Don't mess with me, Julie."

With her hand clenched tightly into a fist, she subtly took a deep breath and slowly held her head high.

"I'll keep that in mind," she dryly replied.

"Also, I'm not interested in my nephew's woman," he added impenitently.

Julie looked at the man beside her snappily and stiffened upon seeing his frigid countenance. Kelvin was looking far ahead and giving her the cold shoulder.

She knew this wasn't the right time for spacing out, but many things had jumbled on her mind. Still, she understood what he meant. Irritatingly so.

She looked away and swallowed hard before nodding slowly,

"Yeah, I got it."

Julie waited for a moment, but he didn't say anything else. She opened the door and got out of the car as though nothing had happened.

When Jimmy saw her, he smothered his cigarette on a pocket ashtray and asked, "Miss Jones. Are you going back now?"

But Julie just walked past him toward her dormitory. A little lost in her thoughts.

Jimmy watched her get further away and got into the car, confused. He didn't want to pry into their business, but tonight he somehow risked asking, "Is Miss Jones alright, Sir?"

He glimpsed at his boss in the rearview mirror and found him looking at the window, following the direction Julie went.

"Drive." Kelvin only flatly ordered.

With that, Jimmy said no more and started the car.

As they drove past her, Kelvin caught a glimpse of her figure before disappearing into the building.

'She was so slim, and her waist was so thin,' thought Kelvin, reflecting a bit on his previous actions.

Perhaps he had been too harsh on her, but Julie withstood it all despite that.

"She's quite gifted. What a pity," Kelvin mumbled and then averted his gaze.

Jimmy glanced at him through the rearview mirror, reading his mood. After a pause, Kelvin gave another order.

"Delete all of her contacts."

It was subtle, but Jimmy flinched in surprise. Julie, after all, was the partner Kelvin was most fond of, or at least that was Jimmy thought.

Jimmy didn't overthink it and just nodded.

"Yes, Sir."

When he stopped the car, he quickly deleted all of Julie's contacts, including her phone number.

Meanwhile, Julie stormed into her dorm room, walking straight to the window and shut the blinds. She dug into her drawer, pulled out a notebook, and then flopped onto her bed. Her roommates had already turned the night in, but her little ruckus woke Leah up.

"Julie?" Leah asked.

Julie jerked and quickly glanced at her roommate. Leah was peeking at her under her sleep mask, concerned.

"What's got into you?" Leah asked again. "You looked mad as a bull," she added.

Julie faintly smiled and gently shook her head. "Nothing. I just took a jog on my way back. Sorry for waking you up," she reasoned.

Leah stared at her for a second and covered her eyes back. "Alright, have a good night."

"Yeah, good night."

Julie then exhaled deeply. She briefly looked at the window and flipped through the pages of her notebook, counting all the money she had earned.

The money given by Kelvin and Dylan's grandpa should be enough for a while.

However, she had one problem looming before her. Breaking up with Kelvin meant that a large amount of her income would be gone. She had to think of other ways fast to keep a living.

Julie closed her notebook and crashed onto her bed, looking at the ceiling with tired eyes.

'Tomorrow's the fifth day of the month. It's visitation day again.' She wearily sighed. Whenever Julie thought of it, her body turned numb.

Erin Lewis, her biological mother, was an extremely disturbed person. Julie had her currently receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital. But that cost her a lot.

Her mother frequently suffered from severe manic episodes, and she'd beat people up on top of smashing things and cussing, making it hard for the hospital staff to take care of her.

And last month, Julie wasn't left unscathed. Even now, she could still feel a tinge of pain in her forearm after Erin dislocated it. If it wasn't for the timely arrival of hospital security, Julie feared Erin would have beaten her to death at that time.

Still, Julie couldn't leave her mother alone despite Erin causing her trouble endlessly. She could only hope Erin would tone down a bit.

A heavy sigh escaped Julie as she closed her eyes and drifted asleep.

Julie went to the psychiatric center during lunch after class the next day.

Though she had no high hopes, Julie wished the universe would let her catch a break this time. She already had enough problems stacked on her plate. Taking a breather once in a while wouldn't be that bad, right?

However, expectations and reality don't always coincide.

When she walked to the nurse station, Julie ran into Erin's attending doctor, Doctor Cameron. Both immediately sighed when their eyes met and saw the exhaustion lingering in them. The doctor didn't have to say anything. Julie understood everything with just one look.

Doctor Cameron led her to his office, and the two sat with weary silence.

"She's pretty lively this time, isn't she?" she asked wryly.

Doctor Cameron gave her a sympathetic smile and nodded.

"Destructively so," he said and showed her the invoices.

"I see." Julie blinked her eyes away, biting her lip as she tried to hold it in.

Her body went cold when she saw the result of Erin's work piled in front of her. It was taller than the last time. Julie swallowed hard and went through the papers with trembling hands.

Erin's violent fits were catastrophic. All the numbers were making her dizzy. At this rate, even if Julie turned superhuman, she wouldn't be able to pay for all of it.

"I'm sorry about the trouble. I'll compensate everything as possible." The words felt crass like sand rolling off her tongue.

The doctor sincerely felt bad for her. Julie was still young but already had a world's worth of problems weighing down her shoulders.

"Would you like to consider transferring your mother to another facility? There are advanced treatment centers in J city for people with the same case as Erin's. The cost might be high, but they can provide better care which would be good for her," Doctor Cameron kindly advised.

Julie weighed it in her mind. Like he said, sending Erin to a better place might help. But the range of would-be costs scared her.

"How much will it cost, Doctor?" she nervously asked.

"Patients in severe cases like your mother need a lot of attention. At most, she'd have a personal escort assigned to her under a separate treatment program, which will cost around seven thousand dollars a month," he answered.

Julie froze and felt like having a heart attack. "Seven thousand, that's a lot..."

Doctor Cameron sighed. "Considering your mother's feat, you've paid us ten times more of that amount every month. I think reaching out to other treatment facilities would be good for you both. We're only a small center with limited staff. A good hospital would have more specialists that could attend to Erin's needs, so sit on it if you will."

Julie didn't know what to feel about hearing that. Doctor Cameron had helped her a great deal in the past, and she always felt grateful for his kind intentions. However, seven thousand dollars a month would be difficult for her to cover even if she scraped the bottom of the barrel this time.

She numbly sighed and nodded. "I'll think about it. Thank you, Doctor Cameron."

Julie left his office with a defeated smile and went to see Erin in the ward. She fought hard not to cry when she saw how poor her state was.

The nurses filled her in as to what happened. Erin had an extreme fit and broke the electronic door. She hurt a few staff members and almost caused a riot with the other patients, so the doctors had no choice but to tie her down to the bed.

Erin kept on wailing, struggling to break herself loose from the ties. And when her bloodshot eyes caught Julie, her hysterical fits got worse. It was as if she wanted to bite her daughter into pieces.

Seeing that, Julie felt heartbroken, but all she could do at that moment was to comfort her in a trembling voice, "Mom, stop it, listen to the doctor, okay?"

Erin hurled insults and glared at her menacingly. But Julie knew best not to react and ignored them. Besides, they weren't like words she hadn't heard before.

Julie hid her troubles behind a smile and said, "I will see you again on the 15th. If I save enough next month, I'll send you to the best hospital, so you don't have to suffer anymore."

Breathing a ragged sigh, she added, "And about Amy, you don't need to worry about her. Aunt is quite good to her. Every month, I sent her enough money for Amy's kindergarten fees and living exp—"

Yet before she could finish her sentence, Erin spat in her face, "Bitch."

Julie deeply closed her eyes and wiped the saliva off her face.

Erin's gaze was piercing with hatred, and it was apparent that she didn't even have an ounce of fondness for Julie.

And though mad, her voice was eerily calm. "Don't come to see me! Go to hell! Go and jump off the building!" she callously said.

Julie acted as if she hadn't heard her words and walked out of the ward after bidding her mother goodbye.

"I will see you again on the fifteenth."

She left the hospital in a daze and wandered around until she reached a park.

Julie walked to a bench and sat down, looking sullen. She suppressed a sob from coming out and tilted her head up, staring vacantly at the sky.

No matter what, she had to make Erin's transfer happen. If her arrangement remained as it was, she would only get sicker and continue to cause everyone trouble. Worse, she might end up hurting herself and others with her violent episodes.

Julie felt so lost right now. She sat still and watched the sky change colors as the sun went down, pondering how she could weasel out of this predicament.

She only had one choice left. Something she didn't want to fall back into but couldn't get away from it. The easiest way she could gather all the money she needed in a second.

Julie took out her phone and dug out 'Catherine's' number from her contacts. She hesitated for a few seconds but dialed it anyway.

After the call, Julie took a bus ride south of the city. She hopped on buses a couple more times along the way before she reached the doors of an inconspicuous nightclub, Feast.

Catherine was smoking in her office when Julie slowly opened the door on the verge of tears.

"What's wrong with you? Shouldn't you be busy spending Mr. Williams's money?" Catherine frowned.

Julie bit her lip with a shade of embarrassment. "It's over," she choked up.

Catherine sighed, "And here I thought you were blessed."

She opened her arms, motioning for Julie to come, and the girl didn't hesitate to accept her hug.

"Forget about it, he's a playboy anyway, and the time he spent with you was quite long for him." Catherine comforted her, but her worry for Julie was crystal on her face.

"However, I'm afraid you won't be as lucky as you were before this time. When you were with Mr. Williams, you were a virgin, and now that you've lost your virginity, I am afraid that you won't be able to fetch a high price," she solemnly added.

Catherine knew some stories about Julie, so when she saw her popping by in a trance, she felt sorry for her.

"I'll keep an eye on them for you. I won't let those unscrupulous men trample you," she said, tightening her arms around Julie.

Julie looked up with tears in her eyes and sweetly smiled at Catherine. "Thank you for helping me all this time, Catherine."

With Catherine's age, she could almost be Julie's mother. She looked at Julie's soft face and couldn't help rubbing her cheeks.

"You're so tender. How could Mr. Williams leave you?" She pitied.

Julie broke away from Catherine, wiping the side of her eyes. She neither answered nor said anything. Only a bitter smile curved on her lips as she looked down.

Catherine didn't bother digging deeper and just gently tapped her on her shoulders.

"Alright. I've got a lot of work to do. After all, you didn't come by just to cry," she said, and Julie passed it off with a weak laugh.

Catherine then walked over to her shelf and looked around her display of expensive alcohol.

"You must be in luck tonight, little snow white. Your visit was timely. We currently have guests in that room, and though they're steps below Mr. William's league, they weren't half bad."

"I guess the heavens hadn't abandoned me yet," Julie said incredulously.

"You bet. Well, I guess this would suffice." Catherine picked out a bottle and showed it to Julie.

"Those bastards wouldn't be able to say no to you with this one," she said and smiled at her.

"I owe you one, Catherine."

Julie's heart swelled from the kindness this woman had always shown her.

"Don't sweat it. It's on the house. Stay here, and I'll go and fish you a good patron right away." Catherine winked and then left Julie alone in her office.

Julie relaxed on a couch, feeling at ease knowing Catherine would surely strike her a good deal. But the relief was only momentary when she grew nervous as time passed.

The clock on the wall had ticked ten-thirty, but there weren't any signs of Catherine returning yet. Julie started to think that scoring work and money might be impossible for her tonight.

She stood cradling her head and was about to message Catherine and tell her that she was leaving when the devil suddenly barged back in. And as soon as the door creaked open, Julie heard her cussing like thunder.

"Those jackasses! They're so hard to please these days! They kept on yapping about pure and naive girls! Are their brains ornamental? Would a girl like that even work here?! Bunch of dumb asshats!"

Julie stood there in shock throughout her ordeal. Someone must have pissed Catherine off. The woman just couldn't stop swearing.

"These are too slutty. These are fake virgins. Well, why don't you go to the fucking Buckingham Palace and snag yourself a princess, prince Charming?" Catherine spat, burning with sarcasm.

Julie didn't even have the time to calm her down. Catherine immediately dragged her into the dressing room before she could react. As they went in, Catherine rallied the other girls to help her get dressed.

The girls dolled Julie up and put her on a sailor-style school uniform. A white shirt with striped lapels, a pleated navy skirt with knee-high white socks, and a pair of square-toed black brogues. She looked just like a schoolgirl.

'Did they say pure and naive?' Julie thought, almost laughing at this ridiculousness.

After putting on lipstick and fixing her hair, Catherine dragged her into the lounge she had talked about earlier.

The lounge was illuminated mainly by dim lights and was full of men in suits, but those elegant clothes couldn't hide the ugliness rotting in their minds. They looked at her like wolves when she entered, and their gazes followed along as she and Catherine went further inside their den.

Catherine smiled at those men and pushed Julie towards a man in his thirties standing at their center, puffing a cigar.

"Mr. Thompson, this is Julie. She's a college student who had to take part-time jobs because of a few difficulties at home. She wasn't a professional," she said, pitching Julie out.

Julie glanced at Richard Thompson. He looked fairly attractive and refined, which gave Julie the impression that he must be much gentler than Kelvin.

'At least He didn't look like a pervert.' Julie sighed in her heart.

Richard looked at Julie's pink cheeks and her cute body. His facial expression softened upon seeing something he liked, and he asked, "What's your name? How old are you?"

Seeing the smile on Richard's face, Catherine felt relieved and quietly left the lounge.

"Twenty-one," Julie flatly answered.

"You don't look like a twenty-one-year-old. It seems like you're the same age as my daughter." Someone commented and smiled.

"What are you saying? You animal!" Another cracked out.

Richard also smiled and fiddled with Julie's hair. "Ignore them," he said and continued to ask, "Where are you studying?"

Julie answered his question and the questions after that. Richard's scrutinizing gaze changed to interest with each answer she gave.

Richard put off his cigar and slid his hand around her waist for a cuddle. "Have you ever been in love?" he hoarsely asked, laced with suggestive intentions.

Julie tensed up. Her body shuddered nervously upon their sudden close contact, arousing the men around her with this reaction.

Richard ran his fingertips across Julie's face. The softness of her skin flicked something inside him.

'This girl's skin was tender,' he thought.

Julie clutched her clothes with one hand and felt her heart beating like a drum.

Suddenly, the lounge's door burst open, and a sturdy shadow of a man entered, slowly approaching them. The drumming in her heart ended with a loud bang as the man's face gradually became more apparent.

Richard drew his hand off her and welcomed their guest with a smile, "Kelvin, what brought you here?"

Julie froze as if she had fallen into an ice cave. Kelvin broke up with her only yesterday, and now she was here. Somehow, she felt scared to death.

Kelvin didn't answer Richard's question and flopped down on the seat next to him.

Julie shrunk to the corner, letting her hair cover most of her face. Betting on sheer luck that Kelvin wouldn't recognize her. After all, didn't Catherine say she was lucky tonight?

Richard chatted with Kelvin for a while, though Kelvin didn't seem to respond enthusiastically to any topic. However, he noticed Kelvin's interest in the girl beside him was sky-high.

Richard looked at Julie and smiled. "Julie's pretty young, and she's probably shy," he noted, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.

Julie still kept her head down and didn't dare to look Kelvin in the eyes. But that somehow tugged a little on Richard's dark side. Well, of course. Why wouldn't he have that kind of side? No refined gentleman would attend these shady meetings after all.

His voice went cold as he asked, "What's the matter? Don't you know how to say hello to Mr. Williams?"

Julie had no choice but to raise her head. She looked pale as a ghost. And with a shaky voice, she whispered, "M...Mr. Williams."

Kelvin's lips slightly arched, forming a stiff smile on his face while his hands fiddled with a copper lighter.

An ominous silence broke over them, and it started to confuse everyone in the lounge. Moments later, Kelvin closed the lighter and pinned his gaze on Julie.

"What did you call me?"