“There’s nothing troublesome about dressing up and feeling good about yourself,” Tyler answered, offering Nina aforting look through the rearview mirror. He could see the hesitation in her eyes and tried to instill confidence in her.


    Nina shrugged, her eyes flickering down to herp. “I just don’t want to deal with people’s judgment.”


    Kaylin leaned in closer, her voice gentle and kind. “Nina, you’re amazing just the way you are. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”


    Nina smiled. She didn’t respond, but Tyler and Kaylin’s words of encouragement put her at ease.


    —


    The Imperial Club was one of the most sought-after bars in Spring City.


    That evening, the students had reserved a private room for their wee gathering. The space was dimly lit, and vibrant beams of colored light swayed across the walls. The pulsating rhythm filled the air, quickening the heartbeat of everyone present.


    In one corner of the room, a bustling bar attracted a lively crowd of people whoughed and chatted while enjoying their drinks. Positioned at the center of the room, a DJ on a tform spun music that ignited wild dancing among the people.


    As the trio entered the room, the previously buzzing ambiance suddenly quietened down, and all eyes turned toward Nina. It was only after they took their seats that everyone burst into excitement.


    “Wow! Who is she?” one person eximed, while another marveled, “I can’t believe we have such a stunning person in our ss!”


    “Wait! Is that you, Nina Santiago?” someone shrieked.


    “What?”


    When dressed in their simple grey uniform, she looked as mesmerizing as ever. But even when she dolled up, why was it that she looked like a goddess who has just descended from the mortal world?


    Listening to the exaggeratedments, Nina fought the urge to roll her eyes. She ordered a cocktail and observed the lively group.


    A curious boy couldn’t contain his inquisitiveness and pulled Tyler aside. “ss prez, how did you manage to win over the ice queen?”


    The “ice queen” of their campus was known for her distant demeanor, rarely getting along with anyone. Yet somehow, the ss president had seeded in inviting her.


    Tyler felt a sense of satisfaction, realizing he wasn’t the only one mesmerized by Nina that night. “Well, it’s a secret, but since we’re friends, I’ll let you in on it,” Tyler said, yfully draping his arm around the boy’s shoulder before proceeding to fabricate an borate story.


    Nina couldn’t help but smile at Tyler’s yful antics.


    Fortunately, the crowd did not make things difficult for Nina, and the conversation shifted to different subjects as everyone began to enjoy the party. Meanwhile, Kaylin and a few others dotted the room, dancing away. Nina noticed a few familiar faces from her sses but wasn’t in the mood for socializing.


    Seeking sce, she found a quiet corner and settled herself, observing the partygoers with a sense of detachment. Taking another sip of her drink, the alcohol burned down her throat. Feeling weary, she decided to take a break and stepped out of the private room, enjoying the refreshing coolness of the hallway that offered a peaceful air from the stifling atmosphere inside.


    As she finished attending to her matters, she turned around and identally bumped into someone.


    “I’m sorry,” she apologized politely, even though it was the person who had bumped into her.


    The man, appearing to be in his mid-thirties, halted upon hearing her melodious voice. His eyes instantly lit up when heid eyes on the captivating figure before him. He extended his hand and motioned for her to stop.


    “Excuse me, are you here with friends? If you don’t mind, can I buy you a drink?” the man approached Nina.


    “No, thank you,” Nina declined coldly.


    “Come on, don’t be so difficult. If you just join me for a drink, I’ll ept your apology,” the man persisted, his eyes filled with desire as he shamelessly scrutinized her.


    Nina’s expression turned cold, her body tense with difort. “Sir, I have already apologized to you. Please show some dignity and step aside.”


    Themotion had caught the attention of onlookers, but no one intervened. In a ce like this, such incidents were unfortunatelymon. Moreover, the man belonged to an influential family as a second-generation heir, and nobody was willing to provoke him.


    The man’s smile faded as he faced another rejection. Nina considered it futile to waste her words on him and decided to leave. However, before she could go, the man grabbed her forcefully and dragged her into a nearby room.


    Fear coursed through Nina’s veins as she was pulled into the room.


    She desperately struggled to free her wrist and cried out for help, but nobody dared toe to her rescue.


    The room was full of strangers and wasrger and more extravagant than the previous one she had been in.


    Loud music reverberated in the room, blending with the chaotic atmosphere of men and women intertwined with each other. Almost every man had an escort by their side.


    Nina’s heart skipped a beat as she took in the scene.


    “Mark, where did you find this beauty? She’s exactly my type,” a burly man inquired.


    The person next to him chuckled. “You said the same thing when you dated that who** back then.”


    The man shrugged nonchntly andughed. “So what? They’re all the same once the lights are off.”


    Their conversation gradually grew more vulgar as they continued to talk.


    Nina’s face paled, but she remainedposed even in the face of danger. Although anxiety was building within her, she refused to let these young men exploit her vulnerabilities. Her beautiful amber eyes scanned the room, searching for a way to escape.


    Mark, the man in question, noticed her actions and leered at her with ascivious smile. “Little girl, don’t even think about escaping until I’ve had my fill of fun.”


    Driven by lust, he took a step forward, eagerly anticipating tearing off her clothes and making her beg for mercy.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Nina cautiously retreated until her back was against the counter. Just as the man was about to touch her, she pped him across the face.


    The force of the p stunned everyone in the room.


    “You Bi***, how dare you?” Mark red at her fiercely, stunned by the unexpected p.


    To everyone’s surprise, Nina remained calm as she locked eyes with him. “Let me go.”


    Mark spat to the side. “Pfft. Let you go? Do you have any idea who I am? My father is one of the major shareholders of this club. I could make you disappear without leaving a trace.”


    Nina remained undeterred by his threats and delivered her final warning. “I don’t care. Let me go right now, or don’t me me for being impolite.”


    A grim expression crossed the man’s face, faced with repeated rejection for the first time. The humiliation from the p fueled his desire to inflict harm and brutality upon her. His teeth clenched as hemanded, “Men, guard the door. Let’s see how she escapes from this ce. Today, I will subject this woman to my desires until she meets her end.”


    As the guards closed in on Nina, she swiftly grabbed a beer bottle from the side, smashed it against the counter, and hurled it at them. “Step back and let me go.”


    “What are you all staring at? Seize this woman immediately!” he cursed at the guards.


    Nina held onto the broken bottle tightly as the guards closed in. Her intention was not to harm him. She was just an ordinary citizen, while these people all had incredible backgrounds. It wouldn’t be worth sacrificing her life for them. Her only aim was to buy time in hopes that Tyler or Kaylin would notice her absence ande to her aid.


    Unfortunately, she had miscalcted. No matter how good she was, it was one against ten burly men. Caught off guard, one of them delivered a forceful blow to her wrist, causing the bottle to shatter on the ground.


    Seeing her defenselessness, the remaining guards promptly restrained her. Mark smirked and grabbed her hair, delivering a harsh p to Nina’s face. Blood immediately trickled from the corner of her mouth. “Let’s see how fierce you can be in bed.”


    He turned to the guards andmanded, “ce her on the couch. After I’m finished, you can take turns enjoying yourselves.”