Chapter 4 You Truly Are A Gem

Ashley panicked as she found herself sitting on Elijah's lap, struggling to stand.

She accidentally spilled her drink, which splashed onto his trousers, leaving a cold, damp mark against the fabric.

"Throwing yourself at me?" Elijah's voice was low, his arm firmly wrapped around her waist, effectively trapping her.

Leaning in close, he whispered, "What's your name?"

Ashley froze, bewildered by his actions. Wasn't Elijah known to keep his distance from women? What was he doing now?

She hesitated, unsure if he suspected her.

"Elijah, are you interested in her?" Anthony remarked, his tone a mix of surprise and slight disappointment.

No one dared challenge Elijah for the things he wanted, not even a long-time friend like Anthony.

Elijah's possessive reputation was well-known and intimidating.

Kaleigh noticed the situation and hurried over with a forced smile. "Mr. Wright, if you need company for drinks, I'll join you. She doesn't know how to handle her drinks."

"Don't get the wrong idea," Anthony responded. "It's Elijah asking her to drink, not me."

He signaled that Ashley was no longer his concern.

Ashley realized Kaleigh was trying to help, and she too wanted to escape.

"Sir, may I get another drink?" Ashley asked in a sweetly calculated tone, hoping Elijah wouldn't recognize her voice.

However, Elijah tightened his hold by shifting his leg, causing Ashley to nearly lose her balance against his thigh.

Her face flushed with embarrassment, her heart pounding with fear.

"You still haven't told me your name."

"Lilly," Ashley responded hastily.

"Lilly, a lovely name. It suits you-delicate, just as I imagined," Elijah responded, clearly pleased, his hand casually roaming over her as he assessed her. He chuckled softly. "Anthony was right. You truly are a gem."

Anthony handed a drink to Elijah, who then passed it to Ashley.

"Be a good girl and feed me the drink," Elijah commanded.

Frozen in his embrace and overwhelmed by fear, Ashley held the glass but turned her body away from him, offering the drink.

Instead of taking a sip, Elijah unexpectedly bit down on her finger.

Ashley gasped in shock, quickly biting her lip to mute her voice.

Anthony, noting the change in atmosphere, stood and walked away with Kaleigh, pulling the curtain across to obscure them from view.

"Mr. Wright, this isn't appropriate. Lilly is here only to perform. She doesn't drink with guests," Kaleigh said, her concern apparent.

"She's lucky to have Elijah's attention," Anthony commented.

Ashley did not feel lucky at all.

Elijah, amused by the situation, teased, "Feed me with your mouth."

"Sir, I don't drink," Ashley responded gently. "I'm just here to perform. If you want a drink, I can have the manager send one of the other girls."

"You want to dance, right?" Elijah cut in smoothly. "Then dance for me."

Ashley protested, "I don't do exclusive performances."

"Do you understand the consequences of refusing me?" Elijah asked, his voice tightening as he lightly tapped the table with his signet-ringed hand, signaling a warning.

Realizing he had not recognized her, Ashley inhaled deeply, resigned to comply.

"Sir, you need to release me if you wish me to dance," she said, prompting Elijah to loosen his grip.

Once released, Ashley fought the impulse to escape and danced right there for him.

Elijah observed her with growing amusement.

He pondered over her dual nature.

Earlier that day she cried and denied enticing him, yet now, she was here dancing and entertaining clients at a nightclub.

Was a Kirk, raised in opulence, now earning her keep in such a place?

What was Ashley truly concealing?

As Ashley moved about, she caught Elijah's gaze intensifying. She paused abruptly and said, "Sir, I need to get back to work."

Elijah spoke softly from behind her. "Your veil has fallen off."

Ashley, startled, reached to check her face, only to realize her veil was still secured.

Suddenly, Elijah pinched her cheek from behind, laughing. "Are you frightened of me, Ashley?"

Ashley held her breath. She had anticipated this.

Elijah was too perceptive. She couldn't fool him.

She just hadn't expected that he had recognized her from the very beginning.

Elijah yanked off her veil and threw it aside, along with the wig he obviously disliked.

Ashley stood exposed before him as her disguise had been completely stripped away. Panic showed in her eyes.

"Now, tell me, what exactly are you doing here?" Elijah's question came with curiosity, not the murderous intent he had shown that morning.

"I'm so embarrassed you caught me here, Elijah." Taking a deep breath, Ashley feigned calmness. "How did you find my performance just now? My fiancé, Daniel, enjoys role-playing. I'm here to practice and surprise him."

"Oh? Am I your practice target now? Is that why you climbed into my bed that night?" Intrigued by her response, Elijah raised an eyebrow.

Despite the mockery in his eyes, Ashley continued with her explanation.

"An occasional mistake isn't a big deal. Daniel and I are engaged. I do everything for him. He desires a gentle, sweet wife, and I'm here to learn how. My value lies in pleasing him."

Elijah touched her waist gently. "Doesn't your fiancé mind that you lost your virginity to me?"

Ashley ran out of excuses. "Please, don't do this to me." Her voice trembled with fear.

"Save your tears," he responded coldly.

Ashley fell silent. She realized her usual tricks would not work on him again.

Despite her panic, she refused to admit it. With a forced smile, she said, "Elijah, I have a curfew. I need to go home."

Surprisingly, she managed to leave without him stopping her.

As Ashley was about to exit the bar, her phone rang. It was Daniel.

"You slut!" Daniel's voice was filled with rage. "That night on the cruise, I asked you to get Mr. Wells to sign the agreement, but you seduced another man instead? Now Mr. Wells refuses to sign the deal, claiming he didn't even see you!"

Ashley stood in shock.

She hadn't foreseen the rapid exposure of the cruise events.

Daniel's curses continued over the phone. "My family gave your mother a lot of money before we got engaged, and you're just a toy I purchased! You're mine. If you betray me, the entire Kirk family will suffer financially! Now, come here and explain yourself to Mr. Wells!"

Ashley knew she couldn't resolve this alone-she would need the protection of Elijah.

"Okay, I'll come," she said, ending the call.

After the call, Ashley stole a glance at Elijah inside the private room and recited the address Daniel just gave her.

Taking this risk was a gamble.

...

Upon her arrival at the club, Daniel struck Ashley's face, the sting burning her skin.

"You slut!" Daniel hissed menacingly. "Go make Mr. Wells happy. If this deal doesn't conclude tonight, your family will lose the engagement and reimburse every cent!"

Andrew Wells sat in the lobby, his corpulent figure and bald head evident.

Daniel kicked Ashley, causing her to fall to her knees, agony shooting through her legs.

"Mr. Wells, I aim to negotiate sincerely." Daniel tried to smile, seeking to placate him. "There must have been an error that night. I've brought her to compensate. If one night isn't sufficient, she can do more. We do look forward to working with you."

Andrew ogled Ashley's beauty, his smile turning lascivious. "You've made a gesture, Mr. Blake, then a deal can surely be made. Come here, gorgeous."

Daniel pulled Ashley's hair and murmured, "You better serve Mr. Wells well."

He prompted her to crawl on her knees.

Ashley clenched her teeth, feeling dehumanized.

Was escape even an option for her?

"It's unjust for two men to bully one woman." A man's voice interjected.

It was Anthony, appearing suddenly.

Both Daniel and Andrew rose, startled to find Elijah standing next to Anthony.

In that moment, Ashley trembled entirely, her eyes fixed on Elijah. A flicker of hope sparked in her heart.

She had succeeded in her risky gamble!