“I’m not a celebrity. Why would she undergo surgery to look like me? Besides, I don’t even know this new colleague.”

Anna rolled her eyes at Ashley’s obliviousness. “You really don’t recognize her? That’s Hannah Smith!”

Ashley was taken aback. “What’s she doing here?”

Hannah and Ashley had started university in the same year, but they had always been at odds with each other.

To be precise, it was Hannah who had always targeted Ashley. If Ashley went east, Hannah would definitely go west. The inexplicable hostility left Ashley bewildered and speechless, so she simply chose to ignore her.

Unexpectedly, Hannah framed Ashley for cheating during their first-year final exams. In the end, Hannah faced disciplinary action and eventually dropped out.

And now, after a year and a half, they met again?

“She’s jealous of you! She even underwent plastic surgery to look like you!” Anna explained.

“I don’t think it’s that serious...” Ashley replied.

Anna shouted, “Do you even realize how beautiful you are? Did God trade your intelligence for your looks?”

Ashley rolled her eyes. “So what’s she doing here? Wanna causing trouble?”

Anna furrowed her brows. “Can’t you tell? She’s here to trouble you.”

“But I’m not doing that...” Ashley said, puzzled.

Everyone knew what kind of place Vee was. Working there meant leaving one’s shame at the door.

At Vee, people worshipped only money and their instincts. If the mood struck, you could pull anyone in for a quick sex. Anywhere could become a spot for indulgence if the price was right.

Ashley knew her colleagues were quite liberal. She didn’t pry, but that didn’t mean she wanted to join in.

Anna was frustrated. “She targets you everywhere, even got surgery to look like you, just to sleep with you? Ashley, how big is your imagination?”

“I thought you meant...” Ashley mumbled.

“I meant she’s using your face to attract men!”

“You think too much,” Ashley said.

Anna laughed. “Fine, I’ll keep an eye on her. Be careful not to get tricked.”

Ashley nodded.

...

After the manager arrived, Ashley completed the formalities and left.

When she arrived at the place she had arranged to meet John, the grandeur of the hotel’s entrance blinded her.

Wasn’t this... the Quinn Family’s five-star hotel?

Ashley frowned. John couldn’t afford this place. Was the girl pursuing him from a wealthy family?

She must be very influential if she could make John this uncomfortable.

Inside the private room, John was seated opposite a sweet-looking girl.

Ashley sat down next to John.

The sweet girl was momentarily stunned, but then, her eyes were welled up with tears, looking at Ashley with a sense of grievance.

Remembering her role and mission, Ashley looped her arm around John’s. “Hello, Miss, I hear you like my boyfriend?”

John initially stiffened, then quickly relaxed, leaning closer to Ashley. “Megan, this is my girlfriend, Ashley. Ashley, this is my junior from the Folk Music Department, Megan Sanders.”

Ashley nodded at her.

Megan’s eyes grew even redder, tears welling up as she glanced at John. “Mr. Fang, your girlfriend is really beautiful.”

John exchanged a surprised look with Ashley. “Didn’t you say you’d pester me until you won me over?”

Megan sniffled. “I thought you were lying to me. Now that I’ve met your girlfriend, how could I shamelessly make things difficult for you?”

John breathed a sigh of relief.

He had expected more trouble.

Ashley hadn’t expected the junior to be so reasonable.

After a few more exchanges, John excused himself to take a call.

“Ashley, would you like some juice?” Megan pointed to the corner where the beverage machine was. “I’m getting some watermelon juice. Want me to bring you a glass?”

Ashley thanked her.

Taking a sip of the juice, Ashley looked at Megan, who seemed sweet and polite, and asked, “How did you come to like John?”

Megan’s gaze fell on Ashley’s lips. Seeing her drink the juice, her initially sweet smile dropped, and her eyes grew cold.

Ashley was taken aback by such an undisguised change in expression. “Megan?”

Megan leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with a disdainful smirk. “Yes?”

It was as if she had become a different person.

Ashley was about to speak. But Megan cut in, “Ashley, are you really John’s girlfriend?”

“Of course,” Ashley replied, feeling uneasy.

“Then why did I hear you accepted Robert’s advances and are involved with a Rolls Royce man?”

A Rolls Royce—the car Brian had driven to school.

“That’s impossible,” Ashley’s mouth went dry as she took another sip of the juice.

“You must be mistaken. John and I have been together for over two years. We’re very close.”

“Is that so?” Megan lazily took out her phone, seemingly sending a message, “Maybe.”

Ashley felt increasingly uncomfortable. Her body grew hotter, with a strange itch emanating from her bones.

Her mouth parched, and instinctively reached for the glass.

Her fingers brushed against the glass, then paused.

She suddenly looked at the juice, then at Megan.

Her discomfort had started after drinking the juice, and Megan’s attitude had shifted after confirming she drank it!

Ashley abruptly stood up, gripping the table. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Sure,” Megan smiled. “Need help?”

“No.” Ashley’s legs felt weak, and her steps were unsteady as if walking on cotton.

She hurried out of the private room, her breath growing hotter and more painful.

She had been drugged!

Recalling the “useless knowledge“ Brian had taught her, Ashley quickly assessed her situation. She needed a cool place to stay or a man to help her.

The bustling first floor wasn’t safe, so she turned towards the elevator.

She pressed the button for the top floor, shrinking into the corner and pressing against the cool metal walls.

The cold metal was painful against her heated skin. Watching the elevator ascend, she felt her strength ebb away.

She needed to reach the rooftop and hide.

Thankfully, she remembered her visit with Brian; otherwise, she’d have no idea where to go.

Reaching the top floor, Ashley stumbled out of the elevator and made her way to the side door at the end of the hallway.

Just as she turned, she crashed into a cool, pine-scented embrace.

Her legs gave way, and she instinctively clung to the person.

...

As soon as Ashley left, Megan called over a waiter. “Follow her and take her to room 1208.”

She had prepared that room in advance, and inside were three homeless men.

The waiter nodded and left.

John walked back in just then. “Where’s Ashley?”

Her bag was there, but she was gone.

Megan shrugged. “Went to the bathroom. Robert, you really care about your girlfriend.”

“Of course,” John smiled. “You’ll find a boyfriend who cares about you too someday.”

“Maybe,” Megan’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Robert, would you like some watermelon juice?”