A thick layer of makeup covered the young woman's face, making her appear more mature and slightly different in facial features. She was wearing a silver wig and overly glamorous clothes. However, Tyler, having grown up with Isabella, immediately recognized her.The scene before the young man made little sense, no matter how much he tried. Why would Isabella become an erotic pole dancer at the infamous Cinderella bar? Wasn't she employed as an accountant? Why did she lie?Isabella was talented, charismatic, and street-smart enough to land a decent job herself. Even though the Greens were a middle-class family, they took pride in their cultured manners and habits. Working as a dancer at a shady bar would be antithetical to the family's foundational values.Tyler grew up with Isabella and thought he understood her really well. However, the girl's current choice of profession confounded him. Tyler winced as he saw middle-aged men salivating at Isabella's dancing. As she spun, bounced, a

“Get the fuck out of my office!” Connor barked, reaching for his dropped pants. “Guards! Guards!”The manager was furious because his sexual adventure with Isabella was rudely interrupted. He had been fantasizing about it for months.However, before Connor could make a movement, Tyler’s right hand flashed in unexpectedly, landing a heavy slap across his face. The impact threw Connor across the room, and he landed on a glass table, shattering it into bits.“Your bouncers are all incapacitated,” Tyler said, not even bothering to look at the slumped man. “Stay right there if you want to live.”Seeing her disheveled clothes, he approached Isabella and quickly covered her body with his coat. The young man breathed a sigh of relief because Connor had not undressed her yet. Her modesty was intact.After the evening shift ended, Tyler had meant to confront Isabella about her secret, dishonorable profession. However, she was summoned to the manager’s office. She did not exit the room for fifte

The elevator hissed open to reveal a well-furnished lobby. Tyler had expected an unruly place, but it looked pretty sophisticated. The Baileys and Red Vipers had built a good facade for their shady businesses.Tyler and Isabella walked out of the lift, but Barney looked terrified and refused to exit. At the last moment, he slipped into the lobby reluctantly."I rue the hour you joined Skyline Insurance and became my partner," he told Tyler under his breath. "I was doomed to die right then!"Tyler chuckled and shook his head lightly. He was surprised that Barney had followed him that far. Having low expectations of people was always rewarding.Tyler approached the reception desk. The staff of Cinderella Fashion Agency were mostly beautiful females—young women who didn't look like they were from Sapphire City. Barney was momentarily transfixed and wondered if he had accidentally stepped into heaven.Actually, some of the staff appeared foreign and exotic. Were they hired from among traf

In the back office, Tyler looked around at the money safes. “So you keep all your cash in here? You don’t even lock the safes?”Draven Bailey scoffed. “Who would dare to steal from the Red Viper Gang? Do they want to die a premature death? Not even the cops would raid our place.”Tyler sighed. The Red Vipers were not based out of Sapphire City. Draven’s lair was a small branch of the dominant gang. Since it generated sound and consistent illicit income, Red Vipers allowed the Baileys to borrow their name and influence. That was enough for the authorities not to intervene.“You did a good job fooling Isabella into my den,” Draven added. “Are you looking for a job? I can offer you a salary of five thousand dollars for helping me with the scams. Moreover, you can have any of the trafficked girls every night. What do you say?”“About that,” Tyler said, finally tired of the pretense. He slowly rose from his seat.“It’s time to tell you the truth. I am really from Skyline Insurance and came

“Fucking bitch!” Connor barked. “You escaped last night because your boyfriend had the element of surprise. But I won’t let you get away now!”Isabella struggled with the man, but his grasp on her arm was too firm. “Let me go!” she fired back. “I no longer work for you! Now I know all about your illicit businesses. Prepare to be raided by the police!”Connor cackled aloud. “The authorities are in my pocket. I pay them huge bribes to turn a blind eye to the Bailey businesses. Now stop struggling; come with me willingly, or I’ll punch you unconscious! From today, I’ll keep you chained in the dance bar! Prepare to live the life of a sex slave!”Connor had been waiting for Isabella outside the Cinderella agency building. Mick had tipped him off the moment Tyler showed signs of causing trouble. However, Mick was no longer receiving calls or responding to messages.Connor was shocked to see Isabella leaving the building with a large bag that belonged to the Red Vipers Gang. When he accosted