Chapt 12. Take Off Your Clothes

Watching him walk away, Isabella pressed a hand to her stomach, the hollow ache of hunger gnawing at her. With a sigh, she headed toward the elevators.

The rooftop of Dream Club was home to an open-air swimming pool. Isabella had expected the night air to be freezing, but the moment she pushed open the door, her vision was flooded with neon lights, laughter, and bodies. Handsome men and beautiful women crowded the poolside, their energy vibrant, intoxicating, and shamelessly wild.

For a brief second, only one word surfaced in her mind—debauchery. Wine, flesh, and temptation sprawled before her eyes, enough to drown anyone who lingered.

She dared not look around for long. Lowering her gaze, she searched for places that needed cleaning. Before she could move, someone called out to her:

“Hey, cleaning lady! Over here. Come clear these empty bottles and bring us fresh ones!”

Of course, she was the only one in a janitor’s uniform tonight. Isabella saw a long table by the pool piled with empty bottles, reds and whites mixed in a chaotic tower.

She licked her dry lips, picked up a nearby crate, and walked over. Her movements were efficient and practiced. Halfway through her task, someone tossed a beach ball into the pool, splashing water across the deck.

Startled, Isabella stumbled back a step—right into someone else.

“Ahhh!” a woman squealed. “Ugh, so dirty! Watch where you’re going!”

Isabella spun around and saw a woman in a white mini-dress glaring at her. Heat rose to Isabella’s cheeks. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

“You filthy cleaner, what are you doing here anyway? You ruined my dress. Do you have any idea how much this costs? Can you even afford to touch it? Disgusting!”

The small commotion caught the attention of the man lounging lazily on a sofa nearby. He lifted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes, and his gaze landed on Isabella’s lowered face. Something in her quiet, delicate profile made him pause. With a faint smirk, he asked, “What’s going on here?”

The woman in white instantly softened her tone, turning toward him in an almost pitiful way. “Mr. Pei, can you believe it? This cleaner bumped into me and stained my dress…”

“Oh?” The man—Pei Song—let his eyes roam over her, then back to Isabella. His lips curled. “A dress ruined? Simple. Let her pay you for it. Cleaner, come here.”

Isabella swallowed. She knew she was unlucky tonight, but here, she couldn’t afford to offend anyone. Closing her eyes briefly, she steadied herself and walked toward him.

Up close, Pei Song’s gaze sharpened with amusement. He set down his glass, tilting his head as he looked her over. “Cleaning lady, you stained her clothes. You need to compensate.”

Isabella glanced at the white dress. It was branded, unmistakably expensive. Compensation? Impossible. “With my salary, I could never afford this dress. But… if you’re willing, once the party’s over, I can take it and clean it for you.”

Her honesty caught him off guard, then drew a spark of interest. His fox-like eyes curved with mischief. “Since you can’t pay, then take off your clothes instead. One outfit for another. Fair trade, don’t you think?”

His voice wasn’t quiet. Conversations faltered around them. Heads turned. Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Heat drained from Isabella’s face. She only owned a few uniforms to her name, and underneath, she wore nothing but thin undergarments. He was deliberately humiliating her.

“What’s wrong? Isn’t your shabby uniform worth trading for hers? Or are you too proud?”

“Mr. Pei, she’s no fun at all. Won’t even take her clothes off…”

“Come on, let’s see! Hurry up and strip!”

The jeers grew louder. Isabella’s hand trembled as she clutched the front of her uniform. Her body quivered as her fingers reached for the first button.

And then—

A hand, strong and warm, settled firmly on her shoulder.

Isabella froze. The next second, her body leaned against a chest she knew all too well.

Dominic Lancaster.

He stood there, lips curved in a mocking smile, but his phoenix eyes glinted with a sharp, icy light. His dark brows arched like blades, his entire presence radiating dominance, untouchable and absolute—like a sovereign surveying his court.

Isabella tilted her head up slightly, and her eyes landed on the sharp cut of his jawline. Her throat tightened. She swallowed hard.

His mouth was curved in the faintest, most dangerous smirk. The words he spoke, however, cut through the air like a knife.

“What’s this, Pei? Since when did you start entertaining yourself with this kind of cheap amusement?”

Cheap amusement… Isabella lowered her gaze, shame twisting in her chest.

“Mr. Lancaster, don’t take it the wrong way. We’re just having a little fun. What’s a party without entertainment, right?”

“Entertainment?” Dominic’s laugh was low, lethal. “I see.”

The next moment, before anyone could react, there was a loud splash.

Pei Song—the man who had mocked her—was suddenly flailing in the pool, water spraying in every direction. Dominic had kicked him in without a second thought.

Isabella stood there, stunned.