Ashley instinctively looked away, her fingers unconsciously gripping the seam of her clothes. “No, you look... really pretty today.”

Melissa smiled and gave her a playful pat. “You naughty girl, even teasing your own mother.”

Ashley’s voice was hoarse. “Have you... seen him recently?”

Ever since that incident when she was eighteen, Ashley had never called Jack “Dad” again. When she had to refer to him, she either called him “he“ or used his full name.

Melissa’s smile faltered, and she sighed. “I saw him a few days ago. He’s... doing fine.”

Ashley thought of the missing vase from the fourth floor and the new debts they owed, and her chest tightened with anxiety.

Melissa glanced toward the kitchen. “The soup is almost ready. Later, I’ll serve Mr. Quinn and Mrs. Quinn first, then leave a bowl for Mr. Quinn. You can take it upstairs.”

“No!” Ashley quickly refused. “...He can come down to eat.”

“Mr. Quinn was busy until late last night. I heard he only slept at dawn, so he won’t be coming down for breakfast. I’ll leave a bowl, and you can take it up to him later.”

Ashley was unwilling.

Melissa frowned. “Ashley , we are the Quinn Family’s maids. We must do our duty.”

Duty.

What duty did they still have in this family?

Ashley remained silent, and Melissa took it as agreement.

Ashley had a simple breakfast with Melissa, and around eight-thirty, people upstairs began to get up one after another.

...

At around ten, Brian was still asleep when his phone vibrated.

He placed one hand on his forehead and groped for the phone with his eyes closed.

“Hello.”

“Hah, still not awake?”

Brian, hearing an unfamiliar voice, frowned and glanced at the screen.

It was Andrew James, Olivia’s older brother.

For the sake of the contract signed last night, Brian propped himself up with one hand. “So?”

“We were so focused on business last night, but I forgot to ask you something.”

Brian put the call on speaker, threw off the covers, and walked to the wardrobe. “What is it?”

“That girl in your house, Ashley... She’s pretty, isn’t she?”

His hand paused while grabbing clothes, and his voice turned a few degrees colder. “What?”

“I always hear my sister talking about Ashley,” Andrew’s voice was flippant. “She’s your maid? Wow...she’s pretty, and quite hot. Oh...and she can dance.”

Brian’s gaze darkened. When he spoke, his tone did not match his stern expression at all; it was teasing. “What, are you curious?”

“Curious? I’m very curious!” Andrew chuckled. “How about it? Bring her out next time?”

Brian’s expression was terrifyingly grim, but his voice was even more flirtatious. “Huh, that’s not a big deal. Next time we drink, I’ll bring her over. You can do whatever you want.”

Bang!

As soon as Brian finished speaking, a crash came from outside the door.

“Who is it?”

Brian frowned and looked towards the door, only to find that it had somehow been left slightly open.

He walked over and looked outside but saw no one.

Andrew asked, “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Brian closed the door and continued changing. “I’ve got something to do. Talk later.”

...

Ashley returned to the kitchen with the bowl of soup.

Melissa looked at her in surprise. “Didn’t I ask you to take it to Mr. Quinn?”

Ashley snapped back to reality. “Oh, he said he didn’t want it.”

Melissa sighed. “Then you drink it. It’s all good stuff, very nourishing.”

Ashley took the spoon and drank the whole bowl without tasting anything.

After finishing, she made an excuse about an urgent matter at school and grabbed her bag to leave.

...

Ashley arrived at Vee Bar just in time for lunch. The dance floor was mostly empty.

She signed in at the front desk and went to the dressing room to change into a tight leather outfit and put on a butterfly mask.

On her way out, she ran into Anna, who grinned mischievously and handed her a black whip. “Here, today’s new prop.”

Anna Black was her junior, the most popular girl in their sophomore year.

She had started working part-time at Vee a year ago and had become Ashley’s work buddy.

Ashley looked at the item in her hand, feeling her scalp tingle. “What’s this for?”

“I heard an important guest is coming today with some unique tastes,” Anna patted her shoulder, grinning. “They give very generous tips.”

Ashley was hesitant.

Seeing no one around, Anna pulled her back into the dressing room and whispered, “Come on, my dear Ashley, it’s just dancing. Think of it as saving money for your studies abroad, enduring hardship for your dreams!”

Ashley felt bitter. “But...”

“No buts!” Anna slapped her butt lightly. “Sister, earning money is nothing to be ashamed of!”

Ashley looked into her shining eyes and finally sighed. “I’ll give it a try.”

Anna then went to change.

With half an hour of break left, Ashley stayed in the inner lounge.

Ashley had started working part-time here since her first year in college.

Back then, Jack had racked up enormous gambling debts and had two fingers chopped off. She and her mother were caught, and the captors demanded repayment in flesh.

With no one to turn to, Ashley had begged Brian, offering herself to be locked in bed for three days and nights, and signing a five-year mistress contract in exchange for five million yuan to cover the debt.

From that moment, Ashley realized that money was the most important thing.

Money is dignity, and Money is her life.

During her freshman winter break, Ashley lied about working part-time at a convenience store and spent her lunch breaks dancing at the bar.

She dreamed of saving enough money to buy a house and move out of the Quinn Family home with her mother.

When her five-year contract ended, Brian would probably be tired of her, and she and her mother could lead a simple life.

But she forgot she had a greedy father.

For three years of working, every bit of money she saved was tricked or stolen by Jack.

Now, Brian had cut off her public funding for studying abroad.

But Ashley was not giving up.

If she couldn’t go abroad on public funds, she would earn the money herself!

Even if it meant shedding a layer of skin, she would leave the fucking Quinn Family.

...

Vee Bar was a famous strip club in Huai City, with performances all day.

The peak hours were at night, so it was quieter during the day, and the hourly wages were lower.

Ashley didn’t want any trouble, so she only signed a performance contract for two hours after lunch.

It didn’t pay much, but it also meant less trouble.

When it was time to perform, Ashley walked to the pole in the center of the dance floor. As the enchanting music started, the ceiling lights changed from glaring green to an ambiguous pink.

A sweet scent filled the air, stirring up hidden desires.

Ashley swayed to the rhythm, the black whip making cracking sounds on the floor.

She gripped the pole with one hand, and her movements became more intense with the music.

Suddenly, there was a commotion below, and several people took seats in the VIP area in front of the stage.

According to the rules, Ashley had to walk to the edge of the stage and make a seductive move to greet the VIP customers.

As she walked over, she was caught by a hot gaze.

When she tried to see clearly, the person was gone.

Who was that?

Ashley frowned slightly.