Chapter 235 Accompanying Drinking
"What happened to you? Tell me," Noah said, genuinely curious.
Amelia sighed, "A while back, when I was working at Tiffany's, making five grand a month. It was decent, but after rent and daily expenses, I couldn't save a dime. If that was all, I could manage. But then my dad got diagnosed with kidney failure. The dialysis treatments and meds drained our savings in just two weeks. My salary at Tiffany's couldn't cover it."
Amelia took a deep breath and continued, "In the end, I had no choice but to work as a hostess at a karaoke bar. I could make over ten grand a month by drinking with customers. It's not a respectable job, but I needed the money."
She downed a glass of beer, her face clouded with worry. She looked at Noah with a bitter smile. "Mr. Anderson, you're at the top of society. You probably can't imagine the struggles and desperation of ordinary people like me."
Noah replied earnestly, "I can, I've seen it."
Noah had indeed seen it. Kids in poor neighborhoods, bearing starvation and chill. People unable to resist when their homes were forcibly taken.
These thoughts stirred many emotions in Noah. Some people, despite their poverty, remained honest and worked hard to support their families. Others turned to crime and ended up in jail. Noah didn't judge; everyone's circumstances were different. But if he could help, he would.
"What did you study in college?" Noah asked, changing the subject.
"Hotel management," Amelia replied, "But it's hard to find a job in that field, and the starting salary is too low. With my dad's illness, I had to come to this job."
Noah didn't say anything, his eyes flickering as if he was considering something.
"Mr. Anderson, everyone's here," Ethan said, checking his phone and whispering in Noah's ear. "They're in the private rooms, looking for Lucas."
Noah nodded.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a man walked in. He was short but muscular, carrying a briefcase and wearing a gold watch. His cheeks were flushed, and he reeked of alcohol, stumbling as he walked.
"Amelia!" he called out, his drunken eyes landing on her. "I... uhh... I heard you... you were in this room, so... uhh... so I came over!"
He staggered towards her, the smell of alcohol overwhelming. "Come, drin... drink with me!"
Amelia quickly dodged, forcing a smile. "Mr. Ronald Baker, I can't. I'm drinking with other guests right now. It's not convenient."
"Other guests?" Ronald's eyes fell on Noah, and he sneered, "Amelia, what's so special about this young guy? He looks broke. Drink with me, and I'll give you ten grand! Spend the night with me, and I'll add fifty grand!"
"Ten grand?" Amelia hesitated. It was a huge amount, and her dad needed it desperately. She knew Ronald would harass her, but for the money, she had to go.
She stood up and smiled apologetically at Noah. "Mr. Anderson, can I go drink with Ronald? You can find another hostess. There are plenty here who are prettier than me."
Before she finished speaking, Ronald grabbed her hand, ready to pull her away. He glanced at Noah with disdain. "Son of bitch, if you can't afford a hostess, don't come here! Amelia costs at least five grand a night! Now she's mine, so find someone else!"
He started to drag Amelia out.
"Wait!" Noah said, "Ten grand? Amelia, I'll give you fifty grand!"
Noah wasn't angry at Amelia. He understood she was just trying to make money.
"Fifty grand?" Amelia was stunned.
"Bastard, you dare to compete with me?" Ronald's face twisted with anger.
"I'm not competing. I'm just saying whoever has more money gets Amelia," Noah said calmly.
"Compete with me for money? I'll crush you!" Ronald shouted, opening his briefcase to reveal stacks of cash. He grabbed a bundle and threw it on the table. "Here's sixty grand. Amelia drinks with me!"
Noah smiled and turned to Ethan. "Do you have cash?"
"Of course, Mr. Anderson. Hold on a sec." Ethan left the room and returned within five minutes, carrying two heavy backpacks. He dropped them on the floor with a thud.
"Too heavy," Ethan said, rubbing his shoulders and opening one of the backpacks. It was filled with cash.
Ronald and Amelia gasped. Amelia had never seen so much money in her life.
"That's nearly a million bucks! Aren't you afraid of getting robbed?" one of the other hostesses exclaimed, her eyes wide with greed.
"Ethan, what do you think?" Noah asked.
Ethan grabbed a stack of cash and tossed it on the table. "One hundred grand. Amelia stays here. If you have more money, then bid. If not, get lost."
"One hundred grand?" Ronald glanced at his briefcase. He had two hundred grand in cash, but it was clear he couldn't outbid Noah.
"Fine, you win! Amelia's yours!" Ronald let go of her hand, grabbed his sixty grand, and stormed out.
"Mr. Anderson," Amelia said, sitting back down next to Noah.
"Take the money," Noah said, pushing the one hundred grand towards her.
"Mr. Anderson, I can't accept this!" Amelia protested, "I need money, but my company isn't worth one hundred grand. Please, take it back."
Noah smiled gently, "Consider it a gift. Use it for your father's treatment."
Amelia's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Mr. Anderson. I can't thank you too much."
"Just take care of your father," Noah said softly, "That's all the thanks I need."
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