Boss, Stop Selling Yourself!

Due to a mix-up, Evangeline Mercer took a high-profile figure with a mysterious identity and an aversion to physical contact for the escort her best friend had arranged to help her unwind post-breakup. Without hesitation, she made her move. What she didn't expect was that, overnight, this "escort" would turn into her impeccably dressed, ever-present coworker. Tailored designer suits, an outrageously expensive watch, a Maybach parked in the executive spot—everything he used screamed that this man was anything but ordinary. Yet, no matter how closely she observed, she couldn't find a single flaw in his story. Day after day, the "escort" complained to her about the hardships of his job. Soft-hearted as she was, Evangeline hesitated, wavered, and began doubting her previous suspicions. Ultimately, she embarked on a long and arduous mission: to steer him onto the right path. She began sending him messages of pure concern every day. Day 1: Are you getting paid on time? Do you have enough for living expenses? Day 2: Are you struggling with anything in life? Do you need my help? Day 3: You... You can't keep doing this, no matter how tough things are! You need to stop selling your body and find a better livelihood! And finally: Wait, what? You mean to tell me you're not some struggling escort scraping by but actually a billionaire?! As Evangeline's jaw nearly hit the floor, the man chuckled. "Sweetheart, you have no idea how exhausting it was to keep up the act... or how long I've been searching for you. I've never been able to be around women, but you... you're my only cure." ***** Under the dim light, Evangeline Mercer's fingers glided over her smooth skin as she adjusted the delicate strap of her lingerie. Scarlet lace traced her soft curves, hugging her flawless skin. The subtle pink hue of her barely concealed peaks hinted at her youthful allure. She bit her lip shyly, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Today marked the one-year anniversary of her relationship with Elias. She had invited him over to her place, prepared an expensive gift, and decided that tonight, on this special occasion, she would give herself to him. To surprise him, she had told him she was staying late at school to submit her thesis. In reality, she had come home early, slipped into the sexy lingerie she had bought weeks ago, and waited for him to return, expecting him to be disappointed at first, only to be stunned when she appeared. She looked forward to his reaction. The surprise, the passion, the night of heated romance they would share... Wrapping a satin ribbon around her fingers, she skillfully tied a bow at the front of her lingerie. The lace fluttered gently with her movements, and her heartbeat pounded against her ribs. Finally, the bow was tied. A trail of dark red rose petals stretched from the living room to the bedroom—a subtle yet deliberate invitation. Then came the sound of a key turning in the lock. Evangeline's breath hitched. Elias was back! With a playful smile, she ducked under the bed, eager to catch his reaction. But instead of hearing a single set of footsteps, a second voice, soft and teasing, accompanied him. "Oh, stop it! You're so bad!" That sickly sweet voice made Evangeline freeze. She recognized it instantly: Celeste Whitmore. It was the very same Celeste who had tormented her throughout college. Vivid memories resurfaced: Celeste and her clique trapping her in the restroom, dousing her in filthy water, laughing at her misery. And now Elias was fooling around with Celeste?! A hollow emptiness spread through her chest. Her legs went weak, fear gripping her throat like an iron vice, rendering her unable to think. Her mind went blank. Almost instinctively, she scrambled deeper under the bed before the bedroom door was pushed open. She bit down hard on her lip, her nails digging into her palm as she stifled the urge to make a sound. Then, she heard them. Elias and Celeste, whispering and giggling as they entered the bedroom. "You're really bold, bringing me to Evangeline's place," Celeste purred with a smug lilt in her voice. "That's what makes it thrilling, baby." The unmistakable sound of fabric tearing filled the air, followed by the faint creak of the bedframe and the lewd rhythm of their heavy breathing. They were having s*x on her bed! A chill seeped through the thin fabric of Evangeline's lingerie as she lay curled up under the bed, her body trembling from the shock. Her breath caught as Celeste's moans rang through the room. "Yes... Harder! So good! Tell me, who's better? Me or Evangeline?" Evangeline stiffened. She held her breath, waiting for Elias' response. "Of course, it's you, babe! That prude? She's as dull as a rock!" Like a knife stabbing straight into her heart, his words slashed through her. Anger. Heartbreak. Disbelief. A flood of emotions crashed over her, but in the end, only one remained: determination. This was beyond betrayal. It was humiliation. No. She wouldn't sit here and take it. She would get revenge. She must let everyone learn about their revolting affair. Moving stealthily, Evangeline slipped out from under the bed, grabbed a coat, and draped it over her lingerie-clad body. The sight of the entangled bodies and the obscene sounds burned into her mind, fueling her rage. With trembling fingers, she lifted her phone, switched on the camera, and aimed it at the disgraceful display. Then, in a sharp, furious voice, she declared, "Elias, you son of a b***h!" Elias' head snapped toward her, his face instantly draining of color. He scrambled off Celeste in a panic, stammering, "Evangeline, w-why are you here?!" "Why am I here?" she snapped, voice dripping with venom. "Oh, I don't know, maybe to catch my boyfriend screwing the b***h who used to bully me!" Celeste paled when she saw Evangeline holding her phone, her voice turning pleading. "Please, don't film..." Elias finally saw what Evangeline was doing. Hastily tugging on his pants, he roared, "Evangeline! Put that down! Have you lost your mind?!" Evangeline smirked, unfazed. With a casual tap, she switched from camera mode to video recording. "Oh, I'm not putting this down. You two deserve to be immortalized." Ensuring the image was clear, she hit stop and flipped the screen toward them. "Watch carefully." She navigated to UniLink, their school forum, started a new post, and without hesitation, uploaded the minute-long clip of their explicit entanglement. Then, with the two still frozen in shock, she grinned and hit the post. "You—!" "Evangeline!" Celeste and Elias shrieked in horror. They had never expected Evangeline to go this far. "What's the matter?" she taunted. "Didn't think you'd be going viral today? Out! Both of you!" Celeste frantically checked her phone as notifications flooded in, her face draining as she read the rapidly growing stream of disgusted comments. She was one of the most popular girls on campus. If this video actually went viral, her reputation would rot in no time. "Evangeline, take it down!" Celeste shrieked, lunging for the phone. Evangeline dodged smoothly, and as Celeste swung at her, she caught her wrist. Then, with a loud smack, Evangeline slapped her hard. Celeste staggered backward, clutching her swollen cheek, eyes wide in disbelief. She stammered, her voice trembling and weak, "Y-you hit me?!" Evangeline sneered. "What, you think you deserve sympathy?" Elias immediately rushed forward. "If you weren't such a prude, I wouldn't have slept with someone else! This is your fault!" Hearing his words, Evangeline trembled with rage. She didn't know why, but ever since she was young, she had struggled with physical intimacy. It was difficult for her to let anyone get too close. Even after dating for over a year, she and Elias had never gone beyond holding hands and hugging. Elias had once claimed to understand and respect her boundaries. But in the end, his true color came out. Just as he was about to continue insulting her, his gaze suddenly dropped. Beneath her coat, a glimpse of scarlet lace peeked through. Elias was stunned. Then, he noticed the rose petals scattered across the floor. Realization hit him like a freight train. Tonight... Evangeline had been planning to give herself to him. The fury on his face evaporated, replaced by a tangled mess of regret and elation. "Eva, baby, I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that." His voice wavered, tripping over itself. "I just... I wanted you so badly, so I lost control. Please forgive me, okay?" Evangeline had no patience for his pathetic groveling. She stepped toward him, stopping just inches away, her gaze sharp with undisguised disgust. "Forgive you?" Her lips curled in contempt. "Elias, you make me sick." The next second, two crisp, merciless slaps landed across his face. "We. Are. Done. Now get the hell out of my house!"