Chapter 26


    “Down this bottle, and It’s on me,” drawled Gage ter, N’s second uncle, the infamous sexual


    predator of Jindale City, the epitome of a sleazebag.


    Hideous, disliked, yet a notorious yer.


    Elysia didn’t know him from Adam, and she blinked in confusion at his proposition. “Me? Drink It?”


    “Yep, you. Not a drop left, you hear?”


    “But… isn’t that a bit appropriate? It’s your tab, and this bottle isn’t cheap.* “When I say it’s fine, it’s


    fine. This bottle’s a grand, you drink it, it’s on my dime.” As Gage spoke, his lecherous gaze roamed


    over Elysia, unashamedly ogling her. Elysia realized she’d run into a real lowlife. She fought the urge to


    punch him and forced out an apologetic grin,


    instead


    “Sorry, but I had some cold medicine beforeing here. Can’t mix it with alcohol.” The man’s mood


    soured at her excuse. “Then take the bottle with you. We don’t want it.” Elysia was stunned. “The bar


    has rules. Once a bottle’s opened, it can’t be returned.”


    “Heh, did I ask you to open it? You decided to open it on your own. If it can’t be returned, you’re footing


    the bill.”


    Elysia held back her anger and said, “You asked me to open it; that’s why I dared to. There should be


    security cameras in this room to check.”


    At that, the rm erupted intoughter,


    “You can tell she doesn’t get out much. Security cameras at a bar? What if someone wants a little


    privacy for some fun? Ha!”


    Elysia’s lips quivered, speechless, her fists clenched tightly as she silently seethed. She had never


    been to a ce like this before!


    Someone chimed in, “Honey, Mr. ter taking a shine to you is your lucky day. Drink up, and don’t be


    ungrateful. Do you even know who Mr. ter is? He could scare you stiff! But hey, if you keep him


    happy, you could be set for life.”


    Elysia realized this greasy old man was someone of status.


    They were about to cheat her, and if she fought back, she knew she’d be at a disadvantage.


    The average Joe always loses against big money.


    The bottle cost a hundred grand, which was a year’s sry for many, yet only a mere evening’s


    pleasure for the wealthy. What could she possibly do against them?


    had to cover that cost, she might as well be dead. She didn’t have that kind of money.


    After a few seconds of silence, Elysia managed another apologetic smile,


    “My mistake, Mr. ter. It’s really loud here, so how about we go somewhere quieter to chat?” Gage’s


    interest was piqued at her suggestion, a lecherous chuckle escaping him as he rose to his feet. “Sure,


    let’s find a nice quiet spot for a… deep conversation.”


    The room hooted, “Yeah, go deep, real deep! Ha!”


    Elysia felt sick to her stomach but kept herposure as she walked out.


    Tarquin stepped out of the elevator just in time to see Elysia slip through the service door. He stood


    there, his expression inscrutable.


    Momentster, Gage exited the room, hurriedly following behind her, muttering, “Baby, I’ming,


    hehe.”


    Behind the safety door of the bar was a ce where stories unfolded. Dimly lit and sparsely popted,


    it was the go–to spot for the desperately thirsty to quench their desires.


    I like your style, babe. You had me at hello. I’ll treat you right, don’t worry. Make me happy, and you’ll


    be rewarded. Just look at those lips… get on your knees and put them to use…” The words were


    loaded with innuendo.


    Lowell, ufortable, said, “It’s Ms. Thorne and Gage…”


    A scream suddenly pierced the air.


    owell’s face turned pale. “Tarquin, Ms. Thorne might be in trouble.”


    arquin frowned, reluctant to get involved, but thinking of Elijah, he quickened his pace owards the


    commotion.


    nd then he witnessed a scene beyond belief…