Chapter 11 Pole Dancing on Stage

• "Touch her, and I'll chop off your hand. Sit back down." Zachary cast a warning glance at Elijah, who was rendered baffled. What the heck?!
• Victor, his cold black eyes gleaming behind the golden-rimmed glasses, smiled faintly. "Elijah, calm down. Sit down and watch the show."
• With Victor also advising him against it, Elijah suppressed his curiosity and sat back down. One should also note that despite this overlord's fearlessness, he feared Zachary, even when they were little.
• …
• Hazel came to the rendezvous as promised, and of course, Julia was there too. Since Hazel ruined her plan last time, Julia wanted to see what she would do this time.
• Then, Marcus arrived late, and Julia quickly smiled apologetically. "Mr. King, it was Hazel's fault last time. I brought her over to apologize to you now."
• Marcus snorted. "She almost killed me last time. Do you think a simple apology can make up for that?"
• The memory of that massive wolfhound licking him all over, its sharp teeth almost severing his manhood, scared Marcus out of his wits. Just the thought of the pathetic scene back then made Marcus want to kill Hazel.
• "What do you propose then, Mr. King?"
• "This apology lacks sincerity. How about this? Let Hazel drink these bottles of liquor first."
• "I won't drink," Hazel refused before Julia could agree. "Whoever agrees drinks."
• "You!" Julia suppressed her anger and smiled diplomatically. "Mr. King, perhaps you could suggest a more sincere way."
• Receiving Julia's hint, Marcus' lecherous gaze quickly roamed over Hazel's slender figure. "How about this? Let Hazel take the stage and dance on the pole for me. That'll settle last time's incident."
• Pole dancing? Julia's eyes lit up. Pole dancing was provocative, something only indecent women did to seduce men. Her two daughters, both Maritown debutantes, would never touch such things. But Hazel was perfect for it.
• "Hazel, if you've come to apologize, you must show sincerity. Since you refuse to drink, you must at least go on stage and dance on the pole," Julia said with a malicious smile.
• Hazel knew what Julia was thinking precisely, but she still smiled and agreed, "Sure, I'll do it." Then, Hazel went on stage.
• The heavy metal music was still playing. That night, she wore a white dress. Her slender hands gripped the pole as she leaped up, her supple body twisting gracefully in the air.
• The noise in the bar ceased as all eyes were drawn to Hazel, twirling, leaping, and dancing on the pole, her flexible body contorting into various elegant poses. Her pole dance wasn't sensual but rather ethereal. Soon, the dance ended, and Hazel landed on the ground. The mesmerized audience erupted into thunderous applause.
• When Hazel returned to their table, Marcus was wholly captivated. "Hazel, I didn't expect you to dance so well. I won't hold the previous incident against you anymore, but you need to come with me to my room. Let's discuss the investment in Sullivan Healthcare."
• Hazel, with a thin layer of sweat from her dance, looked at Marcus' lustful expression. "Sure, Mr. King, lead the way."
• Julia's gaze turned malicious. She couldn't believe that after all these years, Hazel's dance still impressed. She had intended to humiliate her, but instead, she ended up embarrassing herself.
• Julia would never forget. Hazel, the former princess of the Sullivan Family, had been exceptionally gifted since childhood. While her daughter Calla struggled with dancing every night, Hazel effortlessly danced on her tiptoes.
• At nine years old, she already possessed the potential to overshadow all of Ardenia. Imagine the heights she could reach in a few more years! Julia thought Hazel had wasted away in the countryside over the years, but she was sorely mistaken.
• Julia had never felt such a strong desire to destroy someone before. This time, she wouldn't let Hazel escape again.
• …
• In the private room, Elijah was stunned. "Zach, your new wife can dance so well. After her, there might not be any more pole dancing at Bar 1949."
• Meanwhile, Victor smirked playfully. "The Sullivans are quite interesting. They sent Hazel to you as a replacement bride, but surely, believing you're at death's door, they thought they could dictate you. So, they also have Hazel entertain other men. Selling their daughter like this… I wonder if Hazel is even their biological daughter."
• "Zach, Hazel followed that old man into the room. He has the horns; do you want to wear them?" Elijah smirked.
• Zachary exhaled a puff of smoke, then flicked the cigarette butt into the ashtray. "If you don't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all," he chided, shooting Elijah a dirty look.
• Elijah chuckled amusedly. "Zach, just say the word, and I'll beat that old man to a pulp."
• Zachary stood up. "Let's wait and see." With that, he left.
• "Hey, Zach, didn't you just say we'd wait and see? Where are you going? I already had surveillance installed in the room," Elijah called after him. However, Zachary had disappeared from view.
• "Vic, what's gotten into Zach? He's been celibate all these years and has never shown any interest in women. Could it be that he's falling in love with Hazel?" Elijah asked.
• Victor set down his glass. "Think bolder. He probably even wants to f*ck her."
• Holy sh*t! Elijah exclaimed.
• …
• Outside the luxurious private room, Julia warned Hazel, "I hope you won't play tricks this time. Serve Mr. King well and secure the investment. I'll be outside the door. See if you can escape this time!"
• Hazel faintly smirked. The show was just beginning. How could she leave now?
• When the young woman entered the room, Marcus lunged desperately at her. "Let me kiss you, beautiful."
• Hazel skillfully evaded him. "Chill, Mr. King. It's not like I can escape, can I? Let me take a shower first."
• "Let's shower together," the man insisted, following her into the bathroom, but Hazel quickly locked the door behind her. Alas, in the next second, she sensed another presence with her.
• With a swift movement, Hazel drew a silver needle from her sleeve and turned to stab the intruder. But before she could, a strong hand gripped her wrist and pinned her against the wall. "Mrs. Luellen, you're quite passionate," the voice said.