After One Night: The Heir and His Maid

Could she really bring herself to sell herself?Daphne's heart pounded as she stared at the brothel. She turned to leave. Then her phone buzzed.[Unknown number: PAY YOUR FATHER'S DEBT! DON'T TEST OUR PATIENCE.]Seconds later, another message arrived with a photo.[Unknown number: Next time, it could be worse.]Daphne covered her mouth. The photo showed her father badly beaten. She trembled, tears slipping down her cheeks. With no other choice, she stepped into the building."Take off all your clothes," ordered Madam Rosaline, the owner of the high-end brothel where Daphne had come to apply for a job.Daphne swallowed hard. Her fingers tightened around her jeans.Seeing that Daphne remained frozen, Rosaline approached her and began unbuttoning her shirt herself. "Don't mistake this for cruelty," Rosaline said calmly. "I need to know what I'm offering my clients.""Let me do it myself," Daphne quickly interrupted as Rosaline reached toward her bra.When everything covering her body fel

Rosaline gently lifted Daphne's chin with the tip of her finger. "You're lucky, sweetheart. Most girls don't get a client like this on their first day. So don't disappoint him."A chill ran down Daphne's spine. She had no idea what kind of man was waiting for her. But from the way Rosaline spoke, he was someone important. And somehow, that terrified her even more."Make the most of this opportunity. We never know what the future holds," Rosaline said before stepping aside and opening the door. "Now go. Don't make him wait too long."Just as Daphne was about to walk past her, Rosaline stopped her one last time."Head up. Good posture. Confidence. Beauty may catch a man's eye, but confidence keeps it. Move like you're the only woman in his world."Daphne straightened her posture at once. With a deep breath, she stepped out of the dressing room.Rosaline watched her disappear down the corridor. "Sometimes, a single night changes everything," she murmured to herself.*****Alexander sat on

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. After tonight, I can't keep you here," Rosaline said, watching as Daphne kept her head lowered.She rose from her seat and walked over to the cabinet. A moment later, she returned with an envelope and handed it to Daphne. "This is your payment for tonight. He also left you a tip."Daphne lowered her gaze, clutching the envelope in her hands. "Did he tell you what happened in the room?"Rosaline tilted her head slightly, trying to catch Daphne's downcast eyes. She gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind Daphne's ear, her expression softening."No. He only told me to make sure you received your payment." Rosaline gently lifted Daphne's chin with the tip of her finger. "My decision has nothing to do with him. I just don't think you belong in a place like this.""I understand." Daphne forced a small smile. She understood. Rosaline was only doing what any business owner would do. She needed someone who could handle the job, and she clearly wasn't that person."Co

Daphne was the first to react. She gently slipped her hand free, unable to bring herself to meet his gaze.Alexander instinctively glanced at the front of Daphne's maid uniform. His gaze lingered there for a moment before he quickly looked away. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a long sigh."Ask Katarina for another uniform tomorrow."Daphne glanced down at her uniform for a moment before finally looking back up. "Why?""Just do it.""You can't tell me what to wear."Alexander fell silent for a moment. "It's too tight."An awkward silence settled between them. Alexander shifted slightly, and the small space between them disappeared completely. There was no space between them now, close enough for them to feel each other's breath.“If I noticed it, other men would too,” Alexander continued, his expression as unreadable as ever.Daphne was left speechless. She knew exactly what he meant. "What... happened there stays there. Please... forget everything," she whispered softly.He

Daphne instinctively moved to the side of the staircase, making room for Alexander to pass. She wondered if she should greet him or simply offer him a smile.“Careful. It’s slippery,” Daphne said, touching the back of her neck. The movement made the pain in her arm flare up, and she winced slightly as she clutched it.Alexander glanced at the stairs, then back at her, his expression unreadable.Daphne lowered her head slightly as he walked past her, inwardly cursing herself for making it so obvious.“Get someone to help you,” Alexander said, continuing up the stairs.“Look who’s here!”A loud voice suddenly rang out from the mansion's entrance. They both instinctively turned toward the sound.A curly-haired man dressed impeccably walked into the mansion with a bright smile.Alexander closed his eyes for a moment as soon as he saw him, while Daphne stood there, looking confused.“How’s it going, Captain Rhodes?” Arthur asked, giving him a mock salute. He was deliberately teasing Alexan