Chapter 9

Tim, uninterested in the scene, returned to the car. Grace, gripping her rental scooter's handlebars, watched it drive away. Inside, Ethan lowered his gaze to the documents in his hands.

Tim scoffed. “I checked into it. She’s jealous again about Yancey and Alice. Looks like he’s finally going to call off the engagement. Serves her right.”

Ethan's fingers stilled on the document. The last time Yancey had talked about breaking off the engagement, Grace had refused. He'd joked that he'd reconsider if she jumped off a bridge. She'd done just that, jumping into the river without hesitation. Although hospitalized for a month, her drastic act had kept her engaged. And now Yancey wanted to break it off again…

What stunt would she pull this time?

Grace slowly made her way back to her rental unit, frowning at the hundred-thousand-dollar debt from her short trip. Lately, misfortune seemed to follow her. Just then, her phone rang. It was Joanne.

“Grace, short on cash? Want to work at Velvet Eclipse tonight?” she asked.

Velvet Eclipse, Druville's most popular nightclub, was known as a money pit for wealthy youngsters. The tips were enormous—sometimes reaching tens of thousands in a single night.

“You can really make that much money?” Grace asked.

“Yeah, I made thirty thousand last night. The VIP room guys are big spenders. It’s my shift, but I have something to do. I'd rather give this opportunity to you. If you come tonight, the job is yours.”

Thirty thousand dollars? Grace was instantly tempted. She got the address and took a taxi.

Unbeknownst to her, she was a familiar face at Velvet Eclipse—a regular. The club used a face-recognition system, and the well-paid security guards memorized every club member and staff face to prevent unauthorized access. Causing trouble there could have serious consequences.

The moment Grace arrived, the guards regarded her with disdain. She'd caused drama before, most notably when she slapped Yancey repeatedly for getting too close to a hostess. After Yancey's anger, she'd quickly apologized, the shift in demeanor embarrassing.

One guard warned her, “Ms. Lambert, please don’t cause trouble tonight.”

Grace, puzzled by the warning, raised an eyebrow. She went inside and found Joanne in the employee locker room.

Joanne removed her outfit and handed it to Grace. “When serving drinks, give them the expensive ones. The higher the price, the higher your commission. I'll transfer your pay once it's processed. I have to leave, so I'm counting on you.”

Grace quickly changed. The uniform, designed to attract a specific clientele, hugged her figure tightly. Her striking figure was even more noticeable. Joanne lowered her gaze to hide her expression.

“Alright, go on. Last room down the hall.”

“Thanks, Joanne,” Grace said, smiling, and pushed the drink cart toward the VIP lounge.

Inside, Yancey and his friends were talking.

Hendricks Parker scoffed. “I bet she’ll come crawling back in a day. Last time you mentioned breaking up, she practically threw her life away—jumping off a bridge without a second thought.”

“I wonder what it is about Yancey that had Grace so completely obsessed,” another friend commented.

“If she wasn’t so crazy about him, I’d totally go for her. That face… damn!”

The flattery boosted Yancey's ego. For men, ego was everything. Grace, with her beauty, had spent years chasing him like a lovesick puppy, making many men envious. He'd once liked her, but as they say, over-availability diminishes value. He humiliated her repeatedly, yet she only became more devoted. He'd convinced himself she'd never leave; she'd always return.

Reclining comfortably, he smirked. “I bet she’ll show up tonight. I know her too well. She can’t survive without me.”

As the words left his mouth, the VIP lounge door swung open. Grace stood at the entrance, pushing the drink cart inside.