After finishing her shower, Grace took her time blow-drying her hair, doing her skincare routine, and applying body lotion. By the time she was done, nearly an hour had passed.

  Her LetsChat messages had stacked up considerably.

  Reading through the wall of texts from Douglas, Grace let out an exasperated but amused laugh and replied with just five words:

  "Was just in the shower."

  Douglas responded instantly:

  "Then it's settled. 9 p.m. tonight. I'll send you the location and the room number shortly."

  Just then, Scarlett walked in. Grace held up her phone. "Your brother memorized my phone number while I was signing the contract and found me on LetsChat."

  "What?!" Scarlett was appalled. She walked over, took the phone, and started scrolling through his messages, rolling her eyes with every swipe. "I knew he was up to no good. The fact that he didn't pester you for your LetsChat on the way back felt off."

  When something was out of character, there was always a catch. And sure enough, he'd had an ace up his sleeve.

  "Relax, sweetie," Grace said, half laughing, half exasperated. "Look at all these messages he sent while I was showering—dozens of them. Don't you think it's kind of funny seeing him this eager?"

  Scarlett paused, reconsidering. "Actually, yeah. Normally it's girls chasing after him. Rare to see him strike out like this."

  Then, realizing she might be undermining her own point, she quickly turned serious. "But don't let this persistent act fool you, okay? Promise me you will never, ever get with him. I forbid it!"

  Seeing how earnest and anxious Scarlett was, Grace smiled and nodded reassuringly. "I know. I promise."

  Grace meant it. Scarlett worried so much about her—she would never betray her friend like that.

  "You don't have to be on edge about this all the time," Grace added gently. "I gave you my word, and I'll keep it."

  That finally seemed to put Scarlett at ease.

  The truth was, Scarlett didn't actually think her brother was that terrible. He was handsome, funny, wealthy—he had practically all the qualities that attracted women. She completely understood why he was popular.

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  But his heart was also that fickle. And no matter what, she would never let him succeed with her close friend. Especially not Grace.

  Absolutely not.

  Just then, Douglas confirmed the booking for the night—an exclusive private club. He immediately sent Grace the address and room number.

  Grace showed Scarlett the screen. "Want to go? Find some entertainment?"

  Scarlett glanced at the messages, then back at Grace, a sly smile creeping across her face. "Sweetie... you're not planning to make my brother the entertainment, are you?"

  Grace pursed her lips. "That's not off the table."

  Scarlett's face instantly lit up. "Then let's go. I was just wondering how to survive this boring holiday."

  Night fell. The bustling streets of Aethelburg shimmered with neon lights, shedding the glamour of daytime as a more decadent side of the city quietly emerged.

  3CC Private Club.

  Walter dropped Grace and Scarlett off at the entrance, checked the time, and asked, "Scarlett, shall I pick you up at 2 a.m.?"

  Scarlett straightened her dress as she stepped out of the car and promptly declined. "No need, Walter. You should get some sleep. Don't stay up just for us."

  "I wouldn't feel comfortable. I'll have Charles drive you instead."

  At the mention of Charles, Scarlett agreed without hesitation. "Fine. He can come."

  Grace shook her head with a soft smile. She thanked Walter, then linked arms with Scarlett as they walked into the club.

  The moment they stepped inside, a male and a female attendant greeted them. Both were strikingly attractive—the kind of good looks that immediately caught the eye.

  "Welcome to 3CC. Do you have a reservation? Are you heading to a private room, the bar, or meeting someone?"

  Scarlett said, "Our friends are already here. Room V686."

  V686 was an exclusive VIP suite. The attendants' demeanors warmed considerably.

  They took the elevator to the twelfth floor. Just as they reached the suite door, it swung open from the inside, and a line of stunningly beautiful women filed out in single file.

  Scarlett glanced at Grace and muttered, "I knew it. These guys never skip this part when they come here."

  Part of the reason this place was so popular with young heirs was precisely because the "escort girls" here were handpicked beauties—truly the cream of the crop.

  Grace smiled. Then she tapped the shoulder of the male attendant leading the way. He turned with a professional smile. "Yes, miss? How can I help?"

  Without a hint of awkwardness, Grace asked directly, "Got any male hosts?"

  Scarlett's eyes went wide.

  The attendant nodded. "Yes, miss. Would you like to request some? I can arrange a selection for you."

  "Yes. In about half an hour," Grace said.

  Scarlett, snapping out of her shock, blurted, "Why half an hour? Let's do it now!"

  Grace calmly held back the excited Scarlett. "Patience. We just got here—we should at least meet everyone first."

  Then, turning back to the attendant, she added, "No smokers. And none under 180 centimeters. Thanks."

  "Understood. Please wait a moment, ladies."

  By the time they'd finished speaking, the "escort girls" were still trickling out of the suite. Scarlett stared, dumbfounded.

  How many were there?

  Only when the last one had exited did Grace and Scarlett finally enter the suite, arms linked. The room was enormous. There were at least twenty-something people inside—but only five of them were men.

  Besides the "escort girls" the guys had just picked, the other six or seven women were friends who frequently clubbed with the group.

  The moment they appeared, Douglas, who had been lounging in the center surrounded by two pretty girls, practically launched himself off the sofa.

  "Grace! You came!"

  Shock and delight mingled on his face as he vaulted over the low table to reach her.

  "I didn't hear back from you—I thought you weren't coming!" he said excitedly.

  Scarlett shot him a sour look. "So, since you thought Grace wasn't coming, you decided to fill the room with girls?"

  Douglas blinked, then quickly waved his hands. "No, no! These are all from the other guys."

  As if afraid Grace might misunderstand, he hastily explained, "Grace, don't get the wrong idea. This club is strictly clean. The girls are just here to chat and drink with the guests—add to the vibe. Nothing shady goes on here."

  "It's fine. We're here to have fun. I don't mind." Grace looked utterly unfazed.

  Relieved, Douglas eagerly introduced them around. Grace couldn't possibly remember everyone's names, so she just smiled and nodded as a form of greeting.

  Three drinks in, with everyone being seasoned nightlife veterans, the atmosphere quickly heated up. The guys, in particular, were in their element, laughing loudly, arms draped around the beautiful women flanking them.

  The other women, however, were left to play games, drink, and sing—a completely different kind of "fun" compared to the men's experience.

  Just as the party was reaching its peak, the suite door suddenly swung open.

  And then, one by one, a line of tall, sculpted, handsome men filed in.