Chapter 10 Disdain

"Issy..." Wilson muttered as he stared at her. The image of her holding the pot of orchid the first time they'd met flashed through his mind as he said her name. He looked down at the glass in his hand, a sneer curling his lips. He kept his attention focused on the glass as he twirled it in his hand. "That name suits you." He raised the glass, studied the wine glimmering in it, then tipped his head back and gulped down the liquid.

Colin finished his wine and put the glass down on the low table in front of him. He leaned back into the sofa as he casually said, "You're such an interesting persona, Miss Lan. I never would have thought you were the type to work in a nightclub. But I mean, just look at you. You're beautiful. The nightclub is probably the best place for you to make money. In my opinion though, you're seriously wasting your talents by staying in such a small town. Why don't you come to HY Imperial City instead? Or, you could just become Wilson's woman. I'm sure you'd have more than enough money to live a decent life-"

Before Colin could finish what he wanted to say, he caught sight of Wilson's cold stare out the corner of his eyes. He thought it in his best interests to stay quiet. But Colin was right about one thing; the only reason a woman would hang around a nightclub was because of money. Wilson had always had high standards when it came to choosing a woman. He had certain things he was looking for in a potential partner, and he definitely had no interest in a woman who had been touched by other men.

Even if... Even if that woman was her.

He narrowed his eyes and focused on her with a wicked gaze. His eyes still held a glimmer of their former charm, but it was offset by his natural cold demeanor. She was close enough to him that he could faintly smell something pleasant on her. It was exactly the same as the fragrance he remembered from the first time they'd met. It hadn't changed one bit. The malicious glimmer that had been in his eyes moments before dulled, and his heart twisted painfully in his chest.

He sank back into the sofa, trying to put some distance between her and himself. He had to restrain the impulse that was so strongly begging to be acted upon.

Isabel's body stiffened, and her face hardened at Colin's blunt choice of words. She clenched her jaw as she struggled to keep herself calm. She glanced at Wilson sitting beside her; he said nothing. But she was able to read the disdain and disgust written on his face. It was obvious that he looked down on women like her who worked in nightclubs.

It didn't bother her too much. She knew that all the guests here were only looking for a fling, and nothing more. She knew deep down that they scorned women like her. She had learned not to care about their opinions. What mattered to her was that she stuck to her own morals and principles.

"Issy, hurry up and pour some wine for our guests," Judith said urgently from the side. She didn't want the gentlemen to sit with empty glasses in her club, and she had no doubt that Isabel would have forgotten her etiquette if she didn't urge her. In fact, Judith was quickly becoming so anxious about those empty glasses that she was barely restraining herself from refilling them.

But she was not Isabel.

"You can leave now. I don't need you here," Wilson said. Judith turned her attention to him, shocked at just how cold his manner had been.

She'd come here out of principle to share drinks with them, as they were important guests. She felt it was her duty and honor to do so as the owner of the nightclub. Usually, if she appeared in guests' rooms, she was met with respect and gratitude. Guests were always flattered when she came to drink with them... But not this man.

Judith gave an awkward giggle. Then it turned into a full-blown laugh. But she couldn't contest what he'd said. The customer always came first, and most importantly, was always right. She didn't want to offend anyone by trying to add in her own opinions, all she could do was try and stay as charming as possible. "In that case... I hope everyone enjoys their time here." She then made to leave the room.

"Damn it! Are you still running this nightclub or what?" someone shouted from the outside. Shortly after that came the sound of a bottle smashing on the ground. "I want Isabel!" the angry voice continued. "Bring that bitch back!"

"Mr. Hong, Miss Lan is unavailable tonight. Please calm down," the bartender humbly apologized. He cautiously approached the fuming man, holding out a glass of wine to him. Mr. Hong reached out and drunkenly smacked the glass out of his hand. It smashed on the ground, joining the shards of what had once been a bottle.

"Bitch! I want to see her! I had an appointment! I made that appointment a month ago, and now that it's finally my turn, she's gone accompanying other men!" Mr. Hong shoved the bartender out the way. Then he started opening the doors of every VIP room as he searched for Isabel.