The Contracted Mistress

Chapter 3 | The Social Scene in Public: The First Public Humiliation

Three days later in the evening, Natalie stood in her dressing room and looked at herself in the mirror.

The professional stylist had just left, leaving her in perfect condition. A deep blue VALENTINO couture gown perfectly framed the curves of her body, and around her neck was a million-dollar diamond necklace - Elijah's first gift to her, or rather, a prop to mark her status.

"Nervous?" Elijah appeared in the doorway, dressed in a dark black tuxedo, handsome as a male model out of a magazine.

"A little." She admitted honestly. Tonight was her first public appearance as Elijah's date and her first step back into high society.

Elijah came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. The two were so perfect in the mirror, like a match made in heaven.

"Remember," he whispered in her ear, "you're not just representing yourself tonight, but me as well. Don't let me down."

There was a warning in his words that made Natalie's heart race. She knew the importance of tonight, not only was it the beginning of her return, but it was also a public test of their partnership.

The most exclusive hotel in Beverly Hills, where the elite of California's business community gathered. It was the annual charity auction dinner and a showcase for the upper class to show off their wealth and status.

When Natalie steps into the ballroom on Elijah's arm, the entire hall instantly falls silent.

All eyes were focused on her, with shock, curiosity, jealousy, and malice.

"My God, isn't that the Harper's daughter?" "Why is she with President Chase?" "I heard that Harper Group went bankrupt, what is she living on now?"

The whispers came in like a tidal wave, and Natalie straightened her spine and maintained her elegant smile. She could feel the strong aura of the man beside her, which gave her a lot of security.

"President Chase!" A reporter quickly gathered around, "Can you please introduce us to this beautiful lady?"

Natalie held her breath, waiting for Elijah's answer. This was a crucial moment, his words would determine her future status in this circle.

"She was brought to me." Elijah spoke lightly, his tone too calm to hear any emotion.

That was it?Natalie's heart sank. The formal introduction she'd been expecting hadn't happened, and Elijah hadn't even given her any clear position of identity.

The reporters were clearly not satisfied with this answer, "So may I ask, what is your relationship with this young lady?"

"No comment." Elijah coldly refused to answer and then led Natalie deeper into the ballroom.

His attitude made it clear to everyone in the room - this woman was, in all likelihood, just his plaything.

"Natalie Harper!" a shrill voice rang out as Emily Windsor approached in a white gown with a falsely sweet smile on her face, "What a surprise to see you here."

Emily Windsor, the jewel of the Windsor family and Elijah's nominal ex-fiancée. Although the engagement had long since been called off, she had never given up on the idea of regaining Elijah's favor.

"Emily," Natalie greeted her with a polite nod, "you look beautiful tonight."

"Thanks for the compliment." Emily's smile was even sweeter, but the malice in her eyes was undisguised, "I'm not even close to you though. After all, you are now ...... Well, how should I describe it?"

She purposely paused so that those around her could hear her next words, "A lady with a more specialized nature of work?"

There were low jeers from around the room and Natalie felt her cheeks burn.Emily was implying that she was Elijah's mistress, a woman who traded her body for money.

"Emily, watch your language." Elijah frowned in warning, but there wasn't much anger in his voice.

"Did I say something wrong?" Emily blinked her big, innocent eyes, "A bankrupt millennial, suddenly beaming up to appear at an occasion like this, and as the female companion of some successful man ......"

The more she said, the more excessive her words became, and the number of onlookers around her increased. Everyone was waiting for a good show to see this upper class tearing battle.

"Everyone knows that some jobs are billed by the hour, some by the day, and some ......" Emily lifted her wine glass and smiled more and more viciously, "are billed by the night."

"Enough." Natalie finally spoke, her voice calm but chilling.

"What? Annoyed at being told off?" Emily gloated, "And rightly so, after all, that's really the only face you have left to trade for money these days."

At that moment, Emily "accidentally" threw the red wine in her hand at Natalie.

"Oops! I'm so sorry!" She apologized falsely, "I really didn't mean it! It's a shame about such a beautiful dress, but it's okay, I'm sure with your current 'income' you'll be able to afford a new one soon."

Red wine spilled onto the dark blue dress, leaving a blinding trail. Snickers erupted in the ballroom as everyone watched her laugh.

Natalie stood there, feeling the tidal wave of humiliation in her heart as she felt everyone's malicious stares.

She turned her head to Elijah, hoping that he would speak up for himself, or at least show a little guilt.

But he just stared coldly, as if none of this mattered to him. His eyes were unfathomable, as if he was testing her, and as if he was enjoying her mess.

Natalie looked at him deeply and suddenly realized something.

This was the path she had chosen. Since she wanted revenge, she had to suffer humiliation. Since she wanted to use this man, she had to accept his cold blood.

She took a deep breath and gave Emily a graceful smile.

"Thanks for the reminder." Her voice carried clearly across the room, "Indeed, I'm earning good money from my current job."

She paused for a moment, her eyes sweeping over everyone in the room before finally settling on Emily:

"After all, there are people willing to pay a very high price for me. And ......" her smile became more dangerous, "it's still the price for a night out."

The room was instantly quiet.

The answer was too bold, too revealing, but at the same time too dominating. Not only did she not deny Emily's accusation, but she admitted it in an almost provocative way.

This kind of broken attitude instead surprised those who were ready to see her make a fool of herself.

Emily's face flushed a shade of red and white, clearly not expecting Natalie to respond in such a manner.

Elijah looked at the woman beside him with a flash of unexpected admiration in his eyes.

Perhaps he did underestimate her.

"Well, enough drama?" Natalie turned to face the crowd, her voice calm and clear, "I know you're all curious about my current state of life. Let me tell you all clearly then - yes, the Harper Group is bankrupt, my father is in jail, and I do need to support myself on my own."

Her words brought silence to the scene once again.

"But," her voice suddenly sharpened, "the manner in which I support myself seems to be none of your business. At least, I'm not living off my parents' money at thirty and relying on my family's reputation to make it in the social scene like some people."

This was a clear dig at Emily. although the Windsor family had money, Emily herself was nothing but a spendthrift, a total trophy case who depended on her family for her survival.

Emily's face went completely white.

"Finally," Natalie smiled as she raised a fresh glass of wine handed to her by a waiter, "I'd like to thank everyone for their attention tonight. I'll remember every face and every word."

There was a distinctly threatening undertone to her words that made everyone in the room feel uneasy.

This woman, it seemed, was even more dangerous than they had imagined.