Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

As soon as she left, Emily hailed a taxi.

In the back seat, she gazed through the window as the apartment building receded into the distance. Reflecting on the past few days, realizing all the tenderness had been an illusion, she finally broke down in sobs.

The driver kept glancing at her in the rearview mirror. "Miss, are you okay? Do you need any help?" She simply shook her head. "Please, just ignore me."

She wanted to find her father but had no idea where to look. Eventually, she instructed the driver to take her to the hospital.

In her brother's hospital room, she found Max-the only person Mason had told her he trusted but her father was nowhere to be seen. Max's expression was grave when he saw her. With a sinking feeling, Emily pulled him outside the room and asked him to take her to her father.

After much hesitation, Max finally revealed the truth. "Mr. Glover is dead."

Emily felt as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.

Eventually, she found her voice again. "When did it happen?"

"Yesterday afternoon," Max replied.

Yesterday afternoon-when Faris received that call, he'd glanced at her before stepping onto the balcony to take it privately. Surely that was the news he'd heard.

"How did he die?"

Max lowered his voice, seething with anger. "It was Mr. Hughes. He had him killed. I arrived when Mr. Glover was barely breathing-he told me himself. But we have no evidence, no way to get justice."

Emily swallowed the metallic taste rising in her throat and turned to look at her brother through the window. Through grief and hatred, her eyes reflected in the glass appeared bloodshot.

"Mr. Hughes has informants everywhere," Max continued. "I've heard Faris is his next target."

Emily's heart skipped a beat as she turned back to Max.

"Mr. Hughes believes both your father and Faris were involved in what happened at his birthday celebration," Max said bitterly. "He's ruthless-he'd rather kill the innocent than let someone escape."

Emily remained motionless, but her palm against the glass slowly curled into a fist, the handprint fading away moments later.

Before leaving, Max told her to take care of herself, adding that her brother now had only her.

She stood there for what seemed like an eternity before finally making her way to the doctor's office.

Later, as she stood at the window looking at her brother, she felt unusually calm-a calmness that seemed inappropriate after everything that had happened.

She didn't return to the hospital room but left the hospital altogether.

She wandered aimlessly through the streets like a lost soul.

"Emily!"

At a crossroads, someone called her name.

She turned to see Peggy running toward her.

"What happened?" Peggy asked, studying her face with concern. "You look devastated."

Emily said nothing. She had no tears left, just shook her head slightly.

Peggy seemed to understand. "Don't say anything. Come stay with me for a while."

With nowhere else to go, Emily followed Peggy home.

Peggy sat her down on the bed, pulled up a stool, and prepared for a heart-to-heart conversation.

Assuming Emily had been dumped by Faris, Peggy tried to console her. Emily didn't bother explaining the truth was even more devastating than being abandoned.

She had been foolish to have any hopes.

Seeing Emily's silence, Peggy attributed it to heartbreak and suggested she rest. "I've got to get ready for work soon-my manager wants us there early tonight. We have a VIP client: Aaron Hughes, the infamous businessman from Seabreeze Harbor." Peggy was applying makeup and chatting, while Emily sat motionless, almost statuesque. But at the mention of Aaron, something flickered in her eyes. "Who did you say?" Emily asked quietly.

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Finally hearing Emily speak, Peggy looked relieved. "Mr. Hughes-you know him? That ceramics tycoon from Seabreeze Harbor? People say he's involved in illegal business. During his recent birthday celebration, police found drugs, but one of his women took the blame. He got away scot-free."

"I want to go back to Eclipse Lounge," Emily said suddenly.noveldrama

Peggy was surprised but quickly understood. "If you're sure, come back. The managers will be thrilled. Who knows? You might meet someone better."

When Emily donned the evening gown and applied makeup, Peggy stared in awe, circling around her with admiration. "Emily, if you return to Eclipse Lounge looking like this, you'll be the most beautiful woman there."

In the mirror, Emily's figure was elegantly showcased in the perfectly fitted gown. The white jasmine flowers on the fabric glistened with life-like brilliance, giving her an aura of delicate elegance-fresh and captivating like jasmine itself.

Ready for the evening, Emily and Peggy went to Eclipse Lounge. Emily informed the manager of her intention to return, who welcomed her enthusiastically but with a warning: "Emily, let me be clear-if you're going to do this job, do it well. Offend our clients, and I won't be lenient."

Surveying the decadent atmosphere of Eclipse Lounge, Emily replied coolly, "Then please assign me to the most important client tonight."

The manager looked at her with surprise, then smiled with approval. "Good. I appreciate ambition."

As night fell, Eclipse Lounge came alive with activity.

Emily sat at the vanity, alternating between touching up her makeup and sipping water. Peggy could tell she was nervous.

She said, "Emily, why don't you take a few days off? The manager's already agreed to take you back-there's no rush."

Emily shook her head without a word.

Just then, the manager entered the dressing room and selected Emily, Peggy, and

several other girls, announcing that Aaron was in Room 808.

Room 808-where she and Faris first met. Where her heart had first skipped a beat for

him. But now she knew it had all been a scheme.

Each step toward Room 808 felt poignant yet resolute.

The moment she entered, Aaron's gaze locked onto her.

Emily lacked the coquettish charm of the other women, but she was confident that even among a hundred women, she would be the one to catch his eye.

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Aaron leaned back on the sofa, swirling his drink, his eyes traveling from her head to her toes and back again, like a predator assessing worthwhile prey. His interest visibly deepened.

Indeed, Aaron selected her, while the other men each chose their preferred companions.

Emily offered a subtle, alluring smile as she took her seat beside Aaron.

The smile was perfectly calibrated-not overtly ingratiating, yet seductive enough to

intrigue.

Though interested, Aaron remained cautious, declining her drink offering. "Weren't you Faris's woman?" he asked casually. "What brings you here?"

Unfazed, Emily brought the glass to her lips and took a delicate sip, leaving a clear lipstick print on the rim.

She said casually, "Mr. Hughes, Faris is history to me. Everyone seeks to rise higher, and compared to you, Faris isn't even worthy to polish your shoes."

Pleased with her flattery, Aaron slid his arm around her waist.

Emily smiled as she nestled against him, offering the drink again, positioning the

lipstick mark right where his lips would touch.

This time, Aaron accepted, drinking from the exact spot her lips had touched.

Emily endured his advances, continually refilling his glass. In his elated state, he never refused.

Eventually, Aaron dismissed everyone else and eagerly pushed Emily down onto the sofa, attempting to tear at her dress.

Emily, feeling frightened, playfully pushed him back. "Mr. Hughes, there's no need to rush!"

Standing up, she refilled his glass once more, giving him a sultry look. "Let's play a little game."

Somewhat annoyed at being pushed away, he asked what kind of game.

"How about this," Emily suggested seductively. "For every drink you finish, I'll undo one button. What do you think?"

Excited by the prospect, Aaron downed one glass after another until Emily had undone all her buttons.