Brian leisurely peeled a lychee and held it up to Olivia. “Wanna try?”

Olivia’s face flushed a bit. She delicately took the white fruit from his hand and brought it to her lips, licking it with a pink tongue.

Her innocent eyes curved into a smile. “It’s so sweet!”

Watching their interaction, Ashley felt a sense of falling into an abyss. Their closeness felt like a huge slap, leaving her dizzy and disoriented. She curled her fingers, lowering her head to hide her expression.

Sarah glanced at Ashley. “Ashley, can you do it?”

Ashley replied softly, “Mrs. Quinn, it’s not appropriate.”

Her voice was so soft and low, like a whisper.

Sarah frowned, displeased. “What did you say? Speak up!”

Ashley bit her tongue, raising her head slightly but still keeping her eyes downcast. “Mrs. Quinn, I said it’s not appropriate. I—”

Sarah’s face grew cold, her gaze icy and piercing. “I can’t hear you.”

Ashley paused, then raised her head a bit more, only to meet Sarah’s harsh, stubborn eyes, leaving her stunned. “Mrs. Quinn., I—”

“Pop!”

“Ah!”

A cup of hot tea flew past Ashley’s ear and shattered at the door, splashing hot water everywhere.

Melissa was standing at the door, and the boiling water splashed onto her bare legs. She gasped in pain, instinctively stepping back, only to bump into the door frame and fall to the ground.

Ashley turned stiffly, seeing Melissa scramble to get up before kneeling down with a thud. One leg, scalded red, pressed against the ground as she knelt.

Ashley stepped forward to help her up, but Melissa, tears in her eyes, shook her head and instead pulled Ashley down to kneel with her, choking out, “Apologize to Mrs. Quinn.”

“Mom...”

Melissa’s voice grew louder, her eyes filled with pain, embarrassment, and determination. “Apologize!”

Ashley’s eyes stung, her fingers digging into her palms as she lowered her head. “Sorry, Mrs. Quinn...”

Sarah wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and looked at Olivia. “Olivia, what would you like to see?”

Olivia, surprised by what had just happened, bit her lip and hesitated.

Brian reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Olivia’s ear. “What’s wrong?”

His voice was gentle, soothing.

Olivia smiled shyly, glancing at Brian before looking at Ashley. “Is it really okay?”

Ashley didn’t respond.

The silence was awkward.

Olivia instinctively looked at Brian, who gave her an encouraging look.

Blushing, she spoke again, “Hello Miss, can you dance pole dance?”

Ashley’s face went pale as she quickly looked up at Olivia.

Seeing Ashley’s reaction, Olivia’s excitement grew. “My friends told me that the Jazz pole dance at Vee Bar is super cool. I’ve always wanted to see it, but my mom said those places aren’t decent and wouldn’t let me go. Miss, do you know how to dance it? Can you dance for me?”

Ashley’s heart pounded as she looked at Sarah, who remained silent, enjoying watching her son and Olivia interact.

Ashley then looked at Brian. He was fiddling with his phone, not paying her any attention.

Cold sweat broke out on Ashley’s back as she wondered if Sarah had discovered something.

After hesitating for a moment, Ashley finally said, “I don’t know how.”

Olivia didn’t believe her and turned to Brian. “Brian, please... I really want to see it.”

“You really want?” Brian smirked.

Olivia nodded eagerly. “I heard the performers wear tight leather outfits. They look so wild and sexy!”

Brian tapped her nose with his long finger. “You only want to see the Miss?”

Ashley caught a glimpse of his hand, which had been all over her body just half an hour ago.

Her palms were clenched so tightly that they were almost bleeding, the pain barely keeping the turmoil inside her at bay.

Blushing, Olivia stuck out her tongue. “Well, if there’s a cute guy...”

Brian chuckled softly and whispered something into her ear, making Olivia’s face turn even redder. She scooted away from him, looking at Ashley with teary eyes. “Miss, can you dance?”

Ashley’s already pale face turned even whiter.

The lover’s matchmaking event demanding she dance seductively for entertainment, which was truly unprecedented.

Embarrassment, anger, and shame surged within Ashley, nearly driving her mad.

Seeing Ashley’s long silence, Brian frowned. “Are you mute?”

Ashley bit down on her tongue, the sharp pain and taste of blood forcing back the lump in her throat.

She whispered, “Mr, I can’t.”

“You can’t?” Brian’s eyes turned cold as he looked past her to Melissa. “Melissa, can’t Ashley dance?”

Ashley’s body tensed up.

Melissa trembled, looking helplessly between Brian and Ashley. “I, Ashley , Ashley can...”

Melissa, already in poor health, paled even further in her panic, her sweat pouring down.

Ashley grabbed her hand to reassure her. “Mr, I studied ballet.”

“So what,” Brian sneered. “What, are you some kind of dance star? A big celebrity? Don’t be pretentious with me.”

The coldness and pressure in his words made Ashley realize that there was no escaping this dance.

She pinched her leg hard, the sharp pain making her whole body tense. The surge of adrenaline brought a moment of clarity.

Clarity was her only card in this cat-and-mouse game.

Ashley lowered her head. “I know what I should do, Mr.”

Sarah was pleased.

“If you’re going to dance, do it well. Butler, get somebody from the downstairs club to set up.”

The butler acknowledged and left.

Seeing her cup was empty, Sarah reached for the teapot. But Brian had already grabbed it and was pouring tea for her.

“Oh my...” Sarah said with satisfaction, though she complained, “Olivia is the guest. How can you only serve me?”

The tea should have been poured halfway.

As the clear tea filled the cup, it overflowed, spilling hot water everywhere.

Brian stopped and placed the teapot down, smiling. “It’s been a while since I made tea. My hand slipped.”

Sarah laughed. “We’re family. I won’t laugh at you.”

Reaching for the cup, she noticed someone moving at the door.

She looked up instinctively—

In that brief moment, Sarah’s hand veered, touching the hot teapot instead of the cup.

The burning sensation made her scream and push away instinctively.

The teapot, placed on the edge of the table, toppled over, spilling steaming water onto her skirt.

“Huh! It hurts!!!”