Beneath Her Gilded Mask

Chapter 3 The Professional Stand-In

Four months ago, at a high-end club, a conversation unfolded.

"Mr. Moore, once this dance is over, our deal will be finished," Calista said in a cold and distant voice.

She wore a sharply tailored white suit, her straight hair pulled up into a high bun, with a few stray strands softly falling around her long neck. Her appearance radiated a refined, almost aloof elegance that felt completely out of place in this decadent, indulgent environment.

Across from her stood Dustin Moore, the notorious businessman known for his ruthless methods. His eyes were locked on Calista, a smirk playing on his lips. He replied, "Of course, I'm a man of my word."

Calista gave a slight nod but remained silent, yet a deep disgust bubbled inside her. This man was the most repulsive person she'd ever had to deal with.

After all, who would enjoy watching someone they loved being desecrated, and worse, enjoying it?

Calista was an actress, specializing in playing the unattainable, idealized love interests—the kind of "perfect woman" who was always just out of reach for those rich and powerful men, known in the industry as a professional stand-in.

She had once been the beloved young lady of a prestigious family, adored and pampered. But fate had played its cruel tricks on her. In one night, she went from being the family's precious jewel to an abandoned, discarded daughter.

Not only that, but her former family also saddled her with a debt of nearly a billion dollars.

To survive and pay off the crippling debt, she entered this industry.

Dustin's dream girl was a cold and untouchable top lawyer, the very picture of perfection.

Now, in this filthy club, Calista was about to fulfill Dustin's request to perform pole dancing to strip away that perfect image and turn it into something far darker. She was going to make his perfect, untouchable woman into a hellish nightmare.

With a quick movement, Calista walked toward the steel pole in the center of the stage.

As she touched it, the club's lights dimmed suddenly, leaving only one spotlight trained on her.

She gently placed her hands on the pole.

The deep thrum of the drums filled the room, and Calista rose onto her toes to finish a graceful spin. She climbed the pole, revealing her delicate ankles.

Dustin narrowed his eyes from the crowd, his gaze locked onto her every movement.

The guests around them fell into whispers. "Who is this woman? She's a damn enchantress."

"Word is, she's Mr. Moore's guest. But judging by her performance, she's not just anyone."

Calista wanted to get it over with, barely hearing the whispers below.

Her movements quickened with the drums. She expertly wrapped her legs around the pole, spinning faster and faster. With one hand, she unbuttoned her jacket and tossed it aside carelessly, revealing the tight, white lace slip dress underneath. The dress clung to her body, accentuating her slender waist and long legs, causing gasps from the crowd below.

"She looks aloof, but damn, when she dances, she's irresistible!" One voice, full of desire, rose above the others.

As the music reached its peak, Calista's movements became even more daring and wild. She gripped the pole tightly, her body arching back to spin rapidly. The fabric of her lace dress billowed in the air, creating a perfect mix of innocence and seduction.

In a dark corner of the club, a tall figure stood frozen, lost in the scene unfolding before him.

As the last note of the music played, Calista gripped the pole with one hand, her body hanging in the air. Slowly, her other hand slid down from her slender neck to her delicate collarbones and finally stopped just above the hem of her skirt.

She lowered her head slightly, her gaze slipping out from beneath her thick lashes, sending a look of endless seduction down to the crowd.

With just that one glance, the entire club seemed to erupt into madness.

Once the dance ended, Calista slipped on her jacket and said, "Mr. Moore, the deal's done. Don't forget to transfer the money to me."

"Of course." Dustin raised his eyebrows and watched her closely. "But after working together for three months, you're not going to refuse a drink from me, are you?"

Calista frowned at the champagne glass that was handed to her. But knowing Dustin's nature, she took it and downed the drink in one go.

"Is that enough?" She turned the empty glass upside down and gave it a little shake, showing not a drop was left.

Dustin flashed a meaningful smile and replied, "Of course."

After gathering her things, Calista stepped out of the club. The heat hit her all at once, and the streetlights blurred into a haze before her eyes.

She realized, too late, that she had been drugged.

The drug burned through her veins, and her consciousness was slipping away. Her legs felt weak, and she could barely keep herself upright.

She even thought she heard Dustin's voice behind her.

She knew she couldn't let this go on.

"Go... Hospital..." Calista tried to grab her phone, but her hands had no strength left.

Just as she was about to collapse, a tall figure appeared in her eyes.

The man was dressed in a sleek black suit, exuding an air of inherent nobility.

Somehow, Calista found the strength to grab his arm and begged, "Please... take me away."

She looked up, and her eyes locked with deep blue ones.

Baldwin paused for a second while staring at the woman in front of him. He noticed her eyes were dazed but still strikingly beautiful. He was a bit surprised that he wasn't repulsed by her touch.

After half a minute of hesitation, Baldwin gently lifted her up and started walking toward his car.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the cracks in the curtains, casting a warm glow over the lavish bed.

Calista slowly woke up, her head pounding like a drum. She instinctively moved, only to feel the warmth of a body next to hers.

Her heart skipped a beat. She widened her eyes and turned her head sharply.

Lying next to her was a man she didn't recognize, his broad back exposed, his sun-kissed skin glowing in the light.

Her pulse started racing. 'Oh God... what happened last night?'

Her mind flashed through the madness of the previous evening, and her face instantly turned bright red.

She carefully pulled the covers back, afraid to wake the man beside her.

Once she was out of bed, she scrambled around the room looking for her clothes. Her eyes fell on discarded underwear and a torn dress on the floor. She rushed over, grabbed them, and hastily put them on.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the suit on the floor, and it was from the famous brand Brioni!

'What the hell did I get myself into?' thought Calista with regret.