Chapter 5
With that settled, I nodded and hastily left.
When I returned to the award ceremony, Elliot and Lucia were still standing where I’d left them, seemingly engaged in
conversation.
1/4
Even upon seeing my return, they showed no reaction.
I tried to minimize my presence, quietly appreciating the many artistic design works on display.
Having rarely had the opportunity to enter such venues, I naturally wanted to take everything in.
However, Lucia kept asking me to do things for her.
I was Elliot’s personal secretary, responsible for his schedule and occasionally taking care of his daily needs.
But Lucia unabashedly asked me to help with her makeup and carry her shoes, as if I had somehow become her personal
assistant too.
I couldn’t help feeling frustrated.
But when Elliot cast a cold glance my way, I chose to compromise.
Chapter 5
2/4
I thought, “Never mind, in a few days, once Jared has made his preparations, I can leave this place and have nothing more to do
with him.”
However, I never expected Lucia to be so imperious.
Eventually, she actually ordered me to get on stage and perform an impromptu dance.
The playlist consisted entirely of sensual dance tracks, background music designed specifically for bars.
Clearly, she knew about my past.
She excitedly clapped her hands in front of everyone, saying, “I heard Juliet used to dance at bars. Why don’t we all enjoy your dancing skills?”
I was pushed to the center of the stage, my face full of embarrassment and awkwardness.
Yet the guests below, despite their elegant attire, were ultimately just ordinary people.
No one wanted to offend the host’s daughter, nor would anyone refuse a free performance.
Some of Lucia’s friends even helped her stir up the atmosphere of the entire venue.
I could only look toward Elliot.
Chapter 5
He stood in the crowd with his arms crossed, watching me, showing no intention of intervening.
3/4
I picked up the microphone and directly asked him, “Boss, are you sure you want me to dance like this in front of so many people?”
Elliot stood at a distance, hesitating slightly.
Lucia whispered something in his ear, and his expression immediately softened before he nodded at me.
In that moment, my mind became incredibly clear, as if I had never been so calm before.
I suddenly smiled.
With confidence from an unknown source, I danced freely to the
music.
In this moment, I was no longer like a canary in a gilded cage, but more like a butterfly about to spread its wings and break free from its cocoon.
When the song ended, the audience spontaneously began to applaud.
I looked up to see the first person clapping for me—it was Jared, whom I had just met earlier.
For some reason, I suddenly smiled, feeling an unprecedented sense of freedom released from my chest.
Chapter 5
4/4
Offstage, Lucia shot me a hateful glare, as if wanting to pierce right through me.Elliot was also watching me, lost in thought. Noticing for the first time how thinly I was dressed, he draped a coat over my shoulders publicly, for all to see. But I just shook my head, politely declining his gesture. He froze for a moment, his face darkening with displeasure as he said: “Juliet, don’t fail to recognize a favor when it’s offered. You dare refuse my kindness? Stop putting on airs here.“I gently tugged at the corner of my mouth and firmly refused, “You misunderstood. I don’t need it.”
For the rest of my life, I will never again depend on your affection to survive.
B
