Chapter 233 You, Come Closer and Let Me Take a Look
Trinity came out of the reception room wiping her tears, with no one seeing her out.
Nathan pointed outside. "Victor, it's Trinity."
"Stay put, I'll go check on her."
Victor quickly followed and handed her a handkerchief.
Trinity, head down, mistook the handkerchief and black figure for Damian. She exclaimed, "Mr. Hearst..." but then saw Victor's face.
"Victor?"
Victor, in his perfectly tailored black suit, laughed lightly. "Did Damian upset you? I'll handle him."
Trinity clutched the handkerchief. "No."
"Oh? Did Grandpa Hearst scold you? That's unlikely. He always praises you and hopes you'll marry into the Hearst family."
"Really?" Trinity's face lit up, then dimmed. "It's impossible now. I told Mr. Anthony Hearst that Damian and I will just be friends."
Victor looked puzzled but calm. "What happened? You can tell me if you want."
Trinity hesitated, then shook her head. "There's nothing to say."
Victor patted her shoulder. "It's okay. If you're ever down, come find me. I'm friends with your brother, so you're like a sister to me."
Trinity, used to Damian's coldness, found Victor's gentleness warming. "I'll wash the handkerchief and return it."
Victor watched her leave, a hint of darkness in his eyes.
The next day, Ashley met Patrick, who had been "settled" in the suburbs by Damian.
Patrick, like a frightened bird, lit up when he saw Ashley and almost ran to hug her leg. "Miss Astor, you're finally here!"
Ashley felt a chill, wondering what he'd gone through. A grown man looking so helpless. Had Damian used private punishment? Seeing no visible wounds, it seemed more like mental torment.
Ashley smiled lightly. "Are you comfortable here?"
Patrick glanced at Thomas standing nearby and nodded. "It's okay."
Ashley said, "You mentioned Robert often goes to the Clearwater Bay Club. Tonight, we'll go there to find him."
Thomas, nearby, smiled and said, "I'll drive you," not giving Patrick a chance to respond.
Ashley thought Patrick had been completely subdued by Damian. He was more obedient than a baby chick.
Clearwater Bay Club was one of the largest upscale entertainment venues in Rochester City, a prime spot for the elite to mingle.
Ashley was there to meet Robert's lover and extract secrets.
She dressed provocatively, with heavy makeup, making her almost unrecognizable.
Patrick disguised himself as a waiter. "That woman has a stage name, Amy. She only entertains the elite. She's a special asset my boss uses to connect with certain people."
Ashley felt disgusted. "He sent his woman to someone else's bed, what a jerk!"
Patrick grinned, "It's consensual. Amy gets well compensated, so why would she mind?"
"Self-degrading!"
Amy was at the club, and contrary to Ashley's expectations, she wore a pure white dress, with big eyes and makeup that made her look pitiful. Her slender figure was curvy, clearly hot but pretending to be innocent.
It perfectly fit the rich men's desire for a "first love" experience.
Ashley pushed past her inhibitions and approached. "Hi, I'm new here and not sure about the rules. Could you help me out?"
Amy, a star at the club with her own dressing room, was surprised to see Ashley intruding. "Don't you know the rules? Get out!"
Ashley lowered her voice. "Sorry, I just thought you were so beautiful and couldn't help but say hi. I'll leave now."
Amy, looking in the mirror and stroking her hair, asked proudly, "Are you new here?"
"Yes," Ashley replied sweetly.
Amy looked her up and down. With her straight dress, black stockings, heavy makeup, and thick hairstyle, she was clearly unappealing. Amy commented, "You'll never get noticed in the VIP rooms dressed like that."
Ashley humbly accepted the advice. "I don't have nice clothes or know how to do makeup. This is it for today. Could you give me some tips another time?"
Amy sneered, "Got your badge?"
Ashley shook her head, almost in tears. "I did, but I can't compete with the others. The rooms are all full."
Seeing her pitiful appearance, Amy condescendingly said, "Come with me, but remember, the VIP rooms are for important guests. Don't say anything wrong. If you don't know what to say, just drink more, smile sweetly, and flatter them."
Ashley felt nauseated. "Okay, I'll listen to you."
Seeing her obedient and easy to manipulate, with a decent figure despite poor taste, Amy thought she could push some unwanted tasks onto her tonight.
Amy led her to the most expensive room in the club, filled with Rochester City's elite.
Ashley, who used to frequent Blue Star and only visited Damian's private room, where it was elegant and comfortable, now felt like she had entered a palace here.
The room was filled with the smell of cigars, heavy smoke, women's coquettish laughter, and men's vulgar language.
"Amy, why are you so late today? Everyone's been waiting! Come kiss me."
Amy swayed her hips as she walked over, skillfully pouring drinks and leaning against a man, so soft she seemed boneless. "Where have you been these days, honey? Your skin looks so good, I want to kiss it."
As she spoke, she leaned in and kissed him, twisting her body.
Ashley felt nauseated again.
The man, pleased by her flattery, groped her. After a while, he noticed someone at the door. "Who's that standing there?"
Amy pointed at his chest, coquettishly saying, "A new girl, Ash."
The man on the right side of the sofa exhaled a puff of cigar smoke. "A new girl can come in here? Amy, don't you know the rules?"
"Mr. Walker. I know your picky taste, so I brought her for you to see. If you don't like her, I'll send her away!"
The man, with one leg on the coffee table, holding a woman and a cigar, casually said, "You, come closer and let me take a look."
Ashley's heart skipped a beat. Wasn't this Robert, the defendant in their case?
