Chapter 15 Ties With the Parker Family

• The night was still merry at the Imperial Court as usual. Lauren mellowed out a lot compared to how she used to be, and she could handle the lecherous rich kids easily now. They couldn’t feel her up, nor did she make things ugly for anyone.
• Mr. Kale had always liked her, so today he asked Lauren to come to his office. After a few knocks, Lauren entered. “Do you require anything from me, Mr. Kale?”
• “Have a seat, Mary.” Mr. Kale was a man in his fifties. Most of the nightclubs in Cloudfall City were under him, so his power should not be underestimated. Over time, everyone started calling him Mr. Kale out of respect. When Lauren had taken her seat, she remembered it was payday today. But isn’t that supposed to be the finance department’s business? Why is Mr. Kale doing it himself?
• She looked calm, but Lauren was starting to panic. Ethan had come to her after all, so if he just said the word, she would be fired. If that were to happen, Lauren would be in dire straits. Riley’s treatment needed a lot of money, but she couldn’t work anywhere else with her current condition.
• “Done with Mr. Langdon?” Mr. Kale looked at her.
• “I did. Don’t worry, Mr. Kale. I won’t trouble you with this anymore,” Lauren replied calmly.
• Mr. Kale nodded before reaching into his drawer for an envelope, then tossing it to her. “Your pay.” A man of few words, indeed.
• “Thank you, Mr. Kale.” Lauren was about to leave after taking her money.
• However, Mr. Kale continued, “You’re a decent woman, Mary, but you’re too conservative. That’s why your income is limited. You know what it means to work here. No matter how much you try, you can’t change what people expect from you.”
• Mr. Kale ran his gaze over her from head to toe. She might be wearing a revealing, high-slit dress, but Lauren had her own pride that was different from the other employees in the Imperial Court.
• Lauren knew what he was trying to say. All the singers here would sleep with the customers as long as they could pay the price.
• “Lucy told me you have a sick child to care for,” Mr. Kale said. “Think for your child even if not for yourself. Holding on like this has no meaning.”
• Instead of answering him, Lauren smiled and gave a bow. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Kale, but I think I’m fine with how I am now. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be getting ready to perform.”
• When she was about to leave again, Mr. Kale interjected, “What’s your ties with the Parker Family?”
• Lauren froze, her face quickly turning ashen. Has Ethan made his move? No, Mr. Kale is probably just trying to know something. If Ethan did make his move, I would have been fired the moment I came in. She took a moment to calm down. “I’m just a lowly singer, Mr. Kale. Having ties with the Parker Family is… preposterous.”
• When Mr. Kale said nothing more, Lauren bowed again and left.