Chapter 7

At this hour, the bar wasn't very crowded.

Gloria stood quietly on the stage, stretching her limbs.

It had been so long since she last danced that she almost forgot what it felt like.

The stage lights were off, and Gloria stood alone in a dim corner.

Despite three years of hellish torment that had left her emaciated, she still exuded a unique charm as she stood on the stage.

All the patrons in the bar had their eyes fixed on Gloria.

"Well, Felix, did I disappoint you?" Elodie asked, a bit surprised herself, seeking approval from Felix.

Felix ignored her, only urging the stage impatiently when he saw everyone's attention. "Why aren't you dancing yet? Are you here to make money or to be a star?"

Gloria took a deep breath and walked to the center of the stage.

The lights came on.

For a moment, Gloria felt like she was back in the past, standing on a theater stage.

That feeling vanished the moment she saw the pole.

Standing in front of the pole, Gloria's thoughts returned to reality.

She turned her head and saw the scattered patrons in the bar all staring at her, and a wave of shame washed over her.

Even though she was still clothed, their gazes made her feel as if she were naked.

For a moment, Gloria felt an urge to run away.

Was she really going to sell her dignity for money?

If her parents found out, would they think she had disgraced the Russell family?

"Where did you find this underage girl? What kind of show can she put on with that tiny frame?" a dissatisfied voice grumbled from the audience.

Others quickly chimed in.

"Yeah, she looked pretty good when the lights were off, but now..."

"Is your bar so poor that you can't even hire a decent dancer? Don't bring this kind of woman to pollute our eyes. Get her off the stage, or we're leaving!"

The voices questioning Gloria echoed throughout the bar.

Felix grew impatient. "Get down already, stop wasting time!"

He shot an annoyed glance at Elodie. "This is the person you recommended? Now you've made the customers unhappy. What do you suggest we do?"

Elodie was about to say something when Felix shoved her. "You recommended her. If she doesn't dance, you go up there and dance! Otherwise, neither of you will have a place in Majestic City anymore!"

Elodie looked at the pole on the stage with a face full of resistance. "Felix, I don't know how to dance!"

"You don't know how to dance, but you can strip, right? Get up there and take off whatever you can!" Felix said, pulling Elodie towards the stage.

Elodie, already scantily clad, nearly had her top pulled off, struggling to keep her clothes on.

On stage, seeing this, Gloria painfully clenched her palm.

What dignity did she have left? Money was the most important thing now.

Besides, she had begged Elodie for this opportunity!

She had no choice since three years ago.

The music started, and Gloria grabbed the pole, forcing herself to move despite the shame.

The bar's only spotlight shone on her, making her seem to glow.

Her frail body looked like it might take flight at any moment.

Gloria's performance had a fragile beauty, yet she danced a seductive pole dance, creating a striking contrast.

The patrons were mesmerized.

Moments later, applause erupted.

Felix, satisfied, pushed Elodie aside and directed Gloria. "Alright, now take it off."

Gloria hesitated, a bitter look in her eyes, and slowly began unbuttoning her jacket.

Seeing her actions, the audience cheered.

Some even threw money onto the stage. "Too slow, take it off faster! If you can't, I'll help you!"

As she unbuttoned the last button, the music abruptly stopped.

Felix walked over to Gloria, his attitude doing a complete 180. "That's enough, don't take it off."

Gloria's eyes brightened, thinking she was done.

Felix glanced at the upstairs VIP room, his tone flattering. "Finish the rest upstairs. Consider yourself lucky. Your body might not be great, but you can dance. The boss upstairs has taken a liking to you. Do well."

Hearing this, Gloria's briefly warmed heart turned cold.

She tried to resist. "I already have a sponsor. He doesn't let me sell my body, so I..."

"Enough nonsense. Is this selling your body? You want to make money like a whore but act all high and mighty!" Felix cut her off harshly. "Go upstairs and do well. If you mess up, I'll break your legs!"

With that, Felix signaled his men to take her upstairs.

Gloria had no choice but to follow.

The VIP room was dimly lit, filled with the smell of smoke and alcohol.

As soon as Gloria entered, she was hit by the smell and instinctively wanted to leave, but the door behind her had already closed.

Then, a mocking voice sounded in her ear. "I thought you looked familiar. It really is you, Ms. Russell."

Gloria's body stiffened, not daring to look up at who it was.

The Russell family had been a big target, and three years ago, many companies had tried to unite against the Russell Group.

Now that the Russell family was bankrupt, everyone was kicking them while they were down.

The man looked at her unabashedly, his tone full of ridicule. "Who would have thought that the once high-and-mighty Russell family heiress would end up stripping in a place like this!"

Another man snorted, "The whole Russell family is no good! The daughter of financial criminals, what good can she be?"

Hearing them talk about the Russell family like that felt like a stab to Gloria's heart.

She was almost grateful for the dim lighting, so they couldn't see her pale face.

"Gentlemen, I don't understand what you're talking about. I'm just a stripper. Felix sent me up here." Gloria forced herself to stay calm, humbly lowering her head to look more like a dancer.

The men were silent for a few seconds, then burst into laughter. "You've already sold yourself, and you still want to save face."

One of them eyed her playfully. "Alright, if you say you're not Gloria, you'll have to prove it. We spent money because we thought you were Gloria. If you're not, then our money was wasted."

Their malice was almost tangible, wrapping tightly around Gloria.

Her palms were nearly bleeding from clenching so hard, but she had to hold on. "What do you want me to do to prove it?"

A man sneered. "Kneel down and crawl over here. Gloria was known for her pride. If you're willing to kneel and crawl over, I'll admit you're not Gloria."