Chapter 57 Save Me

Under the dim lights of the bar, the music was blasting, and people on the dance floor were swaying to the beat, clinking glasses, and having a blast.

Emily stood behind the bar, head down, holding a tray, wearing a big black mask, with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

Emily had planned to quit working at Moonlit Tavern, but Christopher insisted she come in one last time to settle her wages.

That was the money she had worked hard for nearly a month to earn, and she didn't want to lose it easily.

So Emily had no choice but to come to work here for one last day. She tried her best to stay unnoticed, keeping as still as possible. If people here saw her face, she could imagine the looks they would give her.

Suddenly, a familiar figure appeared in front of her. "Emily, you're back? How have you been lately?"

Emily looked up warily. Seeing it was Lily, she let out a small sigh of relief and nodded slightly. "Just so-so."

Emily didn't want to talk much about the past period.

Lily was wearing a sexy short dress, her hair flowing seductively behind her, with exaggerated and intense eye makeup, and lipstick so bright that it was almost dazzling. This was the uniform attire for the hostesses at Moonlit Tavern; they never had much to talk about with the waitresses like Emily.

Emily was very grateful that Lily saved her in that situation. She hadn't dared to leave her house recently. Without Lily's personal contact information, Emily hadn't had a chance to thank her.

If it weren't for Lily last time, Emily might have already been raped by those three men.

Thinking about the previous incident, Emily couldn't help but shiver. She whispered gratefully, "Thank you for your help last time. When things get better for me, can I treat you to a meal?"

As Lily heard this, her expression became a bit strange. She seemed to want to say something, but her face twisted for a moment before she forced a smile, "If you want to thank me, buy me a can of honey. I've been drinking in the private room for half the day, and I really can't drink anymore."

Lily spoke so quickly that if it weren't for the quiet and secluded place they were in, Emily might not have heard what she said.

Honeyed water wasn't sold in Moonlit Tavern, but there was a dessert shop which sold honeyed water across the alley that stayed open until the early hours.

The hostesses in Moonlit Tavern would often send someone to buy honeyed water to sober up when they felt uncomfortable from drinking. The alley was dark, and usually, they would ask the men in the bar to buy it, but if no one was available, they would also ask the waitstaff for help.

Although Lily didn't look well, Emily didn't doubt her, nodded, and turned to leave.

"Emily!" Lily shouted.

Just as Emily was about to leave, her arm felt heavy, and Emily turned in confusion.

Lily suddenly grabbed her hand, staring at her intently.

"What's wrong? Is there something else you need?" Emily asked.

"Nothing." Lily blinked, her expression becoming more unpleasant, her smile forced, her eyes complicated, and her fingers slowly releasing Emily's arm. "I just feel uncomfortable from drinking. The alley is dark. Be careful."

Emily felt a bit uneasy, but she had walked through that alley before. It was dark, but she hadn't noticed any danger.

Helping Lily buy the water would repay the favor, which was a good thing. Emily probably wouldn't come to Moonlit Tavern again. She turned and left the bar, walking into the alley, her figure disappearing into the night, not seeing Lily's conflicted expression as she tried to speak.

After a few steps in the alley, Emily sensed someone was following her.

The footsteps and breathing behind her were becoming more obvious. When she walked, they walked; when she stopped, they stopped. It was clear they were after her!

Emily's heart raced, and she began to sweat. She tried to stay calm, walking quickly, one hand in her pocket, pressing the side button to call her first contact, who was James.

But clearly, her screen flashed for a long time, and James didn't answer. Instead, the person behind her was startled by her bright phone screen and suddenly closed the distance.

Before Emily could react, her throat was grabbed, and she couldn't make a sound. A damp cloth covered her mouth and nose. Within seconds, she felt dizzy, her vision blurring.

Emily struggled to stay conscious, but her awareness was fading, despair surging in Emily's heart. With the last bit of rationality, she kept pressing the side button on her phone.

On the other end, there was still no answer.

'James, pick up the phone! Please, save me!' Emily pleaded inwardly.

"Help." In the darkness, her voice was barely audible.

Her body felt weightless, her limbs weak, her vision blurry, only able to vaguely see the dim light around her and those cruel eyes.

Meanwhile, Olivia had arranged to watch a play with James at the theater.

Olivia had been emotionally unstable lately, and although James was a bit impatient, he tried to control his temper and meet her demands.

Once inside the theater, everyone set their phones to silent. The actors on stage performed energetically, and the audience laughed continuously.

James didn't notice his phone vibrating in his pocket, but Olivia saw it clearly.

Olivia smirked subtly and deliberately changed the topic, clinging to James's arm to discuss the play, not giving him a chance to check his phone.

James, though somewhat distracted, didn't think much of it and continued to talk quietly with her.

When James finally noticed the missed calls on his phone, the play had ended late at night.

Seeing several missed calls from Emily, James felt a pang of worry and immediately called back. Emily rarely reached out to him, especially this late, so he was a bit concerned.

However, no one answered on the other end.

James pulled his arm away, ignoring Olivia's awkward expression. His face grew increasingly grim.

Olivia's eyes deepened, and she clenched her fists, whispering, "Emily is probably asleep. If it were something urgent, she would have answered by now."

James's fingers paused, and he gave a self-deprecating smile, thinking, 'Exactly. Emily has ignored my calls many times recently. Maybe she has any sudden whims.'