Grace Clark smiled and asked, “So, do you have any plans?”

A light appeared in Hazel’s eyes as she said, “I don’t want to do this job forever. I want to save up money to buy my freedom, listen to your advice, and maybe start a small business in the future.”

Grace Clark nodded and said, “That’s great. When the time comes, remember to let me know. I’ll make sure to support your business often.”

Hazel smiled and said, “Then I’ll thank you in advance, sir.”

Her eyes, like peach blossoms, gazed intently at Grace Clark, with a hint of emotion flickering in them.

In all the years she had fallen to the life of a courtesan, this was the first time she had met such a guest.

Unlike those who only wanted her body, he simply held her hand gently, talked with her, his actions never the least bit improper, his gaze never lewd. He would urge her to forget the past, and help her plan for the future...

In these dark years of Hazel’s life, he was the only ray of light that had shone into her world.

Hazel’s heart began to race. It had been a long time since her heart beat like this. The last time was three years ago, when she sat by the window on the second floor and saw a very handsome young man riding a white horse pass by on the street below.

After that, the young man appeared in her dreams many times, stirring feelings she could not express.

Compared to that time, Hazel’s heart was beating even more fiercely now.

Her cheeks flushed red, she gripped Grace Clark’s hand tightly, unconsciously pressed her legs together, looked into his eyes, and said with deep emotion, “Sir...”

At that moment, Grace Clark suddenly stood up and apologized, “Sorry, I just remembered there’s something important I need to do. Let’s end here for today. I look forward to the day when Hazel becomes a business owner...”

Hazel sat there in a daze, her feelings suddenly doused.

“Chirp chirp...”

Just then, the thrush in the birdcage by the window called out twice.

To others, it was just an ordinary bird call, but to Grace Clark, it was clearly a human voice.

“Hehe, little master is leaving, come on, give grandpa a smile...”

Grace Clark had already reached the door, but suddenly stopped, then slowly turned his head and gave a slight smile to the thrush in the cage.

“Chirp!”

The thrush in the cage seemed startled, let out a sharp cry, its feathers puffed up all at once, and it shrank into the corner of the cage.

……

Downstairs at Pin Fang Pavilion.

Grace Clark walked out of the brothel, then stopped and looked back.

This should be his last time coming here. He hoped that someday soon, that unfortunate girl could change her fate and start a new life.

Then he turned around, preparing to head home.

At the moment he turned, a white figure appeared in Grace Clark’s sight.

She stood just a few steps ahead of Grace Clark, looking at him with icy eyes.

The temperature around them dropped sharply. Within ten meters, everyone except Grace Clark couldn’t help but pull their clothes tighter.

Grace Clark’s vision blurred, and his collar was suddenly grabbed by the woman in white. Looking into her cold, piercing eyes, Grace Clark swallowed hard and said with difficulty, “Let me explain...”

He had barely finished speaking when Hazel’s head poked out from the second-floor window, calling out to Grace Clark, “Sir, remember to come see me often! I—I won’t charge you...”

Grace Clark couldn’t explain anymore.

The next moment, his vision suddenly brightened.

He saw, just a few steps ahead, several figures in armor approaching.

They were patrolling guards. He didn’t believe that, in front of them, this woman would dare lay a hand on him.

Grace Clark waved frantically at the guards, shouting loudly, “Help! Help! Someone is committing violence in the street!”

The armored patrol guards heard him and immediately strode over.

“Who dares to commit violence in the capital!” the leader shouted angrily, but then his companion tugged at his sleeve. The guard’s face turned pale and he stammered, “I think it’s her...”

“Hiss!”

The man in front took a closer look, gasped, and stepped back several paces.

Then, the two exchanged glances and looked up at the sky.

“Heh, the weather’s pretty nice today.”

“Yes, yes...”

“Nothing much going on here, let’s check the next street.”

“Let’s go, let’s go...”

……

The two patrol guards scrambled away, disappearing from sight in just a few breaths, leaving Grace Clark dumbfounded.

After a moment’s daze, he understood what was going on.

Clearly, the woman in white before him was not someone they could afford to provoke.

And Grace Clark was even less able to.

He slowly turned his gaze to the woman in white, noticing her expression had grown even more hostile.

Grace Clark gave up struggling, took a deep breath, and said, “I have only one request—just not here.”

A short while later, in a deserted alley near Pin Fang Pavilion.

Grace Clark’s arms were twisted behind his back, pinned against the wall by the woman in white. He struggled to explain, “This really is a misunderstanding. I didn’t do anything. If you don’t believe me, you can ask them...”

The woman in white said coldly, “You went to a brothel and did nothing? Do you think I’ll believe that!”

“I was there on serious business!”