“You should probably get a designer brand marked on there somewhere. Everyone at this stature gets uniquely designed clothes from famous designers—all the way down to their shoes.”
Up close, Celia could see the handsome man in his entirety. Brown eyes that almost appeared black, pitch-black hair swept to the side, and cheekbones that any woman would die for. His shoulders were broad but delicate, and he reeked of money without any of the pompousness or ignorance that followed other young men like him. “You would have better luck tonight with another woman,” she smirked.
“I didn’t come here tonight to find a woman. This was unexpected.” The music changed to another classical piano piece, and Hui Ye kept his hand gripped around her gloved hands. “Tell me—why are you doing this?”
“I don’t follow?”
“Has that man wronged a loved one, perhaps?”
She tipped her head. “You think this is personal?”
“He does have his string of settled sexual harassment cases, and he’s had zero real consequences. The settlement money was pocket change to him. I thought it reasonable someone would eventually snap and go after him.”
An actual laugh escaped from her lips as they swayed. “Really? Well, here’s a little story for you.” She leaned closer and whispered into his ear. “I’m a bored woman.” She stepped back to smile smugly, and her hand gripped his tighter. “Watching the worst of humanity tear each other apart is quite fun. I wasn’t hired by any of his victims. I was hired by an equally terrible competitor. It entertains me to kill them and kill for them.”
He stared before he broke eye contact. His shoulders shook from laughter, and Celia admitted her surprise when he turned back around mirthfully. He returned to their dance position, and his voice only turned more jovial at the revelation. “Do you trap your targets using sex appeal every time?”
“No. Only when I think it’s more fun that way.” She sang her words. “As you said—he’s had his string of buried sexual harassment cases with far more unreported and continues to grow richer by the day. He revels in the filth of his own creation and displays it to the world with such confidence—why would I ever let go of the opportunity to take advantage of it?”
His eyes remained locked on her. “You wouldn’t.”
“Yes. I wouldn’t.” She let go of his hand and swept the side of her dress elegantly. “Will that be all for the dance, Hui Ye?” She curtsied mockingly and left the building.
“Well, what am I going to be doing tonight?” she wondered aloud. She glanced at the people walking past her on the sidewalk. Perhaps she would seduce a stranger for fun. She had, after all, planned to kill the man during the act itself.
“Wait!”
Celia stopped and turned to see Hui Ye chasing after her. Stifling an annoyed groan, she walked back over to him. “Are you that curious about me?”
“No, it’s more that—I did tell you I would pay for the work you lost tonight. I’m keeping my promise on that, and I would also like to pitch something to you.”
She tipped her head. “Pitch?”
“Yes, a business proposition.”
Curiosity piqued, Celia agreed to follow him back to one of the many apartments he owned in Hong Kong. He had his own chauffeur and a fancy car. She enjoyed the warmed seats in the silent ride back to the apartment, and she allowed a second to marvel at the grandeur of his apartment complex.
He turned on the lights and slipped off his jacket and tie as she stood to the great window of the living room that overlooked the blinking lights of the breathing city. “My,” she exhaled, “I do wonder what corruption you partake in to own such a place like this.”
He did not respond and motioned her to join him in the bedroom. She could tell it was soundproof when her shoes did not echo the way they usually did. The door locked itself.
He loosened the top button of his shirt. “Have you tried helping the better of humanity before? I’m sure you’ll find it just as entertaining and maybe more.” He sat down on the edge of his bed. “The worst of humanity likes to climb over and sacrifice everyone for their own self-survival and pleasure, but the better of humanity always fights longer and at higher risks because the only people they’re willing to sacrifice are themselves. Is that not what you want?” He looked at her pointedly. “You want a bigger fight.”
She was thoroughly unimpressed. “You want me to help you?”
“I am working on something, yes.”
“And you think you are the better of humanity?” She gestured to his soundproof room.
He allowed a small smile, but his eyes were downcast. “I just know I am not the worst.”
Celia tapped her chin. He gave little away, which was the right thing to do. He risked his operation if he told her the details before she agreed. At first, she thought he screamed generic rich boy with a kinder soul because of good parentage. However, in the moment he admitted that he wasn’t necessarily the better of humanity, she sensed guilt and a pang of anxiety that had rooted itself deep inside him.
Finally, she shrugged. “Regardless, I was going to find myself someone to entertain the night with, so before I agree, you might as well keep me occupied in that manner first. You do know how to do that, do you?”
He laughed, walking over to the corner of the room to reach for one of the expensive whisky bottles sitting on the table. “I think I can handle you for tonight, if nothing else.”
Before he could grab the bottle, Celia slinked over and slipped underneath his arms. She shoved him back, and, as he stumbled, she pushed him again to fall onto the bed. She climbed over him with her legs apart. Her hand reached for the halter and slowly pulled out the bow around her neck. The dress dropped from her body. She pulled off her gloves with her teeth and grinned as his eyes gazed upon her.
