CHAPTER 7: CHAPTER 7: HE IS THE GUEST, SHE IS THE DANCER

Stung by his dismissive tone, Annelise turned her back to him without looking back, "I’m leaving!"

Without another word, she opened the door and left.

Elias Warner’s face was sullen, his mood seeming worse than before.

His deeply furrowed brow tensed, thin lips pressed into a straight line, he buttoned his shirt indifferently.

"Young Master, Miss Annelise said she won’t bother you anymore."

A surge of unexplained agitation hit Elias Warner, "Hmm."

"Shall I take this dirty suit for cleaning?"

Elias’s face remained impassive as he leaned down to grab the suit jacket, his cold, slender fingers grazing over a crimson stain.

"No need, I’ll handle it myself!"

Annelise left alone.

The lights in the hallway flickered, much like her shattered heart.

It felt as if an unfeeling cold wind had swept into her chest, making it impossible to breathe.

It was a pain that pierced the soul.

She should have expected it. He was a proud, aloof man who had been trampled on and betrayed five years ago.

It was she who had abandoned him, turning Elias Warner’s love for her into hatred with the stroke of a knife.

Perhaps now he didn’t even care to hate her, only feeling disgust. It was already fortunate he hadn’t wanted her dead; how could he ever feel pity for her again?

Just then, a text arrived.

Annelise opened her phone to find a bill for that suit from Uncle Ford, along with a bank account number.

Three million for a custom suit.

A one-week deadline, or a lawyer would contact her.

The Warner Family’s wealth was beyond measure.

A three-million-dollar suit meant nothing to him.

But for her now, it was an astronomical figure.

She hadn’t gotten the Peace Lock for her daughter, the surgery fees weren’t gathered, and now she had an additional three-million debt.

For Annelise, this was catastrophic.

The bar owner, Lily, called; "Annelise, we’re short-staffed tonight, could you come and dance? Haven’t you been tight on money recently? Some of Kybourne’s elite young gentlemen are here tonight; you’ll definitely earn good tips."

When Annelise wasn’t working, she usually moonlit at the bar.

There, she could dance while masked, and nobody knew her.

It was the quickest way to make money.

Besides, she danced pole dance, which she had once learned solely for Elias Warner.

Back then, young and infatuated with him, she wanted to hold onto him, even more so his heart.

So she had secretly taken lessons for several months in her spare time.

She had planned to perform for him when he returned from the flight academy.

Unfortunately, by the time they broke up, Annelise hadn’t gotten the chance, but at least her efforts weren’t entirely wasted.

When at a dead end, dancing could barely help her through the hurdles.

Thinking about her daughter’s medical fees, the fact that there were only three days left until Meridia, and that she had work the next morning.

Annelise wished she could make a minute stretch into eight parts.

No time to wallow in heartbreak, "I’m coming, Lily, I’ll be there right away."

She reached the bar at ten p.m.

At the end of the corridor, Elias Warner, surrounded by a group of close friends, strode inward.

He was regarded as a standout in their social circle.

Though aloof and distant by nature, making him less approachable, his personal charisma drew many to follow him willingly.

This gathering was organized by his friend, Eric Thorne. They hadn’t seen each other for years, and many showed up tonight!

After all, back then, when things happened, Elias Warner had left the country without a word, leaving even his brothers behind.

Before entering the private room, Elias’s dark, profound eyes unexpectedly locked onto a soft silhouette at the corner.

That slender, straight figure, shorts ended at her thighs’ edge, long legs exuded heat and allure, leading up to a luscious peach.

A pink tank top with an open back narrowed downward, revealing a line of waist as white as milk.

The private room door opened and closed, and the overhead glass light reflected a brief shadow over the man’s features.

Inside the room.

Elias Warner sat alone in a dark corner.

His long legs crossed, he casually draped one arm over the armrest, playing with a poker card.

Despite the dim light around him, his presence naturally became the room’s focal point.

Yet he kept the rest of the world at an arm’s length.

Eric Thorne was extravagantly spending tonight to welcome back an old friend.

He not only shared his treasured ten-year-old Romanee Conti but also arranged fresh entertainment for Elias Warner.

Pressing his large face up to Elias with teary eyes, he poured a drink for his "bro," cursing his luck for not being a woman.

"Elias... we’ve finally got you back. Let’s drink till we drop tonight, okay?"

Elias glanced lazily at the wine in his glass, a sullen expression making him too weary to speak.

Eric was indignant, "What was so big a deal! Back then, without saying a word, you left me and just took off! And it went on for five years; thank goodness you returned safely! If you hadn’t come back, I’d have joined a relief mission in South Surina."

Someone chimed in, "You’re just bluffing, Eric! Give you a chance, would you really go? There are no pretty girls over there; don’t come back with a black child!"

"Go to hell with you!"

Eric kicked him but dared not joke around too much with Elias these days.

Five years not seeing him, he sensed his ’bro’ had changed, matured with a touch of rejection that kept people miles away.

For someone so young, he’d grown cold, rarely smiling anymore.

What happened to the vibrant youth of the past?

How did a relationship turn him into this!

Definitely not wise to date someone too young.

Eric’s nose stung with genuine concern, "South Surina’s no place for a human being, it’s sheer purgatory. Elias, let’s not leave now you’re back! Let your bro help you unwind, regain your youth..."

He clapped his hands, "Here come the gorgeous girls!"

In the top-class luxury sky bar, a young, beautiful masked dancer descended from above.

Her supple waist swirled as she clung to the pole, accentuating her exquisite waist-hip ratio, making one tempted to pinch her snake-like waist.

The dim, ambiguous lighting obscured her face, every move stirring the blood of the men present.

The atmosphere ignited instantly!

"Bro, did you see? She’s the pole goddess Poppy, the gem of this bar! So pure! Even just dancing leaves people energized!"

Eric felt his adrenaline spike, "How about it? Do you feel rejuvenated? I’ll have Poppy join us for a drink in a bit!"

Throughout, Elias Warner remained silent, his stern eyes fixed on the stage.

His gaze, like the deep sea at night, reflected no emotion.

Until the performance ended!

The lights came on brightly.

Eric was eager, "Poppy! So beautiful! Wow, come have a drink with your brother, if you can cheer up my ’bro,’ I’ll give you anything you want!"

Just stepping up to whisk down Poppy’s veil,

the next moment, he saw Annelise’s face.