"Be at the entrance of Nirvana at nine o'clock," came Alexander's voice, slightly distant through the phone.
Nirvana? Emily's mind raced. This wasn't going to be a simple decoration job. "Mr. Remington, may I ask what this is about? So I can dress appropriately."
"Business," he replied curtly.
"I understand. I'll make sure to be perfect."
After hanging up, Emily's face turned cold. Business?
Hmph... It seemed he was done with her and wanted to use her to entertain his business associates.
But it didn't matter. She was already so tainted-what difference did it make who she was with?
The effeminate hairstylist continued working on her hair. "Miss, this wavy hairstyle looks great on you. It brings out your femininity."
Emily glanced at her reflection, the enchanting, seductive woman in the mirror. She sneered.
"Really? I think it looks nice too. Unfortunately, I have to accompany my boss for a business meeting today. This style isn't appropriate. Put it up for me."
"No problem. You can come back tomorrow for a treatment, and I'll fix it for you again..."
"Sure..."
---
At precisely nine o'clock, Emily arrived at the entrance of Nirvana, neither early nor late.
As a mistress, punctuality was crucial. When the patron said a time, you had to be there at that exact moment. Knowing your place was essential-no room for attitude; otherwise, you'd lose everything.
Nirvana, as the name suggested, was a place of indulgence and luxury, the favorite haunt of the city's elite.
Alexander spotted Emily as soon as he got out of the car.
Unlike Roxanne, who exuded intellectual beauty, Emily always had a bewitching aura about her. Despite her innocent, pure appearance, Alexander often thought she must be some kind of enchantress.
Tonight, however, Emily was dressed modestly, like an ordinary office worker.
She wore a simple, long-sleeved white fitted blouse, which accentuated her curves. The top two buttons were open, revealing a graceful neck, her skin even fairer than the white blouse.
She paired it with a straightforward black and gray pencil skirt, neither too short nor too long, hitting just ten centimeters above the knee, conservative yet sexy, highlighting her curves without exposing anything.
Emily completed the look with seven-centimeter black heels, her long, slender legs wrapped in sheer flesh-colored stockings, making her walk especially alluring.
Her hair was elegantly pinned up, with a few strands casually falling around her ears, adding a touch of sophistication to her look.
Unlike the strict office workers, she had a few playful glances, a blend of charm and allure, seductive yet not vulgar, beautiful but not overly seductive.
Her whole demeanor exuded a restrained beauty, making one feel itchy with desire just by looking at her-visible but out of reach.
Alexander's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than usual. He found her choice of attire intriguing-neither too revealing nor too conservative. It was as if she understood exactly how to present herself to both appeal and elude.
As he approached, Emily's heart raced slightly. She had to stay sharp and manage the situation carefully. Whatever 'business' he had in mind, she would have to play her part perfectly.
Alexander nodded slightly, a gesture for her to follow him. Without a word, she fell into step beside him, maintaining a poised and confident demeanor.
Inside Nirvana, the opulent surroundings were a stark contrast to the harsh realities of Emily's life. But she had learned to navigate these worlds with ease, her survival depending on her ability to adapt and perform.
They entered a private room where a few high-profile business associates were already waiting. The atmosphere was thick with power and wealth, and Emily could feel the weight of their expectations.
Alexander introduced her as his 'assistant,' a title that gave her an air of legitimacy but did little to mask her true role.
Throughout the evening, Emily played her part impeccably-serving drinks, engaging in light conversation, and always staying one step ahead of what was required. She was the perfect blend of charm and professionalism, never overstepping her bounds.
But as the night wore on, she could feel Alexander's eyes on her, a reminder of the precariousness of her position. Every move she made was calculated, every word carefully chosen.
When the evening finally came to an end, Alexander dismissed his associates and turned his attention fully to Emily.
"You handled yourself well tonight," he said, his voice carrying a hint of approval.
"Thank you, Mr. Remington," she replied, keeping her tone neutral.
He stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Remember, Emily, your place is by my side. Don't ever forget that."
Emily nodded, a familiar feeling of tension settling in her chest. "I won't forget."
As they left Nirvana, Emily couldn't help but think about the future. She had managed to survive another night, but she knew the game was far from over.
In Alexander's world, she was just a piece on the board, but she was determined to play her part to the fullest.
Her ultimate goal was still clear: gather the resources she needed and exact her revenge. And as long as she could stay in Alexander's good graces, she would have the means to do so.
With each passing day, she grew stronger and more resolute. The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Emily was prepared to face it head-on.
For now, she would continue to play the role of the perfect mistress, all the while keeping her true intentions hidden.
Emily's whole demeanor exuded a restrained beauty, making one feel itchy with desire just by looking at her-visible but out of reach.
Alexander Remington was struck the moment he saw Emily dressed like this. His attention was completely captured by her.
He thought with some annoyance that this woman was truly an incorrigible little temptress.
Seeing her patron standing in the night, Emily quickly trotted over in small, swaying steps, intimately linking her arm with Alexander's, and fawningly said, "Mr. Remington, when did you arrive? Why didn't you call me? I was waiting here for so long."
Even though tonight might be the end, Emily decided to give her best, to perform her duty as a professional mistress to the last.
Alexander was visibly displeased. He took the documents from his assistant and shoved them into Emily's arms.
"Just arrived... These are the profiles of tonight's guests. Go through them and make sure everything goes smoothly."
"Don't worry, there won't be any mistakes. By the way, does this count as a side job?" Emily suppressed the bitterness in her heart, waving the documents and smiling as if she didn't have a care in the world.
Alexander reluctantly gave her one word, "Yes."
Emily bargained, "Then you mustn't shortchange me on the pay, Mr. Remington."
Alexander's smile was tinged with sarcasm as he pinched Emily's chin. "Is money all you ever think about?"
"But... besides money, what else can I discuss with you? As I said yesterday, discussing money with others hurts feelings, but discussing 'feelings' with you hurts 'money.' I'm not that foolish."
She made it abundantly clear: she was with him for money, not for him as a person.
This left Alexander feeling somewhat powerless. Although he always despised such frankness, Emily's bluntness made him feel a strange desire to conquer her. He suddenly wanted to see Emily, like those other women who adored him, groveling at his feet.
This sudden thought startled Alexander. He quickly pulled himself together and coldly said, "I've never met a woman as money-obsessed as you."
With that, he casually tossed a necklace to Emily, as if it were a trinket worth just a few bucks.
There was no fancy packaging, not even a box, but those weren't the main points. The important part was that the necklace's value was no less than five million. The ruby embedded in the center alone was a masterpiece.
Emily's eyes narrowed with delight, her face lighting up with excitement like any gold digger. "Wow, thank you, Mr. Remington! I've had my eye on this necklace for so long, but it was so expensive. You're such a wonderful person."
Ignoring his disdain, Emily, upon seeing the diamond necklace, immediately stood on tiptoe and kissed the corner of Alexander's lips to express her gratitude.
"Hmph."
Only when she saw money and jewelry did she show such a genuine smile. She was indeed a woman blinded by greed. Alexander coldly snorted but couldn't resist giving Emily's waist a suggestive squeeze.
Emily wriggled coquettishly, "Oh, you're so naughty... and we're still outside."
Her voice was sweet and soft, which only soured Alexander's mood further, even stirring a desire to take her away.
He was just about to grab Emily and kiss her hard when a voice interrupted them.
"Mr. Remington, the guests are arriving," his assistant reminded him.
Alexander reluctantly let go of Emily, his eyes still burning with unfulfilled desire. "We'll continue this later," he whispered in her ear.
Emily nodded, her heart pounding. She quickly reviewed the documents, putting on her professional mask once more. She knew she had to stay sharp and deliver flawlessly tonight. Her future depended on it.
As the night unfolded, Emily seamlessly transitioned into her role, charming the guests, engaging in light conversation, and always maintaining a delicate balance between allure and professionalism.
Alexander watched her closely, his eyes never straying far. He was drawn to her in ways he couldn't fully understand or control. She was a puzzle, a challenge, and despite his best efforts to remain aloof, she had a hold on him.
When the evening finally came to an end, Alexander walked over to Emily, who was saying goodbye to the last guest. He took her hand and pulled her close.
"Let's go," he said, his voice firm and possessive.
Emily followed without hesitation, her mind racing. She had managed to impress the guests and maintain her position for another night. But she knew the game was far from over.
Back in the car, Alexander leaned in close, his breath warm against her neck. "You did well tonight," he murmured.
"Thank you, Mr. Remington," she replied, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest.
He studied her for a moment, then kissed her deeply, his hands exploring her body with a hunger that left her breathless.
Emily responded with equal fervor, knowing that this was her life now-a delicate dance of power, desire, and survival. And she was determined to master it.