Chapter 4: The Mistress Contract

When Lani returned home, she was met with chaos. Her house was in disarray, clothes were strewn everywhere, and valuable items had been smashed. Suddenly, a group of thugs surrounded her, their faces menacing.

“Where’s your father? Take me to him now!”

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand,” Lani said, looking around in confusion, unable to find her father.

“Your father owes us money. Now, hand over whatever you have.”

The thugs searched Lani’s bags and found $1,000, which they scoffed at.

“Is this all you have?”

“How much does my father owe you?”

“$100,000. He’s gone, so you’ll have to pay up. If not, we’ll sell you to a nightclub as a dancer.”

The gangsters began to have inappropriate thoughts about her, causing Lani to fear for her safety, her voice trembling.

"I'll pay you back, just let me go."

"Let you go so you can escape like your father, huh?"

One of them came up to stroke Lani's face, leering.

"This girl is pretty too. How about we have some fun with her first, then sell her to a nightclub for some cash for the boss?"

"Good idea."

The group began to move closer, and Lani struggled in fear, but she was forcibly dragged to a secluded spot.

"Don't come near me, I'll scream."

"Scream all you want, let's see if anyone comes to save you."

The five burly men closed in. Lani screamed and struggled helplessly, her strength insufficient to fight back.

"Help me, help me..."

Lani thought her life would end like this; she was completely devastated. She had just gone through a breakup, had a one-night stand with a stranger, and now had to endure this humiliation. Tears of despair streamed down her face when suddenly a gunshot rang out, and all the men froze. A group of people in black arrived and subdued all the thugs. Lani didn’t know who they were, but she recognized this as her chance to escape. Despite her injured leg, she tried to stand up, but before she could leave, someone stopped her.

"Stop… Our boss wants to see you. Please follow me."

Lani was terrified, but seeing the thugs lying motionless after being dealt with, she had no choice but to follow them.

At the MEMORY Hotel, the top floor reserved for VIP guests…

As Lani entered, she saw a man waiting. He turned around, causing Lani to freeze in place, unable to move.

"Surprised? In France, you climbed into my bed without any fear, but now you seem so scared."

Lani recognized this intimidating man; he was the one she had been with the night before.

"I…"

"Sit down."

Lani truly didn’t know why he had brought her here, since she had simply ended up in his room by mistake, leading to their night together. But ultimately, it was she who had suffered; him saving her life this time seemed like an even trade.

“Thank you for earlier…”

Lani spoke up to break the awkward silence. Dante gave a slight smile, his eyes scanning Lani. She was wearing a blue dress that had been dirtied during her struggle with the thugs, causing Dante to frown in distaste.

“I don’t accept thanks without something in return.”

“What do you want?” Lani asked directly.

Dante remained coldly silent as his assistant placed a piece of paper in front of Lani. She picked it up and gasped.

“A mistress contract? What do you take me for…”

“Isn’t your father in debt? I can pay off his debt, on the condition that you become my mistress.”

Lani had never endured such humiliation. Having just experienced the trauma of nearly being raped, now facing Dante was another blow. She knew he had more than enough money to find prettier and more voluptuous women than her.

“I don’t need it. Not everyone is willing to sell themselves for money like you think.”

Dante looked at Lani with a disdainful expression, his face one of superiority.

“Just walk out of here, and the debt collectors might find you anytime. Think it over carefully; I don’t have time to waste.”

Dante’s words only made Lani more furious. She knew her family was in trouble, but the important thing was that she didn’t want to be anyone’s mistress, especially not someone as disrespectful as Dante.

“I will never be your mistress.”

Lani said this and stormed out. The assistant moved closer to Dante.

“Should we go after her?”

“No need. She’ll come to me soon enough, begging.”

Dante watched Lani’s figure as she walked away. Lani left the hotel, unsure of where to go. Her home was currently being watched by the thugs. As she pondered her situation, her phone rang.

“What is it?”

Lani answered the call in a panic, tears welling up immediately.

“Okay, I’m coming right away.”

Lani couldn’t believe that after returning from her trip to France, she had to endure so many shocks. She trembled with anguish. She ended the call, clenched her fists, and dialed various numbers, but no one answered. In her desperation, tears streamed down her face. Lani looked utterly devastated; she had no money left and could only walk to the police station.

“Do we need to offer help, sir?”

“I want her to come here and beg me on her own.”

Dante watched from a distance, leisurely sipping his drink, his eyes still fixed on Lani as she walked away.

“Lani, we’ve only just begun.”

From the moment Lani mistakenly entered Dante’s room, their fates had been entwined. No matter how hard Lani tried to escape, it would be in vain.