Chapter 4

Outside, fierce winds swept thick sheets of snow across the streets. It was the heaviest blizzard Denvale had seen all year. The streets were practically empty, with only a few cars crawling along. Yet in the middle of the storm, Crystal braved the wind and snow, heading toward Paradise Royale, the most luxurious bar in the heart of the city. That place was paradise for the rich, who spent money like water, and right now, it was the fastest way Crystal could think of to make cash. Inside the cramped dressing room, the air was thick with the stench of cheap makeup. Crystal unconsciously gripped the hem of the revealing miniskirt she was wearing. Staring at the unfamiliar person in the mirror, she felt a moment of disorientation. When she was 18, she had wanted to buy Stephen a proper suit for his birthday. She had worked day and night at part-time jobs, but even then, she couldn't earn a fraction of its price. By chance, she overheard classmates saying that working at Paradise Royale was a quick way to earn money. That very night, just as she reached the entrance with a friend, an enraged Stephen showed up with people in tow. "Crystal Hoffman! Who said you could mess around and do whatever you wanted? Do you even know what kind of place this is?" His eyes were bloodshot as he clamped down on her arm, gripping so hard it felt as if he wanted to crush her. That was the first time Stephen had ever lost his temper with her like that. But when he found out she was trying to earn money to buy him a birthday present, his anger vanished instantly. Pulling her into a tight embrace, he choked up. "Crystal, I don't want any other gift. You're the best birthday present I'll ever have." After that, Stephen gave her a black card with no spending limit. He told her she was his princess, and a princess should forever remain graceful, never needing to face the struggles of life. Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Crystal thought bitterly that her prince had personally stripped her of her dignity and handed her endless suffering instead. Carrying a tray, Crystal followed the other servers into a private room. Anyone who could afford this place was either rich or powerful. Crystal knew very well what kind of shady dealings went on beneath the surface, so she kept her head down and focused on her job, not wanting trouble. "Hey, sweetheart, come drink with me!" While pouring drinks, a leering man took a liking to her. He pulled her straight into his arms and force-fed her alcohol. "Sir, please… let go of me…" Flushing with shame, Crystal struggled to break free. Afraid of offending him, she forced a smile and drank a glass to appease him, but he wouldn't let her go. "You're already a bottle girl, so why are you acting all pure? You like drinking, right? Fine. Drink a whole bottle, and I'll give you a million dollars. If you can't finish it, I'll make sure you 'enjoy yourself' in bed tonight!" He pointed at the table full of hard liquor, his eyes mocking. Though everyone in the room noticed the commotion, not a single person stepped in to help. There was no escape and no way out. With trembling hands, Crystal picked up a bottle, powerless to resist. The moment the liquor hit her throat, it burned like fire—but it wasn't nearly as intense as the chill she felt in her heart. After countless drinks, Crystal's head felt like it was splitting apart. Under the distorted lights, she vaguely saw a disgusting hand reaching toward her. She closed her eyes in resignation, but the humiliation she expected never came. Instead, she heard the crisp sound of a bottle smashing and a man's screams for mercy. The entire room fell into an eerie silence. With effort, Crystal lifted her eyelids. Stephen stood against the light, looking like a demon from hell. "Crystal, are you really that desperate for money that you'd sell yourself? Do you have any idea that you would have been ruined a long time ago if it weren't for me?" Stephen pinned Crystal beneath him, grinding his teeth as he stared at her flushed face. "That's right! I need money. I'm cheap! Didn't you already know that, Mr. Rimmer? My mom was thrown out of the hospital and could die at any moment. If I don't sell myself, am I supposed to just watch her die?" Crystal's eyes were full of hate. Was she blaming him for this? Staring at her soft red lips, Stephen suddenly leaned down and kissed her. "Let go of me, Stephen! You… make me sick! I told you—we've already broken up!" She struggled desperately, then bit down hard on Stephen's lip. He hissed in pain and finally pulled back. Licking the blood from the corner of his mouth, he stared at the woman who had rejected him. There was some anger in his tone as he said, "Crystal, I already told you. Amy and I are just friends, and you are the woman I'll spend my life with! So now, it's time for you to do what a wife's supposed to do." Having his pride wounded yet again, Stephen was so furious that he was on the verge of losing all reason.