Chapter 6

Until it was time to go home, Kimberly still couldn't meet Nicholas. Even the messages she had sent since earlier had gone unanswered. Kimberly also asked Clara about Nicholas's whereabouts, but the woman insisted that he was out of town.

After tidying up her desk, Kimberly visited Nicholas's office once more before finally giving up. It seemed like something she had done the night before had made him avoid her. Kimberly realized that she had been too much, so she tried to apologize. In fact, all the messages she sent were full of apologies.

Because Kimberly had other things to take care of, she left the office after failing to meet Nicholas. Taking a taxi, Kimberly returned to the club she had visited the night before. She wanted to find out who had dared to mess with her. Even though she suspected one person, she had to find proof.

Arriving at the club, she went straight to the bar. Ben's face immediately tensed up when he saw Kimberly arrive. But he quickly managed to control his expression. Ben's smile widened as Kimberly got closer.

"What would you like to drink tonight? I'll make it for you." Ben greeted her kindly. His hands were still busy with the shaker, making drinks for other customers.

"I don't feel like drinking tonight, Ben." Kimberly looked serious. She didn't even return Ben's smile. "I need your help," Kimberly continued, with a serious expression.

That made Ben furrow his brow because it was unusual for Kimberly to ask for his help. His heart was full of questions, but Ben chose to respond to Kimberly first.

"Alright. Wait there! I'll come over to you when I'm done."

Kimberly nodded, still with a flat, almost gloomy expression. It was very clear that the woman was in a bad mood.

While waiting for Ben to finish, she turned her body to face the dance floor. She looked around as if she was searching for someone. She was determined to punch that person if she saw them.

But even after a long time, the person she was looking for wasn't there. Maybe the man didn't come to the club, or maybe he hadn't arrived yet.

"What's wrong, Kim? Why do you look so confused?" Kimberly turned sharply when she heard Ben's voice behind her. She remained silent for a moment before finally saying something.

"Can you help me?"

"Just tell me!"

"This club has several CCTV cameras in several locations. There's even one behind you." Kimberly pointed to the CCTV camera on the wall behind Ben with her eyes. Ben immediately followed Kimberly's gaze and nodded. But he remained silent, as if waiting for Kimberly's next words.

"I want to see the CCTV footage from last night. Can you give me access?" Kimberly looked at Ben with hope, making Ben hesitant.

"What happened that you want to see it? Did you lose something?" Ben asked, his forehead furrowed. He was curious because Kimberly had seemed anxious since earlier.

Kimberly remained silent, as if thinking, but then she answered honestly. "I feel like someone spiked my drink. I just want to prove my suspicions."

Ben remained silent, biting his lower lip. He tapped the tip of his index finger, like someone who was thinking. And after a while, he took a deep breath. "Follow me!" Ben took off his apron and placed it under the bar counter. He turned and walked out of the bar.

Kimberly quickly stood up and followed Ben. She walked quickly, not wanting to be left behind. Ben's stride was so wide that Kimberly had a little trouble keeping up. Kimberly's forehead furrowed as she passed by several drunk people. She even pushed aside several people who were blocking her way. For her, drunk people were a real nuisance. This is what Nicholas felt when he took care of her when she was drunk. In a flash, Kimberly felt guilty for often bothering Nicholas.

After walking for a while, Ben and Kimberly were in a room with several monitors. There were two people on guard, and they both stood up when they saw Ben.

As the two were about to say something, Ben patted them on the shoulder, so they closed their lips again.

"I want the CCTV footage from yesterday around..." Ben paused and turned to Kimberly, looking for an answer. Kimberly, who was quick-witted, immediately mentioned her estimated arrival time at the club.

Hearing Kimberly's answer, the two sat back down, and their hands were busy pressing keyboard keys and moving the mouse.

Kimberly approached. Her eyes narrowed, focusing on the screen. She exclaimed when she saw herself on the screen. "That's me!" Her index finger pointed at the screen. "Please pay attention to see if anyone put anything in my drink."

The man in front of the screen nodded. Although she was asking for help, Kimberly still watched along. Her eyes didn't leave the screen, which showed snippets of video alternating. Until finally, she exclaimed again when she saw something that proved everything.

"That's him! That bastard is the one who put the date rape drug in my drink," Kimberly said, her jaw clenched. She was silent, her gaze flashing with vengeance. When she went down to the dance floor yesterday, that man had put something in her drink. Yes, he was the man who had harassed her last night.

Kimberly's chest rose and fell, as if holding something about to explode inside her. Her hands clenched tightly, her muscles becoming more tense. "He deserves to die!"

Ben folded his arms in front of him, his forehead furrowed after seeing the footage. He seemed to be thinking about something.

"Ben! Does that man come to this club often?" Kimberly exclaimed, turning to Ben, making him jump in surprise.

He nodded slowly, hesitantly. "He's a regular customer here." His voice was low, filled with guilt. "But..." Ben trailed off and turned to Kimberly instead. His expression was confused, difficult to explain.

"But what, Ben?" Kimberly snapped, impatient. She felt like she needed to know about the man and find him.

"I heard he's in the hospital right now. It seems like he got into trouble with a gang. He was found lying on the side of the road this afternoon, beaten up and bruised from being beaten."

Ben pulled his phone out of his pocket. He opened a photo and showed it to Kimberly. Kimberly snatched Ben's phone to get a clear look at the photo. Her fingers moved, zooming in on the image.

Kimberly frowned, her heart pounding rapidly as she looked at the photo. A mix of disgust and anger welled up inside her. The man's condition was truly pitiful. His face was bruised and swollen in several places. Kimberly didn't even recognize him at first. Not only his face, but also his hands and legs were bandaged, indicating how severe his condition was at the moment.

"Is this really the same guy, Ben?" Kimberly asked, continuing to look at his face. She still wasn't sure if the man lying there was the same one who had harassed her.

Ben nodded firmly. "I can guarantee it, Kim."

Kimberly's face, which had been tense, gradually relaxed. She didn't feel sorry for the man, but she was confused about how to respond. On the one hand, she was angry, but on the other hand, she was also satisfied. Even though it wasn't her who beat him up, she felt a sense of satisfaction. Surely, the man was getting karma for one of the evil deeds he had done.

After thinking for a moment, Kimberly decided to put this matter aside for now. Seeing the man's condition now was enough for her.

Kimberly asked for a copy of the footage to keep for herself. If the man ever caused trouble for her again, she could use the copy to make him face the law.

"Thanks for your help, Ben. I'll treat you to drinks sometime." Kimberly winked, which Ben responded to with laughter.

"You're treating me to drinks that I make?" Ben raised one eyebrow and looked at Kimberly strangely.

Kimberly burst out laughing at Ben's expression at this moment. "Let me know if you're bored. I'll take you out for drinks somewhere else." Kimberly patted Ben's shoulder a few times before finally leaving the room.

Her chest felt relieved, no longer as tight as it had been when she arrived. She didn't know who had beaten the man, but Kimberly felt very grateful. Even though the reason might not have been her, it was the same for her. The most important thing was that the man had gotten what he deserved.

Since she wasn't in the mood to get drunk, Kimberly immediately walked towards the exit. But as Kimberly passed the dance floor, she saw someone she recognized coming in with a woman whose face she couldn't see clearly.

"Harry?" She couldn't be mistaken. It was Harry, coming in with a woman she didn't know. "What is he doing here? Who is he with?" Curious, Kimberly turned towards where she had seen Harry. She continued to walk, following the back of the person she thought was Harry. But just as she was about to get close, a couple kissing suddenly blocked her way. Kimberly clicked her tongue and moved aside. And when she was about to walk again, she had lost Harry.

Kimberly looked around for her boyfriend, but she couldn't find him. "I'm sure I wasn't mistaken."