From Business Deal to True Love: A Sweet Romance

"Is this the two photos you sent to Ian? and charged him two thousand dollars?" The spring air was still cold, and the clouds were lingering. As Aurora entered the Spring Dance Troupe and hung her coat on the rack, she was called into Grant's office, where a chat record was shoved in her face. Aurora wrinkled her nose and glanced at Ian's rugged face standing next to Grant, understanding the situation. "Ian always sends me messages late at night, saying he misses me so much his hands ache, wanting to see my... you know what. So, I had to take a hit and show him." Aurora took out her phone and flipped the screen. "We agreed on the payment beforehand, and he sent a lot of OKs... " The Spring Dance Troupe was founded by veteran classical dancer Hu, not large in scale, but Hu had a good reputation and connections in the industry, providing many performance opportunities. Aurora joined last year and was still considered a temporary performer. Hu was known for being strict and straightforward. Grant was responsible for the troupe's various works. Feeling that girls from other places were easy to bully, veteran dancer Ian often said some inappropriate things and verbally harassed her. Aurora reported it, but Grant said he was just joking and told her not to take it to heart. Later, she found out that Ian was Grant's lover's younger brother. No wonder he could stay despite slacking off during rehearsals. Since she couldn't move him, she decided to make some money to compensate for her mental distress. "She tricked me! She took my money!" Ian pointed at Aurora, furious. "She took advantage of her looks and seduced me! She's just a whore." "Watch your mouth!" Aurora covered her nose with her sleeve to avoid his bad breath. "Which word of mine doesn't match the photo?" Grant was in his early forties, with a square face that looked honest and amiable. Having experienced various situations in the art world, he was taken aback when he saw the pictures Ian received after making the transfer. They were two X-ray images of feet. One from the front, and one from the side, the dark background highlighting the distinct white bones. ...You understand what's revealing. Grant's mouth twitched, pointing to the close-up of the little toe that cost a thousand dollars. "Is this a sensitive area?" "Try kicking the leg of the table and see if it's sensitive." "..." "Enough, stop arguing!" Grant shouted, silencing Ian. He knew his little brother's character, always seeking verbal advantages but never doing anything serious. Grant's amiable face smiled, his shrewd eyes sizing up the girl. With the appearance and temperament of a flower bud, she was top-notch. When she first joined the troupe, he was amazed. Her face was like a lotus, with apricot eyes, a delicate nose, cherry lips, and snow-white skin. Her every frown and smile had the youthful charm and grace of a top-notch beauty, and the flirtatiousness in her eyes made her even more attractive. Based on her displayed skills and numerous competition gold medals, it was a pity that she didn't enter the National Dance Academy. Outstanding beauty is a rare resource. Grant introduced her to No. 95 Chengnan, a top private club in New York, where the rich and powerful of New York, the elite of various circles, frequented. Girls with humble backgrounds, wanting to take shortcuts to change their fate, he had seen many, and some had risen to great heights with good luck. This matter wasn't a big deal. They could each be punished a little, and it would be over. "You, your mouth is always loose, I've told you many times!" Grant scolded Ian, then turned to Aurora. "Like this, let him apologize to you, you return the money, and we'll put this matter behind us." Aurora wasn't happy—she was a money lover, and money in her pocket couldn't go out! She knew she should be patient. She had always been good at enduring. Two years ago, at eighteen, she came to New York alone with two thousand dollars, without a relative in this city, and of course, she endured and didn't offend people when she could. But why did she choose two thousand dollars over a reluctant apology? when Ian harassed her again, and she had just returned from her mother's grave in Malone, after squatting in front of the cold tombstone and crying her heart out? Aurora hadn't had time to speak when Ian protested first: "Why should I apologize? I'm the victim! I..." "Oops!" Aurora exclaimed, holding her phone with a strange expression. "Ian, I know you're in a hurry, but calm down. When I was tweeting yesterday, I accidentally screenshot your messages and included them." "What?!" Grant was shocked, and Ian was stunned. Grant recovered first and said, "What's wrong with you? How could you post private jokes online! We handle things within the group, and you've broken the group's rules!" He quickly took out his phone. Aurora watched them panic and after a moment, said, "Grant, calm down and let me finish." "Yesterday, the internet was bad, and it didn't send, so it saved automatically to the drafts folder." She blinked innocently, "That's why I just saw it." Grant was speechless. The new dance drama directed by Mr. Hu was in full preparation and had the potential to be staged at the National Theatre. Aurora was participating and was also responsible for part of the choreography. This important opportunity was hard-won, and she certainly didn't want to have a falling out with the group, but she couldn't let anyone bully her either. "Grant, rest assured," Aurora said sincerely, taking the initiative to self-criticize. "Next time, I'll check several times before sending. It would be bad if I accidentally sent something again." Grant's face twitched. He knew she was cleverly implying that he couldn't ignore her concerns. After resolving an unpleasant matter and earning two thousand dollars, Aurora's steps were light as she passed by the rehearsal hall, where people were already practicing. In the dance industry, talent and hard work were both essential. Aurora quickly changed into her dance clothes and entered the rehearsal room, where the familiar scent of sweat, perfume, and disinfectant greeted her, making her feel both reassured and excited. The light gray floor under her feet was firm and slightly elastic. She greeted her teammates and began warming up in front of the mirror. As more people entered the rehearsal hall, someone called out, "Mr. Hu!" All the chatting stopped, and everyone paused their movements, gathering in the middle of the hall and forming a semicircle to greet the newcomer, "Hello, Mr. Hu!" Mr. Hu, at forty years old, maintained a slim and upright figure through strict habits and gym. A tall young woman in a Dior suit and carrying a Lady Dior bag was by his side, her face painted with a refined smile. Mr. Hu nodded and introduced the girl beside him, "This is Erica."