Chapter 26
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“You and… Georgia?” Simon’s voice cracked with disbelief as he looked toward the figure lying on the bed–Georgia. He had recognized her the moment he first saw her at the Vetro Club. But the thought that Preston had forced her down and kissed her was impossible to accept.
“Can’t you see it for yourself?” Preston’s words cut sharp.
“It won’t happen!” Simon grabbed Preston’s arm, stopping him from stepping into the ward. “Preston, don’t tell me you’ve got feelings for her?”
Preston froze, his body tense. Slowly, he turned back, fixing Simon with a glare that carried a hard edge. “Her? Who exactly are you talking about?”
“Georgia, of course,” Simon replied, every hair on his neck prickling under Preston’s icy stare.
Returning to the room, Preston’s presence felt like a cold wind had swept in, leaving the air heavy with frost. His eyes, sharp and emotionless, landed on Georgia. “I asked Simon to bring you some food. It’s on the nightstand.”
Georgia’s lips parted slightly, stunned by the sudden crack in his otherwise impenetrable demeanor–a small window opening in the fortress around her heart.
“I kissed you,” Preston said, voice low and deliberate. “So I owe you something in return.” With that, he pulled a thick stack of bills from his pocket and tossed it onto the bed. “This should cover your medical bills. If it’s not enough, ask Charlotte.”
The slam of that gesture echoed in Georgia’s chest like a door slamming shut.
“Get well soon. I expect you to start making money for me.” Without another word, Preston turned and strode away, careless and unbothered.
Georgia’s face drained of color. She had dared to believe that his kiss meant something, that maybe–just maybe–there was something genuine beneath his cold facade.
She was wrong.
Preston despised her. Always had. Nothing but cruelty and humiliation lay ahead, no trace of love or mercy.
“Preston,” Simon called after him, falling into step, “do you realize how harsh what you said to Georgia was?”
“Why should I care how she feels?” Preston snapped.
“You’ve always been selfish. What if one day you regret this?”
Preston flicked a cigarette at Simon with a cynical smile. “Take it. Don’t let your mind wander.”
Regret? Impossible.
Simon said nothing more. He had never once seen Preston regret anything–not even after what happened with Giselle.
“Want to grab a drink?”
“I’ve got things to handle.”
Simon shrugged and followed Preston to the Vetro Club.
Inside, Charlotte summoned Laura to her office.
“Georgia shares a dorm with you, right? She’s sick–how did you not notice?” Charlotte’s voice held sharp accusation as she sank onto the sofa.
Laura’s roommate had fallen ill and missed work, yet Laura hadn’t raised a finger. Charlotte was certain Laura ignored Georgia deliberately.
Last night, Georgia had nearly died in the dorm. If Charlotte hadn’t rushed over just in time, Georgia would have died alone.
Charlotte didn’t care about Laura’s coldness–until it nearly led to a death. She wouldn’t tolerate that in her staff.
Charlotte pried into Laura’s relationship with Georgia, hearing disturbing rumors from Raven.
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Alone with Charlotte, Laura’s heart raced. The rare summons made her fear she had committed some grave offense.
But as Charlotte mentioned Georgia, relief washed over her.
“I’m not close to that woman,” Laura said stiffly.
“That woman?” Charlotte echoed, raising a brow.
Laura’s certainty wavered. Had she misspoken? What was Charlotte getting at?
Suddenly, Charlotte cut through the silence. “Laura, you look down on Georgia, don’t you?”
Laura’s thoughts screamed ‘Of course. Who would respect her?‘ but she bit back the words.
“I’m sure everyone at the Vetro Club knows how shameless she is. Crawling on the floor, begging for money like a dog. Even picking up cash with her mouth… Charlotte, everyone talks about her.”
Shame crept into Laura’s voice as she spoke.
Charlotte’s smile bloomed unexpectedly bright, like snow melting in early spring.
Laura wondered, ‘Did I say something wrong?‘
Charlotte’s eyes focked onto hers. “Why scold her? For being shameless? For being cheap?”
She mocked gently, “I’ve read your resume–you’re a college student, right? Do you really think you’re untouched by the filthy realities of this world? Pure and innocent? Do you believe Georgia doesn’t deserve to share a roof with someone as lofty as you? So even if she’s sick and misses work, you feel justified ignoring her?”
Laura blinked, confused by Charlotte’s biting words.
Charlotte rose, towering over Laura in her heels, dwarfing the younger woman.
“You think you’re noble, innocent, ambitious. You look down on Georgia–but you can’t compare yourself to her.”
Laura shot back, “Charlotte, that’s too far! How can I compare myself to a woman who trades her dignity for money? Yes, I work here too, but I’m just a waitress. I’m not desperate like her.”
Charlotte sneered. “Don’t be so sure. The Vetro Club is full of guests. What if one picks you? Can you say no and keep your innocence? Remember what happened in that private room? Without Georgia, you wouldn’t even be standing here making
smart remarks.”
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