Alice York doubted it was a coincidence.
She also found one thing very surprising. She had just t this girl, and neither of them even knew the other’s na, yet here she was, spilling her terrible life story...
’Unless she’s making it all up!’
"You must feel very sorry for after hearing all that, right?" Seraphina Sheridan asked when Alice York remained silent, assuming she had believed her story.
"Not really," Alice York told her honestly.
"..."
Seraphina Sheridan’s expression froze. This wasn’t going as she had expected.
Of course, Alice York didn’t miss the subtle shift in Seraphina Sheridan’s expression. ’Just as I thought. She said all that for my benefit,’ Alice thought. ’But I can’t figure out her motive yet.’
Not wanting to deal with her any further, Alice York spoke first. "I’m going to get my makeup done and get ready."
With that, she turned to leave.
Seraphina Sheridan hurried to catch up, falling into step beside her. "I don’t an you any harm."
Alice York kept her eyes fixed forward. "I never said you did."
Seraphina Sheridan sensed Alice York’s indifference. "It’s all true, you know. What I said about my past. I wasn’t lying."
"Mm."
Alice York’s reply was dismissive. She didn’t believe a word of it.
She was making her stance perfectly clear: she had no desire for further conversation, acquaintance, or contact.
Seraphina Sheridan quickened her pace to circle around in front of Alice York, blocking her path. Alice didn’t look angry, but her blank expression spoke volus about her current mood.
Seraphina Sheridan could feel Alice York’s hostility.
’I know I’m being annoying,’ she thought, ’but isn’t this what you have to do to survive at the bottom? Going from the lofty young miss of the Quinn Family to a penniless nobody... my pride stopped mattering a long ti ago. Survival is what’s important.’
"I’ve been harassed by Director Ellison for a long ti... You’re probably going to ask why I don’t just leave, or call the police."
Seraphina Sheridan’s tone was light, as if she were talking about soone else. "I don’t leave because the appearance fee is really high here. A thousand a night. I can’t make that anywhere else."
Alice York listened quietly, not interrupting or chiming in.
Seraphina Sheridan got to the point. "I told you my story hoping you’d sympathize with . Director Ellison is a lecherous scumbag who’s always getting handsy with the pretty female guests. If he ever... succeeds with , I hope you won’t just stand by and watch coldly when I try to get justice."
Alice York let out a short, mirthless laugh. "I don’t even know your na, and you’re already scheduling to testify on your behalf?"
Seraphina Sheridan imdiately replied, "My na is Seraphina Sheridan."
"..."
’That’s kind of funny.’
’Not in a mocking way, though.’
’The whole situation has a kind of absurd humor to it. This girl is interesting.’
"Today is my very first day here. Why did you single out?" This was what Alice York was most puzzled by.
Seraphina Sheridan explained, "It’s because you’re new. You haven’t been influenced by the others and turned into a cold person like them."
Alice York raised an eyebrow. "Cold?"
Seraphina Sheridan sighed, her gaze dropping. "A month ago, I witnessed their coldness firsthand. Director Ellison used despicable ans to rape one of the female guests, then tried to pay her off with money and resources. She was a strong-willed girl and refused to settle. She thought her ’sisters’ and the other guests would testify for her, but every single one of them chose to stay silent. In the end, the girl tried to kill herself. They saved her, but she’s got severe psychological issues now and needs long-term treatnt. The whole incident was swept under the rug. Nothing happened to Director Ellison, and he just went on harassing the other guests."
Alice York’s brows knitted together as she listened.
’This is a criminal matter.’
But Edward Ellison had money and connections. Every ti things got serious, he could easily walk away unscathed. The ones who suffered were the female guests he preyed upon.
"So why were you in such a hurry to tell all this?" Even as Alice York asked, she already had a good idea of the answer.
And Seraphina’s answer confird Alice’s suspicion. "Director Ellison has been coming on to a lot lately. His patience has clearly run out. If he doesn’t get what he wants soon, he’s definitely going to use force. But I desperately need money. I just have to last another ten days. In ten days, I can leave and never have to earn money in this godforsaken place again."
Alice York studied Seraphina Sheridan quietly for a mont.
Seraphina was completely open, her gaze unwavering. She t Alice’s stare head-on.
After a long mont, Alice York walked around Seraphina Sheridan and continued on her way. She walked slowly, speaking as she went, "Hearing all that has scared. This money isn’t worth it. You should find another ally. I’m leaving."
Seraphina Sheridan’s voice followed her, not with disappointnt, but with a cheerful lilt. "Alright. I hope you find a better job too. And if you find a respectable one that pays well, don’t forget about when you’re rich and famous."
Alice York stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at her.
A brilliant smile lit up Seraphina Sheridan’s face, and she even gave Alice a little wave goodbye.
Alice York returned a faint smile of her own.
’Life grinds people down. So fall into the mire just to survive, but instead of letting themselves sink, they struggle desperately to climb back out.’
’Her circumstances were different from Seraphina Sheridan’s, but their spirit of fighting a losing battle was similar. It wasn’t a matter of sympathy. There was only so much she could do. The rest was up to fate.’
In the end, Alice York didn’t leave.
’lody Lancaster wanted to see fall into the mud, but I refuse to give her the satisfaction. In fact, it would be perfect if this business with Director Ellison blew up all the way to the Old Master. Then he would know just how badly lody Lancaster wants to ruin .’
With ten minutes left on the countdown to the show, Edward Ellison appeared.
Cecelia followed behind him, her face completely flushed.
At first, Alice hadn’t realized the man was Edward Ellison. She was just walking past them to put her clothes away, and it was only when she heard a voice that she recognized him.
"Hey, you! Turn around and let have a look."
Edward Ellison’s eyes landed on Alice York’s back. Her slender waist was so striking it instantly captured his full attention.
Alice York pretended not to hear and continued toward the wardrobe to put her clothes away.
Edward Ellison followed her, his face stern. "I told you to turn around. Are you..."
Before he could finish, Alice York had already turned around.
The mont Edward Ellison saw her face, he was completely captivated.
Alice York was holding the clothes she’d arrived in. eting Edward Ellison’s gaze, she freed a hand and made a show of casually brushing a stray hair from her forehead. "Director Ellison."
Edward Ellison pointed at Alice York, comparing her to the photo in his mind. He rembered. "You... you’re... you’re Alice York?"
Alice York gave him a demure smile. "That’s ."
Alice York had the face of a cold beauty when she wasn’t smiling, but once she did, no man could resist her charm.
Edward Ellison’s eyes were glued to her, his gaze raking over her body. "I was starting to think you weren’t coming tonight."
"We already made plans, so of course I ca. You can’t make friends if you don’t keep your word," Alice York said, enduring his lecherous gaze. "Wouldn’t you agree, Director Ellison?"
"Yes, yes, of course."
Edward Ellison nodded eagerly.
When they’d chatted on WeChat, he hadn’t thought Alice York was anything special. Pretty, yes, but he figured winning her over would be a huge hassle. Now, seeing her in person, only one word ca to his mind—perfection!
Everything about her was exactly to his liking.
’She has to be mine!’
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