Chapter 399
One hour later, Alex and Josephine stepped onto the rooftop lounge.
The city stretched out around them, glittering like spilled diamonds.
The place was sleek, stylish-soft music in the air, groups of friends sipping drinks, laughing, pretending to live in a dream.
“Josephine! Over here p>
A man shot to his feet the moment they entered, waving with far too much eagerness.
His eyes clung to Josephine like a starving dog to a bone, the kind of hunger so raw it made everyone in the lounge turn and notice.
Alex traced the sound through the crowd, his gaze sharp, weighing each face.
Then one figure cut through the noise of strangers, impossible to ignore-she glowed like a peacock flaunting its feathers in full display.
She was stunning.
Youthful, delicate, her oval face shaped like fine porcelain, her features so refined they seemed sculpted by careful hands.
She wore innocence like a crown, polished and flawless, a purity so perfect it almost blinded.
One glance from her could hook a man’s soul and drag him under.
But Alex wasn’t fooled. He saw the truth flicker in her eyes.
The sweetness was nothing but a mask, a role she had mastered long ago. She didn’t just attract attention-she hunted it, fed on it, lived for it.
Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many.
But not the few who know where to look.
“Sorry we’re late,” Josephine said brightly, though her body stiffened under the stares.
She plastered on a smile, forcing warmth where discomfort hid. Then, with deliberate boldness, she hooked her arm through Alex’s.
“Everyone, this is Alex.” Her lips curved into a mischievous grin. “My boyfriend p>
The word dropped like a stone in a glass pond. Silence rippled across the group. Several men’s faces twisted, their eyes hard with envy, hostility flickering like flames.
Josephine ignored them. She tugged Alex forward, guiding him straight to the radiant girl.
Her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. “That’s Giselle. She grew up with me in the orphanage, but a wealthy family adopted her. Even back then, she was too beautiful to be ignored p>
Facing the girl, Josephine’s smile widened. “Alex, this is Giselle Laurent. The country’s rising star. Millions already adore her p>
“Jo, don’t exaggerate.” Giselle pouted, feigning humility. “I’m just a beginner. Still a long way from fame p>
“Don’t be silly,” Josephine countered, slipping an arm over her shoulder like an old friend.
“Your voice is angelic, and your beauty matches it-like something unearthly. As a newcomer, you’ve already taken home the top awards, winning hearts everywhere p>
“It’s only a matter of time before you rise even higher-you’ll be a star faster than anyone dares to imagine p>
“You’ve always been my supporter, Jo. My bestie since we were kids!” Giselle hugged her with practiced sweetness.
“Josephine,” Martin’s voice cut sharp, dripping disdain, “why bring an outsider here? This place is reserved for people close to Giselle p>
“Yeah,” Amanda cut in, her lips curling with disdain.
“It’s Giselle’s birthday, and you bring a stranger? What if he’s some obsessed fan who starts snapping pictures and splashes them all over social media? One slip like that could wreck Giselle’s career p>
“It’s fine,” Giselle replied smoothly, not a crack in her smile. “If he’s Josephine’s boyfriend, I trust him p>
Martin’s expression soured. “I don’t. He doesn’t belong here p>
Josephine’s eyes flashed. “Careful, Martin. My boyfriend fights better than you ever could. Don’t test him p>
Martin barked a laugh. “And what does that make him? A thug? A bodyguard? Fighting means nothing today. Wealth. Connections. That’s power. That’s what matters p>
His bitterness was sharp, his resentment plain for all to see.
He had once set his sights on Giselle, but she soared too high, always out of reach, her world closed off to him.
So he turned to Josephine-just as beautiful, just as angelic, but far quieter, easier to approach.
He had chased her for years, only to be shut out at every turn too.
And now, seeing her openly claim another man before his eyes—it burned through him like acid.
Amanda smirked, piling on. “Martin’s right. This stranger doesn’t fit in. Giselle’s too kind to tolerate someone like him p>
“Josephine’s always had a soft heart,” another voice mocked.
“Even if she picked up a stray dog off the street, she’d treat it like gold. Maybe that’s all this man is-a mutt she dragged in A street dog in borrowed clothes.” fo s
Some of the men were already glaring at Alex, itching to stir up trouble. Their
smirks and narrowed eyes carried the unspoken threat.
“Alright, enough of that,” Josephine cut in quickly, her tone sharp but smooth, desperate to steer the tension away.
“Since we’re all here, let Giselle sing for us p>
The predators froze. Even they knew better than to push further when Giselle was the centerpiece.
Her name carried weight, and no one wanted to risk being cast out of her circle. Reluctantly, they pulled back, forcing fake smiles and muttering as they settled down.
“It’s been ages since I’ve heard Giselle sing,” one man said, sucking up fast. “We’re in for a real treat tonight p>
“Yes, Giselle, hurry up! Don’t keep us waiting,” another called out, voice dripping with eagerness.
The cheers spread, and Giselle stepped forward with a soft smile. “Alright, I’ll do my best p>
She glided onto the stage, the rooftop lights catching her flawless skin, her slim figure swaying like she belonged there.
Heads turned from every corner of the lounge. Even strangers-powerful-looking VIPs nursing expensive whiskey in the far corner-paused their conversations to watch her.
“Oh, this young beauty is stealing the spotlight,” one of them muttered with greedy amusement.
The moment Giselle stood beneath the lights, the room shifted.
Every man who had a drink in him leaned forward, eyes hungry. And when she opened her mouth to sing, her voice cut through the night like liquid silver.
It was so pure, so entrancing, it froze the crowd in place. Even Alex, who’d heard
the finest singers in the world, had to admit: this woman could truly sing.
When the final note faded, the rooftop exploded in applause.
People whistled, cheered, and clapped until the air itself shook.
Then, suddenly, a man swaggered onto the stage, his cheap cologne and arrogance arriving before him.
“Hey, pretty thing,” he drawled, leering. “Lucky night for you. My boss likes what
he sees. Come sit with him. You’ll get everything you’ve ever dreamed of p>
Giselle’s smile faltered. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that p>
The man barked out a laugh, loud and crude. “Come on, sweetheart. You’re just a singer. Everyone’s got a price. Name it. My boss is loaded You should be grateful thank your guardian angel for putting you in his sights.” s
He grabbed for her arm, yanking her down from the stage like she was merchandise on display.
Giselle’s cheeks flushed hot with,
shame. She slapped his hand away, her voice trembling but firm
“Everything might but
have a price
not me. I told you, I don’t sel
myself.” s
“I don’t care.” His grin twisted into something darker. “My boss already called for
you. If you refuse, you’re insulting him. And trust me, that’s dangerous p>
“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Martin shot to his feet, voice booming with false bravery, finally tasting a chance to play the hero.
“She said no! Can’t you understand simple words? What are you, a dog that can’t comprehend human language p>
“Exactly!” Amanda added, hands on her hips. “Forcing her like this? Do you even hear yourself? It’s disgusting p>
The man sneered at their outrage. “Quit pretending you’re saints. She should feel lucky. My boss is willing to pay her more than she’s worth p>
Martin’s eyes flashed with contempt. He let out a cold laugh. “Pay her? Really? How much p>
“Ten thousand dollars,” the man spat. “One hour with my boss p>
The crowd sucked in a breath, whispers buzzing. Ten thousand for an hour.
But Martin only smirked, slipping a wad of cash from his pocket.
He peeled off bills with exaggerated slowness, then slapped twenty thousand across the man’s face so hard the notes scattered like confetti.
“Here’s twenty thousand,” Martin mocked, his voice cutting like steel. “You bark like a dog for one hour. How’s that sound, lapdog p>
The man’s face flushed crimson, rage twisting his features as the lounge erupted
in gasps and laughter.
Every eye turned toward the stage. In the VIP corner, the true power-the bosses, men who owned more than money-watched closely, their expressions darkening.
One of them rose, his presence alone enough to silence half the room.
He strolled forward, each step heavy with authority, then pulled a thick pack of
bills from his coat.
“How about this?” His voice dripped poison. He flung the cash at Martin’s face, the
notes exploding in the air.
“One hundred thousand dollars. Now bark for me p>