Chapter 4 Dodging His Wandering Hands

• “Don't be so hasty, Juliette,” Louis said quickly. “There's still hope. Tonight, I'm hosting a dinner at Hotel Royale. I'll introduce you to some influential friends. Maybe you can make something happen.”
• Juliette lowered her brows slightly, her mind racing. She knew better than to believe in such generosity. People like Louis didn't offer favors without expecting something in return. The sudden shift from rejection to offering help made her deeply suspicious.
• But what did she have to lose? The Tillman family was on the brink of collapse; they had nothing left. Even in desperation, she wasn't willing to give up entirely. If there was a chance, she had to take it.
• Her tone shifted to one of gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Lane. I'll be there tonight.”
• After hanging up, the light in Juliette's eyes dimmed. No matter the hidden motives of others, she couldn't afford to lose her footing now.
• She dressed in a tasteful red dress, complementing it with a delicate platinum necklace. A ruby, gleaming softly in the light, rested against her collarbone. Her dark hair was swept up, exposing her slender neck, pale and graceful like a swan.
• As she gazed at herself in the mirror, there was a brief moment when she almost felt like her old self—the proud daughter of the Tillman family, back when everything was still intact.
• But the bitter smile that curled her lips brought her back to reality. Before leaving, Juliette opened a drawer and carefully tucked a small bottle into her purse. On the label were the words: Pepper spray. Use with caution.
• At eight sharp, Juliette arrived at Hotel Royale. After giving her name, a waiter escorted her to a private room. As expected, no one was there.
• A wry smile tugged at Juliette's lips. She was no longer the influential daughter of the Tillman family. Now, she was just another woman dependent on the whims of others. It made sense that she'd be kept waiting.
• She lifted her hand to touch her burning forehead, her frown deepening. The fever was getting worse.
• Half an hour later, Louis finally appeared, his plump figure filling the doorway. He apologized casually for the traffic, though he had clearly set the meeting time himself. “Juliette, you're early,” he said with an air of indifference.
• Juliette kept her composure, offering a polite smile. “Of course, Mr. Lane. It's only right to wait when you've taken time out of your busy schedule to meet me.” She looked around. “Are the others not here yet?”
• Louis' eyes roamed over her, an unspoken admiration in his gaze. She had always been beautiful, but now, there was something even more captivating about her.
• “No, no,” he said, sitting down uninvited next to her. “Everyone else is tied up. It's just us. We can catch up.”
• He casually placed a hand on her shoulder. His words dripped with meaning. “Juliette, like I said, opportunities are there for you. You just need to know how to grab them.”
• Juliette smiled faintly, gently slipping out of his grasp as she hummed noncommittally.