Chapter 57: It Doesn't Matter

A dancer screamed as she was abruptly pulled to the ground. A group of men immediately swarmed her, groping her. "F*ck off! Do you all have a death wish?" a sharply dressed woman thundered. Heavily made-up, she was backed by several burly bouncers. The men scattered.

"Jenny…" the terrified dancer sobbed, the men's touch lingering on her skin; her bra was even dislodged.

"Get lost," Jenny snapped, her brow furrowed. The dancer fled backstage.

Jenny surveyed the stage; Jared remained alone. Ignoring him, she called to Hilda: "Hilda, come here."

Hilda, ceasing her dance, walked down the stage. "What's wrong, Jenny?"

"The boss wants you to entertain him," Jenny stated bluntly.

Hilda was stunned, but dared not protest, following Jenny. Passing Jared, she kept her head down to avoid him.

Jared stopped her, grasping her arm. "Hilda."

Jenny frowned. "Do you know him?"

"No… no, I don't," Hilda shook her head, meeting Jared's gaze. "Who are you? Let me go! I have to work!"

Shaking Jared off, Hilda followed Jenny backstage. Jenny glared at Jared before leaving.

"Hilda, the boss likes you. Behave. More importantly, don't get a boyfriend. If you please him, you won't have to worry about those loan sharks. He'll take care of you. Heck, I might even be working for you soon," Jenny said.

Though unhappy, Hilda forced a smile. "Jenny, why would the boss be interested in me? I think he likes you more." She was disgusted by the bald, pot-bellied boss. While she'd become an exotic dancer out of necessity, she wouldn't be anyone's mistress.

"I'm too old now. You still can be," Jenny said enviously. Age, she knew, was crucial in their line of work.

They reached a spacious, luxurious office. A bald, middle-aged man sat on a couch, a bottle of red wine before him.

Jenny bowed. "Sir, Hilda is here."

"She hasn't entertained any other customers privately?" the man asked.

"No, sir. I wouldn't dare disobey you," Jenny replied, shaking her head.

"All right, you can leave," the man dismissed her.

Jenny winked at Hilda before leaving and closing the door, leaving Hilda alone and trembling.

The final sentence promoting FindNovel.net has been removed as it's an advertisement and disrupts the flow of the narrative.