Chapter 1

Five years into working at The Skyline Club, I found myself arrested and taken to the police station.

Three days later, in the interrogation room, I saw Julian Vance, whom I hadn’t seen in five years.

"Ms. Hayes, I'm Julian Vance, your attorney here to bail you out."

I looked up at the man before me.

He wore a perfectly tailored, crisp Kiton suit, an Aurora diamond fountain pen clipped to his chest pocket.

Golden-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, and his gaze swept over me from behind the lenses.

Calm, professional.

"Julian."

I froze.

Subconsciously, I glanced down at myself.

My smoky makeup was half-melted by the harsh fluorescent lights, cheap cosmetics streaking down my cheeks.

My flimsy fishnet stockings were ripped with several large holes, and my bare feet were covered in tiny cuts.

In that instant, an overwhelming wave of humiliation washed over me.

That trembling "Julian" made him look at my disheveled face.

His expression remained unchanged.

"According to regulations, I need to confirm your basic information."

"Your name, place of birth, and ID number?"

My throat constricted.

"Julian, you know all of this, don't you?"

Julian's gaze was devoid of warmth as he corrected me.

"Ms. Hayes, here, I'm just your lawyer and client. Please call me 'Mr. Vance.'"

My face drained of all color.

Julian took a document from his briefcase and slid it toward me.

"Before we begin, you need to sign some necessary retainer papers."

His long fingers tapped the signature line on the document, his voice calm.

"Sign after you've confirmed everything is accurate."

I took the heavy, expensive pen, my hand trembling.

I scrawled my name, barely daring to look up at Julian.

Julian retrieved the document, then opened my police report from three days ago and my past records.

"Records show your first arrest for soliciting a man at The Skyline Club at age 22. As of now, this is your fourth time being summoned by the police for similar activities."

"Due to your prior record and the severe nature of the case, you could face 15 days or more in penalties."

Julian’s words were like a cold, sharp blade, relentlessly slicing through my already tattered pride.

I lowered my eyes, my fingers clenched so tight they turned white.

"Mr. Vance, are you here to help me or to judge me?"

Hearing this, Julian closed the file, his tone still icy.

"Sign the bail agreement, and I'll process your release."

"Consider it the last time I, as your… ‘family friend,’ help you."

I looked at Julian's placid face and was suddenly overcome by an overwhelming sense of helplessness and self-loathing.

It was as if, in front of him, I would always be at a disadvantage, always so pathetic.

I signed my name again in the blank space.

Then, I watched Julian rise crisply, turning to leave without another word.

The cramped interrogation room instantly fell silent, leaving me alone.

Half an hour later, a female officer opened the door, unlocking the handcuffs on my wrists.

"Don't leave New York soon, and keep your phone on."

I nodded dazedly, following Julian out of the interrogation room.

Outside, seeing Julian's retreating back, I couldn't help but remember five years ago.

It was November 7th.

I had learned that Julian was handling a transnational lawsuit in Sydney.

I chased after him, sending him a message.

【Julian, I need to see you. Can we meet?】

Julian replied:【Okay.】

I quickly sent another:【I'll wait for you on MacDougal Street.】

But I waited for six hours, from broad daylight until dusk.

Instead, I saw Julian and a female colleague engrossed in conversation.