Sold: The Disgraced Heiress

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On my wedding night, my childhood sweetheart and fianc drugged me and threw me to his groomsmen.

The next day, the headlines exploded: Vaughn Heiresss Wild Night with Four Men.

My reputation was in ruins. My father threw me out of the house.

When my mother, her eyes red from crying, knelt and begged Alistair Sinclair to clear my name, his expression was chillingly indifferent.

Mrs. Vaughn, your daughters wild streak almost crippled Lila. She almost never walked again. Consider this a lesson Im teaching her for you.

Besides, he added, his voice dripping with contempt, she stole the life that should have been Lilas for years. Its time she paid it back.

My parents marriage was a business arrangement, a cold transaction that resulted in me. Lila, on the other hand, was the illegitimate daughter my father had with his mistress.

Alistairs words made my mother cough up blood. Tears of pure despair streamed down my face.

Two years later, to pay for my mothers burial, I became a go-go dancer at a nightclub.

When Alistair pushed through the doors, I was already on stage, caked in makeup, stripping down to the essentials.

Below me, a pack of men in masks sat in the VIP booths, their gazes hot and predatory.

I moved my body in a mindless, provocative rhythm, my face a blank mask under the strobing lights. The crowd roared.

Damn, this girl can move. Shes drenched in sweat and not even slowing down.

Of course. The dirtier she dances, the faster the drinks sell.

I heard shes been at it for two years. Drove the club owners wife to file for divorce. A real femme fatale.

I ignored the masked jackals and their crude fantasies. My eyes locked onto a man who had just entered, his face hidden by a golden mask.

The impeccable wool suit, the multi-million-dollar Rolex Submariner on his wristit all screamed wealth.

Our eyes met, and for a split second, I froze.

Then, a booming announcement echoed through the club.

Congratulations to Mr. Sinclair in booth 12 for hitting the one-million-dollar spending mark! We hope you have an unforgettable night at Serendipity!

A million-dollar tab. The dancers got a thousand-dollar cut.

I swayed my hips and shimmied my way toward my new benefactor.

So generous, Mr. Sinclair~ I purred. What can I do for you tonight? Hip-hop, K-pop, pole dancing I can do it all for you~

The man shook his head. He grabbed me, pulling me off the stage and pushing me down onto the table.

Drink all of this.

I just smiled, grabbed a glass, and started chugging, one after the other, without a word. After everything life had thrown at me, drinking with a client was nothing.

The harsh liquor trickled from my lips, soaking into my bikini top, making the curve of my breasts glisten under the lights. The men in the room stared, their breathing growing heavier. The man beside me was no exception.

He suddenly threw a thick wad of cash onto the table, the bills scattering across my chest.

A bill for a kiss. Ill pay you for every man in this room youre willing to kiss.

I couldnt read his expression behind the mask, but his voice was ice, leaving no room for argument.

I didnt refuse. I grabbed the nearest man and planted my lips on his.

When I pulled away, the room erupted in jeers.

Hey, Aurora, dont hold back now! A peck on the cheek doesnt count!

Yeah! When its my turn, you have to kiss me down here for it to count!

I ignored the filth, moving from man to man, only kissing the ones who would play along without being disgusting.

Enough!

The golden-masked mans voice cut through the noise. He shattered his glass in his fist.

You really have no shame, do you

He smirked. Since youre so willing, why dont you give everyone a real show? A full striptease. Like they do at the Crazy Horse.

A striptease? I froze, my body rigid.

But the catcalls from the crowd grew louder.

Whats wrong, Aurora? I thought youd do anything for a price!

Yeah, if you cant handle it, get out of the business!

Five hundred thousand. You in or out? a cold, familiar voice cut in again.

Five hundred thousand. It would pay off half of my mothers remaining medical debt. And I could finally move out of my basement hovel into a decent apartment.

My mind made up, I forced a seductive smile back onto my face and began to pose and preen for the man in the golden mask.

My hands moved slowly to the clasp of my bikini top.

Stop!

The man ripped off his mask and slammed it on the table, his eyes blazing with fury.

Youd take it all off for a measly five hundred thousand.

Aurora, when did you become so cheap?!

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

A bitter smile touched my lips. Of course it was him. Alistair Sinclair.

Cheap?

Had he forgotten who was the one who branded me a whore in the first place, plastering my name next to the headline A Wild Night with Four Men?

Before I could even process it, the club owners sweaty hand was on me.

Aurora! What the hell did you do? You just scared off my biggest client!

I scrambled back, re-fastening my top.

He started screaming at me. What are you doing? Dont bother with that! If you cant handle the clients here, you can start taking private bookings!

Private bookings. It meant going to a clients house, one-on-one, to dance, drink, and play. Since Id started this job, Id been with all kinds of men. The job description called it dancing and livening up the atmosphere. The reality was you were there to put on a show in their bedrooms.

The owner said some big shot was having a birthday and had requested me specifically.

Numbly, I changed into a leather miniskirt, styling myself to look both hot and submissive. My mothers final debts depended on this night. Before walking in, I even deliberately snagged my black stockings, making them easier to rip.

I put on my sweetest voice. Honey, Im here~

The door swung open.

And there he was. The same familiar figure.

Aurora? Are you so pathetic youre stalking me now? What, didnt get to finish your striptease at the club?

I was about to explain when a rich kid who was a regular at the club chimed in.

Alistair, my man! You two know each other?

I hired her specially for Lilas birthday party. For a little entertainment. Hot, right? Prettier than any celebrity.

Alistair froze for a second, then his voice dripped with undisguised scorn.

Oh, Ive been to that club. Shes a real star there. Willing to strip down to nothing for the right price. A rare talent, indeed.

The room filled with cruel laughter.

I looked down, my nails digging into my palms.

He wasnt always like this.

The Alistair I remembered saved the sweetest candy for me. He always took the blame for the trouble I caused. Even when he was burning with a fever, hed murmur, Aurora, Im so glad it was me who fell in the water, not you. Ill always protect you

The night before our wedding, he drove me out to see a once-in-a-century meteor shower.

So why, the very next day, was the entire internet screaming about what a desperate, disgusting slut I was?

The rich kid, thinking I must have offended Alistair, started pushing me toward the door.

If shes an eyesore, Alistair, Ill get rid of her right now.

Alistair crossed his arms, his voice casual. Forget it. Since its for Lilas birthday, let her stay and dance.

But that leather skirt has to go. Its hideous. No taste at all.

He shot me a look of disgust and kicked a clown costume lying on the floor toward me.

Here. Wear this.

The rich kids eyes lit up in understanding. Oh, I get it. Our boy Alistair is worried this one will steal the spotlight from his girlfriend. Dont worry, man, well all be clowns for the night.

Alistairs face darkened instantly.

Steal Lilas spotlight? Her? Dont make me laugh. Look at this filthy thing.

Now, every eye in the room was on me, filled with mocking curiosity, wondering how I had managed to piss off the citys golden boy.

I swallowed my humiliation, bent down, and picked up the clown costume. Without a word, I went to the bathroom to change.

Dressed in the ridiculous outfit, I danced at the lavish birthday party Alistair had thrown for Lila. I danced like a buffoon, making a fool of myself for their entertainment.

At the end, I was the one who had to carry out the birthday cake and sing my wishes to the guest of honor.

Lila, looking stunning, sliced into the cake and pointed at me, laughing so hard she had to hold her sides.

Alistair, darling, where did you find this clown? Shes absolutely hilarious!

Where do you think? Its your dear, disowned, pathetic excuse for a sister.

Alistairs words sent a wave of whispers through the crowd.

Oh, thats her? The one who had a night with four men? How does she still have the nerve to show her face

In that moment, with my face painted like a clown, I truly was one.

My smile was more painful than a sob.

Mr. Sinclair, the dance is over. If you could please settle the bill. Its ten thousand an hour.

Alistair snorted, rising to his feet and looming over me.

Whats this? Two years and the great Miss Vaughn has fallen on such hard times?

Does your mother know youre out here selling yourself?

A sharp pain lanced through my heart. My mother she was gone. She had died two years ago, right under his nose. What did it matter now if she knew? Did he even care?

I lowered my head, silent.

Alistairs long fingers gripped my chin, forcing my head up.

Mr. Sinclair, what are you doing

What am I doing? Im giving you a chance to please me. Youre so good at selling yourself, arent you? Please me, and Ill pay you ten thousand a second.

His cold, sharp cologne filled my senses. It was the scent of the pine forest we used to visit as children. He once promised he would always protect me. Now, he wanted me to please him.

I laughed, turning the tables and pressing him against the wall.

My voice was sickly sweet. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Sinclair~

The thin clown costume clung to my curves. I pressed my body against his, grinding mechanically, my hands roaming over his chest.

The crowd stared, stunned. Lilas face turned green with rage.

The seconds ticked by. Finally, Alistair couldnt take it anymore and shoved me away. The disgust in his eyes was overflowing.

When it comes to being a slut, no one does it better than you.

I nodded, my voice flat. Twenty-three and a half seconds. Lets round down. Thatll be two hundred and thirty thousand.

He choked, his eyes widening in disbelief. He sneered, threw a stack of cash in my face, and roared, Get out! And dont ever let me see you again.

I laughed at myself. As I walked out, Lila stepped in front of me.

Alistair, darling, since my sister is so desperate for money, why dont we help her out? And have a little fun at the same time?

Alistair, who had been frowning, suddenly relaxed. A cruel, playful glint entered his eyes.

Good idea. If shes such a good dancer, whats the point in her only dancing for us?

Get a few bums from off the street. Let her really shake it for them!