Chapter 6

Samantha gradually recovered after resting for some time. She roughly calculated the expenses required for her to go abroad in her spare time and realized that it was a large sum. Just then, her regular client reached out with a big business deal. With nothing else to do, she decided to accept it. Samantha only realized that the event was a birthday party when she reached the venue. She froze when she saw Wilson and Natalie arriving hand in hand, and an ominous feeling crept up her heart. However, since she had already accepted the client's deposit, she could only suppress her uneasy feelings and take out her camera. When Natalie spotted Samantha, the former lifted her skirt and approached with a cheerful smile. "Please shoot from a lower angle and dim the brightness a little. When I get onto the stage, please zoom slightly—" Samantha shot up to hundreds of photos according to Natalie's countless requests, but the latter was still unsatisfied with them and requested retakes. Samantha patiently retook the photos several times. Her injured wrist started throbbing in pain. Natalie glanced over and flashed her a mocking grin. "How did the photos turn out like this? It seems like you're not as impressive as the rumors say, Ms. Photographer. Let's just use the first set of photos. At least there were a few decent shots." Everyone around them snickered. Samantha rubbed her sore knees as she propped herself up. She then hummed in reply. Natalie smugly approached Wilson and affectionately embraced him. Then, looking back, she waved at Samantha and instructed her, "Come and take photos of me and my boyfriend." Samantha's gaze wavered before she composed herself to maintain a neutral expression. She raised her camera, aimed the lens at both of them and pressed the shutter. Natalie struck countless poses. She even tiptoed to kiss Wilson in the end. Everyone erupted into cheers at that moment. Someone said, "Watching a handsome man and beautiful woman in love is just a treat to my eyes!" Another replied, "Mr. Fowler would agree to whatever the birthday girl says. He'd arranged for such a huge party just like that. He's truly spoiling her!" Wilson stiffened upon hearing those teasing. He loosened the arm that was around Natalie's waist and nervously glanced at Samantha. However, the latter didn't react much as she examined the photos in her camera, seemingly unaffected by what happened. … The four-hour-long party finally ended at 11:00 pm. Samantha put her camera back into her bag and took out a tissue to wipe off the cake that Natalie had "accidentally" spilled on her clothes. The sound of footsteps suddenly echoed in the empty hall. She looked up and saw Natalie, who was smiling as she made her way over. "Thank you for tonight. Are you short on money? I have another set of photos I need your help with. I'll double the pay. Will you take the job?" Natalie asked. Samantha hesitated before nodding in agreement at the promise of doubled pay. Natalie led her straight to the hotel upstairs, where she quickly set the angle and content of the shoot. Someone knocked on the door just as Samantha was setting up the camera in the corner. Natalie wasn't in a hurry to open the door. Instead, she gave Samantha a meaningful smile and said, "It's about to start soon. Remember to capture everything, okay?" She then pulled the curtains shut, covering the corner, leaving only a tiny gap for the camera. Samantha curled up in the narrow space and crouched as the footsteps grew nearer. Under the dim yellow lights, Natalie walked over slowly, tugging on a man's tie. Their bodies pressed tightly together as they gradually discarded their clothes onto the floor. Ambiguous panting sounds could be heard. Samantha's grip tightened on the tripod as she watched Natalie and Wilson kiss passionately through the lens. Wilson wasn't aware that Samantha was in the room. He let his hands roam on Natalie's body freely, causing her to whimper softly. "What have you prepared for me tonight?" "I've prepared everything you like. There are even several sets of clothes waiting to be torn apart by you, darling," Natalie replied. Wilson teased, "What a seductress. You'd surely be the end of me!" The atmosphere continued to thicken with lust. Samantha was almost numb to hearing the constant sounds. It was as if something was constricting her chest. The pressure was so suffocating that even breathing became difficult. Time seemed to slow down at that very moment, and every second felt unbearably long.