Chapter 285
Chapter 285:
She had left the camp for forty-eight hours, and even with permission, Manager Grace had gleefully revoked her access to the luxury suite. It was a petty punishment, a reminder of who held the leash.
She dragged her simple black roller bag toward the communal wing. It wasn’t the Louis Vuitton luggage she used to travel with. It was durable, anonymous, and fitting for her demotion. Other female trainees leaned against their doorframes, watching her pass. Their whispers were like the rustling of dry leaves.
“That’s her p>
“She’s back p>
“I heard Grace kicked her out of the penthouse suite p>
“Finally ran out of money to bribe management p>
Skye kept her eyes forward. Let them talk. Gossip was just free marketing.
As she passed the communal lounge, a shoulder slammed into hers. It wasn’t an accident. It was hard, bony, and deliberate. Skye stumbled slightly but caught her balance instantly, her core engaging. She turned.
Whitney stood there, arms crossed over her chest. She wore a pink tracksuit that looked deceptively casual but probably cost more than most people’s rent. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight, severe ponytail that pulled her eyes into a perpetual glare.
“Watch where you’re going, Sterling,” Whitney spat. “This isn’t a ballroom. You don’t own the floor p>
Skye adjusted the strap of her bag. She didn’t get angry. She didn’t have the energy for anger over something so petty.
“If I owned the floor, Whitney,” Skye said evenly, “I’d have it fumigated p>
Whitney’s jaw dropped, her face flushing a blotchy red.
Before she could retort, a sharp clap echoed through the hallway.
“Line up! Now p>
Manager Grace marched down the hall, her clipboard clutched to her chest like a shield. She smirked when she saw Skye standing amid the general population.
“Inspection in five minutes! The main investor is here! And Sterling, try not to embarrass us now that you’re back where you belong p>
Panic rippled through the trainees. Girls scrambled to fix their hair, to straighten their clothes. The main investor meant money. It meant careers could be made or ended in a glance.
𝗥𝗲a𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗁𝘰𝘂𝘁 𝗹i𝘮𝘪𝗍𝘀 o𝘯 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗻𝘰𝗏е𝘭ѕ.𝗰𝗼𝗺
Skye didn’t move. She was already ready. She stood still, watching the chaos with detached amusement.
A moment later, the double doors at the end of the hall swung open.
Dominic Thorne walked in.
He didn’t walk; he prowled. He wore a charcoal suit that fit him like a second skin, tailored to emphasize the breadth of his shoulders. His eyes swept over the line of trembling girls with utter boredom. He wasn’t looking for talent. He was looking for weaknesses.
He stopped in front of Skye.
The air between them crackled. He knew who she was. He knew she had just extorted fifty million dollars from him. But here, in this building, he was the god, and she was the supplicant.
“Miss Sterling,” Dominic drawled, looking down his nose at her. “I see you’ve been relocated to accommodations more befitting your current station. No more silk sheets p>
“The mattress builds character,” Skye replied, her voice steady.
Dominic smirked, a cruel twist of his lips. “Let’s hope it builds talent. Your last performance was… adequate. But adequate doesn’t sell p>
He turned away, dismissing her. “Show me the male division. I want to see where my money is actually going p>
Grace nodded frantically and led him toward the next studio. The female trainees followed, Skye trailing at the back.
The male studio was larger, filled with the sound of sneakers squeaking on hardwood. A group of boys were stretching in the center.