Dylan finished speaking and entered Desire.
Flora’s hands unconsciously pressed against her chest, where there really was a mole.
It must have been when he had stuffed money into her collar last time and saw it.
For a moment, Flora was at a loss for words, feeling extremely embarrassed.
She didn’t know how to explain something like this.
Although she didn’t need to explain anything to Josh, Flora couldn’t deny that when she saw him again, she couldn’t help but think of Justin.
“I’m going in.” After a moment of awkwardness, she broke the silence first.
Behind her, Josh stood still, his eyes filled with complexity.
As she entered the changing room, she saw a group of people gathered at the door, all holding the same documents.
“What documents are these?” Flora went closer to take a look, and it was insurance.
“They just distributed them,” one person handed the document to her after flipping through it. “They say it’s to protect us from being harassed by guests; everyone has one.”
Flora flipped through it, “Not bad, so Desire even takes care of this?”
“Of course.” Tina walked in wearing her neat uniform. “Why are you all standing around? Don’t you want to sign?”
“How could we not?” After a bit of laughter, everyone quickly picked up their pens and signed their names.
“Flora, this is yours.” Tina handed her the document. “Get ready; it’s time for work.”
“Tina, after this month, I won’t be coming back,” Flora hesitated to bring it up, considering how well Tina had treated her.
“Why?” Tina looked at her hesitantly, then her expression brightened as if she had remembered something.
“Never mind, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it, but you should sign the document, even if it’s just for tonight. You’re still a Desire person. In case of an accident, this insurance will take effect immediately.”
Flora nodded and signed the document, feeling an unusual excitement and relief.
With her salary from work and commissions from design projects, it was enough for her and her mother to live on.
She was never greedy; as long as life could be maintained, that was enough.
Two days later, it was Flora’s last night at Desire.
She tidied up the table early and returned to the changing room to change into casual clothes.
Her face was still filled with joy, bright and refreshing.
“Flora.” Tina walked in, the bright light casting on her gloomy face, with a sense of guilt growing. “You still have to come to work tomorrow.”
“Why? Tina, I’ve decided to quit.” Flora put the neatly arranged uniform aside and picked up her bag.
“Take a look at this document.” Tina handed her the insurance document she had signed earlier.
Flora unfolded it with puzzlement and fixed her eyes on the words on the first page. It wasn’t insurance but a one-year contract with her name clearly written at the bottom: Flora Jones.
“This…” Flora raised her chin, shaking her head in disbelief, “This isn’t the one I signed!”
“Flora, it’s your own signature,” said Tina.
Flora wanted to argue but eventually closed her mouth, lowering her hands. She had unknowingly fallen into a trap and been imprisoned.
And she had no strength to struggle anymore.
Tina shook her head and left the room.
Flora tore the contract into pieces and threw it into a nearby trash can. She knew it was useless; it was just a way to vent her frustration.
She’d have to spend another one year in such a domineering place, where even breaking the contract was a delusion.
Flora wasn’t sure if it was the hidden boss of Desire, Dylan, or some unknown person controlling the net. She wondered whose hands held the noose.
Now this net was only getting tighter.
Her day work had also hit some hidden force. As long as it was Flora’s design draft, other companies would just politely send it back without looking at it. In the end, the startup company received no orders in half a month.
Flora knew that the hidden hand behind the scenes was closing in.
Although Natalie tried to keep her, she still insisted on quitting and returning to the starting point. She knew if she struggled in vain, that would only drag others down.
Flora understood that she could only stay quietly at Desire now; there was no place for her outside.
This made her even more certain that the one controlling everything was the boss behind Desire.
A man with so much underworld power that she couldn’t fight back.
Flora placed the Chamber No.1 card on the tray, walked through the long corridor, and opened the designated private room.
It was still quiet inside. The moment she closed the door, Flora’s legs almost gave out.
Inside sat three men: Josh, Dylan, and a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties.
Josh saw Flora, his face showing a moment of surprise, his gaze fixed on her as she approached step by step.
Dylan, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the drama, his lips tightly pursed.
“Mr. Dylan Bowles, this is my son. I hope you two can join hands in the future.” The man pointed to Josh beside him, not noticing the strangeness between the two.
Flora crouched down by the table, checked the drinks on the tray, and began to mix them.
Dylan just glanced at Josh, filled with condescending pride. He picked up a glass from the table and looked at Flora’s pale face through the amber liquid.
Dylan didn’t seem to like dealing with people. The man quickly pushed Josh beside him and gestured with his eyes.
“What are you doing standing so far away? Come closer.” Dylan finally spoke, but it was to Flora.
Flora didn’t move. Dylan’s eyes darkened.
“Flora, pour a drink for Mr. Martin.” Dylan’s sudden words made Flora frown involuntarily. This man seemed determined not to let her go.
“Mr. Bowles, you’re too kind,” Paul said, flattered. He picked up a glass from the table and glanced at Flora.
Flora quickly lowered her head, placing her hands on her knees and discreetly gripping her skirt.
Dylan clinked glasses with Paul, emptying his drink in one gulp.
Flora half-lifted her head and saw that Josh was staring at her, so she hurriedly lowered her head again.
In front of someone familiar, she was showing her most humble and humiliating side.
Dylan leaned back in his chair, seemingly determined not to let Flora escape, ordering her around tirelessly.
It turned out that not all wealthy people had good qualities, like Dylan, who was utterly detestable.
“Mr. Martin, the girls here at Desire are not bad, right?” Dylan’s sudden words made everyone pause, and Flora’s face turned even more unsightly.
“Well, they say Desire is the ruler of local nightlife, so the ladies here must be top-notch,” Paul answered honestly, not knowing Dylan’s intentions.
Dylan nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly reached out a hand, grabbing Flora’s chin and lifting her bowed head.
Flora was caught off guard, her eyes meeting Paul’s gaze.
In his eyes, there was a hint of astonishment and an unmistakable disdain.
Flora closed her eyes in despair, her mind in chaos.
The next moment, Dylan’s words made Flora open her eyes again, filled with humiliation.
“Mr. Martin, how about letting her accompany you tonight?”
