Chapter 3

Seeing Dominic bend down and pinch a young woman’s chin like that, just checking her out, Mr. Moore blinked, then chuckled, “Whoa, whoa—Dom, don’t tell me you’re into her?” Dominic gave a low “Yeah.” Huh?? The other guys looked totally baffled. Before any of them could even react, Dominic reached out and pulled Emilia straight into his arms. “You guys go ahead. I’m taking her out.” By the time the others processed what just happened, he had already walked out of the private room with her. Wait, what? Did Mr. Hayes just leave with her? The second they stepped out of the club, Dominic let her go. Emilia smoothed down her dress, quietly following his pace, and soon climbed into a sleek Maybach with him. Then, she just sat there silently next to him. Out of the corner of her eye, Emilia sneaked a glance at him. Didn’t he say he didn’t want any company tonight? So why did he bring her out? Ten minutes later, the car rolled up to one of the city’s top five-star hotels. Emilia suddenly understood—so that’s what this was. He just needed someone to spend the night with. Inside the suite, Emilia kicked off her heels and swapped into the hotel slippers. She helped him out of his jacket and gave a soft, flirty smile. “Would you like to freshen up first? I can make you some tea.” Dominic threw her a glance, picked up his bathrobe, and headed to the bathroom. Watching him disappear into the shower, Emilia quietly breathed out in relief. She filled the kettle, glancing at the bathroom door, then slipped a small packet from a hidden pocket in her dress. She’d bought this stuff from someone she knew. Over the past three years, it was the one thing that let her go out with clients and still walk away untouched. She dropped a single pill into a glass. Tiny as it looked, the effect was serious. As long as Dominic drank that special cup of tea, he wouldn’t be able to keep his eyes open for long. It’d knock him out in no time. Then just before dawn, she would slip into bed next to him, minus her clothes. He’d wake up thinking they’d slept together. That way, she’d walk off with the money—and her dignity—still intact.