Chapter 552: Chapter 552



Lina found herself in dire straits financially. Were it not for Shawn’s presence, she might have acquiesced. Yet, despite her dwindling pride, she refused to allow him the satisfaction of witnessing her descent into such desperation.

“I truly can’t, sir. I need to attend to other rooms. I’ll be leaving now.”

“Are you showing me disrespect?” The man roughly pulled Lina back, grabbing her hair and forcing her to look up. “Cease the pretense! I’m investing a considerable amount here. What’s stopping you from enjoying a drink?” He sneered. “Even if I asked you to sleep with me, it would be justified!”

Lina neither screamed nor shouted; she simply endured the humiliation in stoic silence, drinking in forced resignation.

From Shawn’s perspective, her face illuminated by the vibrant lights was profoundly poignant, and the solitary tear cascading from the corner of her eye deepened the tragic tableau. After swallowing a glass of potent liquor, Lina could no longer suppress a cough.

The man scoffed. “Ah, see? You can indeed drink! Since you’re employed here, it’s time to stop feigning innocence.”

Shawn interjected calmly, “That’s quite enough. Shall we return to the matter at hand? I’m not here to witness you harass the staff.”

Lina recognized Shawn’s intervention and, grateful, offered a silent thanks as she covered her mouth and exited the room, her head bowed in modesty.

Once outside, overwhelmed by the situation, she could no longer hold back her tears.

After concluding his business, Shawn prepared to leave. As he made his way to the parking lot, Lina appeared unexpectedly. She had changed from her revealing uniform into more modest attire and had removed her makeup, looking significantly more fatigued.

“Thank you for earlier,” she said quietly.

Shawn remained unperturbed. “I didn’t do it for your sake; I simply wanted to avoid wasting my time.”

“Lina sniffled, “Shawn, you are genuinely a nice person. I apologize for what transpired back then.” She bowed deeply to him.

Shawn could have easily walked away, but he didn’t want Lina to think he still held resentment toward her. “It’s all behind us. I hold no concern for what happened before, and you needn’t apologize,” he said, taking out his car keys as the Porsche’s lights flashed.

“Shawn.” Lina halted him, her fingers anxiously entwined.

“May I request a favor from you?”

“What is it?”

“Would you be willing to lend me some money?” Lina gazed at Shawn with palpable anxiety. “My mother is hospitalized with stomach cancer. I am burdened with substantial debt and responsible for a child. I simply cannot manage it all.”

In contrast, Shawn now seemed to occupy a considerably more elevated position. Lina had only recently realized that after enduring poverty for so long, dignity had become inconsequential.

Shawn remained silent for a few moments, as if contemplating the veracity of Lina’s words.

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