Chapter 3 Beggars Can’t Be Choosers

• Christian shifted his gaze to his assistant, Robin Hood, and beckoned the latter over. "Sir?"
• "Get her cleaned up and take her to Delta Club."
• Victoria's face blanched when she heard the man's reply, for she knew that Delta Club was a place where the rich and powerful people indulged themselves in debauchery.
• At the thought of that, she was disappointed, believing that Christian wanted to humiliate her by showing everyone there the contrast between her current status as a despicable criminal and her former reputation as one of their VIP guests there two years ago.
• As chills ran all over her body, she asked in a low and hateful voice, "Is this really necessary, Christian?"
• Meanwhile, Christian responded with sarcastic laughter even though he didn't expect her to question him. "It's been two years since we last met, Victoria, but I can't believe you haven't learned your lesson. Beggars can't be choosers. Don't you get it?"
• When she heard the man's sarcastic remarks, Victoria looked down, biting her lips in silence. No one else knew what that meant better than she did. After all, she had been humbled in the penitentiary, having learned how to abandon her pride there in the past two years.
• At the same time, Christian seemingly grew frustrated and tired of seeing Victoria's pathetic appearance, whereupon he made his way toward the car. "Tell Charlotte to take good care of this lady. Don't let me down."
• Soon, the black Bentley disappeared in the snow. In the meantime, Robin hesitated for a second before he walked up to Victoria and helped her up. "Thank you." Feeling touched, Victoria suddenly thought of something she wanted to ask. "How is Bella?"
• Robin paused and ambiguously responded with a rhetorical question. "Well, she was forced to give up dancing. What do you think?"
• Victoria smiled bitterly, finally understanding why Christian wouldn't stop giving her a hard time. As long as Bella isn't happy, Christian will continue to make me suffer.
• …
• Ever since Robin took Victoria to Delta Club, Christian never showed up again over the next few weeks. It was as if their casual encounter that day was just a dream, yet she found herself literally standing in the lobby of Delta Club.
• "Welcome to Delta Club." She eventually thumped her numb left leg when there were no more visiting customers, having lost count of the times she had bowed to them.
• On the other hand, Victoria's colleague, Gabrielle Clark, stood beside her with a sympathetic look on her face. "What's wrong with Miss Charlotte? Why does everyone get to rest after their shifts except you? The way I see it, she is doing this to you on purpose to make your life difficult. She is probably jealous of your good looks."
• "It's alright. I'm fine." Victoria shook her head emotionlessly.
• "Why? If I were in your place, I would have quitted a long time ago." Gabrielle didn't understand why Charlotte wanted to pick at Victoria, whom she thought should be likable instead due to her good looks and approachable character.
• Why is Miss Charlotte so mean to her? Not only does she force Victoria to continue working after her shift, she also makes her clean up the mess that those drunkards leave behind when they vomit. What has she done to deserve that?
• Already confused, she became even more puzzled when she realized Victoria decided to endure everything without a word of objection.
• "I won't quit this job because I'm broke, but now that I'm working here, I don't have to worry about going hungry or finding myself a roof over my head." Victoria stopped massaging her leg and looked up with a brittle smile. "I can't find any other jobs either."
• Failing to see Victoria's situation from her perspective, Gabrielle decided it was better for her to keep quiet. In the meantime, Victoria had no choice but to swallow her pride and put up with all the adversities even though the people around her treated her with disdain and contempt.
• After all, she mustn't create more trouble for her family, having dragged them into a huge mess for what happened two years ago.
• The next minute, two limited-edition luxury cars pulled up not far away from the club. Then, three men and two ladies stepped out of the vehicles, making their way toward the club's entrance while chatting and laughing.
• Thus, Victoria quickly took her hand off her leg and stood straight with a professional smile on her face, bowing to them when they got closer. "Welcome to Delta Club…"
• Needless to say, neither of those rich people bothered to even look at the hostess as they laughed and entered the elevator. Suddenly, the lady walking behind them stopped in her tracks and sized Victoria up with a frown on her face, doubtfully calling out to her. "Victoria?" she asked.