Chapter 8 Arriving Just in Time

"Dr. Hughes, who do you need me to find?" Simon asked. "My sister, Bethany. She’s a sophomore at Kingsvale University, studying business administration. I haven’t been able to reach her since last night," Sebastian explained, handing over a photo of Bethany. "Don’t worry. Leave it to me," Simon said, making a few phone calls. With his extensive connections in Rivershire and all of Southwynd, locating someone wasn’t a problem. After thirty minutes, Simon said, "I’ve got news. Surveillance cameras show your sister recently went to the Royal Sovereign Hotel." The Royal Sovereign Hotel was one of Simon’s businesses. "Let’s go. Quickly, to the Royal Sovereign Hotel," Sebastian said, feeling a sinking sense of dread. Inside a karaoke room at the Royal Sovereign Hotel, Bethany sat with several men, lightly made up and wearing a short schoolgirl skirt and stockings. Next to her sat Harold Quinton, a dark-skinned, overweight middle-aged man with a gold chain around his neck and yellow-stained teeth— a vulgar man flaunting his wealth. "Ms. Bethany, I’m so glad you agreed to come out. Let me toast to you," Harold said, grinning lecherously as he moved closer to her. Bethany’s face betrayed her disgust. She instinctively tried to move away but stopped herself. "Mr. Harold, I don’t drink. Let’s just sing," she said. "If you don’t drink, why are you here? Money doesn’t come for free, my dear," Harold said with a sleazy chuckle. Sitting nearby on a sofa, a heavily made-up woman in a revealing dress smiled at the scene. "Bethany, weren’t you the pure and perfect one? Now look at you, just like everyone else, doing whatever it takes to make money," the woman said. She was Lily Weston, Bethany’s roommate, exuding a much more worldly demeanor. "After tonight, you won’t be the untouchable Bethany anymore," Lily added, letting her jealousy and satisfaction show. She had resented Bethany’s clean image for years but never revealed it. When Bethany desperately needed money, Lily had pushed her to entertain clients at the nightclub. "Bethany, if you make Mr. Harold happy tonight, your mom’s medical bills will be covered. Isn’t that right, Mr. Harold?" Lily said with a smile. "Of course. 27000 dollars is nothing," Harold said with a wave of his hand. "One drink is 1,400 dollars!" he added, pulling out a thick stack of cash from his wallet. Bethany hesitated, thinking of Helen’s medical bills. Summoning her courage, she drank a glass of wine in one gulp. "That’s it, Ms. Bethany. Even angels have to come down to earth," Harold said, laughing as he placed his hand on her thigh. Bethany felt nauseous, trembling as she spilled her drink. But she stayed still. Harold laughed wickedly, his small eyes filled with malice. "Come, sit on my lap. Then one drink is 2,700," he said with a sinister grin, patting his thigh. Tears filled Bethany’s eyes as humiliation washed over her. Thinking of her mother, she reluctantly moved toward Harold’s lap. Harold’s vile smile widened with impatience, while Lily’s grin deepened as she planned how to exploit Bethany further. Just then, the door slammed open with a loud bang. "What the hell? Who is it?" Harold shouted in fury. Sebastian entered first. "Sebastian? What are you doing here?" Bethany exclaimed in shame, quickly standing up. Sebastian took in the scene and exploded with anger. "Bethany, come home with me. Look at yourself. What are you doing?" he demanded. "What choice do I have? Mom is in the hospital, and the hospital said if we don’t pay, they’ll kick her out!" Bethany cried. Hearing her pain, Sebastian’s anger softened. "Bethany, Mom is better now. She’s been discharged. Come home," he said gently. "That’s impossible. Don’t lie to me," Bethany sobbed. "I’m not lying. Trust me and come home," Sebastian insisted, frowning. "Trust you? Are you even my brother anymore?" Bethany suddenly shouted. "All you care about is Clara. Mom got sick from working herself to death for your wedding. Where were you when the hospital demanded money yesterday? You’re not my brother anymore. Just leave!" "I’ll earn the money to take care of Mom," she said defiantly, her eyes full of disappointment.