Chapter 6 The Nightclub

• I arrived at the nightclub with Noelle. It was my first time there, and I felt somewhat out of place. Moreover, it seemed to be frequented by wealthy patrons.
• I followed Noelle to Sarah's room. Sarah was a beautiful woman in her thirties.
• “That's more like it! I've been telling you to introduce your bestie to me!” Sarah exclaimed when she saw us.
• She sized me up and down and added, “Not bad at all! You've got good taste, Noey!”
• I knew she must have assumed that Noelle had brought me here to work.
• “Sarah, my bestie only came as moral support. I want to resign!” Noelle declared.
• Sarah squinted her eyes, seemingly oblivious to what was said earlier. She continued, “What's your name, missy? Stick with me, and I guarantee you'll make this much in a month!”
• Sarah extended her hand, displaying all five fingers as she spoke.
• I quickly shook my head. “Not interested!”
• Noelle also stressed, “Sarah, I've already told you I won't be coming to work tomorrow!”
• “Deal!” Sarah said cheerfully, glancing at Noelle. “Then I won't be keeping those photos of yours!”
• Photos?
• I shot a doubtful glance at Noelle.
• Noelle's face was pale, looking rather unwell.
• Sarah added, “Honestly, I'm not being too unreasonable. It's not that I won't let you go, but as you know, Mr. Lambert has taken a liking to you. He doesn't want anyone else but you. If you could just accompany him for a few more days, I'll naturally let you leave.”
• Noelle bit her lip tightly.
• “How about it? Give it some thought!” Sarah said.
• “Noey, are you okay?” I asked, noticing that Noelle didn't look too well.
• Suddenly, Noelle lifted her head and asked, “Sarah, what do you think of Adelina here?”
• I was taken aback, momentarily unsure of what she meant.
• “So her name is Adelina!” Sarah gave me another glance and uttered, “She definitely works! She's such a natural beauty that I'm sure Mr. Lambert will be pleased!”
• “What do you guys mean?” I had a bad feeling about this.
• “All right, Sarah, I'll be heading out now!” After glancing at me, Noelle started to head out.
• “Noey, don't leave!” I tried to reach out for her but was stopped by a few men standing beside Sarah.
• Without even sparing me a glance, Noelle walked out the door.
• I was still standing there, unable to comprehend everything that had just occurred.
• Sarah examined me from head to toe before ordering her subordinates, “All of you, get out!”
• After the men had left, Sarah lit a cigarette, puffing it elegantly. Then, she looked at me with an expression somewhere between a smile and a smirk.
• I was stunned for quite some time before I finally realized what had happened — Noelle had betrayed me.
• I was devastated. Growing up, I didn't have many friends. Noelle was one of them, but I never expected her to manipulate me like this.
• “Have a seat!” Sarah gestured toward the chair opposite her.
• Without any reservation, I sat down, yet my heart was still pounding with unease. I discreetly scanned my surroundings, contemplating my escape plan for later.
• “Are you very upset?” Sarah asked.
• I nodded, unsure as to why Sarah was asking this. All I could respond was, “Before this, I thought she was my best friend!”
• Sarah chuckled. “Can there really be true friendship between women?”
• I looked up at her.
• The allure that once radiated from Sarah was no longer present. She looked at me with a serene gaze. “Resigning from here isn't as complicated as you think. We don't force anyone into anything they don't want to do! Everyone is here of their own volition. Besides, Noelle is only working part-time!”
• I was taken aback for a moment, then it all became clear. All of this was a plot set up by Noelle. If I had harbored even the slightest fantasy before, thinking she had only pushed me forward to save herself, I now saw the harsh reality. She was simply using me.
• Everything that just happened was all an act.
• I let out a bitter laugh.
• Sarah stood up, patting my shoulder. “You should leave. You seem like a decent woman. Don't come to places like this in the future!”
• I looked at her, somewhat surprised. Did all those who mingled in such circles speak so pleasantly, despite the apparent helplessness of the situation?
• Sarah narrowed her eyes and questioned, “What's the matter? Don't want to leave?”
• I quickly stood up and thanked her profusely. “Thank you, Sarah!”
• Sarah waved her hand dismissively.
• I quickly made my way out the door, and it wasn't until I stepped out of the grand entrance of Skyline Nightclub that I was certain — Sarah had truly let me go.
• Walking down the street, I felt a pang of sadness. My nearly eight-year friendship with Noelle apparently held less weight than my recent acquaintance with Sarah. It seemed I really had a knack for meeting the wrong people.
• I hailed a taxi to head home. Just as I was about to get in, a familiar voice suddenly whispered in my ear, “Don't get in the car!”
• I glanced around, but there was no one around.
• “Are you leaving or not? What's with the dawdling?” said the driver, clearly unsatisfied.
• I was about to get into the car again, but the whisper became clearer, almost as if an invisible person was whispering in my ear.
• I shuddered in fear, looking around, but there was no one in sight. I swallowed hard; the voice I had just heard couldn't possibly have been a hallucination.