Sister Lan arrived at Private Room 1. Director Steven had already moved to another room to rest, and the other girls had been taken away. Only Manager An, who was in charge of the club's security, remained.
On the large bed in the center of the suite lay a thin, small girl, naked and covered in blood. She lay as still as a statue, without making a sound.
Sister Lan approached and took one look before recoiling two steps in shock. The girl's body was covered in bruises, along with numerous bite marks that were still seeping blood.
That Steve was a beast!
Although Sister Lan knew Director Steven enjoyed this sort of thing, he had never gone quite this far before. She had not expected him to kill someone today.
Then Sister Lan suddenly remembered: wasn't this the girl named Jiajia whom Xiao Mei had introduced?
With no time to think further, Sister Lan told Manager An not to do anything rash. After composing herself, she went to the room where Steven was resting.
She had barely knocked and entered when she heard the culprit, Steven, laughing loudly. He was chatting merrily with the friends who had come with him. Listening closely, Sister Lan realized the bastard was shamelessly mocking the girl for being unable to take it.
Sister Lan drew a deep breath, then put on a radiant smile. "Mr. Steven, are you all right?"
Director Steven took a puff on his cigar and replied nonchalantly, "Oh, beautiful lady, thank you for your concern. I'm fine. I couldn't be better."
Sister Lan reminded herself not to let her personal feelings interfere with work. After all, the girl who had died was only a nobody.
"Thank goodness you're all right. I hope this little incident hasn't spoiled your mood," Sister Lan said, patting her chest with a show of relief.
Steven tapped the ash from his cigar. "You must be joking, miss. Why would I let such a trivial matter bother me? I must say, I really liked the kitten you prepared this time. She gave me an experience unlike anything I've ever had."
At that, Steven licked his lips, as though he still had not had enough. He added, "As for the broken kitten, I'll compensate you."
Sister Lan hurriedly smiled. "Mr. Steven, that's far too generous. You're our club's most honored member. How could we ask you to pay for such a trifling-"
"Those are two separate matters," Director Steven interrupted. "If you damage something, you should pay its full value. I don't like taking advantage of people. Just deduct an additional two million in Federation currency from my account."
Sister Lan quickly did the calculations in her head. Any parents who personally delivered their daughter to her were scum obsessed with money. Give people like that a payout, and they would not pursue the matter.
Since Steven was willing to pay for his mistake, why would Sister Lan refuse?
"Very well, Mr. Steven. Is there anything else you need?" Sister Lan asked respectfully.
Steven waved her away. "I have some things to discuss with my friends now. You can leave. Don't let anyone disturb us."
After returning to Suite 1, Sister Lan instructed Manager An to clean up the scene and carry Lin Jiajia's body to the storeroom.
When morning came, Sister Lan called Hu Mei.
"Xiao Mei, it's me!"
"Sister Lan, can we come pick up the child now?" Hu Mei's voice was full of anticipation.
Sister Lan's voice was somber. "There's been an accident with the child. Perhaps we should talk in person."
An hour later, in the club's underground storeroom, Lin Bin knelt on the floor, clutching Lin Jiajia's cold little hand and wailing. Sister Lan watched the man's performance coldly.
"My poor daughter! Why was your life so bitter? When you were six, your mother cruelly abandoned us, leaving just the two of us to depend on each other. How could you be so heartless as to leave your father all alone in this world?"
Tears streamed down Lin Bin's face as he cried out in utter anguish. Sister Lan remained unmoved. She knew this scrawny man was only trying to squeeze out more compensation. If he truly loved his daughter, would he have brought her here?
But Sister Lan did not expose him. There was still a negotiation ahead, after all, and provoking him into a humiliated rage would only make things harder to settle.
"Mr. Lin, none of us wanted this to happen," Sister Lan said mournfully. "But the dead are gone, and we're willing to compensate you for your loss."
"Compensate me for my loss?" Lin Bin reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "What I lost was my daughter! She was a living, breathing person! How can you compensate me for that? You think having a little filthy money makes you something special?"
"Mr. Lin, please calm down. Don't forget where you are." Sister Lan refused to indulge him. Did he have any idea what kind of place this was, or whom he was shouting at?
Hu Mei quickly hooked her arm through Lin Bin's and gave him a discreet pinch, reminding him to quit while he was ahead.
Of course Lin Bin knew he could not afford to offend Sister Lan. In truth, he was not saddened by Lin Jiajia's death at all. He was even secretly delighted that he could finally get rid of this burden.
Lin Bin had long ago told Hu Mei that he wanted to marry her, but she had made it clear that she did not want to become a stepmother in her first marriage. Now everything had worked out: the burden was gone, and it looked as though he could even get compensation. It was the best of both worlds, two blessings at once.
Lin Bin wiped away his tears. "Then tell me, what kind of compensation are you offering?"
Though inwardly contemptuous, Sister Lan spoke sincerely. "It couldn't have been easy raising a child to this age. How about this? We'll compensate you with one million in Federation currency. Would that be satisfactory?"
Hu Mei's face immediately lit up with joy. She had never imagined this little girl could keep bringing them such pleasant surprises. Just a few days ago, she had earned them three hundred thousand, and now another million was being handed to them.
Lin Bin was more composed than Hu Mei. He feigned anger. "One million? You think one million can pay for my daughter's life? Do you know how much effort it took to raise that child all by myself?"
"Then how much do you want?" Sister Lan asked coldly. She lit a cigarette and scrutinized Lin Bin.
Intimidated by Sister Lan's presence, Lin Bin lost much of his bluster. Forcing himself to remain calm, he said, "One and a half million. If you agree, we'll call it settled. If not, I'll go all the way to World Federation headquarters to get justice for my poor daughter!"
I thought he was going to demand a fortune. That's all?
Sister Lan no longer bothered to hide her contempt. She turned to Manager An, who stood nearby. "You heard him. Prepare one and a half million in cash."
Then Sister Lan said to Lin Bin, "You'll be paid every last cent, and that will be the end of this matter. I don't want to hear any unpleasant rumors in the future. You understand, don't you?"
Hearing her agree to the price of one and a half million, Lin Bin could no longer contain his excitement. His expression changed instantly, and he smiled. "There's no need to say that, Sister Lan. Do I look like the sort of person who would go back on his word?"