Everything is over.
Bella Woods cleared everything up, angrily throwing the half-used pack of tissues into the trash can.
Meanwhile, the instigator lay on her bed, flipping through the suspense novels she usually read.
His movements were casual and a bit lazy, yet there was an indescribable refined elegance to him.
It was the first time Bella Woods had seen such a blend of sophistication and roguishness in a man, both within the boundaries of decorum and beyond the mundane.
Elegant yet roguish, a lazy rascal.
Bella Woods could only marvel at how nowadays even male prostitutes needed not only a stunning face but also such a presence.
She opened the drawer and took out the money from inside: "Here is thirty thousand. Twenty thousand is for twice, and the remaining ten thousand is a tip."
After all, the quality was exceptional.
Ashton Marshall looked at the thirty thousand, especially interested when Bella referred to the 'tip.'
"After this, we're even."
Ashton Marshall withdrew his hand that was about to take the money.
"Leave the way you came, and even if we meet on the street in the future, pretend we don't know each other."
Bella Woods forcibly stuffed the thirty thousand into Ashton's arms, trying to pull her hand back, only for Ashton to grab her wrist.
The next second, Bella stumbled into his embrace, her cheek pinched as she pouted, and his kiss descended.
Bella Woods struggled and bit him: "Don't come again, I can't afford to pay."
She couldn't handle it.
Earlier, there was already bleeding.
"You think this money is enough?" Ashton raised an eyebrow.
"Then how much do you need for us to be even?"
"Three million."
"You..." Why don't you just rob someone!
"I'm not worth it?" The man raised an eyebrow.
Bella Woods wanted to retort.
But looking at Ashton's face, she couldn't argue.
That face, that aura.
Even a starting fee was likely more than three million.
"I don't have money."
Anyway, it already happened, and if there's no money, there's none.
Ashton saw through Bella Woods' little thoughts and chuckled: "I'm reasonable. Either give me money, or if you can't pay with money, then..."
"Then what?" Bella Woods felt a glimmer of hope.
"Give yourself." Ashton's beautiful, almond-shaped eyes narrowed, adding a hint of allure to his already seductive face.
He said, "Come with me now."
"Impossible!" Bella Woods refused on the spot.
"Then pay the money."
"..."
"I have no money and I won't pay with myself to do the same business as you." Bella Woods was firm: "Three thousand, take it or leave it. If not, I'll call someone in."
"Oh." Ashton was indifferent, even showing some concern for Bella: "Can you shout with your voice, or should I help you?"
As he finished speaking, a noise sounded from outside the door.
"Bella, your fiancé is here, Bella." Jade Patel's delighted voice sounded outside the door, knocking on Bella Woods' door.
Fiancé?
Oliver Hughes?
Bella Woods knew Jade Patel's nature, she would just symbolically knock a couple of times, and whether Bella responded or not, she would push the door open.
Oliver Hughes must not see such a scene.
"You leave!" Bella Woods dragged Ashton Marshall towards the window: "Leave the way you came."
"Use and discard?"
Bella glared at him.
Keeping her ear attuned to the noise outside, she quickly called out, "I'm changing clothes, wait a moment."
"Go!"
Bella pulled him to the window.
Looking down, indeed there was a ladder leaning against this side.
"Go where, the matter isn't settled." Ashton looked at her pale, anxious face and remained unmoved: "Afraid of being caught cheating by your fiancé?"
"I didn't cheat! I've broken up with him." Bella reacted strongly, lowering her voice.
She was not like Oliver Hughes.
She wouldn't betray her feelings.
"Oh, and you're still planning an engagement?"
"Are you leaving or not?"
"I can leave, promise me one thing." Ashton saw the redness in her eyes, unwilling to make things harder.
Finding a toy was hard, he'd be bored if it broke.
"Next week I have to attend a junior's engagement banquet, come with me." Ashton made his request.
"Got it, now you may leave."
"I'll pick you up then."
"Let me know the exact time later."
Bella didn't care about any engagement, she just wanted this man to leave now.
While Jade Patel grew impatient outside and started knocking again: "Bella, are you ready yet?"
"Almost."
Bella clutched the man's arm: "Do you have any other requests?"
"Kiss me once." The man bent down to meet her eyes.
Bella felt there was something seriously wrong with this person.
But fearing Jade Patel would enter, she prepared to reluctantly kiss the man's cheek.
Just as her lips were about to touch his skin, he suddenly turned his head, their lips connected, and he even teasingly licked Bella's lips.
"See you then, little toy."
He rubbed her head and climbed out the window.
Bella watched as the man steadily descended the makeshift ladder and got into a black car.
The car's paint shone brilliantly, indicating its high value.
Truly a top-tier male prostitute.
Even a rich woman arranged a helicopter for him and a luxury car for transportation.
However, Bella had no mind to dwell on those matters now.
Fearing that the room retained the seductive scent, she left the window open, turned on the fan, and hid the trash can under the bed.
"Bella?"
Jade Patel urged again, and this time couldn't wait for Bella's response before pushing the door open.
Bella Woods was just about to sit on the bed when she saw Oliver Hughes, who had followed Jade Patel in, and her heart inexplicably raced.
Oliver Hughes was two years older than her, had always been attractive since childhood.
He had fair skin, stood at 6'3", and his simple white top and black pants accentuated his youthful and clean-cut look.
In Peace City, the Hughes Family was undeniably from a prestigious lineage, and with Mrs. Hughes being the daughter of the top Marshall Family, their standing in Peace City was significant.
The Woods Family, on the other hand, were self-made, vastly different from the Hughes Family.
The connection arose when, at fourteen, Bella Woods traveled alone to Peace City to find her parents and encountered Mrs. Hughes, who was on the brink of death from a car accident; Bella helped call an ambulance, saving her.
Mrs. Hughes took an interest in Bella, placing her by Oliver Hughes' side to develop a relationship, aiming for marriage after they grew up.
Since then, the Woods Family had experienced smooth success.
Oliver Hughes had always treated Bella Woods exceptionally well.
He integrated her into his circles, bought her clothes.
Nurtured her from a skinny, dark-skinned bumpkin to a fair and plump young lady of status.
Falling in love with Oliver Hughes was as easy as breathing for Bella, it was her destiny.
Every time she saw Oliver, she felt he was radiating light.
But today was different.
Maybe because she caught him with someone else, or maybe because the departing male prostitute was so striking that in contrast, Oliver's so-called clean-cut sophistication appeared... somewhat small-minded.
Not stunning, just handsome.
While the other, like a work of art.
"Bella," Oliver called her, his tone somewhat helpless.
This was their first meeting since Bella had broken up with Oliver online.
"I'd wanted to talk to you, but things got busy," Oliver explained to Bella.
After they broke up online, he neither responded nor came to see her.
Bella moved her gaze away, choosing not to respond.
"Bella, I know you've been feeling down recently. But Oliver took the time to come see you even though he's busy, don't let his sincerity down."
Jade Patel sat Bella on the bed, giving her a warning look: "Talk things over, whatever the issue is, just talk it out."
'But some matters must not be mentioned.'
This was Jade Patel's whispered warning in Bella's ear.
Bella lowered her gaze, not responding.
"Oliver, Bella has been feeling down lately, it's fortunate you're here to chat. I'll get some fruits for you both," Jade charmed as she said to Oliver.
"Thank you, aunty," Oliver maintained his superior and courteous demeanor, fitting of a rich young master.
Jade Patel found him delightful no matter how she looked.
She exited the room, closing the door for them as well.
Oliver stood by the door, watching Bella Woods, without speaking.
They remained in silence.
After nearly five to six minutes passed this way, Bella broke the silence: "If you came to talk about the engagement, I suggest you go back and discuss with your family how to call it off."
"Bella Woods," Oliver gazed at her, contemplating before saying, "have I spoiled you too much over the past four years, making you forget who you are?"