Chapter 296 All That Glitters is Not Gold

Ella

The stretcher bearing the injured man maneuvered its way through the crowd. The room seemed to be in slow motion, with each passing second feeling like an eternity. The stark contrast of the man’s bloodied face against the pristine backdrop of the opulent ballroom was a sight that would stay with me for a long time.

Logan, ever the picture of calm, nonchalantly picked up a white cloth napkin from a nearby table. With deliberate strokes, he began to clean the blood from his knuckles. To the casual observer, it would seem like he was simply wiping away a spill from dinner. But I knew better. A well-dressed man approached Logan, a smirk playing on his lips.

“Well done, Logan,” he said, clapping him on the back with an almost brotherly familiarity. “That guy was a real Class A pest. Maybe now he’ll finally learn his lesson.”

Logan just nodded, his face expressionless. He said nothing; there was nothing he could say. It wasn’t exactly like he could reveal that he had beat up a man for hitting an escort, especially when most of these men likely treated escorts exactly the same.

While the men around him congratulated Logan, offering their approval, I felt at maelstrom of emotions within me. It was almost surreal. With just a few words, I had set in motion events that resulted in a man being brutalized.

The weight of what had transpired was overwhelming. On one hand, I felt a certain satisfaction-justice had been doled out. The escort, a victim, had been avenged. But, on the other hand, the realization that my words held so much power was terrifying.

my eyes momentarily, trying

was soft, almost a caress. “Power isn’t inherently good or evil, Ella. It’s about the choices we make, how

the stark reality of what had just occurred. As I glanced around, I was astounded by the apathy in the room; no one seemed

was standing near the back, looking equal parts relieved and terrified. As our

said,

softly against the

voice low. “I’ll live. But that

bubbled up within me, intertwining with a desperate need to help. In a frantic motion, I grabbed a

to this address. Tell them Ella sent you. If anyone asks, say you were a

in confusion.

cutting her off. “It doesn’t matter. Just use that story. It’s in a different city, but it’s safe. The work is

her gaze. “How can

me. Sharing my real name was a risk I hadn’t considered. I hesitated for

really want a way out,

for a long moment, uncertainty clouding her eyes. Finally, she nodded slowly. “I’ll think about it.” She

she walked away, I felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. Had I done the right thing?

The music surrounded us, but the world seemed to fade

voice, tinged with frustration and concern. “Ella, what the hell were you thinking? You could

gaze, determination fueling my words. “I had to help,

spun me around, the motion fluid and graceful, but his voice was sharp. “And what’s your plan? Offer every escort in the city a job? She’ll talk, Ella. She’ll tell her friends, and

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