Chapter 1 Betrayed

Adeline Smith was still dazed when she walked out of the police station.

Early that morning, she'd received a call asking her to come to the station to assist with an investigation.

When she learned it was because someone had secretly filmed her and her boyfriend Allen Jones having sex in a hotel room, she breathed a sigh of relief.

They had agreed on a Platonic relationship and had not had sex until after they graduated from college, so the police must have made a mistake.

But when she arrived at the station and saw the footage, she was completely stunned.

Allen and her best friend Emily Miller were naked in bed, even experimenting with bondage and S&M. The footage was explicit, and apparently their video had already racked up over ten million views on a porn site.

Since Emily wore a mask, the police had naturally assumed the woman was Adeline.

On her birthday, Adeline had been betrayed by both her boyfriend and her best friend.

Touching the condoms and key card in her pocket, she could only appreciate the bitter irony.

She'd planned to surprise Allen on her birthday, but he'd given her a even bigger shock instead.

Adeline instinctively wanted to throw the condoms in the trash, but remembering she'd splurged on the most expensive ones for her first time, she changed her mind.

Why wasted her money because of someone else's mistook?

Just as she was feeling down, her phone rang. Her classmate Elisa Garcia calling to ask if she could cover a shift at the bar.

"Adeline, please, I'm begging you. My boyfriend rarely gets to visit!"

Adeline sighed in frustration. Everyone else was hooking up while she had to work?

Just as she was about to refuse, Elisa added, "I'll give you 30% of the tips."

"Fine, I'll do it!"

Adeline exhaled deeply.

The old saying was right—unlucky in love, lucky in money. And money was exactly what she needed right now.

Studying jewelry design meant she frequently needed to purchase gemstone samples, so Adeline often picked up bartending shifts to earn extra cash.

She was beautiful with a silver tongue, making her popular at the bar.

Tonight the bar was hosting a major event—packed house, high tips. Adeline quickly forgot about her cheating boyfriend and threw herself into the hustle of making money.

She weaved through the crowd, continuously selling drinks.

Elaine Wilson spotted her immediately from the VIP table.

Looking at the composed Ronald Williams beside her, she snatched his thermos away.

"Ronald, you come to a bar just to drink water? Are you sick? Look at all these gorgeous women! Your grandfather is pressuring you to get married, and he didn't even set criteria—any woman would do!"

The mention of this irritated Ronald.

He grabbed his thermos back and took a large gulp.

Having been groomed as the family heir since childhood, he never had time for dating, and now they expect him to get married immediately? They must be dreaming!

"Just being female isn't enough. She should be pretty, have a good figure, and most importantly, be obedient," Elaine said, waving her hand. "Number 01, come over here."

Hearing someone call for her, Adeline walked over with a smile. "What can I get for you, ma'am?"

She glanced at the latest diamond earrings adorning Elaine's ears, immediately pulled out the most expensive drink menu, and flashed her signature smile. "These are all wines that just arrived this morning."

"If you can get him to drink just one glass, I'll order everything on this page." Elaine glanced at Ronald, noticing his expression had darkened.

He'd only asked Elaine out for dinner because he was feeling troubled, not expecting her to try pushing women on him.

Adeline took one look at Ronald and knew he was the type of client bartenders dreaded.

His custom-tailored suit, shirt buttoned all the way up, the whole celibate aesthetic.

These types were either completely frigid or absolute wildcats in bed.

She checked the prices on the menu again. "Ma'am, are you sure?"

"Here's my card. He drinks one glass, I'm buying the whole page." Elaine handed over a SVIP black card. Adeline accepted it with a smile and smoothly slid into the seat next to Ronald.

Noticing Ronald instinctively shift away from her, Adeline raised an eyebrow slightly. Not trying to take advantage of her—that was a good sign.

"Sir, I've aging parents and young kids to support. My whole family depends on me to make money. Would you please just take one sip?" She picked up a glass with a pitiful expression.

Ronald didn't move, just silently watching her.

To him, Adeline's acting was terrible—worse than the brand ambassadors his company had selected this year.

Her face was pretty, though, especially those expressive eyes that seemed to speak volumes, looking at everyone with such intensity.

Ronald's scrutinizing gaze made Adeline want to retreat, but thinking of the hefty commission, she smiled again. "Sir, would you like to try the Malbec? I can add some cinnamon and warm it for you?"

She'd noticed Ronald's thermos. Though he looked young, maybe he was a middle-aged man with health issues?

Probably couldn't handle strong liquor.

Elaine, beside them could barely contain her laughter. "Honey, you've got good eyes! You can tell he's too weak to handle strong drinks?"

"Not drinking," Ronald looked up at Adeline, adding, "Not paying either."

Adeline silently recited the commission amount to suppress her urge to curse at him. "Then what would you like to drink?"

Ronald handed her his thermos. "Warm water."

Adeline was gritting her teeth as she reached for the thermos when suddenly another customer bumped into her. She lost her balance and fell toward Ronald.

Ronald quickly withdrew his hand, leaning back to avoid contact, but Adeline still managed to grab his wrist. A tingling sensation instantly spread throughout his body, leaving him frozen.

The customer behind her apologized profusely, even ordering two bottles of wine as compensation. Adeline had a flash of inspiration and grabbed a full glass from the table. "Sir, thank you for trying to help me. I'll drink this down, and you can do as you please."

She tilted her head back and downed the entire glass.

Ronald said nothing and didn't move.

Seeing this, Adeline steeled herself and poured two more glasses. "No need for words of thanks for your kindness. I'll drink three glasses, you take one sip—just to save my face!"

Ignoring whatever expression Ronald might have, she drank two more glasses back-to-back.

People around them started cheering her on. Ronald looked at her beautiful, alluring face, the word "cunning" flashing through his mind, before reluctantly taking a sip.

"Today's my birthday, let me toast you again!" Seeing Ronald finally drink, Adeline quickly downed three more glasses.

Even Elaine was starting to feel concerned. "Honey, you don't need to go this hard."

Adeline was getting tipsy now, sprawling casually next to Ronald.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but suddenly she felt a wave of self-pity.

"It really is my birthday today." She sniffled hard, patting her pocket where the condoms and key card still lay. "I had everything ready for an unforgettable night, but Allen ruined it all, that bastard!"

Thinking of Allen and Emily's sex tape, Adeline felt agitated and started drinking glass after glass.

Ronald watched her expressionlessly, his gaze never leaving her beautiful eyes.

It was as if he were under a spell, staring at Adeline's every move.

The bar was about to close. In the brief moment Elaine turned to use the restroom, the two who had been sitting at the table were gone!

Under the dim hotel lights, Adeline looked at Ronald before her, feeling like nothing was real.

Earlier, the condoms and key card had fallen from her pocket, picked up by Ronald's long, elegant fingers.

Looking at his handsome face, Adeline found herself asking, as if possessed, "Want to come with me?"