Chapt 7. Still This Cheap for a Man?

But then Isabella thought of the Carter family…

Taking a deep breath, she lowered her head and slowly knelt.

Thud.

The sound echoed in the freezing night. Even Charlotte’s eyes were filled with surprise. Behind her, Adrian Harrington stood there without any emotions

“Mr. Harrington,” Isabella whispered, her voice was trembling. “Please forgive me…”

Before she could finish, a glass of hard liquor splashed across her face.

Adrian’s voice was indifferent like ice:

“Isabella, it’s been two years. And for a man, you’re still this cheap.”

Her mind went blank. By the time she wiped the stinging liquor from her eyes, Adrian was already walking away.

Maybe… he really was disappointed in her after all.

Dominic didn’t flinch at the scene. He stepped closer, towering over her, his tone colder than the wind:

“Since the guest hasn’t forgiven you, keep kneeling and appologizing.”

Then he turned and strode away.

“...Dominic…” Her weak voice followed him, breaking apart in the air. “Do you love Sophia that much?”

So much that he hated her—more than Sophia’s own brother ever could?

He stopped in his tracks, looking down at her.

“What did you just say?”

Her makeup had long smeared, her face pale and blotchy, but her expression was nothing but despair.

“Dominic, I regret it. If I had known you loved her, I never would’ve had feelings for you. Liking you… was the biggest mistake of my life.”

This time, he heard her clearly. His face darkened, then curved into a chilling smile.

“Is that so? Too bad, Isabella. In this world, the one thing you’re never allowed… is regret.”

That winter in the City was colder than ever. 

Isabella knelt at the club entrance in her short cheongsam uniform. Her face was ghostly pale, and her wet hair was already crusted with ice.

Her body was freezing. Her legs throbbed with pain. She swayed on the edge of collapse.

More and more customers passed through the doors, each sparing her a mocking glance, a sneer. She ignored them all, her head bowed, staring at her red, frozen hands.

It was how she had survived prison.

At first she fought back. Every beating she resisted only made them worse. In the end, she learned to shut down, to go numb, to wait until her tormentors got tired.

Now, she only wished the same—

That Dominic, Adrian, anyone—

Would just get tired, and leave her alone.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when Amy snuck out with a coat and tossed it onto her shoulders.

“Wear it. You’ve been kneeling two hours already. Any longer and you’ll die.”

Isabella froze, then slowly picked up the coat. Her lips were cracked and bloodless, her voice hoarse:

“Don’t… don’t bother with me. I don’t want you dragged into this.”

“You’re still worried about me?” Amy frowned. “I told you to quit. You’ll get yourself killed here. Stay put—I’ll get you hot water.”

Isabella raised a weak hand, trying to stop her. But before she could say anything, the world spun.

Thud!

Her body hit the marble hard, her forehead smashing against the ground. Pain flared, blood pooled, and darkness swallowed her whole.

Inside the club.

In the manager’s office, Dominic sat in silence, his expression was unreadable.

A beautiful woman brewed tea at the side, her movements elegant as she poured a steaming cup. The faint fragrance filled the room.

She cast him a careful look, her tone soft but pointed:

“They say tonight’s temperature will drop to 20 F. Those flowers you bought last week… they won’t survive.”

Dominic’s lips curved faintly. “They’re just flowers. Buy more.”

The woman smiled and added softly:

“But what about people?”