This kind of "indifference" was always the most alluring to Julian Ford, a golden boy who was used to being chased.
Having chosen her outfit, Elena Bennett felt her tension ease.
After freshening up, she sank into the soft, luxurious bed.
Closing her eyes, she replayed every possible scenario of her "chance encounter" the next day, along with every detail of her response, over and over in her mind.
Her thoughts were chaotic, and it was a long time before she finally drifted off to sleep.
Perhaps because she'd been so anxious and slept late, when she woke the next day, bright sunlight streamed through the window—it was already midday.
Elena Bennett stretched lazily, then headed downstairs for an exquisite lunch.
Afterward, remembering something, she went to the gaming room and logged into *End of Epoch*.
Sure enough, [Damon]'s profile picture was lit up.
She quickly typed a line.
[Stray]: Busy these two days, might not be online.
Without waiting for a reply, she logged out of the game decisively, nipping any possible follow-up questions from Damon Vega in the bud.
Maintaining the aura of a top-tier, mysterious pro was non-negotiable.
Next came the main event: getting ready.
She slipped into the champagne-gold gown, its soft, supple fabric hugging her curves perfectly.
Then she styled her long hair into loose, voluminous waves that looked effortless but were actually carefully arranged.
Her makeup followed the plan from the night before: a sheer, natural base to highlight her delicate features, and a dusty rose lip gloss that lent her a soft, warm glow.
When she finished, the woman in the mirror was elegant and poised, radiating a quiet, independent light—unrecognizable from the old Elena Bennett.
Glancing at the time, which was nearing evening, Elena Bennett picked up her matching clutch.
To be safe, she didn't ask Housekeeper Clara to arrange a car—after all, Clara worked for Julian Ford, and her whereabouts could easily be leaked.
Instead, she quietly called a ride and headed straight for "Twilight".
As the car drove through the city at dusk, she watched the neon lights flash by, took a deep breath, tamped down her scheming thoughts, and schooled her expression.
"Twilight" glowed with neon at the entrance, music drifting faintly from inside.
Elena Bennett paid the fare and stepped inside.
Deafening music and noisy chatter enveloped her instantly. Under the hazy lights, the dance floor was a blur of moving bodies, and the air smelled of alcohol and perfume.
She didn't linger, walking straight to the host stand and saying clearly, "A table in the general seating area, please."
Choosing a general table instead of a private booth was intentional—it increased her chances of being "accidentally spotted".
Private booths were too secluded, but the general seating area was a constant stream of people, the perfect stage to stage a "chance encounter".
A server led her to a quiet corner table.
She ordered several bottles of expensive red wine, and once they were served, she waved the server away.
Clear wine poured into the glass, catching the light beautifully.
Elena Bennett didn't take a sip right away, instead confirming in her mind: "System, where exactly is Julian Ford?"
[Target (Julian Ford) is currently in private booth V-08 on the second floor. According to monitoring, the party has not yet arrived, and others will enter in approximately 5 to 10 minutes.]
Elena Bennett lifted her glass, swirling it gently, a glint flashing in her eyes.
The timing was perfect. Everyone in their circle knew the original Elena had obsessed over Julian Ford, and almost all of his friends recognized her.
When the people joining Julian in booth V-08 saw her drinking alone, they'd almost certainly tell him about it as a funny story.
Relaxed, she took small sips of her wine, carefully controlling her intake.
She wanted enough alcohol to flush her cheeks and look tipsy, but not so much that she lost consciousness.
After a few glasses, a lovely blush bloomed on her cheeks, and she deliberately let her eyes go hazy.
Resting one hand on her forehead, she swirled her glass idly with the other, staring blankly at the dance floor. She exuded an air of loneliness, melancholy, and fragile vulnerability.
However, this pose didn't just catch the eye of people entering the door—it also drew a dark, brooding gaze from a corner.
It was a teenager in a server's uniform, whose handsome features couldn't be hidden, his eyes holding a weariness and struggle far beyond his years.
His name was Silas Carter. Desperate to pay for his grandmother's urgent surgery, he'd worked up the courage to apply at "Twilight".
The manager, seeing how good-looking he was, had put him on the "male escort" roster.
But Silas couldn't stand the overly intimate touches and teasing from the women, and he'd chased off several customers in a row.
Not only had he earned nothing, he'd just been slapped hard by an angry female guest.
His cheek still throbbed, and his grandmother's medical bills were nowhere to be found.
In his despair, he noticed Elena Bennett in the corner booth.
She was alone, wearing an expensive dress, drinking costly wine. Even surrounded by noise, she seemed separated by an invisible barrier, wrapped in an aura of distance and fragility.
In one glance, an indescribable feeling struck him.
He glanced at the expensive bottles on her table—any one of them would cover his grandmother's surgery costs.
A wild, bold thought popped into his head: If it was her… he'd do anything she asked.
Silas clenched his fists, summoning every ounce of courage he had, and walked to Elena Bennett's table.
Leaning down, he stammered:
"Miss… Excuse me… Do you… do you need company? Or… would you be willing to keep me? I just need to borrow a million dollars, I'll pay you back, I swear!"
Elena Bennett, who'd been fully focused on playing the part of a drunk woman waiting for her mark, jumped at the sudden voice.
She blinked hazily at the brooding, strikingly handsome teenager in front of her, stunned. Great, Julian Ford hadn't shown up, but she'd gotten a teenager begging to be kept instead?
As a newly wealthy "rookie sugar mama", she'd never dealt with a situation like this, and for a moment, she was completely at a loss.