Chapter 81
Early the next morning, the pale light of dawn barely warmed the cold corridors of Vetro Club as Georgia stepped through the entrance, her footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors. She carried herself with a quiet determination that masked the turmoil churning beneath her calm exterior. Without hesitation, she made her way to the locker room, depositing her belongings with practiced efficiency. The familiar surroundings offered no comfort–only the weight of what lay ahead.
She moved on to Charlotte’s small office, pausing briefly before knocking with a measured rap on the door. The faint rustle inside signaled Charlotte’s presence.
“Charlotte,” Georgia began, her voice steady but edged with a weariness that betrayed the night’s hardships. “I’m going to have to ask for your help again.”
She placed a thick stack of bills onto Charlotte’s cluttered desk. The bills lay there, a cold promise of desperate necessity.
Charlotte’s eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the money. “Who gave this to you?” she asked, suspicion and concern mingling in her voice.
Charlotte had assumed Elaine had managed to secure some new opportunity for Georgia. But Georgia’s explanation came quickly, almost rehearsed. She told Charlotte about the night’s events–the entanglement, the dangerous man, the money that came with strings attached.
Charlotte’s brow furrowed deeply as she listened. When Georgia finished, she shook her head in disbelief. “Him? Georgia, didn’t I warn you to stay far away from that man?”
Georgia met her gaze, unflinching. “But he gave me money.
Charlotte’s helplessness was palpable. If anyone else had said those words, she might have scored them for their foolishness. But she knew Georgia too well–knew the fierce stubbornness that hid beneath the fragile surface.
“You want to get rid of Preston,” Charlotte said softly, more to herself than to Georgia. “You need a million dollars in a month. That’s why you’re doing this.”
Georgia nodded, the resolve in her eyes sharpened by necessity. Charlotte, who had glimpsed the stubborn fire inside her, felt compelled to offer a warning.
“Georgia, come here,” Charlotte said gently, placing a firm hand on Georgia’s shoulder and pulling her close. Her voice dropped to a whisper, heavy with warning and care, “Please, listen to me. Never have anything to do with this man again, i don’t know much of the world, but I’ve met enough men in this club to know what I’m talking about. No matter what, no matter how much money he offers, stay away.”
Georgia remained silent for a long moment, the weight of Charlotte’s words settling over her like a storm cloud. Then she lifted her chin, steady and unyielding. “Charlotte, I can’t.”
Charlotte tightened her grip briefly, urging her friend to reconsider. “Just listen to me this once. Please.”
Georgia shook her head firmly, determination blazing in her tired eyes. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. I can’t. I need the money. Mr. Hill said if I raised a million dollars within a month, I could either stay or leave. He promised he wouldn’t stand in my way after that. I’ve been tied to him for half my life already, and I don’t want anything more to do with him after this.”
She left the darker details unsaid–Charlotte never asked, and Georgia wasn’t ready to speak them aloud. The feud with Preston, the humiliations and dangers she’d endured, remained buried.
“Charlotte,” Georgia said softly, “I know you’re looking out for me. I know Larkin is dangerous, that he has his own games to play. But do you remember what I told you the first time we met?”
Charlotte fell silent, memories of their first meeting resurfacing vividly. Georgia’s words then had revealed a harsh truth, one that had moved Charlotte to give her the job in the first place.
Georgia’s eyes flickered with bitterness as she met Charlotte’s gaze. “Whatever Larkin wants, whatever his motives are- whatever twisted fetish or desire–I’ll endure it with whatever is left of me, even if it means sacrificing my battered body.”
She searched Charlotte’s face for understanding, silently begging for acceptance of the harsh reality she was resigned to
< Chapter 81
Charlotte’s heart sank unexpectedly. The confidence Georgia had once shown now sounded like a lament for a freedom. that had slipped irretrievably away.
“Charlotte, I have nothing left to lose. That’s why I am fearless,” Georgia had said, and those words echoed painfully through the quiet office.
After she finished speaking, Georgia handed the money to Charlotte and asked quietly for help depositing it onto her card. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out.
Charlotte remained alone, staring at the thick stack of bills on her desk. Slowly, she gathered the money and tucked it into the safe before pulling out a ledger and recording the amount with a heavy heart.
“Georgia, I’m sorry,” she whispered to the empty room, “Maybe this is all I can do for you.”
Preston had expressly forbidden them from arranging any jobs for Georgia. He intended for her to fall–to fall short of that impossible million–dollar mark by the deadline. He never planned to let her go free.
All Charlotte could do was hold the money safely, waiting to give it to Georgia if she succeeded.
Georgia, meanwhile, found herself in the bathroom, locking the stall door behind her. She pulled out her phone and topped lopen the calendar app. A month. That’s all the time she had. A month to make a million dollars. The enormity of that task
hit her with brutal force. Where, exactly, could she find such a fortune in so little time?
She closed the calendar and lowered her head, feeling the crushing weight of the impossible.
As she stepped out of the bathroom, she nearly collided with someone.
“I’m sorry,” Georgia murmured, eyes downcast.
“You’re always apologizing. Do you enjoy that?” The voice was smooth, teasing.
Georgia looked up to see Dominic standing before her, a sly smile tugging at his lips.
“Oh, Mr. Foster. Sorry–I wasn’t paying attention.”
She tried to slip past him, but Dominic’s arm shot out, blocking her way.
“Leaving so soon after we just met? Do you hate me that much?”
He grabbed her arm gently but firmly. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
Georgia hesitated. “I’m working, Mr. Foster.”
“What’s the point of working? Come with me. I’ll get you a meal.”
Before she could protest, Dominic cut her off.
“No worries. I’ll help you get leave later.”
And with that, he pulled her toward the door, his grip steady and unyielding.
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