Chapter 32
Despite being called a lounge, it was more of a high–end restaurant that offered a mix of dining and entertainment. The food was expensive, prepared by retired state banquet chefs
The first floor was an open dining area while the second floor had private dining rooms, each with a window overlooking the performance stage.
“Ms. Sutton, I’m so glad you’re here!” The manager, Lucas Harrington, greeted me warmly. “I watched your storytelling and folk music performance the other day and immediately thought. you’d be a perfect fit for our lounge.
He was enthusiastic but careful not to overstep, perhaps due to being a man.
“Thank you. May I ask about the compensation?”
“Two days a week, two thousand dollars per month. How does that sound?”
I nodded “That works. I can start immediately.”
Lucas seemed surprised at how readily I agreed, but his face lit up with joy as he led me to complete the onboarding process.
The bank card I used now was a new one I had applied for after Benjamin and Margaret took my old card, convinced I was hiding money left by my parents. There were only a few dozen dollars in it, but they didn’t believe me. I’d let them take it. I didn’t care anymore.
I pushed those thoughts aside and finished the onboarding process.
“Ms. Sutton, when can you start? We have other performances the rest of the week, but we’d like to schedule you for Wednesdays and Fridays. Does that work?”
“That’s fine.”
Today is Friday will you be abl
“I can start today.”
to perform tonight?” Lucas asked hesitantly.
This job fit perfectly with my tennis club schedule, and it was a step toward financial stability.
As for the university, I couldn’t formally cancel my leave of absence just yet, mainly because of Leonardo. Though he was just a student council member, his cousin, Victoria Gibson, was the vice. principal of Harborton University.
I changed into a dress. It was a soft ivory color adorned with embroidered begonia flowers, but it was slightly loose. Thankfully, the lounge had an in–house stylist who adjusted the fit and styled my hair into a neat bun, adding a pair of pearl earrings to complete the look.
“Ms. Sutton, you look like this dress was made for you,” the stylist, Olivia Davis said, her eyes
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practically glowing with admiration.
Lucas gently urged me toward the stage, where I carried my lute and stepped under the spotlight.
My grandmother, Eleanor Grace, used to be a storytelling and folk music teacher. As a child, she often held me close, teaching me how to sing and play the lute. My mother, Emily Johnson, walked the same path, making it a family tradition
After finishing my performance, scattered applause filled the room. I placed the lute down, taking a 20–minute break before my next set.
While drinking water backstage, a middle–aged man, Kevin Palmer, entered, accompanied by Lucas. Lucas treated him with a noticeable deference.
“Ms. Sutton, would you be open to performing a private storytelling session once a week for Mrs. Foster Senior? The payment would be per session, at a thousand dollars each.”
I hesitated, then shook my head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have the time for that. I’ll have to decline.”
The man looked surprised but didn’t press further. He stepped outside, phone in hand, and spoke quietly.
“Mr. Jackman, I apologize for taking up your time The storytelling performer I mentioned -the one who impressed me–turned down the offer. I’ll start looking for someone else. It’s a shame, though. She’s exactly what Mrs. Foster Senior would love.”
I looked at myself in the mirror, calmly taking a sip of coffee.
Before long, Kevin went out and took Lucas with him.
Lucas returned a little while later, looking at me awkwardly. “Ms. Sutton, we just signed the contract, but from now on, you won’t need to perform at the lounge anymore. You’ll be working at Mrs. Foster Senior’s home instead. The salary remains the same–two thousand dollars per month.”
I stayed silent for a long moment.
Lucas leaned closer and whispered, “Ms. Sutton, this family is very influential. We can’t afford to offend them. Please agree. If you do well, they might even give you bonuses.”
It seemed Gideon had stepped in.
Gideon 1 was
deeply devoted to Mrs. Foster Senior, always going out of his way to please her. His gentle demeanor hid a more calculating side, capable of both coercion and manipulation when necessary.
