Chapter 3 Three

A nameless flame blurred my vision, and my mind felt groggy, but then Xavier suddenly spoke, his voice incredibly lucid. "Since I saved you from that fat guy, isn't it about time you repay me?" I wanted to remind him that even if he hadn't intervened, I would've merely received a slap in the face. The person the fat guy was looking for was Claire. However, it doesn't matter. Indulging a guest's heroic mentality is sometimes necessary. So, I stayed quiet, only nodding gently, making sure my gaze carried a hint of admiration and gratitude.

Xavier surely smiled, but his smile was somewhat chilling, instantly lowering the surrounding temperature. Before I could react, he suddenly asked in a joking tone. "In places like yours, there should be items like... whips, right?" A chill ran down my spine. We did indeed carry those things that Xavier was referring to in the hotel because some guests have such preferences. What I hadn't anticipated was that Xavier was one of them as well. He effortlessly found what he was looking for based on my gaze direction--a red heart-shaped box, as ambiguous as its content. Xavier pulled out a small black leather whip from the box, casually strolling towards the bedside with a faint smile. I confess I was shivering from head to toe at that moment. I'd never had such an experience before. Some girls in the hotel had, and I can still vividly remember how bruised they were afterward. I guessed that Xavier saw the fear in my eyes, but he remained haughty with his elegant smile. At that moment, I felt that Xavier looked down on me. Even though he rescued me from the fat guy, there wasn't much of a difference between them. He probably thinks I am just a courtesan, ridden and pillowed by countless men. It's just that Xavier's elegance and upbringing make him less expressive about it. This night contained not an ounce of pleasure, like a nightmare filled with suffering, every time I think back on it, it sends pain coursing through my body. Xavier seemed very content, he went to sleep right after it ended. I stumbled from the bed when I saw the little whip fall to the side, my body convulsed in pain. When I returned to Pearl Manor, the sky had already brightened. Anne was still sitting at the bar, during each of her menstrual cycles, she was fond of drinking alcohol and listening to old records there, as though it could push back her cramps. As I entered, she was closing her eyes pretending to enjoy the music, but the moment she saw me, her act fell apart. "Evelyn!" Perhaps due to the vigorous activity from last night, my body felt somewhat weak. Her shouting had my head split in pain. But Anne had already rushed over to me, "I've heard all about what happened last night, Xavier playing the hero and whisking you away. I said you would be different right? So, how was last night incredibly marvelous?" Anne not only talked but slapped my shoulder. This nearly killed me as it hit right on the wound. The whip with its hooks left patches of dark bruises on its wake, not only ambiguous but painfully raw. "Uh!" Even with my high pain tolerance, I couldn't help but let out a sound. Anne was startled, but seeing my pale face and cold sweat on my forehead, she didn't dare jest anymore. She carefully peeled the fabric away from my shoulder. When she saw the wounds, she let out a surprised gasp, her eyes wide. Unable to believe it, she asked. "This... This is Xavier's doing?" I pulled up my shoulder strap and nodded at her. Anna became agitated, "How could Xavier be such a man! Isn't this perverse!" I gave a small laugh, "Perhaps he's not." "So his liking also doesn't qualify as perverse?" I sat down on the high bar stool on the side, and poured myself a drink, my mind filled with the image of Xavier using a whip on me. He was neither venting in frenzy nor enjoying it, instead... it was... vengeance... But why? I hadn't offended him. I couldn't figure it out, but perhaps there was another reason. "Maybe it's just because I'm a hostess, so he thinks he can play with me at will." Exactly, because the person he truly wished to retaliate against was untouchable, he could only vent his anger on me- a woman accompanying him in his drinks. Anna frowned, "Evelyn, why do you speak this way? You're not like us. Why don't you tell Xavier about your..." I looked up at Anna with a smile, "Tell him what? That I'm a virgin? That despite being a Madame, I never sleep with any of the clients? Anna, we should keep these things between us. Anyone else will probably laugh their heads off." Who would believe that a Madame of a pleasure house would remain virtuous? Anna's gaze gradually filled with sadness as she looked at me. I hate when she does this, even though I am the luckiest one here in this night villa. "Alright, I want to take a nap. I was too tired last night." "I'm afraid that is not going to happen." "Why?" I paused slightly in my departure, turning my head to look at Anna in confusion. "Master Fletcher has arrived." I was startled for a moment, then said, "In that case, I'll probably have to borrow some clothes from you." I pointed at the suspicious marks on my neck to Anna.