Anastasia couldnt even fathom the astronomical sum of two million dollars; she couldnt scrape together two hundred thousand! Working at Crimson Night Club, it wasnt impossible to earn such an amount, but Ethan didnt have that kind of time to wait.
...
By the time Anastasia arrived at Crimson Night Club, it was already evening. After some contemplation, she headed towards Mrs. Bennets office and, after a moment of hesitation, knocked on the door.
"Come in," Mrs. Bennets voice came from within, steady as ever.
Standing before her, Anastasia said with her head down, "Mrs. Bennet, I want to work in a place where the tips are higher."
Mrs. Bennet looked at her with surprise. There were places where the tips were more generous, but they were not meant for newcomers like Anastasia who lacked experience.
"Anastasia, are you sure? The clients there are generous, but their games can be quite intense. If things get out of hand, are you sure you can handle it?" Mrs. Bennet asked out of concern.
"Mrs. Bennet, I understand your concern, but I desperately need the money," Anastasia replied without mentioning Ethans situation. She knew that in this place, no one cared about your hardships unless they saw potential for profit.
Seeing Anastasias determination, Mrs. Bennet didnt say any more. She simply told her she would consider the request and asked Anastasia to leave.
Back in the break room, Zhao Ping immediately made a snide remark, "Oh, our Miss Anastasia has been with some big spender, I see. Only showing up this late."
Anastasia was in no mood to engage with her and went to sit in a corner, closing her eyes to rest and contemplate her situation. The lower three floors of Crimson Night Club catered to general consumers, accessible to anyone with some money. The place Anastasia had asked to be transferred to was the sixth to eighth floors, where the women were expected to be performers, not mere companions.
But this "art" was not something everyone could afford.
Anastasia rubbed her temples, knowing she wasnt capable of being so... indiscriminate. Yet, the only way out was to serve the clients on the sixth to eighth floors, risking her own well-being for her brothers life!
She didnt know how much time had passed when the door to the break room opened, and Mrs. Bennet entered. "Anastasia, come with me," she said.
Zhao Ping grumbled discontentedly, "Mrs. Bennet, youre just showing favoritism. Why do all the good things go to Anastasia?"
Mrs. Bennet turned her head and sneered, "Good things? How about the good things on the eighth floor? Would you like to go?"
Zhao Ping, hearing this, shrank back and quickly shook her head. Then, with a hint of schadenfreude, she thought, Anastasia, lets see how you get out of this one!
Without a word, Anastasia followed Mrs. Bennet to a private room on the eighth floor. Mrs. Bennet stopped at the door and looked at Anastasia. "Once you walk in, theres no turning back."
"Mrs. Bennet, I already have no way back," Anastasia said with a mix of helplessness and determination.
Mrs. Bennet didnt say anything more and led Anastasia inside, smiling at the people in the private room. "Master Lin, this is a newcomer. Please go easy on her."
Anastasia was mentally prepared to meet the clients demands, but when she saw Christian Grey sitting on the sofa, she was taken aback. What was he doing here?
Sitting beside Christian, a man with bleached blond hair whistled upon seeing Anastasia. "Hey, isnt this the one Grey took away last time?"
Anastasias face turned pale at the remark.
The blond man knocked all the wine glasses off the table, shattering them on the floor. The room was suddenly filled with the strong smell of alcohol.
Anastasia looked at the dense carpet of glass shards, a sense of dread forming in her heart.
Then the blond man, with his arms crossed, looked at her and said, "On your knees, and Ill give you ten thousand."
Anastasias mind went blank at his words, but thinking of the astronomical cost of Ethans surgery, she eventually steeled herself and knelt down.
The moment Anastasia knelt, the room erupted in cheers, seemingly很满意 with this outcome.
Listening to the sounds around her and suppressing the bitterness in her heart, she began to move towards the place glinting coldly with each step.
Mrs. Bennet, seeing this, retreated outside and lit a cigarette, taking a drag as she thought to herself that Anastasia was a good prospect, but it was a pity she was so determined to devalue her own body.
"Miss, could you hurry up? My interest is waning as I wait," the blond man said with a smile on his face, though his eyes were slowly filling with impatience.
Anastasia looked at Christian Grey beside him, but the man didnt even bother to lift his eyelids, causing her to feel the urge to mock herself.
Biting her lip, she placed her knees onto the pile of sharp objects.
Intense pain shot through her joints, and Anastasia couldnt help but hiss in response.
Watching her pained expression, the men on the sofa grew even more excited, shouting loudly.
Soon, the stockings on Anastasias knees were torn by the glass, and blood slowly seeped out. The wounds, coming into contact with the alcohol on the floor, caused another stinging sensation.
Christian Grey wasnt oblivious to Anastasias glances in his direction, but he thought, "Shes just a hostess; does she really expect me to look out for her? How ridiculous."
But now, seeing her injuries, he couldnt help but feel a discomfort in his heart.
Anastasia finally completed the blond mans command, kneeling between him and Christian Grey and panting heavily. Her knees were embedded with quite a few tiny pieces of glass, which she would need to remove later.
"Sir, Ive done as you asked. Shouldnt you give me my reward now?" Anastasia consciously avoided looking at Christian Grey and said to the blond man with her head down.
"Rest assured, I, Lin Jie, am a man of my word. The money is yours, of course." The blond man laughed loudly, pulling out a stack of cash from his bag and throwing it in front of Anastasia.
"Thank you, sir," Anastasia said as she picked up the stack of money. It was painfully red and刺眼, but she also felt relieved inside. At least this person was true to his word; otherwise, she wouldnt have had much recourse.
"Haha, do you want more? We could try some other games," Lin Jie said with ill intent, looking at Anastasia on the ground.
It had been a long time since hed come across such an entertaining woman; it would be a waste not to have some fun.
Anastasia felt a shudder in her heart and was about to decline when Christian Grey spoke up indifferently, "Ah Jie, dont you find it boring?"
Lin Jie turned to look at Christian Grey and, with a playful smile, said, "What, is Mr. Grey here to play the hero and save the beauty?"
Anastasia was also surprised to hear him speak and looked over.
Christian Grey, hearing his friends question and meeting Anastasias eyes, had an inscrutable look in his gaze.
"Look at the floor, dont you think its dirty?" Christian said coldly.
Lin Jie understood and realized that his friend, who had a bit of a mysophobia, probably found the scene unsightly.
Hearing this, Anastasia couldnt help but feel like scoffing. He thought she was dirty?
Sure, in the eyes of people like them, who were high and mighty, a hostesss profession was dirty, wasnt it!
Lin Jie didnt think much of it and said to Anastasia with a smirk, "Beauty, it seems we wont be able to play today. Another day, Ill find you myself. You may leave now."
Christian Grey sat there, watching the sarcasm on Anastasias lips, and his deep black eyes couldnt help but narrow slightly.