Chapter 5

When I arrived at the bar's private room and pushed the door open, smoke filled the air inside.

Henry sat in the middle leather sofa, a half-burned cigarette between his fingers. Aurora pressed herself bonelessly against him.

Seeing me push through the door, Aurora raised an eyebrow and said to Henry with feigned surprise and a delicate laugh:

"See Henry, I told you. Miss Hudson runs faster than anyone when she hears there's money to be made. Even coming to a nightclub isn't a problem for her."

Henry lifted his eyelids, looking at me through the curling smoke.

His face was terribly dark, his fingers gripping the glass white at the knuckles, disgust thick in his eyes.

He spoke, his voice hoarse and icy cold. "You're this desperate for money?"

I stood by the dimly lit doorway, the burn on my hand still throbbing dully:

"Henry, as long as I can pay you back, anything is fine."

"Good. Very good."

Henry suddenly laughed coldly.

He signaled someone nearby to bring over a briefcase. When opened, it was filled with stacks of cash.

"Hudson, since you love money so much, I'll give you a chance."

He tapped the ash from his cigarette, saying word by word:

"Take off one piece of clothing, ten thousand dollars."

I looked at that row of checks and didn't hesitate, reaching to unbutton my coat.

There were several of Henry's friends in the room. The moment they saw my action, mocking laughter came from around us.

Henry stared at me fixedly, veins pulsing at his temple.

He seemed not to have expected me to agree so readily. The fury in his eyes nearly consumed me.

"Hudson, if you're really this desperate for money, turn left when you leave—there's a red light district. Just go sell yourself directly, wouldn't that make money faster!"

Aurora leaned on Henry's shoulder, laughing until she shook:

"Henry, don't say that. Miss Hudson is earning money through her 'skills.'"

I said nothing and continued raising my hand, my fingertips touching the collar button of the thin shirt underneath.

One button, two buttons.

When the shirt slid off, revealing the black bra straps underneath and my shockingly thin collarbones, the mockery on Henry's face finally couldn't hold.

He suddenly stood up, grabbing my wrist that was about to continue unbuttoning. His grip was so strong it felt like he'd crush my bones.

"Enough!"

He roared, his voice carrying a certain agitation.

"You want a divorce this badly?"

He glared at me, his eyes bloodshot.

"Fine, I'll grant your wish. You want to repay the money? Drink this bottle of whiskey, and I'll write off the rest of the debt. I'll sign the divorce papers tomorrow."

With a "bang," he slammed an unopened bottle of strong whiskey heavily on the coffee table.

Aurora paused, then looked at me with some excitement.

I looked at that bottle of alcohol. My stomach was already beginning to ache faintly.

The doctor said that with my stage of gastric cancer, alcohol was a death sentence.

But I just nodded and reached for the bottle.

"Alright. It's a deal."

I pulled out the cork, tilted my head back, and poured it down my throat.

The burning liquid scorched down my throat and into my stomach, burning my organs until they hurt.

Henry stood there watching me, his expression shifting from anger to shock.

When the bottle was half empty, he finally couldn't take it anymore and violently swept the glasses off the table.

"Get out! All of you get out!"

Without looking at me once, he grabbed his car keys, pulled Aurora into his arms, and rushed out of the room.

The door slammed shut with a "bang."

Seeing this, those rich second-generation friends also slipped out one after another. The huge private room was instantly left with only me.

I still clutched the remaining half bottle of alcohol in my hand, my body sliding powerlessly onto the thick carpet.

That pain was fiercer than any time before.

My stomach felt like it was being ground by a meat grinder. I curled into a ball, cold sweat instantly soaking my entire body.

"Urgh—"

A fishy sweetness suddenly rushed up my throat.

Lying on the ground, mouthfuls of fresh blood gushed from my mouth.

I propped myself up, trying to get the painkillers from my pocket, but my fingers wouldn't work.

My vision began to blur.

Henry, I've finally returned the dignity you wanted.