"How much do you want?" Nelly was furious but had no choice but toply. They had no way to back out now.


    "Five hundred thousand," Cindy said, holding up one hand and naming an outrageous price.


    "Five hundred thousand! You must be insane!" Nelly couldn''t help but shout.


    In their heyday, both the Zade and Powell families were among the elite. Five hundred thousand wouldn''t have even been enough for one of Nelly''s limited-edition handbags. But now, with the Powell family in ruins and having been abroad for years with little contact with her own family since her parents'' death, five hundred thousand was a huge sum to Nelly. The thought of parting with it was painful.


    "Mrs. Powell was once one of Istra''s premier socialites. Surely you can spare such a small amount? If you don''t pay, I''ll have to ask you to leave."


    Cindy moved to open the door and call for the Thompson family''s security, but Nelly grabbed her arm.


    “Fine, five hundred thousand. I''ll pay," Nelly said. She knew Cindy was extorting her, but she had to ept.


    She took out her phone and, with a heavy heart, transferred the five hundred thousand to Cindy.


    Once the money was received, Cindy efficiently led Mignon to a bedroom upstairs.


    The room wasn''t small, but it wasn''t particrlyrge either. The decor and furnishings were quite simple,pletely at odds with Mr. Thompson''s status.


    “Is this really Mr. Bet Thompson''s room?” Mignon asked, clearly skeptical. "Mr. Bet Thompson is a military man. He prefers simplicity," Cindy exined without batting an eye. Seeing Mignon still hesitating, she grew annoyed. "If you don''t believe me, you can leave right now. I''m taking a huge risk helping you."


    Mignon was still suspicious, but she was young and inexperienced. Persuaded by Cindy''s story, she ultimately chose to believe her.


    Mignon stripped naked and slipped under the covers.


    Seeing this, Cindy walked to the window and drew the ckout curtains, plunging the room into darkness.


    "The young master is very alert. It''ll be bad for you if he spots you. With the curtains drawn, he won''t be able to see clearly. Wait here in the room. Once the drug kicks in, I''ll bring him in."


    After giving her instructions, Cindy left, closing the door behind her.


    Mignon waited alone in the dark


    room for what felt like an eternity, nearly drifting off to sleep. Finally, the door opened, and just as promised, Cindy entered, supporting a man.


    With the windows covered, Mignon''s vision was limited. She couldn''t see the man''s face, only that his tall build resembled Bets, and she recognized Cindy''s voice.


    "Sir, please rest here for a while. I''ll go get a doctor," Cindy said.


    The drugged man seemed extremely ufortable. He grunted an affirmative in a


    hoarse voice and copsed onto the bed.


    Cindy exited, closing the door behind her.


    Now, only Mignon and the man were left in the room.


    The light was too dim for Mignon to see, so she fumbled her way closer,


    until her hand touched the man''s feverish body.


    “Ben, you must be in so much pain. Let me help you, okay?” Mignon whispered, pressing her naked body against his.


    The man let out a suppressed groan and then, in one swift motion, rolled over and pinned her beneath him...


    Meanwhile.


    Downstairs in the Thompson family''s ballroom, the clinking of sses and cheerful conversation continued, with hosts and guests enjoying themselves.


    Ynda was sitting with Mrs. Walker.


    "I haven''t seen Eden for a while. Where did he run off to?" Mrs. Walker asked, holding her wine ss.


    "He said he was going to show us a good show. We just have to wait," Ynda replied, her eyes scanning the reom She hadn''t seen Bet for some time either, only Yvonne, who was helping Emma entertain the guests.