Chapter 9
Chapter 10 Utter Humiliation
When they walked out of the civil oflice, Jasper’s expression was dark.
O
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Tatiana trailed two steps behind, her voice timid and uneasy. “I’m sorry for the trouble. A month from now, I’ll be here on time p>
Yes–the divorce required a one–month cooling–off period.
so he gave
Jasper didn’t want the matter dragged out further, her a warning. “You’d better keep yourself in line during this time p>
She nodded obediently, quiet as could be.
Her submission unsettled him, though he told himself it was just the frustration of having to wait a month. He turned and left without looking back.
Because of the cooling–off period, she wasn’t sent back to the reform center. Instead, she was left with the Steeles for the time being.
She counted the days. She could probably live until the divorce went through.
But her cough worsened, and she needed medicine p>
She had no money to buy it. Even the last thing of value she’d given away to that college student.
That trinket…
It had appeared in her hand as if out of nowhere. Her memory was broken from all the electric shocks; gaps
and blanks remained. She stopped trying to remember.
She wandered the streets, hoping to find a job.
She was turned away again and again.
Before she was sent away, she had been a top student at Stormhollow Conservatory, about to hold her first solo concert.
She looked down at her scarred hands, remembering the agony of each fingernail being torn
out.
She could never play again.
And with her expulsion, her record showed only a high school diploma.
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Chapter 10 Utter Humiliation
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Limping, she walked for hours before spotting a flashy advertisement on a massive billboard.
Moonlight Club Hiring:
“Hostesses: Base salary 30,000 and up. Height requirement: 168 cm minimum p>
“Princesses: Base salary 50,000 and up. Must be skilled in singing and dancing. Experience preferred p>
Her gaze skipped past those lines, untouched by the lure of the pay. That wasn’t for her.
She kept reading until her eyes paused at one line:
Violinist Wanted.
Her chest stirred–but quickly went still again. Her gaze dropped lower.
Cleaners: Multiple positions. Base salary 2,000 and up. No requirements.
She memorized the address and, asking along the way, finally made it there.
Her feet were blistered, but she walked as if she felt nothing.
When she looked up and saw the endless crowd packed around the entrance, she faltered.
A club that grand, offering pay that high–no wonder so many girls showed up.
They were beautiful, polished, their figures flawless. They stood in rows to be looked over, waiting to be chosen.
Tatiana wanted to turn back. But she was ton
tired. Even getting there had drained her. Her throat burned, her lips were parched, and she longed for water. When she saw bottles being handed out to applicants, she stayed in line just to get one.
From the second floor, she was spotted.
“Hey, isn’t that Tatiana Lowell? Or rather, Tatiana Steele now p>
At a booth, a few rich young men were playing cards. At the name, they all leaned over the railing to look down.
“She’s covered up head to toe. How can you tell p>
“Please. I used to tag along with Jasper–saw her plenty. She was like a fly, always buzzing around. I know her face anywhere. Didn’t think she’d ever get out of that reform center p>
“So what’s she doing here p>
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“What else? She must’ve heard Jasper comes here a lot and followed him like a stray. Some habits never change p>
“Hold on. Looks like this is an audition. Moonlight’s been hiring lately. Tired of the old faces p>
“So she’s here to try out? My god, this woman really doesn’t give up. No more Miss Lowell, so now she wants to be some club princess p>
“ Why don’t we teach her a lesson for Jasper? Save him the annoyance p>
They exchanged grins, malice written across their faces.
Downstairs, Tatiana was about to take her water and slip away when someone called out.
“You. Come here p>
She hesitated. “Me p>
“Yeah, you. Hurry up. You want the job or not p>
She shuffled forward, slow and uncertain.
The floor manager’s chest tightened. He knew she’d drawn the short straw by catching those. men’s eye, but he was just a lackey–he couldn’t protect her.
“You’re hired. Cleaner. Pay’s three thousand. Take it or leave it p>
Her eyes lit up. She nodded quickly. “I’ll take it p>
The pay was low, but it was the best offer she’d had.
“Get her a uniform p>
Every employee had one. Even cleaners.
But the uniform handed to her had been worn before. It was filthy and stank. Thɪs chapter is updated by.net
She didn’t complain. She put it on.
“First and second floor bathrooms are yours. Not a speck of dirt left behind. Understand p>
She nodded seriously.
Night fell, and the club came alive.
Luxury cars crowded the entrance. Only members were allowed in, and none came without.
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Chapter 10 Utter Humiliation
money to burn.
That evening, Jasper received a call.
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“Jasper, it’s my birthday. Won’t you come? We’re at Moonlight. I even invited Xavier p>
He had wanted to decline, but restless irritation had plagued him these days. He accepted.
When Jasper pushed open the private room door, the sound of raucous laughter hit him.
His brow furrowed. His gaze swept the room–and landed on her.
Tatiana was on her knees.
She crawled on all fours across the floor, rag in hand, wiping up the sticky mess they had spilled p>
The young men circled around her, laughing, filming, spitting crude words like knives.
She moved slowly, carefully, as if she couldn’t hear them.
One of them poured liquor down his own pants, in the most indecent spot, and whistled. “Hey, clean me up. Right here p>
She froze, gripping the rag.
your hand p>
“What, don’t understand? Crawl over and wipe it. With your
The jeers grew louder. Phones lifted, recording.
“Do it p>
“Do it p>
“Do it p>
Her eyes dulled. She moved closer.
Their laughter swelled, thick with anticipation.
In that instant, Jasper’s fury snapped loose.
He kicked a chair aside with a crash, the sound like a gunshot. The whole room jumped.
“J–Jasper p>
“It’s Mr. Jackson p>
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Chapter 10 Utter Hamdiation
Cody Zane, at the center of it, lit up. “Perfect timing! Jasper, look p>
He didn’t finish.
Jasper had seized a kettle of scalding water and poured it straight over him.
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Cody’s scream ripped through the room as he collapsed, clutching himself, writhing in pain.
Jasper tossed the kettle aside, planted his foot on Cody’s back, and smiled, cold and sharp as a knife.
“Why’d you stop wiping p>
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.