Chapter 4

Sloane's POV

The spa was packed tonight.

Luxury cars lined up two rows deep outside. The air was thick with expensive alcohol and perfume.

In the employee break room, I was organizing my supply kit.

My coworker Sandra Harris sidled over, looking mysterious.

"Hey, did you hear? A bunch of big shots came tonight. Apparently for the Carter family heir."

"The Carters?"

"Yeah, Alexander Carter! I heard he just got back from overseas."

Sandra gossiped. "That kind of top-tier wealthy family-we can only look from a distance in this lifetime."

I lowered my eyes and continued wiping down essential oil bottles.

Alexander Carter.

That ex-fiancé who once said he'd marry no one but me.

Three days after I was kicked out, he left the country and never contacted me again.

"Number 99! Get over here!"

Mr. Lee stood at the door bellowing.

I picked up my kit and walked over.

Inside the office, Mr. Lee sat with his legs crossed, his heavy face glistening under the lights.

"Last night you pushed a membership card on Lauren without reporting it, didn't you?"

I frowned.

"Company policy states technicians have the right to sell packages. Commissions go to individuals."

"That was before!"

Mr. Lee crushed his cigarette butt in the ashtray.

"That was my client source! You went around me and took it for yourself. Half that commission needs to be confiscated."

It meant he didn't get his kickback and wanted to rob me outright.

I looked at him.

"The employee handbook is very clear. If you dock pay, I'll call corporate headquarters right now to file a complaint."

I might have fallen low, but my brain still worked.

In this cutthroat place, weakness would just get you chewed to the bone.

Mr. Lee's expression changed.

"Fine. You know the rules. You're tough."

Mr. Lee smiled coldly.

"Since you're such a stickler for rules, here's one-the top floor VIP room just finished. The cleaning crew is short-staffed. You go clean it. If it's not spotless, I'm docking your entire day's pay."

That was the job cleaning crew hated most.

Top-tier rooms usually meant complete chaos-vomit and used condoms everywhere.

I didn't argue.

I set down my supply kit, picked up the grimy bucket and mop from the corner, and turned to leave.

The VIP room was a complete disaster.

Wine bottles rolled everywhere. The sofa was covered in alcohol stains. The air reeked of smoke mixed with certain indescribable smells.

I put on gloves and started cleaning.

While collecting trash under the coffee table, an invitation caught my eye.

Exquisite craftsmanship. Gold-embossed lettering.

"Alexander Carter & Jasmine Sterling Two Year Engagement Anniversary Celebration"

My hand froze.

That date.

It was originally the wedding date set for Alexander and me.

Now the name had been changed to Jasmine Sterling.

Jasmine hadn't just stolen my kidney and my mother. She'd stolen my entire life.

I crumpled the invitation into a ball, threw it viciously into the black garbage bag, grabbed the bag and left the room.

At the end of the hallway, a familiar figure leaned against the wall touching up her makeup.

Grace.

She held the card she'd just gotten, looking smug.

Seeing me in cleaning uniform, Grace let out an exaggerated cry.

"If it isn't Miss Sterling! How did you go from massage therapist to toilet cleaner?"

Customers around us turned to look.

Grace held up her phone and snapped photos frantically.

"You've disgraced the Sterling family completely! I'm posting this to the family group right now so everyone can see what you've become!"

The camera flash was blinding.

I shoved past Grace's shoulder with one sentence.

"Get clear shots so Lauren can see where her money went."

Grace stumbled from the impact. Before she could curse, I'd already walked away.