Chapter 17: Caught Off Guard
Liang Xiaoluo sat quietly in the corner, her head bowed, avoiding all eye contact. She anxiously counted the seconds until the interviews concluded. Just as relief began to set in, a voice suddenly called out:
"101, Liang Xiaoluo."
Startled, she instinctively raised her head and realized that the grand hall was now nearly empty, with only five girls remaining, including Su Xin. Where had everyone else gone? How had they left without her noticing?
Su Xin rushed to her side, her face glowing with excitement. "Xiaoluo! I got the job!" she exclaimed, her joy uncontainable.
"What?" Liang Xiaoluo was still reeling, unable to comprehend the situation.
The supervisor, Liu Jie, walked over and glanced at Liang Xiaoluo. "Are you 101, Liang Xiaoluo?"
Before Liang Xiaoluo could answer, Su Xin quickly responded, "Yes, that's her! Is there something wrong?"
Liu Jie examined Liang Xiaoluo and said matter-of-factly, "We needed five maids, and we're one short. You'll do."
"What?" Liang Xiaoluo's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Xiaoluo, did you hear that?" Su Xin beamed, grabbing her friend's hands. "You got the job too! Isn't this amazing? Now we can work together as well as attend classes together!"
Liu Jie frowned at Su Xin's outburst and scolded, "Quiet down! Show some decorum."
Su Xin sheepishly stuck out her tongue and quieted down.
Liu Jie led the group toward the staff quarters, rattling off the details of their employment. "You'll work in shifts—morning, afternoon, or night. Each shift is six hours, and the daily wage is 30,000 yuan."
Before she could continue, Liang Xiaoluo stepped forward and interrupted, "Wait."
Liu Jie paused, confused.
"I'm sorry, but I can't take this job. Could you please arrange for me to be sent back to where you picked me up?" Liang Xiaoluo said, her tone firm and resolute.
Su Xin and the other girls stared at her in shock. Su Xin grabbed her arm and whispered urgently, "Xiaoluo, why would you give up such a high-paying job? Do you know how many people would kill for this opportunity? And considering your situation…"
"It's not about the money. I just can't do this," Liang Xiaoluo replied, her heart heavy.
She wasn't refusing out of pride. It was fear—fear of staying in the same place as Ye Tianlin. If he recognized her and demanded repayment of the one billion yuan he had spent to buy her, how could she possibly pay him back?
"Xiaoluo…" Su Xin looked at her, baffled.
Liu Jie sighed impatiently. "Are you sure about this? It's not easy to find another opportunity like this."
Before Liang Xiaoluo could respond, the sound of footsteps descending the staircase interrupted them. Liu Jie turned and saw Ye Tianlin approaching. Her demeanor instantly shifted to one of deference. "Young Master, you're here. These are the candidates we've selected. Do they meet your satisfaction?"
The remaining girls—including Su Xin—straightened their posture and adjusted their appearance. The mere presence of the tall, handsome man with his imposing aura had captivated them.
Liang Xiaoluo froze. She didn't need to look up to know who it was. Her heart pounded in her chest as she silently prayed he wouldn't notice her.
But Ye Tianlin's sharp gaze immediately landed on her. He took his time walking past each girl, stopping occasionally. To their horror, he dismissed two of them outright with a single word: "Leave."
When he stopped in front of Liang Xiaoluo, he smirked and said, "Stay. The rest can leave."
The others were stunned, especially Su Xin, who looked at Liang Xiaoluo with teary eyes. "Xiaoluo…" she murmured before being escorted out.
Left alone with Ye Tianlin, Liang Xiaoluo's fists clenched. Anger and helplessness warred within her. She looked up, her voice icy. "I'm sorry, but I have no interest in this job."
She tried to leave, but as she passed him, Ye Tianlin's low voice stopped her in her tracks. "If you accept this job, I might reconsider keeping your friend."
His words were like a knife to her chest. Images of Su Xin's tear-streaked face flashed through her mind. Gritting her teeth, she turned back to face him, her eyes blazing with anger. "You're despicable," she hissed.
"Despicable?" Ye Tianlin arched a brow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Perhaps."
Liang Xiaoluo spun around, intent on leaving, but Ye Tianlin grabbed her arm and pulled her back into his arms. Their eyes locked, and she could see the amusement dancing in his. "What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, her voice trembling.
"What do you think?" His grip tightened, and his smirk deepened.
The room was empty now, the servants having been dismissed by Ye Tianlin's secretary. Liang Xiaoluo struggled against his hold, her fists pounding against his chest. "Let me go!" she cried, her voice breaking.
He leaned in closer, his voice dangerously soft. "You're mine. You've been mine since the moment I bought you."
His words sent a chill down her spine. "You have no right to—"
"Rights?" he interrupted. "I paid a billion yuan for you. If that doesn't give me rights, what does?"
"You're insane!" she spat, her body trembling with rage and fear.
Ye Tianlin laughed softly, his face inches from hers. "Perhaps. But that's not your concern anymore."
With nowhere to run and no one to help her, Liang Xiaoluo realized that her nightmare was far from over.