Shawn left the room with a sleazy grin, as if he had received a royal decree.
In no time, seven or eight women dressed in black and red maid outfits flooded into the private room.
Noticing that the drinks were running low, Shawn scanned the room and snapped his fingers at a woman in a black and white maid outfit.
"Room 18, bring some drinks over!"
"Got it." Julia promptly returned to the bar, filled her tray with drinks, and headed to Room 18.
Since it was her first time there, she had no idea where Room 18 was and spent quite a while searching for it.
When she finally walked in, her view was immediately blocked by the seven or eight women in black and red maid outfits.
Taking a deep breath, she knew what was about to happen here and planned to drop off the drinks and leave as quickly as possible.
As she maneuvered around the other maids, she caught sight of the man sitting in the center of the sofa, and her composure shattered.
Harry Edwards.
She had never imagined she would see Harry in such a place. Running into her long-time lover here was beyond awkward.
Luckily, she was wearing a mask and a maid outfit, so Harry probably wouldn't recognize her.
From the moment she first met Harry, he had always been the epitome of a gentleman—educated, refined, sometimes distant, but always exceptionally kind to her.
Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would one day see Harry in a place like this, picking women as if he were selecting concubines!
Here, the women could be taken out for the night!
They stood in a line, waiting.
"What are you standing around for? Bring the drinks over!" Shawn yelled at Julia.
Julia snapped out of her daze and quickly walked over to the table.
The table was quite low, so she had to crouch down to place the drinks on it.
Linda had instructed her that if the guests in the private room wanted drinks, she should fill the tray to the brim. Guests in private rooms liked to show off, and even if there were too many drinks, they wouldn't ask her to take them back.
So, her tray was filled with drinks, and she placed them on the table one by one.
"So, Brother Harry, what do you think of these girls?" Shawn asked, seeking approval from Harry.
Harry shook his head. "Not impressed. They're all the same."
Shawn seemed a bit deflated. "Brother Harry, they're wearing masks. How can you tell they're not good?"
At July Blossom Nightclub, the rule was that any maid accompanying the guests, whether taken out or not, had to be paid for if her mask was removed. It was usually a blind selection.
The guests seemed to enjoy the blind selection, as it felt like a lottery to them.
Harry sneered and beckoned Shawn closer with a finger. "You can tell just by looking at their eyes. You've seen so many women, and you still can't tell? Look at these girls. Their eyes are all about money. How can they serve anyone well?"
Hearing this, Julia felt a chill in her heart. So, Harry had seen through countless people!
She thought, he must have played with all the women here, right?
Heh...
Julia felt once again that she must be blind!
Shawn shook his head, "Only those who have served others can serve well. If you haven't, you won't know how to do it."
"That's exactly why it's interesting. Training is trendy now, don't you know?"
Shawn burst into laughter, "I get it, I get it."
As he stood up, Julia was placing the last glass on the table. She accidentally knocked it over, spilling some wine onto Shawn.
"Are you blind?!"
Julia Avery immediately stood up, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! This one is on the house!"
She quickly turned to leave.
"Stop." A deep, powerful voice came from behind her.
She knew that voice all too well.
That voice had called her "Julia" for five years, whispering countless sweet nothings in her ear.
Julia closed her eyes, bit her lip, and turned around, but kept her head down, afraid that Harry would recognize her.
"Lift your head," Harry commanded.
Julia didn't move.
"Did you hear that?! Our brother Harry told you to lift your head!" Shawn barked.
"Hey! Be gentle with the little sister," Julia said softly, lifting her head. Her clear and bright eyes met Harry's gaze.
Harry was stunned.
Those eyes looked so much like Julia's!
Years ago, when seventeen-year-old Julia first appeared before him, it was those clear and bright eyes that captivated him. In that instant, he felt an overwhelming desire to protect her.
And that instant turned into five years.
Shawn glanced at Julia, then at Harry Edwards. "Brother Harry, why don't you find someone to keep you company tonight?"
His words snapped Harry back to reality.
He looked at Julia again. At first glance, he thought she was Julia, but upon closer inspection, he realized she wasn't.
Julia had a slightly round face with a hint of baby fat, whereas this woman's face was almost devoid of flesh, and her chin was much sharper.
He had forgotten that he hadn't seen Julia for over a year.
Life's hardships had changed Julia. She later learned that losing weight could indeed sharpen one's chin.
Besides, how could Julia possibly come to a place like this?
That conservative woman—if it were a few years back, she might have even bound her feet. How could she ever step foot in a nightclub?
"Send all the other women away, leave her," Harry said, pointing at Julia.
The maids in black and red uniforms left one by one, looking disappointed.
"Brother Harry, are you going to enjoy it yourself, or is this for President Butler?" Shawn asked cautiously.
"It's for President Butler."
Having worked with Harry for many years, Shawn had seen Julia before. After a few visits to the nightclub, he noticed that every woman Harry chose had some resemblance to Julia. Sometimes it was the eyes, sometimes the nose, and sometimes the chin...
"Understood."
"I don't entertain guests," Julia said in a low voice. As a drama student, voice training was a required course for her. She deliberately lowered her voice, hoping Harry wouldn't recognize her.
Shawn sneered coldly, "Little girl, Brother Harry taking a liking to you is your good fortune!"
"Don't talk to the young lady like that! What if you scare her?" Harry raised his hand and beckoned Julia over. "Come here and have a drink with me, at least."
Julia stood still, knowing full well that as a waitress here, accompanying guests for drinks was part of her job. She couldn't refuse.
Julia lowered her head and remained motionless.
Harry picked up a glass of wine, and as he did, a small white pill slipped from his palm into the glass. He swirled the drink a few times.
"What's the matter? Not giving me any face? Don't worry, it's just a drink. I won't make things difficult for you. You just remind me of my first love."