Larkin observed Georgia’s hesitation with a faint, knowing smile curling at the corners of his mouth. Beneath her struggle, a spark of greed gleamed clearly–she was hungry for something, and it showed in the way she weighed her options silently
You really are a greedy woman, he thought, amusement flickering in his mind The realization made him sigh quietly to himself. Her hunger–whether for survival, money, or some fragile hope was a tool he could wield. After all, he was wealthy beyond measure, and he knew how to leverage that advantage.
Minutes stretched between them in quiet tension before Georgia finally broke the silence. Her voice was soft but deliberate “What do you want me to do for this tip you’re offering?”
The question caught Larkin off guard for a moment. He hadn’t expected her to even ask. Most women in clubs, especially those he dealt with regularly, simply took the money and moved on. They didn’t bother negotiating or thinking twice greed, yes, but mixed with a resigned pragmatism. Yet here was Georgia, considering what she could offer in return.
“Nothing.” Larkin said smoothly, his voice low and almost tender. “Just sit beside me, and let me drive you back to your dorm.”
He thought the sweetness of the request might melt any woman’s resistance.
But Georgia’s face remained unreadable, emotion flickering faintly across her features as she considered.
Finally, she spoke calmly. “Then let me make you a cup of coffee.”
The unexpected offer struck Larkin anew, piquing a deep curiosity. What kind of woman was this, who pondered so carefully how to repay a simple tip with a gesture so humble? Why this need to balance the scales, even over something so
small?
She added quietly, “I’m sorry, I only have some coffee beans at my dorm. Nothing fancy.”
Chapter Unlocked, Enjoy Reading! Suddenly, Larkin understood. She had lingere
wasting time, but mulling over how to repay him. The careful calculations of someone who had little to give, but who refused to accept charity without offering something in return.
The wad of bills burned in his palm, a silent contrast between his abundance and her scarcity. It was a trivial amount to him–a few thousands–but to her, it was a fortune worth careful exchange.
For a long moment, Larkin simply stared at her under the pool of lamplight, watching her quiet dignity and restrained strength.
Finally, he nodded. “Alright.”
In a rare gesture, he unlocked his car, stepped out, and opened the passenger door for her with a gentleman’s grace that seemed at odds with his dark, predatory nature.
“Where’s your dorm?” he asked, his eyes briefly scanning her with faint surprise.
“Just drive. I’ll show you,” she said firmly. “And slow down, please.”
The car moved smoothly through the night, and soon they arrived at an aging apartment complex. Larkin stepped out and glanced up at the building with a skeptical frown.
“You live here?”
Georgia nodded, her voice quiet but steady. “Yes. It’s enough.”
He shrugged. “I thought the club would provide better housing for its employees.”
“Most girls don’t live here,” Georgia explained evenly. The others work in the busy district, close to shops and nightlife. But I need to save money. I can’t waste it on fancy rent.”
Together, they climbed the narrow stairwell. Georgia pulled out a brand–new key–the kind freshly handed out by the administration a few days earlier. The door creaked open on aging hinges.
Chapter 78
“Please, come in,” Georgia said softly.
She kept her words sparse–she had learned the hard way that her voice often grated on others‘ ears.
A short while later, Georgia emerged carrying a tray. On it sat a simple white porcelain cup filled with steaming coffee, accompanied by a small plate of biscuits.
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