CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: PUT ON THE SPOT, HE REMAINS DETACHED

Eric Thorne’s expression suddenly darkened, his movements frozen in place.

"Damn! It’s Annelise Winter! How could it be her? This contrast is way too shocking!"

"Haha! Who would have thought that Annelise Winter, once the most aloof and beautiful top socialite, who used to be so high and mighty, would end up dancing for men in a bar..."

"No wonder! Back in the day, she could make two young masters turn against each other for her. She seemed so aloof on the surface, but behind the scenes... with skills like hers, what man could resist?"

"Doesn’t she deserve it?! Back then, she relied on her engagement to the Warner Family to be arrogant, couldn’t stand the loneliness and played both sides. Now she lost the watermelon while picking up sesame seeds. Not only the person beside us, even Chase Perry got tired of her!"

Thinking of this, Leo Lockwood, the young master of the Lockwood Family, couldn’t help but whistle at Annelise.

"Hey, isn’t this Miss Winter? That pole dance was really something... how about you dance with me? I’ll pay you whatever you want, darling!"

Annelise actually spotted Elias Warner right when she walked in.

But because Lily said that the guests in this VIP room tonight were either rich or powerful, offending them could lead to trouble but also high tips.

So even when seeing Elias sitting there, she didn’t back down.

She just never expected that the dance she learned for him five years ago, which she never got to perform, would be presented in such a humiliating way today.

Even though in her heart, pole dancing wasn’t something vulgar or sexual, not just anyone could perform it.

Yet the original intention had changed, and Elias’s distant, cold gaze, like a knife, cut through her.

She didn’t want to show weakness, nor did she want to dance for other men in front of him, especially not the dance she once learned just for him.

Annelise didn’t look at Elias but directed her gaze towards the malevolent Leo, "Young Master Lockwood, sorry, I only dance the pole dance, nothing else. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving first, let me know if you need anything."

With that, Annelise straightened her back, clenched her fists, and turned to leave.

Her slender shoulders and slim waist had just finished a difficult pole dance, a faint pink hue still on her exposed skin.

Leo, having drunk a little too much today, felt emboldened, "Pretending to be so pure! What? Afraid I’m not paying enough?"

Saying this, Leo flung the stack of cash in front of him harshly at Annelise’s feet.

In the past, Elias Warner had spoiled Annelise to the point of being delicate and proud; everyone knew she was the little girlfriend of the Crown Prince of the Warner Family and dared not covet her.

Now, without a backing, doesn’t she do whatever she wants?

"Leo! Have you had enough of living? This event is to welcome Elias back, don’t make it a mess!" Eric’s eyelids twitched, secretly glancing at Elias’s expression, finding that his brother showed no reaction.

He was even sitting there, eyes lowered, looking at his phone.

As if the phone was more interesting than Annelise on stage.

Completely indifferent to the scene.

Eric suddenly felt uncertain.

Annelise halted her steps, looking back at the ground, the cash like a sea of red stinging her eyes, but it was exactly what she needed.

Just biting her teeth and closing her eyes, the money could be hers.

If she endured a little longer, she might get even more.

If she couldn’t gather enough for the surgery, how could she face her daughter?

Annelise closed her eyes for a moment, as if she forgot there was another person in the room.

She turned back around, smiling indifferently, "Young Master Lockwood is generous, I like it. How do you want me to dance?"

Leo had been moderately intimidated by Eric, but hearing Annelise agree, he felt invigorated.

His legs spread wide, every cell in his body seemed alive, eagerly spreading his arms, even excitedly straightening his waist, "Dance on top of me!"

Saying this, he couldn’t help glancing at Elias’s direction, "Elias, you don’t mind, do you?"

Only then did Elias lift his head, his handsome features hidden in the dark, even giving a faint, indifferent smile, "Not my concern."

With those words, he pursed his lips, slowly buttoning his shirt.

His eyes were dark, even carrying a hint of drowsy sensuality, the next moment, he stood up coolly, "Afraid you’re restrained with me here, I’ll leave the place to you..."

His voice was light, not even glancing in Annelise’s direction.

As if no matter how passionate the performance, it couldn’t move him at all.

He was unbothered, unconcerned, even considerately giving them space.

Seeing Elias intending to leave after staying for just a brief moment, Eric’s heart skipped a beat.

"Elias... brother, I was wrong..."

Eric wanted to grab Elias’s sleeve, but the other gave him no chance.

It’s over, it’s over!

Good intentions turned into a mess!

Not only failing to give his brother a chance to relax but adding fuel to the fire!

"Brother! How about we switch places, I just opened a new race track, let’s go become racing legends at Serpentine Mountain!"

After he appeases his brother, he wouldn’t let Leo off the hook.

Elias stepped over the cash on the ground, leaving with utter indifference.

As they passed by each other, Annelise’s hands hung at her sides were sweaty.

She had to tilt her head back to keep the tears from falling,

couldn’t help feeling his coldness.

Indeed, he had long seen her as a stranger, no longer the Elias who cherished her as his precious.

He used to be so domineering, never allowing her to be in such places.

Now, he wouldn’t spare her a glance, wouldn’t care for her, much less protect her.

Her heart ached to the point of suffocation.

Yet Annelise only managed a grim smile.

When Elias left, many people flocked to accompany him.

The moment the door closed, it seemed to completely separate Elias from Annelise into two worlds.

Annelise bent down to pick up the stacks of bills Elias had stepped on one by one.

Then straightening up, looking at Leo, her eyes were filled with nothing but coldness and resolve.

"Young Master Lockwood, I can dance, but the premise is, no physical contact."