Chapter 28 Survival Was Her Ultimate Priority
46 Pearls
Mikayla’s gaze grew colder the longer she observed Mabel. There was something about her that seemed off, something hidden beneath the surface.
“Ms. Mikayla, I’ll go have my dinner now,” Mabel said, breaking the silence. Club Royale provided staff meals every evening. and noticing the time, she excused herself and left for her break:
After finishing the rest of her shift. Mabel returned to the employee dormitory at Northbury Residences.
Inside, Miranda, her roommate, had already returned. As soon as Mabel entered the room, Miranda stood up quickly, her expression anxious. “Mabel…
Mabel merely nodded and bypassed her, heading straight for the bedroom.
“Mabel, tell me. Is it true?” she exclaimed, her voice cracking with urgen
Battled. Mabel looked toward Miranda.
Mabel froze in the doorway as Miranda continued, her voice laced with disbelief. “The things people are saying about you. that you’ve been groveling for money. Tell me it’s not true. Please tell me they made it up.”
It felt as though a massive hammer had struck Mabel’s heart her tense body wavered slightly before she regained her composure. She then cast a nonchalant glance at Miranda and responded. “What they said is true.”
“Everything they said was true?” Miranda’s voice quivered, her eyes widening with disbelief. “Mabel, I never thought you were this kind of person. How could you sell yourself out for money? When they were badmouthing you, I defended you! How could you do something so shameless? You’re not the person I thought you were!”
Mabel stood motionless at the doorway, quietly absorbing the barrage of accusations like raindrops in a storm. Yet, instead of breaking under the weight of Miranda’s words, she offered a serene smile.
Miranda’s voice grew shrill with disbelief. “Why are you smiling? How can you even smile? Mabel, are you so desperate for money that you’d do anything? Is money really that important to you?”
Mabel, her face calm, Mabel, her face calm, fixed her gaze on the agitated young girl, her eyes as calm as a deep, untroubled lake, met Miranda’s agitated gaze without flinching. “If money isn’t important to you, then why did you come to Club Royaler Mabel asked slowly, her tone eerily neutral, as though she was pointing out the obvious.
“L” Miranda’s expression shifted. “It’s not the same! I came to Club Royale to work as a waitress, just serving plates. You know my family situation: I’m only trying to earn enough for tuition and living expenses. As she spoke, the way she looked at Mabel was as though she were filthy. “I would never be like you. I have boundaries. Id never do anything for money. You have no dignity at all!”
Mabel responded with another faint grin. Miranda might have claimed she had no dignity, but that wasn’t entirely true. She had made a firm decision not to touch alcohol, but more than anything, her ultimate priority was survival.
When someone had been reduced to such a low point, survival became the only priority that mattered
Mabel gazed at Miranda’s youthful, hopeful face and silently admired the promising future that lay ahead of her. Deep down, though, she knew that such a life was something she could never attain.
“Why are you still smiling?” Miranda stamped her foot, frustration boiling over. “No amount of money you earn is worth anything, Mabel Jennings, because everyone will look down on you! Even those escorts who sell themselves to sugar daddies have more class than you. What you’ve done shows you have no self–respect. How do you expect others to respect you?
She scoffed, turning away without a second glance. Mabel stood frozen for a moment before retreating to her bedrooni.. Miranda’s words still echoing in her mind. “I’m only trying to earn enough for tuition and living expenses. I would never be like you. I have limits. I’d never do anything for money.
Mabel couldn’t help but smile wryly. I’m also working to survive. To pay for a place to sleep, to afford food, so I don’t end up begging on the streets. What else should matter more than thatt
Had she known that meddling in Miranda’s affairs back in Suite 606 would lead to such a mess today, she wondered if she would have acted differently. I could go back in time, L-
As thoughts swirled in her mind, she eventually drifted off to sleep.
10:09 AM
Chapter 28 Survival Was Her Ultimate Priority
The moment she opened her eyes, she realized she was already at the hospital,
“You’re awake.”
48 Pearls
Mabel slowly opened her eyes and softly called out, “Ms. Mikayla, where are we?” Her voice was hoarse, each word strained with pain.
“Hospital,” Mikayla replied, slicing an apple with practiced ease. She speared a piece with a toothpick and held it out to Mabel. “Come on, eat something first.”
Mabel was caught off guard by this sudden display of care. It felt unfamiliar, but she obediently took the slice, chewing slowly. “Ms. Mikayla, how did I end up in the hospital?”
Mikayla’s expression tightened, frustration flickering in her eyes at Mabel’s question. “How did you end up here? I should be asking you that. How long have you had that high fever? If I hadn’t noticed your absence from work and rushed over, who knows what could have happened? You might have succumbed to the fever in that dormitory without anyone even realizing
