East Garden Hot Springs.

In a secluded villa, Brian was soaking in the outdoor hot spring, looking up at the moon.

From inside came the sounds of passionate lovemaking, accompanied by the splashing of hot water in the bathtub.

It wasn’t until Brian finished drinking two pots of warm wine that silence fell inside.

Soon, a maid came in to tidy up the suite.

And the man, who had been “working hard“ in the suite, came out into the small courtyard.

“Shit, I’m out there breaking my back for you, and you’re here enjoying yourself!”

The man, with bronze skin, had a lean and muscular waist that looked even more defined.

He walked over barefoot, wanting to get into the hot spring.

Brian casually tossed his wine cup, hitting the man’s calf.

The man clutched his leg, yelping, “What the hell!”

Brian looked at him coldly. “Don’t dirty the hot spring.”

The man cursed again but knew better than to provoke Brian, who had a cleanliness obsession. So he grudgingly pulled a mat over and sat by the pool. “Alright.”

Only then did Brian hand him a cup of wine. “Pretty fun, huh?”

“Not bad,” the man chuckled. “You know, but I don’t get you...The woman might not be anything special, but she’s not exactly bored in bed. You could’ve had her yourself instead of dragging me back here.”

Brian glanced at him.

The man, Jackson Parker, quickly sat up straight. “Well, I’ve been quite active recently and without any contraception. I feel she could get pregnant soon.”

Brian let out a short laugh. “She won’t.”

“Huh?” Jackson Parker was puzzled. “Why not? Wasn’t it part of the plan to get her—”

“Don’t meddle in things you shouldn’t. Just do your job,” Brian cut him off.

Jackson Parker grimaced. “Alright, alright, I won’t meddle. But at least tell me when you’ll be getting engaged.”

“Soon,” Brian squinted his eyes. “Keep an eye on things in B City. Once I settle things here, you’ll act immediately.”

...

The next morning, Ashley got up and learned from the maid that Brian hadn’t returned all night.

Mrs Quinn, worried about a repeat of the previous hotel fiasco, called the james Family and was relieved to hear that Olivia also hadn’t returned home.

Ashley recalled their hot spring trip last night.

“Mrs might lose her temper again today,” Melissa handed Ashley an egg and a packet of milk, stuffing them into her bag. “Be mindful of the time and come back later if you can.”

Ashley nodded, grabbed her bag, and left.

As soon as she entered the classroom, Anna approached her. “Ashley, are you going to Vee at noon?”

“No, I need another week to recover.” Ashley touched her face, still feeling the faint scars. She had one last laser treatment on Friday.

Anna lowered her voice, “I heard Vee’s boss is back and wants to meet the employees to discuss a raise.”

“A raise?” Ashley was surprised.

Vee’s wages were already high.

Anna nodded, speaking even softer, “I heard the boss did time in prison.”

“What?”

“You didn’t know? The boss was in prison, a juvenile offender, convicted of murder.”

This was the first Ashley had heard of it.

“I heard he went in as a teenager, but someone helped reduce his sentence, and he served fifteen years.

“Vee has always been managed by others for him. After his release, he went to Las Vegas for a while and only recently came back to take over.”

Ashley thought it sounded like a legend, too unreal to believe.

Anna leaned on her hand, “Do you think he’ll make us strip?”

“...What are you talking about?”

Anna pouted, “He came back from Las Vegas, which isn’t as conservative as here. BTW, the manager said they’re struggling with new pole dance routines. If the boss decides to switch us from jazz pole dancing to stripping... it’s not impossible.”

Ashley frowned.

Anna sighed, “He’s a big shot who’s been inside; he’s not playing any innocent games.”

Ashley licked her lips. If that happened, she’d have to quit.

“Forget it, don’t borrow trouble,” Anna straightened up and took out her breakfast. “We’ll wait for the notice!”

Ashley rolled her eyes. “It was you that tell me this and now, you say not to worry?”

Anna laughed.

Ashley opened her bag to get her breakfast.

She didn’t feel the food bag but instead touched a paper bag.

“Huh?”

Puzzled, Ashley took out the bag, unable to remember what it contained. Before she could open it, her phone buzzed.

She instinctively swiped the screen and saw a message from the bank.

“Dear customer, your account withdrew 160,000 yuan at 08:37 from Huai City Bank ATM 9843. Your balance is 32.01 yuan. If you have any questions, please call...”

Ashley’s mind went blank, and she shot up from her seat.

“Ashley?” Anna looked at her in surprise.

Pale-faced, Ashley grabbed her phone and ran out.

“Hey, hey! Class is about to start!”

Startled, Anna tried to follow but was blocked by the teacher at the door.

She had to sit down and put Ashley’s bag back in the drawer. But she couldn’t help wondering that Ashley, a scholarship student, skipping class?

...

With trembling hands, Ashley left the building, found a secluded spot, and called the bank.

She learned that someone had used cardless withdrawal to take all her cash and that the CCTV footage showed a middle-aged man.

Ashley absentmindedly picked at the paper bag. “Can I report this to the police?”

“Of course, miss. Are you sure the withdrawer isn’t a family member? We recommend going to...”

The customer service staff was alert, explaining the conditions for reporting and directing Ashley to the nearest police station.

The more Ashley listened, the colder she felt. When the staff mentioned “family,” she thought of a possibility that made her heart sink.

After a while, the staff, hearing no response, asked, “Miss, are you still there?”

Ashley bit her lip. “Sorry, can you send me the surveillance video? I... need to confirm.”

She hung up.

Soon, she received a video clip on her phone. Ashley opened it and saw Jack’s haggard, ecstatic face.

Her bank card had always been with her. The only person who knew her account and password, who shared a savings card for buying medicine, was Melissa.

Ashley closed her eyes, took a moment, and then called Melissa.

“Ashley, why are you calling now? Aren’t you in class?”

“You give my bank account details to Jack, right?”

Melissa feigned ignorance, “How could I? What are you talking about, Ashley? I don’t understand.”

“You don’t understand?” Ashley’s hand shook with anger. “This card was only ever seen by you. No one else knew about it!”