Chapter 4 Stripped Dignity

"Sir, I know you're paying a lot of money for this right now, but I can't strip more than I already have. I'm not a regular stripper, I just..." I trailed off, fighting the urge to cry.

I wasn't supposed to be saying all this to a stranger. He paid a huge sum to see me privately, and here I was-on the verge of doing something that could stain my character for life.

"Are you doing it or not?" he asked, his expression bored.

"You know what's crazy?" he continued, voice dripping with disdain. "Trying to act clean when you're already living dirty. Stripping for men who look at you like your body's all you've got."

His words hit me like a slap, and tears slid down my cheeks.

"Sir..." I whispered.

"Go get a life. You don't belong here if you can't even strip," he snapped.

I blinked several times, choking back the sobs.

"I'll do it," I said, shame crashing over me like a wave. I needed the money. The more I thought of what was happening at home, the more I realized this could be a way to survive.

"Sir..." I stuttered again.

"Well, I'm not interested anymore," he said coldly. He adjusted his suit and walked out of the private room.

I followed after, heading back to the changing room to slip into something more presentable.

"Babe?" Sheryl called, eyes wide in shock. "What are you doing here? Do you even realize what you're getting yourself into? This isn't the life I want for you and you know that," she burst out angrily.

"Sherry, I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. He was going to throw my family out of the house. I honestly don't regret it-at least not yet," I said. She sighed softly, guiding me to her car and opening the door.

"Did he touch you inappropriately? Did he hurt you?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

"No. Dominic said he paid $5,000 just to talk to me. He wanted me to strip too, but I couldn't. And when I finally got the courage, that arrogant bastard walked out after throwing cruel words at me."

"Did you see his face?" she asked.

"He had a really good build and piercing eyes... but his mask covered his face," I replied, and she chuckled.

"When a customer wears a mask, it means he's powerful and doesn't want his name in the gossip columns. I'm so sorry about tonight, dear. But that being said-did you sign anything at the club?" she asked, a hint of fear in her tone.

"Yes... I wasn't in the right frame of mind, I-" I trailed off.

"F*ck! Oh my God." She cursed under her breath. "Stay away from the club for now. I'll talk to Dominic. I'll do anything to get you out of this business."

"I love you, Sheryl," I murmured.

"I love you too, my best girl." She held my hand, pulling me into a hug as I cried.

Later, the landlord called.

"I saw the money. Glad you finally decided to be sensible, dear. I'm off your neck," he said smugly before I cut the call without responding.

I got home, stood under the shower, and sobbed uncontrollably. "He called me dirty... That man called me dirty," I cried as his words echoed in my ears.

After drying my hair, I stepped out of my room-only to find Ina waiting inside. "What is it, Ina?" I asked, startled.

"Dad said you paid the rent. The landlord called. So... I was wondering if you could also pay for dance classes?" she asked softly. I took a deep breath. "Ina, I know you're a teenager, and after what happened with Mom, you don't trust-"

"I don't want to talk about Mom," she cut in. "I want to talk about my dance classes, Kathy. Can you pay? If yes, then when? Why do we have to be so poor?"

Her words hit hard. I blinked away the tears forming in my eyes. "We're poor because that's life! Face reality and stop making things harder for me! Stop frustrating me, Ina. I'm losing myself, okay? Stop it!" I snapped.

"I hate it! I hate that you and Dad lie to me! I hate that you struggle so hard to do everything while I do nothing! And it hurts that I hate everything about life!" she shouted through her tears.

"I want to give you the best, Ina. This wasn't the plan..." I said, voice cracking.

"Mom left us! She left us to face all this alone. I know the truth. I hate that you both try to hide it to protect her image. But I know the truth," she cried out.

"You were too little, Ina..." I said, reaching for her, but she flinched.

"I'm still little, Kathlyn. I always will be. And it's not my fault that I can't be happy," she whispered before storming out.

I sat on the bed, choking on my tears, trying to stay calm.

[AT THE LAWSON MANSION]

Mrs. Powers stepped out of the bathroom, a silk robe tied around her waist.

"Give me a massage, Roy," she said to her assistant as she lit a cigarette. Roy obeyed immediately.

"I asked Noah to come see me tonight. What's going on with that nephew of mine?" she asked.

"I believe he'll arrive shortly, ma'am," Roy replied.

"Aunt," Noah said as he entered the room.

"Leave us, Roy," she commanded. He bowed and exited.

"I got your text. But I still don't understand why you're so fixated on getting a woman like that for Arthur. He's only in his thirties, Aunt. He'll settle down eventually. Don't pressure yourself," Noah advised, sitting on the couch.

"When? Have you seen how hostile he's become? The bond between him and Elijah is ruined, beyond repair. We need a woman who can draw him out, give this family an heir. Norman's got his eye on the family fortune, and you know he's always hated my son," Mrs. Powers said, pouring another glass of wine.

"He always resented my marriage to Richard... because we used to..." She trailed off.

"I understand, Aunt. But does Arthur know you had an affair with Uncle Norman?" Noah asked, raising a brow.

"Heavens, no! If Arthur ever knew... it would destroy everything. He worshipped his father. They haven't recovered from his death in years. I sacrificed so much to raise those boys into the men they are. And I will not let that hateful man destroy it all."

She slammed a folder onto the table.

"I want you to get one of those girls from your club. Not a popular face-someone easy to manipulate."

"Aunt, don't you think this is too risky? You could just convince Arthur to find a wife instead," Noah said.

"Arthur would rather perish," she snapped.

"I'm not supposed to tell you this, but... he was with me last night at the club," Noah admitted.

"Arthur? At the club?" she asked, startled.

"There's this girl-Dominic might've recruited her. Arthur paid to see her privately. I don't know why she intrigued him, but he paid a lot. Didn't even touch her."

"She must be something. Did he see her face?"

"She wore a mask," he said.

Mrs. Powers smirked. "This is getting interesting. That girl is who I want."

"Aunt, she doesn't work there permanently-"

"Then make her. I want to meet her and close the deal myself. I don't care what it takes-blackmail her with something she loves. What power does a stripper have against the Lawsons?" she said, flashing a diamond-studded wedding ring.

"Aunt..."

"We are the Lawsons, Noah. Let that stick in your head. We own the law."

"Consider it done, Boss," Noah replied before walking out.

Mrs. Powers exhaled a puff of smoke and muttered, "Fascinated by a stripper? How low, Arthur Lawson. How very low..."